Helmet Question

[Clark12 0]

Basically I'm on the look out for a new helmet and I'm wondering what peoples suggestions are for someone with a massive head like mine. Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of being able to try them on so I'm hoping your past experiences will be able to guide me in the right direction.

In the past I've worn 3 helments; RBK 8K, Mission Intake & Bauer 4500.

Of all the helmets I've worn the 8k is probably the best fit, however after about 30 minutes on the ice I'm blinded by the sweat pouring down my face. The Intake, although great for ventilation, was too narrow at the back of my head and also sat very high on my head (probably due to lack of volume). The 4500 I can't remember too much about as I've not worn one in a few years but from what I can remember is was also a bit too narrow for me.

So looking through the current range of helmets on the market I have narrowed my search down to the following helmets:

CCM Vector 8/10

Easton Stealth S9/S17

Bauer 5100

What I want to know is which of these helmets will give me the most volume, width and ventilation. Preferably I'd like to get a helmet that doesn't make my head look any bigger than it already is but obviously protection and fit takes preference.

Dunno if this would be any help, but for reference are are photos of me wearing each helmet: 8k, Intake, 4500

Also in terms of the Vector & Stealth helmets, would getting a model with a VN liner increase volume over the same helmet with an EPP liner?

[th6252 25]

as another person with a big, wide noggin, i'd rule out the vector 08 if you were comfortable with the 8k. i'm currently using a 6k and find the fit just about perfect. yeah, like you describe with the 8k, i do get a bit more sweat running down my face than i used to get with my old ccm ht2, but nothing i can't handle. the 08 was just too narrow for me in the end. if the 10 fits anything like the 08, then you can likely rule that out too.

tried on an easton s9 briefly in a shop, and found the fit quite nice. the only issue may be volume as i found that it tended to have a bit less so than my 6k.

another option for you may be the 4k. similar fit as my 6k, but has vn which people seem to say is a bit better for the sweat issue. can't comment on the bauers as i stopped once i found the 6k to fit my melon nicely. good luck.

[frankie56 0]

RBK 4K

[Ahriman 1]

Sounds like you should just keep wearing the 8k and get a skull cap, god bless them for being amazing about sweat.

[K9 Unit 1]

yea definitely the rbk 4k...

[Tikkanen 1]

I have the 8K and the Easton S17. I've found the venting in the 8K to be superior, has much bigger holes on the top and back of your head. I sweat a lot more in the S17, so based on the previous guy saying he sweat a lot in the 8K it may just be personal preference.

[Clark12 0]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

The 4K seems to be the recommendation here, typical that fugly always wins haha. Wondering how the VN liner prevents the sweat issue tho... I would have thought that if the shell is the same shape then the liner wouldn't have made much difference.

Also is the VN liner glued into the 4K rather than screwed in like the 8K? Reason I ask (and I know this is will void the warranty) is that I'm wondering would it be possible to take the VN liner from the 4K and put it into my 8K shell? Could this be done? Would it make any diffence?

[K9 Unit 1]

i'm pretty sure the 4k and 8k shells are the same and vn absorbs sweat better

[Beflar 55]

Sounds like you should just keep wearing the 8k and get a skull cap, god bless them for being amazing about sweat.

8K plus a Swetguard is even better. I've tried the skull cap which works good but the Swetguard is even better. IMHO

[simnorm 2]

I just replaced my stinky CCM HT2 with a 2009 4K. I don't think it's fugly.

I also tried on the new Bauer 5100 but it was pinching my temples too much.

[epstud74 24]

The Bauer 5100 fits like a 4500 in my experience. Pretty much the same thing, maybe improved padding etc..

[Ahriman 1]

speaking purely on fit then yes they are pretty much the same thing, considering all features, the 5100 helmet the 4500 isnt similar at all.

[epstud74 24]

No, the padding is different. Fit is very similar..different technology

[automorph 0]

I have S9, 8K, 4K, 4500 and 5000......sweat the most in the 8K but is the most comfortable

[sickwilly 37]

The vector 10 is really, really comfortable and feels well-ventilated. My dad and I both have a pretty big squash and it fits us well.

[snipey 0]

What's the Difference between the 4500 and the 400 buckets?

[dumbpolak9 1]

im going to say different padding on in the inside and the protection level

[G0NUCKSG0 0]

What's the Difference between the 4500 and the 400 buckets?

4500 and 4000?

4500 = Nike Bauer, 4000 = Bauer. The 4500 is a renamed 4000, plus the NBH label. Same goes for the 5000 and 8000.

[snipey 0]

So the helmets are the exact same aside from one being Nike Bauer and the padding?

[G0NUCKSG0 0]

The dynamics of the 4000 are the exact same as the 4500's. The only difference is the logo and name.

[maxamillion 3]

the 4500 also got rid of the leather patch on the front and added some stronger support around the screws in the back to reduce the cracking. and gonucks, i think you mean the 8500 and 8000, or the 5500 and 5000, or both, or i'm just an idiot :D

[Fredrik 0]

JOFA 690/RBK 5K