Need a new Helmet

[gmill 0]

Good day all,

I need a new helmet and I was looking at the Cascade M11 with cage combo. Is this a comfy lid? Anyone use one and how was it. Also looking at the Easton S9 or S17 combo cage.

Thanks,

[Buzz_LightBeer 975]

I'm partial to the Mission intake and RBK 6K helmet, but last year i tried on an M11 at totalhockey, and i was not impressed. seemed bulky and the padding didnt strike me as all that breathable. never wore in out on the ice though.

[5 Minute Major 1]

I tried it on. Feels really good. I'd go to your LHS and try it on.

[sickwilly 37]

I had a Cascade CHX and didn't like it. It was poorly ventilated.

I absolutely love my M11 helmet (better than the Bauer 9500 I came from). It's extremely comfortable. I'd skip the cascade cage and put a top-end Bauer cage on it, though. I switched my 9500 cage onto my M11 and couldn't be happier. I'd agree with those who recommend trying it on, though.

[Thepandamancan 0]

I use an S9 and love it, but there's a few things to hate about it. I'd try it on first, cause it really only fits a narrow head. I really don't fit that profile, but after some breaking in it fits great. I'm in between a large and XL. Eventually I bought an XL one too and it fits better, but when you size down the helmet all the way it really loses its sleekness and low profile look.

Ventilation is also a bit of an issue. I sweat a lot in it so I use a skull cap or a sweat band.

The cage for it looks a bit weird, but it works a lot like my certified goalie cages so it offers pretty good protection and vision.

Overall, it's amazingly light for a price point helmet. My first game with it I got absolutely laid out and hit the ground with the back of my head...I was dazed from the hit but my head was fine. Just a tiny scratch on the back.

[wrangler 157]

Head size/shape combination seems to vary greatly, and finding a helmet with a good fit is of primary importance, to get the benefit of its protection. Personally, I found the M11 to fit me well and comfortably, but I couldn't bring myself to go with a helmet shell that had a hinged piece in the back.

[Jarick 5]

I used an M11 last season and just picked up a 4k last week, wanting to try out a VN helmet. The M11 is comfortable and has great padding but for some reason it "broke in" and now is too big even on the smallest setting. Took a shoulder to the head a couple weeks ago and the helmet kind of spun around and luckily I tucked my head before I hit the ice otherwise it would have been ugly.

Using the 4k last night, it fits tighter on the sides and has adjustable length. Airflow on ice is a lot better although it seems warmer sitting on the bench. It felt like it broke in a bit by the end of the night as the temple pads weren't as tight.

One thing I liked about the 4k trying on helmets was that it seemed to huge the base of the back of the skull better than most helmets under $100, which would make it move around less in a collision.

I firmly believe that fit is crucial though so try on all the helmets and pick one that fits snug once adjusted.

[althoma1 575]

I've used 2 M11's - it's the most comfortable helmet I've ever used. I replaced the first one because it broke in the back when I fell backwards after catching a rut and hit my head on the ice. The good news is that I didn't get a concussion from that spill, but the helmet did break. I bought another one because it was still the most comfortable helmet for my head.

I haven't had any major issues with the second helmet, but one of the screws did come off for the cage clip so I put a new one on an tightened the other one. I thik I overtightened those screws because there are now minor cracks under each of the screws.

I use the helmet with an Itech titanium cage - I've seen and handled the Cascade cage and it's definitely heavier than the titanium and I also think the Itech has better sight lines. I've also picked up Bauer 9500 and 9900 cages and they're not as light as the itech titanium, but they're lighter than the cascade and the bars are the thinnest I've seen period. So personally I'd either go with an itech titanium if you can find it or pick up something like a Bauer 9500/9900 and put that on the M11 instead of going with the Cascade combo.

[Tikkanen 1]

I use the M11 and haven't had any issues. I removed the plastic inserts to increase air flow. It's light, it fits my head good, the padding hasn't been an issue. I think the RBK I had was better ventilated but I haven't experienced anything that would prevent me from recommending the M11 to others. It comes down to your head shape, your finances and what is important to you as far as weight, protection and ventilation.

[tscharf 0]

I'm also in the market for a new helmet so I've tried on most of the ones out right now. I currently use an S9 but I need a different color so I'm exploring all options.

I will say that trying the helmets on is very important because each one fits differently. All newer helmets are going to offer a pretty high level of protection, but not if it doesn't fit properly.

It's a little pricey, but the Reebok 11K has a very snug fit with it's new style of adjustment. I'm leaning towards the CCM V10 because it fits me well and the price is right.

[talkintothemike 4]

As everyone will tell you in this thread and others, it is better to have a lesser quality helmet that fits correctly than a top of the line helmet that does not fit correctly. I have had many helmets over the last 30 years and have tried to research the science behind what is available at the time. As an engineer, EPP for ice hockey, or any sport with multiple collisions, just does not make sense to me. Never did. That said, I have had EPP helmets and I did have issues with hits including what I thought were rather mild. (Although the best helmet that I ever had for venting/heat was an EPP Mission Intake.) I feel VN is a much better option for a sport like hockey than EPP, but that is just my opinion. Evidently most NHL and AHL players agree as well, but they have many reasons for choosing their helmets.

