helmet recommendation please

[2panther 2]

This is my first post on this forum. I'm 29 years old, I played hockey in high school for 4 years. I started playing again last year and picked up some equipment cheap so I could see if it was something I really wanted to get back into for the long haul. So i've been going to skate and shoots and pickup games for the last year and I'm hooked again.

I have one issue with my current equipment, the helmet. It's a CCM 692 I picked up at a Dicks Sporting Goods store locally. After being on the ice for 20 minutes I feel like the helmet is REALLY tight and it's like a vice on my temples creating a headache. I tried to slim down the padding inside to see if that helped and it hasn't but I haven't removed too much padding because I don't want to take anything away from the protection effectiveness.

That said, I'm looking for a new brain bucket. I've looked at hockeymonkey.com and from what I've looked at, I like the Bauer 5500 and higher models, and also the Reebok 6K and up models but that's solely based on looks.

I also don't have a preference of cages, my current cage is just the cage that came with the CCM 692, black, "standard" looking, are other cages worth a look at?

Can someone suggest a model? I don't necesarily have a budget in mind as I don't want to cheap out on a helmet like I think I might have the first time around.

[Krev 86]

First recommendation: Go to your LHS and try the helmets on. This is assuming that you have a LHS in reasonable driving distance.

Second recommendation: NBH 4500 with a Jofa FM 480 cage.

[Chadd 916]

First recommendation: Go to your LHS and try the helmets on. This is assuming that you have a LHS in reasonable driving distance.

Second recommendation: NBH 4500 with a Jofa FM 480 cage.

4500 is generally more narrow than the x52 series. I agree with the trying everything on suggestion.

[lampliter87 8]

Standard cage with a 692 is probably a 480... but yes, definitely try a bunch on and go with what fits best.

[2panther 2]

I will definitely go try some helmets on and see what fits my head best. Is there anything that I should be on the look out for in a helmet? certain features? padding?

[Krev 86]

First recommendation: Go to your LHS and try the helmets on. This is assuming that you have a LHS in reasonable driving distance.

Second recommendation: NBH 4500 with a chrome Jofa FM 480 cage.

Standard cage with a 692 is probably a 480... but yes, definitely try a bunch on and go with what fits best.

Fixed. ;)

[lampliter87 8]

Do a search (yellow button at the top) of EPP vs VN, those are the two main kinds of padding. Different helmets have different fits/features, really it is a matter of personal preference.

[k13 0]

Try the NBH 8500. There are a lot of adjustment features with that helmet, which helped me find the perfect fit (i also had the temple's pinching problem, especially with the RBK 6K)

[Zamboni 6]

If it fits you well the Easton S9 is a great helmet for its price.

[brettlynch11 0]

Reebok 8k is good for wider heads. I have to get rid of mine because my head is too narrow for it.

That said, I agree with everyone else. You never know until you try some on.

[-knowlzey- 0]

Reebok 8k is good for wider heads. I have to get rid of mine because my head is too narrow for it.

That said, I agree with everyone else. You never know until you try some on.

+1. I have a skinny head so it doesn't fit my head as much as I'd like, but still very comfortable.

[Hockeydog 8]

I give the Easton S9 a thumbs up. I had a CCM 1092, same issue with it being like a vice on my temples. Killed me. Bought a Easton S9 and it has been very comfortable. I wear a medium in both. Do yourself a favor and don't buy anything until you at least test wear an S9!!

[Krev 86]

Even though I recommended the NBH 4500, I too am wearing an Easton S9. Fantastic helmet. Give that one a test run as well.

[dsjunior1388 81]

Try the Mission Intake. As far as hat size goes, the S, M, and L all basically overlap at 7 1/4, but they are each different widths especially at the top of the helmet

[pizzakid13 5]

i just got a new helmet and tried them all on. i went with the 5500. felt the best at the best price.

[automorph 0]

comfort : RBK 4K

good looks : Easton S9

Low key : NBH 4500

[2panther 2]

thanks for all the replies, I'll be checking out the Easton S9, Reebok series and any Bauers the shop I'm headed to tomorrow night has in stock. I'll post up if I come hoe with anything.

[interpathway 9]

comfort : RBK 4K

good looks : Easton S9

Low key : NBH 4500

No recommendations based on a helmet's #1 job? Haha, I'm a big S9 supporter, for about $65 USD here, a very worthwhile investment!

[roller to ice 0]

idk why no one is recommending misson more i have an intake and its my favorite helmet i have had and not to pricey to boot plus i love that signature mission helmet look but thats just me

[Chadd 916]

idk why no one is recommending misson more i have an intake and its my favorite helmet i have had and not to pricey to boot plus i love that signature mission helmet look but thats just me

Signature mission helmet look? I can't find one similarity to the carbster.

[NYR1982 0]

I have one issue with my current equipment, the helmet. It's a CCM 692 I picked up at a Dicks Sporting Goods store locally. After being on the ice for 20 minutes I feel like the helmet is REALLY tight and it's like a vice on my temples creating a headache. I tried to slim down the padding inside to see if that helped and it hasn't but I haven't removed too much padding because I don't want to take anything away from the protection effectiveness.

I was in the same boat with my CCM 692. It felt like a vice grip on my head after a few minutes on the ice and was extremely uncomfortable. I found that for me the Mission Intake was the best solution. The helmet fits my head perfectly and I was able to move over the FM480 cage with no problems. I think the Intake would be a great starting point in finding a new helmet that will work for you and fit properly.

[-knowlzey- 0]

idk why no one is recommending misson more i have an intake and its my favorite helmet i have had and not to pricey to boot plus i love that signature mission helmet look but thats just me

I used missions for a while, and they didn't cover my ears, I don't know why, it just sat very high up on my head. Comfortable helmet otherwise, but also kind of ugly.

[2panther 2]

just got home from the hockey shop, it's called Hockey World and it's a new store. I couldn't believe the inventory they had, shelves and shelves of sticks, gloves, shins, shoulders, elbow pads and helmets. I should have taken pictures.

I tried on just about every helmet they had, Easton S9 was cheap in price but it didn't fit my dome too well, still felt narrow on my head. In the end the Reebok 6k fit the best out of all of them. They wanted $99 with no cage, hockey monkey has it for $99 with a cage. I'll be ordering it tomorrow.

Thanks for all the advice.

[2panther 2]

One last question about the Reebok 6k helmet, are cages universal? I'm wondering if my CCM 692 cage will fit on the Reebok helmet or if I should just get the Reebok cage for it.

I would guess cages would be universal but some confirmation would be great.

[2panther 2]

just to update this...

I picked up the 6k helmet, tried it on in the store and it fit great, I ended up with a large and had to adjust it to it's smallest size, felt great. The actual helmet I tried on in the store didn't have a cage on it and I didn't try the one with a cage cause it was in the box and not on the "try it on for size rack" now that I've had time to put it on with the cage it doesn't fit well at all, the chin cup on the cage is under my chin close to my neck. I'm not sure it I can adjust it or what I would actually need to adjust on the cage/helmet to make this fit better or if ultimately this cage isn't going to work at all for me.

thoughts?