Transition from half-shield to full cage

[Gefiltefish 9]

So after taking a high stick a few months ago I can't see to shake the reaction of closing my eyes when someone follow-throughs on a shot. Its a bad habit that is getting worse.

I am thinking of giving a full cage a try to see if that "cures" me. I was going to get a new helmet anyway (4900 or another CCM V08).

I wear glasses and am mainly worried about the weight of the cage and of course the vision. I have not played with a cage EVER in my life (when I started playing as a kid I used a full clear Itech shield and then graduated onto half shields after high school). Since I am playing roller now for summer, going to a full clear shield will likely lead to too many fog issues.

I am not sure which style cage would be best. People have seemed to suggest the Bauer 9900 and 7900 cages. Someone I know that plays with glasses said that he likes the 7900 cage since it is closer to the face. I would think the 9900 would be lighter though and may have better vision.

Has anyone (with or without glasses) made this transition before?

[dangle 0]

I've tried a number of times to go to a full cage... no go. I've taken sticks to the face which prompts me to try a cage, but I cant do it. So I stick with a half shield + mouthpiece.

It's all about PP though. Some can transition fine, others can't. Good luck!

[mhkehoe 1]

I switched from the recon face shield to the bauer 9900 because I didn't care for the air flow and couldn't wipe the sweat out of my eyes. I love the 9900, but it will take some getting used to. I've frequently used cages in the past so I am used to looking through them.

The cage becomes a lot less obstructive once you start playing because you have objects to look at in the distance and you don't think about the bars

[sitzlejd 0]

Switching to a chrome or white cage will probably make it easier. I know I didn't have any issues switching from half shield back to a cage.

[psh 25]

Switching to a chrome or white cage will probably make it easier. I know I didn't have any issues switching from half shield back to a cage.

I think you'll find that the chin cup, not the bars on the cage, is the problem (if you experience any problem, at all). I've been out of a half shield for almost 10 years now and would never go back. I'm currently in a dull gray Bauer cage (8500?). I like how the duller colors dampen light reflections. The bars became invisible almost immediately, but I still miss a bit of the peripheral vision--especially when the puck is in my feet. It's a price you pay. But, you're not getting paid to play the game and unless you're Spiderman, you just can't count on reacting to every follow through on a shot, every deflected puck or, God forbid, every skate in your mug.

[1117 0]

I went from no shield to half shield to a combined shield/cage (think it was called CCM view) and then to a Bauer 9900 cage. Happy with the 9900, does take some time to get used to but like someone else said once you start playing with it you don't really think about it.

Some guys on my team have however had a lot of problems with the switch and gone back to wearing nothing, despite some pretty bad face injuries (which was why they switched in the first place). For me it's just not worth it not wearing a cage, playing rec hockey just for fun now.

[sickwilly 37]

I haven't tried the 9900 cage, but I'm thrilled with my 9500. The wires aren't too thick, and I find that it obstructs my vision less than any other cage I've used in the past.

[Monty22 835]

Have you considered contacts?

I had no issues when I switched from a half sheld to the CCM/Jofa/RBK 480.

[metalwinger13 1]

Id recommend contacts. I recently went back to a cage as I'm getting ready to join a summer league. Honestly if you don't think about it, you wont notice it. i also went from a tinted hossa pro wave to a rbk 5k cage. maybe try going a size larger if you have a issue with the chin cup?

[HattrickSwayze 3]

Yeah definitely do contacts if you can. I couldn't imagine trying to play hockey with glasses on. The Bauer cages are pretty nice. I had a 9500 cage on a Reebok 6K helmet for a while. The vision was nice with the oval bars and the light grey color, and the cage itself was really light. What I didn't like was how it fit my face. The Bauer cages chin cup would sit over my mouth instead of on my chin. I switched to a Reebok 5K cage and I love it. The cage is longer so the chin cup actually sits where my chin is, instead of over my mouth. It's also pretty light and if you get the grey version, has good vision as well. I'd recommend giving the 5K cage a look.

As far as the transition itself, I guess that depends on you. I started with a cage, went to a visor for a season, and then back to a cage. I had no problems with either, or switching back and forth. Obviously the visor gives you a bit better vision, but I feel better playing with a cage. You'll notice the cage at first but give it a few games/skates and you'll get used to it.

[Fisticuffs 0]

I'm switching back to a bird cage myself. A few weeks ago I was reffing a pretty high level men's league game, and saw a guy take a stick in the teeth from his teammate. His bottom front 4 teeth were all smashed in. He bled so bad we had to have the zam driver dry cut the ice to clean up the blood.

A couple weeks later, I took a stick in the face so hard it cracked my half shield. If it costs me a goal or two a season, I can live with that. Beats the hell out of a huge bill from the oral surgeon.

I picked up a CCM FM 480, which hilariously, comes with a bag of screws still labeled Jofa. I'm sure my vision won't be as good as in a half shield, but the bars don't bother me watching the Ducks game on Versus, so hopefully they'll be okay in a game.

[TeamHonda401 54]

Couple ways I've seen that do a good job adjusting to a cage, try watching tv or playing video games. Another way that's pretty drastic but works wonders, is try driving around the block a few times with the helmet on.

[IceBuckeye88 0]

If you can find one, get an Itech titanium cage. It's lighter than anything currently on the market. However, they were a little pricey (before the Bauer buy out). Maybe you can get one on Ebay?

Regarding face protection, my attitude is unless I'm being paid to play, I'm wearing a cage. I've taken too many sticks/pucks to the cage to ever take it off. As for vision, I don't even notice it. I'm sure there is a transition period, but once you get used to it, you'll be happey you switched.