As for the M11, I have one now, and I had the Cascade CHX before the M11. (Obviously looks are not a factor in my helmet decisions.) I love the M11 in the aspects that matter to me: fit and protection. It is the most comfortable helmet that I have ever had and it fits my head really well. I believe in the technology behind it and I feel it is the best option when compared to VN and EPP. I have had one major hit with the M11, and had no issues. I was impressed.

My son and daughter now also have M11's and they love them. My son has had 2 hard hits to date, with no issues. The only downside is that it still is a little warm for me, and I have heard that the size adjustment latch on the back of the helmet can break. So far, mine has held up fine. (As for the heat, I think I was spoiled by the Intake but the M11 is much better than the old CHX.)

As for cages, I use an old Itech titanium. My son and daughter use Bauer 9900's. Hope this helps.

[phonymahoney 0]

As everyone will tell you in this thread and others, it is better to have a lesser quality helmet that fits correctly than a top of the line helmet that does not fit correctly. I have had many helmets over the last 30 years and have tried to research the science behind what is available at the time. As an engineer, EPP for ice hockey, or any sport with multiple collisions, just does not make sense to me. Never did. That said, I have had EPP helmets and I did have issues with hits including what I thought were rather mild. (Although the best helmet that I ever had for venting/heat was an EPP Mission Intake.) I feel VN is a much better option for a sport like hockey than EPP, but that is just my opinion. Evidently most NHL and AHL players agree as well, but they have many reasons for choosing their helmets.

As for the M11, I have one now, and I had the Cascade CHX before the M11. (Obviously looks are not a factor in my helmet decisions.) I love the M11 in the aspects that matter to me: fit and protection. It is the most comfortable helmet that I have ever had and it fits my head really well. I believe in the technology behind it and I feel it is the best option when compared to VN and EPP. I have had one major hit with the M11, and had no issues. I was impressed.

My son and daughter now also have M11's and they love them. My son has had 2 hard hits to date, with no issues. The only downside is that it still is a little warm for me, and I have heard that the size adjustment latch on the back of the helmet can break. So far, mine has held up fine. (As for the heat, I think I was spoiled by the Intake but the M11 is much better than the old CHX.)

As for cages, I use an old Itech titanium. My son and daughter use Bauer 9900's. Hope this helps.

Heh. I'm still using a CCM X-ray. In fact, I bought an extra one just in case.

[Tikkanen 1]

As everyone will tell you in this thread and others, it is better to have a lesser quality helmet that fits correctly than a top of the line helmet that does not fit correctly. I have had many helmets over the last 30 years and have tried to research the science behind what is available at the time. As an engineer, EPP for ice hockey, or any sport with multiple collisions, just does not make sense to me. Never did. That said, I have had EPP helmets and I did have issues with hits including what I thought were rather mild. (Although the best helmet that I ever had for venting/heat was an EPP Mission Intake.) I feel VN is a much better option for a sport like hockey than EPP, but that is just my opinion. Evidently most NHL and AHL players agree as well, but they have many reasons for choosing their helmets.

As for the M11, I have one now, and I had the Cascade CHX before the M11. (Obviously looks are not a factor in my helmet decisions.) I love the M11 in the aspects that matter to me: fit and protection. It is the most comfortable helmet that I have ever had and it fits my head really well. I believe in the technology behind it and I feel it is the best option when compared to VN and EPP. I have had one major hit with the M11, and had no issues. I was impressed.

My son and daughter now also have M11's and they love them. My son has had 2 hard hits to date, with no issues. The only downside is that it still is a little warm for me, and I have heard that the size adjustment latch on the back of the helmet can break. So far, mine has held up fine. (As for the heat, I think I was spoiled by the Intake but the M11 is much better than the old CHX.)

As for cages, I use an old Itech titanium. My son and daughter use Bauer 9900's. Hope this helps.

Removing the plastic "honeycomb"-like things over the vents made a huge difference for me. I was coming from a high end RBK which cracked and I noticed the M11 wasn't breathing as well right away. Still not as good as the RBK but it's good enough. Is nobody buying the ZShock? I thought that would be more popular based on the freakishly light weight.

[althoma1 575]

Removing the plastic "honeycomb"-like things over the vents made a huge difference for me. I was coming from a high end RBK which cracked and I noticed the M11 wasn't breathing as well right away. Still not as good as the RBK but it's good enough. Is nobody buying the ZShock? I thought that would be more popular based on the freakishly light weight.

Before I picked up my second M11 I actually saw the ZShock on sale for less than the M11. I considered it since it was insanely light, however; the fit just wasn't nearly as good for me with the S19 helmet as it was with the M11. I think the S19/Z-Shock just fits less people well and that's the reason it's not more popular.

[Jarick 5]

Wouldn't removing the honeycombs over the vents mess with the protection?

I wonder if there's a way to make the helmet fit smaller. Might have to rip it apart this weekend.

[Guffaw26 0]

I find the M-11 to be an outstanding helmet -- excellent comfort and protection.

[Tikkanen 1]

Wouldn't removing the honeycombs over the vents mess with the protection?

I wonder if there's a way to make the helmet fit smaller. Might have to rip it apart this weekend.

I don't believe so since they can be swapped out for different color combinations. They are only held in by plastic plugs on either side of the insert and are pretty easy to remove.