New Helmet

[mdamson 0]

My daughter needs to have her helmet replaced this year. We went down to the LHS and tried on many different helmets to see the best fit, because as stated on here quite often, the fit is the most important thing when considering a new helmet. We tried on the Easton S19, Easton S9, Cascade M11, Bauer 5100, Bauer 7500, Reebok 8K, and CCM V10. It seems like the CCM V10 and the Bauer 7500 fit her the best. Unfortunately we don't exactly live in a hot bed of hockey here in the Northwest, so I was not able to get expert fitment help. She says that these two helmets seem to wrap around her head the best when adjusted. My question is are these two helmets similar in terms of fit, since I can only go without an expert opinion. Also, are these helmets equivalent in terms of protection? I hear so much anecdotal evidence on this site about how this or that helmet saved my noggin' but there doesn't seem ever to be any real hard evidence such as test data. Thus if you select the highest priced helmet from each manufacturer are they any more protective than the 2nd or 3rd highest price in that manufacturer's helmet line? I have also heard anecdotal evidence that VN foam is better in low impact collisions and EPP is better for high impact. Thus which of these would be better for girl's Midget hockey, and if VN is better for this type of hockey why are EPP foam helmets marketed as being the most protective even in the girl's game? It also seems like the Cascade helmet isn't too highly regarded in terms of protection, regardless of their claims. Finally I have one final question, given that the 7500 Bauer and V10 CCM seem to fit her best, are they similar at all in fit to the 9900 Bauer? This is the one top of the line (based only on price) helmet that we didn't have the opportunity to try on. If it is similar in fit, is it worth the extra $50 because it offers that much more protection than the 7500 or the V10?

[Axxion89 32]

My daughter needs to have her helmet replaced this year. We went down to the LHS and tried on many different helmets to see the best fit, because as stated on here quite often, the fit is the most important thing when considering a new helmet. We tried on the Easton S19, Easton S9, Cascade M11, Bauer 5100, Bauer 7500, Reebok 8K, and CCM V10. It seems like the CCM V10 and the Bauer 7500 fit her the best. Unfortunately we don't exactly live in a hot bed of hockey here in the Northwest, so I was not able to get expert fitment help. She says that these two helmets seem to wrap around her head the best when adjusted. My question is are these two helmets similar in terms of fit, since I can only go without an expert opinion. Also, are these helmets equivalent in terms of protection? I hear so much anecdotal evidence on this site about how this or that helmet saved my noggin' but there doesn't seem ever to be any real hard evidence such as test data. Thus if you select the highest priced helmet from each manufacturer are they any more protective than the 2nd or 3rd highest price in that manufacturer's helmet line? I have also heard anecdotal evidence that VN foam is better in low impact collisions and EPP is better for high impact. Thus which of these would be better for girl's Midget hockey, and if VN is better for this type of hockey why are EPP foam helmets marketed as being the most protective even in the girl's game? It also seems like the Cascade helmet isn't too highly regarded in terms of protection, regardless of their claims. Finally I have one final question, given that the 7500 Bauer and V10 CCM seem to fit her best, are they similar at all in fit to the 9900 Bauer? This is the one top of the line (based only on price) helmet that we didn't have the opportunity to try on. If it is similar in fit, is it worth the extra $50 because it offers that much more protection than the 7500 or the V10?

I cannot address your other questions but the bolded I feel I can answer. The best answer for you is that there is no real way to judge just how protective a helmet can be relative to the user of the helmet. Manufacturers can test how well it absorbs impact from different forces of impact, how the shell holds up, how the foams dampen force and more. However, a concussion, which is what I presume you are most concerned about with regards to a good helmet, is very difficult to gauge in regards to a helmets effectiveness. There are a myriad of factors that go into a concussion such as angle of impact, speed of impact, deceleration of the head within the helmet as well as personal internal factors such as the the physical makeup up the person and individual properties of the brain and surrounding tissue.

What I am trying to say is, it is very hard for any helmet manufacturer to claim "this helmet will stop concussions or this helmet will prevent this or that" because it effects everyone on a case by case basis. The best thing is a properly fitting helmet that is snug and prevents movement above all else IMO and having a helmet with a good shell as to ensure that any blunt force impact (A skate or stick for example_ doesn't shatter the shell and fail to protect the head. As far as the foams, each has its own pros and cons that many here can explain and know much better than I. As far as different models of helmet from the same manufacturer, the difference is usually in features and foams, the higher priced will normally have added vent holes, more adjustment, or newer foams such as EPP and gel inserts and going down the line will decrease these features as well as price. Hope this helps!

