Shield recommendations

[fleadeluxe 0]

I'm finally making the move from cage over to visor. Just transitioned to ice from inline and the cage, on top of all the other bulky gear, is annoying me like it never did in inline. I have a nike quest helmet:

Do all visors fit a certain standard? I.e. should I be worried about buying a visor that might not fit on my helmet? I was looking at getting one of these, anybody got any input on how the Oakley visors go? I did want to get a Bauer shield, but they don't ship to aus, blah blah blah.

I am a little apprehensive about the lack of protection provided by a visor compared to a cage, but i'm only playing in a rec league and I figure it's not going to get too feisty. Another slight concern is that i'm on the short side, ~5'6, which means i'm in stick-to-face zone for taller players. Because of this I was looking at the longer shields like this. Is the Oakley visor as 'long' as the Bauer one? Does anybody have a picture of an extended(/half) shield fitted on a helmet (preferably being worn) so I can see where the visor comes down to?

[caldakid 0]

You're not getting payed to play, I would seriously reconsider playing with a visor only.

It's not worth losing your teeth.

[Chadd 916]

You're not getting payed to play, I would seriously reconsider playing with a visor only.

It's not worth losing your teeth.

I wish I had started playing with a cage. It's really hard to go to one later.

[Steve_v3 289]

I am a little apprehensive about the lack of protection provided by a visor compared to a cage, but i'm only playing in a rec league and I figure it's not going to get too feisty. Another slight concern is that i'm on the short side, ~5'6, which means i'm in stick-to-face zone for taller players. Because of this I was looking at the longer shields like this. Is the Oakley visor as 'long' as the Bauer one? Does anybody have a picture of an extended(/half) shield fitted on a helmet (preferably being worn) so I can see where the visor comes down to?

I'm only 5'5" & have always worn a visor. In 20 years I have only had a couple of injuries due to the visor. If you wear a mouth-guard you should be fine. I would ask whether whatever visor you get would fit from the place your getting it. If your ordering it online than they might not know, but you can get bigger nylon spacers at a home improvement store. If you going to a LHS than bring the helmet they may put it on or at least see if it will fit.

[t6lock 24]

You're not getting payed to play, I would seriously reconsider playing with a visor only.

It's not worth losing your teeth.

Am I the only one that doesn't get this? Reconsider playing with a visor to save your teeth?

Also, +1 to mouthguard if you're getting a visor. Or you can always consider a shield/cage combo.

[steelnation248 102]

Am I the only one that doesn't get this? Reconsider playing with a visor to save your teeth?

He telling him to reconsider the idea of switching over to a visor from a cage because of the risk of getting hit in the teeth. Not to reconsider staying with a visor.

I know what you're saying here though. I don't know if I even explained it properly because it's a sentence that can be construed two different ways.

[jazz4all 9]

just stay with cage. really... i took a hard wrist shot on my chin today and it's something you don't want to happen. and yes i didn't put my cage...

[Stoop 1]

Is there some reason why people generally don't use the full shield set-ups? Or the shield-cage combo? Is it a style thing?

[shoeshine boy 244]

for the full shield, a lot of people think it's too hot and some folks have problems with fogging, especially in older rinks that don't have dehumidifiers.

as for the shield cage combo I think weight is the major drawback on those. I used to skate with a ZLeader shield/cage but got tired of getting whacked in the face and ending up with stick marks that couldn't be buffed out. after I switched to a cage I couldn't believe how much lighter it was.

if it was me playing in a low-level rec league I'd stick with something full-face. low-level players have less control over their sticks and I have seen sticks get up underneath even the lowest visors before.

the Bauer 9900/9500 cages are made in a way that the bars are hardly noticeable. find a friend who has one and ask to borrow it.

[IniNew 53]

Is there some reason why people generally don't use the full shield set-ups? Or the shield-cage combo? Is it a style thing?

In the younger crowds it has a lot to do with looks. In the older it's probably a mix of weight and fogging.

[HOPE 0]

@Stoop: a cage is pretty annoying, it force your head back with your chin,i personaly think it give you less motion, such as turning your heard a certain way the cage can hit the shoulder pad, anyway

i switched to a visor when i started back playing and got 3 puck in the mouth, 2 of my teeth are realy shaky and if i didnt have a mouth pieces i would have probly lost my 2 front tooth, i had brazes for 2 years and i dont feel like fucking my dentition again so i switch back to the cage!

i would personnaly say, if you dont play realy serious hockey and you're used to the cage dont make the switch, unless you wanna look like ovechkin with the missing teeth cause a high stick or a puck deviation comes faster than you think!

your call!

[raganblink 82]

the way i see it -

if you have dental insurance, it doesn't matter, wear the visor. If you don't have it, wear the cage. If you're bordering retarded, don't wear anything.

[HOPE 0]

well i guess everyone as a different opinion because my insurance covers 90% of my dental fees and i still dont want to fuck up my teeths lol

[fleadeluxe 0]

Thanks for the replies, definitely some stuff to think about, seems like the consensus is to stick with the cage. Let's move this discussion in a different direction, what is the least bulky/visually obstructive cage? How are the Bauer 9900/9500 cages mentioned above?

[LoneStar77 25]

I played inline with an ITech full shield & then an Oakley half shield & after a couple of ice times I hardly noticed the N/B 8500 cage I wear for ice. I would assume the 9900/9500 would be just as thin/oval wire shaped, if not better.

[mhkehoe 1]

Thanks for the replies, definitely some stuff to think about, seems like the consensus is to stick with the cage. Let's move this discussion in a different direction, what is the least bulky/visually obstructive cage? How are the Bauer 9900/9500 cages mentioned above?

Best cage I have worn. I don't notice the vertical bars at all, and the horizontal ones are only slightly larger because the further the bars are down on the cage, the less the ovals line up with my eye line. In the past I have used the JOFA 480 (Now CCM), and this was a light cage with fairly unobstructed viewing, but the Bauer still wins for me.

[bagsbie 8]

I am actually thinking of going to a cage setup from the clear shield. I was involved in a behind-the-net collision as a result of which the other guy's skate ended up hitting my chin Shawn Thornton-style. Luckily, it did not do much damage, just a bit of blood. A little further apart and the skate would have lacerated my face. I got stick-butted in the face too, the other day. Pucks constantly fly by my head, so, I think, I've tested my luck enough times to switch to a cage.