The Messier Project

[Jarick 5]

Tried the helmet on today. Very comfy, roomier than most helmets. Padding was very thin and light but there was the plastic hex spacers. Looks pretty good, a bit of a dome on top, but the shape is very good IMO. The plastic seemed a bit thin and flexible, but the point is to prevent concussion I suppose, might not be as good with a stick to the head. Adjustment is in the back, a lot like adjusting a ball cap, seemed to work well. Overall, it's a comfortable, light, and good looking helmet. I'd get one if I didn't just pick up a 5500. If my kid decides to play a few years down the road, I'd put him in one for sure.

[duch 0]

I'll be looking for this helmet when it finally comes out on the Canadian market. Right now I'm good for a little while so I don't mind being patient and waiting it out. I've already given a couple of LHS's in my area the heads up on the new Cascade so they'll contact me when they start getting it in.

[Canuck 0]

Just received my M11. Its a very nice helmet. I'm actually very surprised how light it is. The padding is super soft. Haven't put it on the ice yet so the verdict is still out on how it wears during practice and play. But I'm liking it so far.

I ordered a Med in the M11 and there is plenty of room for my noggin. I actually think there is more than the 8K has in a Medium.

[TheMessierProject 0]

A few of you have mentioned that you have received your M11s. That is great! If you get a chance post some pictures. It would be great to see what color combos you got and give everyone a chance to see them.

[IniNew 53]

I tried this helmet on at the store. Fit like a dream. So comfortable. I when get around to having the cash I will be picking one up.

[Adamah 0]

Lets see some pics!

[kklinder 0]

I'm considering the Cascade M11. I noticed there's an option to have the helmet one size and the cage a different size. Has anybody done this on any helmet? What are the considerations? If you have a big melon, but a short face maybe you'd do a Large helmet with a Medium cage?

[TheHerminator22 0]

So wait? They asked Mark Messier to help with style of a helmet? After years of wearing this bucket he'd have been my first choice...</sarcasm>

Yeah! I was thinking the same thing. This guy wore one of the crappiest helmets possible for his entire career, now he is trying to get current NHLers to wear safer/better helmets. Kinda shady.

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

In all seriousness, how can you make a claim that the WinnWell/Cooper SK2000 was a crappy helmet?

It had VN padding - which still is used in helmets today.

It had a harder exterior than most helmets today. You can squeeze the 8k like a grape if you felt the need to.

It had extra padding in the temple area, with the option to add more if needed - which no helmet nowadays offers.

And when Mess started to wear that helmet, it was the gold standard in protection - in a time when there were guys out there helmetless.

[mik3 1]

To add to that, JR, goalies swear by the thing.

[number21 3]

Plus they used it in TRON!

(sorry, had to)

[furlanitalia 1]

I didn't read any of this as people joking about messier's choice in protection, but his overall choice of style. Which is way to important to some people.

[sickwilly 37]

I had a CHX and felt that it was very poorly ventilated, plus something about it didn't fit quite right. It was so hot that I had to switch to a 9500. The 9500 is a great fit for my head.

I'm wondering if anyone who has used both can comment on how much better the ventilation is/isn't. I'm also wondering if the fit is similar to the CHX.

Thanks!

[iceholes 0]

I had the old cascade... i switched back to my 8k. I couldnt get past the weight and the constant sweat dripping in my eyes.

But the fit was the best of any for me. I tried on the new Messier last week and again the fit was even better, was a bit lighter, but not as light as my 8k. That being said, with a cage on the cascade had so much better visability than my 8k with a true one. I want the new cascade but need to skate with one at real speed to see if the weight bothers me.... I suspect it wont.

I think I like the fit because I wear Giro Bike helmets and they are super comfy. Giro really helped make adjustments easy and reliable

[Invert 13]

In all seriousness, how can you make a claim that the WinnWell/Cooper SK2000 was a crappy helmet?

It had VN padding - which still is used in helmets today.

It had a harder exterior than most helmets today. You can squeeze the 8k like a grape if you felt the need to.

It had extra padding in the temple area, with the option to add more if needed - which no helmet nowadays offers.

And when Mess started to wear that helmet, it was the gold standard in protection - in a time when there were guys out there helmetless.

I was thinking more along the lines of ugliness when I posted that...

[Jarick 5]

Interesting thing from the Wild website, they interviewed Brent Burns (who's recovering from his second concussion in 12 months). He is trying the M11 helmet, as well as Sykora (who just returned from concussion) and Bouchard (who is still unable to do anything at all, but he will be trying it). He noted the helmet was very comfortable until you start skating and moving, then it pinches the back of your head and the pumping blood gives you a headache. Because of that, he might not use it, and Sykora might switch back.