[MrWizard 0]

I'm no expert, but I've always followed the mentality that the one that fits best protects best. You could spend the extra on the Bauer 9900 but if it doesn't fit properly, it's not going to be as effective as the 7500.

[Chadd 916]

the fit between those two helmets is similar enough that your could go either way with them. I have read a couple studies that basically showed EPP as being better at dissipating energy on direct impacts and VN being better for indirect or rotational impacts. Unfortunately, there is no way to know how either does in preventing concussions, as nobody really knows to to prevent them (other than stopping impacts to the head and neck, but I really don't want to go there). In the end, buy the one that fits best and doesn't twist or slide up or down when she shakes her head vigorously. If there are multiple that fit well, buy the one she likes best.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

I just got a new helmet fairly recently. I was debating the CCM V8 and the CCM V10 (among other brands). I liked the V10 better, it was more comfortable, and I began to ask myself if it was worth the extra money.

Then it hit me. It's a simple answer, and it is: hell yes it's worth it! For something as absolutely critical as head protection, damn right the extra $30 or whatever it was is worth it. If there is one piece of equipment I'm going to own that is top dollar, it's going to be a helmet.

My $0.02, for what it's worth...

[Chadd 916]

I just got a new helmet fairly recently. I was debating the CCM V8 and the CCM V10 (among other brands). I liked the V10 better, it was more comfortable, and I began to ask myself if it was worth the extra money.

Then it hit me. It's a simple answer, and it is: hell yes it's worth it! For something as absolutely critical as head protection, damn right the extra $30 or whatever it was is worth it. If there is one piece of equipment I'm going to own that is top dollar, it's going to be a helmet.

My $0.02, for what it's worth...

As I just posted above, studies have shown mixed results with EPP vs VN. If you like it more, then it's worth it for you. Personally, I prefer VN padding for that, and a number of other reasons, I bought the V08.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

As I just posted above, studies have shown mixed results with EPP vs VN. If you like it more, then it's worth it for you. Personally, I prefer VN padding for that, and a number of other reasons, I bought the V08.

Cool. I was more making a general comment that head protection is never something to skimp on.

[mdamson 0]

Cool. I was more making a general comment that head protection is never something to skimp on.

Yes, but I believe that you are making what may be an error in judgement. You automatically assume that because it costs more, it must protect more. This is what all manufacturer's want you to believe as a consumer. I am not so sure that this is truly the case. Since we never get to see any data on how much more protective the most expensive helmet is, we can never know for sure.

[reverseit 0]

I just got a new helmet fairly recently. I was debating the CCM V8 and the CCM V10 (among other brands). I liked the V10 better, it was more comfortable, and I began to ask myself if it was worth the extra money.

Then it hit me. It's a simple answer, and it is: hell yes it's worth it! For something as absolutely critical as head protection, damn right the extra $30 or whatever it was is worth it. If there is one piece of equipment I'm going to own that is top dollar, it's going to be a helmet.

My $0.02, for what it's worth...

Didn't Bauer (I can't remember exactly, but pretty sure it was) use the line "What's your head worth?" in some helmet ads maybe 5-6 years ago?

[IPv6Freely 2100]

Yes, but I believe that you are making what may be an error in judgement. You automatically assume that because it costs more, it must protect more. This is what all manufacturer's want you to believe as a consumer. I am not so sure that this is truly the case. Since we never get to see any data on how much more protective the most expensive helmet is, we can never know for sure.

Nah, that's certainly not what I'm saying at all. All I was saying is that your head safety is worth a few extra bucks. Buy the helmet that fits you, even if it may be slightly out of your desired price range.

[raganblink 82]

That's how I read that too optimus, everyone is assuming you bought the more expensive one because you think it is better bc its more expensive, not because it fits better...

Buy the helmet that fits the best, whatever the price range.

[maxamillion 3]

I Would say either of your first 2 options will be absolutely fine, and I would suggest the v10 simply because it comes down a little further on the back of the head from my experiences. The Bauers are very similar in fit to the vector helmets so it's not a surprise she liked them both.