Help deciding on a mask

[Carv 0]

I wasn't planning on getting a mask for my son this year but somehow I am now... This equipment buying seems to take on a life of its own.

Anywho - I am looking at the following options:

- Sportmask Ricochet VE jr (lightly used) $160 on Kijiji out of town

- Hackva jr (lightly used) $200 on Kijiji out of town

- Sportmask Ricochet VE jr (new) $239 out of town

We may be able to try on a Hackva but I am not sure where to find a sportmask dealer in Montreal.

My son is 8 playing Novice (B or C) and his head measures 20.5 inches around. I think that is the junior size of both the Hackva and the Sportmask.

Any thoughts or comments? Thanks in advance.

[LivHockey84 0]

my ONLY opinion would be to have your son actually try on the masks first before you ever spend any money on them. Every mask has a different fit, and i mean every mask. For instance i fit like a glove in Eddy & old Badger masks but do not fit in the new Bauer & Vaughn masks....its all a personal preference depending on his face shape. Because the head is the most important thing to keep safe!

[docar15 1]

You need to make sure the masks are certified.

Ricochet would definitely be lighter then Hackva. Hackva has a full layer of kevlar in it, but for 8 year olds it is probably OK without :-).

I would go with a lighter weight. My backup mask is an XL Ricochet and I love it. Tried the Hackva, definitely a tank, very protective, but sitelines are terrible.

Also, there is a video on Sprtmask's site of Tony (the mask maker) taking shots to the head from the puck machine while wearing a Ricochet.

Best of luck Sir.

my ONLY opinion would be to have your son actually try on the masks first before you ever spend any money on them. Every mask has a different fit, and i mean every mask. For instance i fit like a glove in Eddy & old Badger masks but do not fit in the new Bauer & Vaughn masks....its all a personal preference depending on his face shape. Because the head is the most important thing to keep safe!