[Gefiltefish 9]

I ended up driving 2 hours to Total Hockey today to do some testing... I tried on a few helmets with a few different cages.

The helmet that fit me the best was actually the Cascade. Not as perfect as my CCM V08, but fairly close. The only other helmet they had in stock that was even close was the Bauer 5100. I wish the Easton S19 would have fit better because that helmet is stupid light!

As for cages - the Cascade cage was not good. There was a bar right in the middle of my eyes and I did not like the fact that the straps running to the back clips are attached to the chip cup. I also tried on a 9900 helmet (helmet fit like crap but I wanted to test the cage) and prefer that cage over all the rest. The straping system was nice and the chin cup felt nice and soft. I looked like an idiot walking around the store to test my vision, but I think that will be my cage.

Ended up not making a purchase though (well I bought other stuff, just not a helmet). The sales rep would not take the cage off the M11 to sell the helmet only (did not have my size/color in stock in helmet only, just the combo) and they also would not guarantee that the 9900 cage would fit the M11 helmet.

I am going to do some research and see if those two will fit together...

[althoma1 575]

Out of the current cages the 9900 is probably the lightest with the best vision. The lightest cage of all time is the Itech Titanium - that's what I use with the Cascade M11 and it fits well. The M11 is by far the most comfortable helmet I've used - the S19 is much lighter, but it also didn't fit me well at all.

[Gefiltefish 9]

Out of the current cages the 9900 is probably the lightest with the best vision. The lightest cage of all time is the Itech Titanium - that's what I use with the Cascade M11 and it fits well. The M11 is by far the most comfortable helmet I've used - the S19 is much lighter, but it also didn't fit me well at all.

What size of each (helmet and cage) are you using?

Just saw the chart at http://www.hockeymonkey.com/itech-cage-compatibility-chart.html and it says that the 9900 and the large M11 don't work with each other... The 9500 cage works though and I swore the 9500 and 9900 cages were the same! Ugg!

[JTully317 11]

Yeah definitely do contacts if you can. I couldn't imagine trying to play hockey with glasses on. The Bauer cages are pretty nice. I had a 9500 cage on a Reebok 6K helmet for a while. The vision was nice with the oval bars and the light grey color, and the cage itself was really light. What I didn't like was how it fit my face. The Bauer cages chin cup would sit over my mouth instead of on my chin. I switched to a Reebok 5K cage and I love it. The cage is longer so the chin cup actually sits where my chin is, instead of over my mouth. It's also pretty light and if you get the grey version, has good vision as well. I'd recommend giving the 5K cage a look.

As far as the transition itself, I guess that depends on you. I started with a cage, went to a visor for a season, and then back to a cage. I had no problems with either, or switching back and forth. Obviously the visor gives you a bit better vision, but I feel better playing with a cage. You'll notice the cage at first but give it a few games/skates and you'll get used to it.

Playing with glasses is awful. Used them up until bantams probably. Every time you get hit the fall off and fog up quite frequently. Contacts make a huge difference.

Anyway, as for making the transition from shield to cage your best bet would probably be to go with a white or chrome cage for minimal distraction. The major benefit of going with the cage is that you won't be worried whatsoever about anything hitting you in the face or mouth so you may even play better.

[hockeyaussie 1]

Whats the lower peripheral vision like on a half visor/half cage combo like? Any problems seeing the puck on your stick, or looking for it at your feet?

[althoma1 575]

What size of each (helmet and cage) are you using?

Just saw the chart at http://www.hockeymonkey.com/itech-cage-compatibility-chart.html and it says that the 9900 and the large M11 don't work with each other... The 9500 cage works though and I swore the 9500 and 9900 cages were the same! Ugg!

I'm using a large M11 and a large Itech Titanium. The medium titanium will also fit on the large M11 (I put it on, but didn't use a medium for my helmet as the large was a better fit for the length of my face. I put that medium on a small Mission Intake for my wife).

[tareatingrat 4]

I used to play with glasses, and if you can switch to contacts, I'll echo what everybody else is saying--huge difference right there.

I wear a cage, white bars, barely notice it.

The benefits definitely outweigh the drawbacks, in my opinion.

[1117 0]

Whats the lower peripheral vision like on a half visor/half cage combo like? Any problems seeing the puck on your stick, or looking for it at your feet?

I thought it was pretty bad. I had the problems your mentioning and switched to a 9900 cage, which works a lot better in my opinion.

[JR97 2]

I had been a visor user for close to 20 years. Last year I took a cross check to the face and the thing shattered. The helmet was so old that the screws were rusted pretty good. So I decided to get a new helmet and got a great deal on one that came with a cage. It took forever to get used to. I played a full summer season and it effected my play pretty drastically that whole season. I finally got somewhat comfortable with it after about 3 months. (Only playing 1-2 times a week.) I was pretty used to it for this past winter.

Because the helmet was pretty uncomfortable, I thought I'd try a different brand and go back to a visor. I'm 3 games into it and I doubt I'll go back to the cage. If I ever feel the need, I'll go full shield. I do use the rbe1 which is bigger than most visors.

[markush 12]

Has anyone experience with the CCM View 998 visor? Seems this solves the fog problem (at least I hope) when playing indoor and might also provide a good vision.

http://europe.ccmhockey.com/helme-masken/view-998/

[johnnyvegas 0]

Another way that's pretty drastic but works wonders, is try driving around the block a few times with the helmet on.

Testing your vision by driving car.

Could you be anymore more dangerous to your neighbours?

[Haggerty 144]

switcing to a full cage was the best decision i ever made. Has saved me thousands in dental work I can tell you that much.