[Dolom1te 0]

I actually find it very comfortable even while skating. It is the best helmet i have owned. I have had 6 concussions in the past so that was the original reason i switched, but it is excellent. I would certainly recommend it.

[duch 0]

Found the M-11 at Pro Hockey Life just after Christmas. Finally available in the Toronto area. I grabbed it quick because the Vaughn store had some come in in late summer but they sold out quick. so I missed out. Have worn it twice so far. One of the most comfortable helmets I've ever worn and the ventilation is no worse than my Easton S-17 helmet. It's light and protection seems top notch. The thing I've noticed though ( as many other people have mentioned ) I have no pressure points anywhere which I find fantastic. (My Easton I find has a bit of pressure around the temple area even with the extra padding but it goes away after a couple of minutes of wearing it.) The head adjustment at the back seems to cradle your head as opposed to pressing against it in different locations as with a regular helmet using VN or EPP liners. It closes around the back portion of the helmet just above the upper neck at the back of your head. So far I'm very happy with my purchase. I'll keep using my S-17 for pickup but the M-11 will be great for my men's league. I'll update later and let you know how I feel about it in a couple of months.

P.S. The Itech Titanium cage and the Jofa 480 fit very well on the M-11.

[JCM_G8GT 0]

ok ... I've been wearing the M11 lid with itech titanium cage since Oct (3x/wk). I loved my carbsters, but the interior aged (hardened) and started to really smell. Went with a 8500 and a s17 switching off between the two late spring and summer. IMO, 8500 had better ventilation. Both were comfy, but neither perfect no matter how adjusted. My complaint with both was the feeling of the helmet rotating forward toward eybrows. The s17 worse than 8500 ... and yes, I used all the adjustments.

So i tried the M11 and have not looked back. Ventilation about same as 8500 but difficult to define as it clearly colder out now. And, best is no rotation feeling...and comfy. The s17 was ebay'd, 8500 kept as spare for now.

Sorry, no opinion on looks, I look for function. You really need to make your call after wearing, as basing a equipment decision on someone elses (pro player etc) usage is silly as equipment fits ever one different. I'm sure there are folks who 8500 works great and m11 is no go.

[althoma1 574]

JCM_G8GT Posted Today, 07:35 PM

ok ... I've been wearing the M11 lid with itech titanium cage since Oct (3x/wk). I loved my carbsters, but the interior aged (hardened) and started to really smell. Went with a 8500 and a s17 switching off between the two late spring and summer. IMO, 8500 had better ventilation. Both were comfy, but neither perfect no matter how adjusted. My complaint with both was the feeling of the helmet rotating forward toward eybrows. The s17 worse than 8500 ... and yes, I used all the adjustments.

So i tried the M11 and have not looked back. Ventilation about same as 8500 but difficult to define as it clearly colder out now. And, best is no rotation feeling...and comfy. The s17 was ebay'd, 8500 kept as spare for now.

Sorry, no opinion on looks, I look for function. You really need to make your call after wearing, as basing a equipment decision on someone elses (pro player etc) usage is silly as equipment fits ever one different. I'm sure there are folks who 8500 works great and m11 is no go.

I also made the switch from the Carbster to the M11 and am using the itech titanium cage with it. I've been using it since December 5th (first wore it at the modsquad skate in Michigan). It's lighter than the Carbster and the ventilation is better, however; the Carbster absorbed more sweat whereas the M11 seems more hydrophobic and the sweat drips down.

From a looks perspective it's average in my opinion. For me the old Nike 0004 helmet I had a few years back won the looks contest, but it wasn't nearly as comfortable for me as either the Carbster or M11. I'd rather have a helmet that looks alright, but is comfortable and protective than one that looks fantastic, but has pressure points and isn't as protective.

[jcp2 2]

Was the helmet rotation solution due to the helmet itself, or to the titanium cage? I had the sliding over the eyes effect with my CCM V10 that was solved when I moved from a regular cage to a titanium cage.

[JCM_G8GT 0]

The rotation was the helmet itself. tried three different cages - bauer oval wire, bauer stainless and Itech titanium and made no difference on the 8500 and s17. Did the titanium with the M11 and it worked ... so left that combo in place. The rotation was not much but annoying. Seemed to notice mostly on face-offs.

[Conrads6 0]

I'd have to agree on the rotation on the 8500, that's my only complaint with it and I am using a half visor. How is the weight on the M11 in comparison?

[JCM_G8GT 0]

without reading the box, really can't tell the difference in weight between s17/8500/M11. While it would be interesting to know, the difference is minimal. I need to focus on losing those 20# around the waist before equipment weight comes into play....

[li7039 0]

http://metrohockey.blogspot.com/2010/01/in...rk-messier.html

Friend of mine got a chance to interview Mark