Half Visor question

[lebowski 0]

I'm sure this topic has been beaten to death, but I just wanted some opinions from some veterans.

I've been playing ice hockey for about 8 months in a novice league and noticed more and more people switching from cage to half visors. I've been looking at buying a half visor that extends past the nose and of course investing in a good mouth guard. I haven't seen anyone get hurt from a puck or high sticking yet, because everyone is pretty respectful and watches their sticks.

I'm just curious is if it's stupid to switch from cage to half visor? If anyone can recommend some good half visors that extend below the nose would be much appreciated. I've been searching all over the web and all the hockey sites have pictures that you really can't judge how big they are.

Thanks in advance

[third man in 0]

I'm sure this topic has been beaten to death, but I just wanted some opinions from some veterans.

I've been playing ice hockey for about 8 months in a novice league and noticed more and more people switching from cage to half visors. I've been looking at buying a half visor that extends past the nose and of course investing in a good mouth guard. I haven't seen anyone get hurt from a puck or high sticking yet, because everyone is pretty respectful and watches their sticks.

I'm just curious is if it's stupid to switch from cage to half visor? If anyone can recommend some good half visors that extend below the nose would be much appreciated. I've been searching all over the web and all the hockey sites have pictures that you really can't judge how big they are.

Thanks in advance

Give it some time, you're bound to see someone get whacked in the mouth with a stick or puck soon enough, sometimes they're lucky and its not that bad, other times...not so much. If the cage doesn't bother you I would stick with it. I would argue a novice league is more dangerous than a higher level league in terms of going cage-less but that's just my take. I have never removed my cage and never will, its not worth it to me. I often get whacked in the cage and I'm glad I've got that piece of steel protecting me.

[steelnation248 102]

I use this one: http://www.hockeymonkey.com/bauer-pro-wave-half-shield-clear.html

It covers my face pretty well. The highest point on that wave cutout is right at the tip of my nose then it covers my cheek bones when it drops down. I haven't used the Oakley version of the "wave" shield but I'd assume it is similar.

I think the biggest half shield (or at least that I've seen) on the market is this: http://www.hockeymonkey.com/oakclrvisor.html

Think Dany Heatley with this one.

[Slapshot9123 0]

Honestly, after playing juniors with a visor for the past 2 years. Its not really worth it, sure visibility may be a little bit better but, there really isn't to many issues with visibility when wearing a cage. You might think you will be safe with one but, freak accidents do happen. You can ask any experienced player on here. Im sure just about all of them have seen a facial injury with a visor involved.

I think the Oakley VR910 is one of the visor that offers the most facial coverage but, I might be wrong with that. Outside of that, 3 point visors offer protection past the nose.

[ibeck 38]

The Bauer x100 is pretty big along with as mentioned above the Heatley visor.

edit:x100 is the one they use in major junior in case you didnt know

[Chadd 916]

If you're used to a cage, stick with it. I never wore a cage and have had issues trying to switch to one. There's no good reason to go away from a cage in a beer league.

You might think you will be safe with one but, freak accidents do happen. You can ask any experienced player on here.

It's simply a matter of "when" not "if" something will happen.

[cooperalls 4]

As said above, if you're wearing a visor it's only a matter of time before you catch an elbow/stick/puck that a cage would've saved you from. If you're lucky, you'll just get a bump/bruise/cut. If you're less lucky, you'll get broken teeth, stitches, or a broken nose/eye socket.

I've never taken mine off, so to some degree I don't know what I'm missing in terms of vision/breath-ability. Although I've coached with nothing, and reffed with a half shield, so I know enough to say it's not going to make you that much better or worse of a player either way.

Everything a visor leaves vulnerable is either very expensive to fix, or irreplaceable.

[5 Minute Major 1]

I tried to switch to a haf shied for ice but wasn't confident enough with it on. I switched to the Bauer Full Shield. Protects the face and great clarity. I decided to only use the half shield in roller hockey. I did however have someone on the other team get hit in the face with the roller hockey puck today. Nothing major happened to him but enough to make me think about wearing the full shield for roller now.

[xrickyb86x 1]

I switched to a visor a year ago and have only had a couple bloody lips. I did, however, take a snapper from a teammate off the side of my visor. It actually cracked it. I saw my life flash before my eyes. Haha. It's kind of an expensive investment for me to tell you to "try it out" for a little bit but that's essentially what I did. I never felt less protected with it but I am completely less protected with it.

[ScruffyTheJanitor 1]

I was recently thinking about switching to visor myself ... then I took a puck to the cage in one of my weekly pickup games. Guy was trying to chip the puck past me and it hit me square in front of my cage, leaving a pretty good dent. As previously stated, doesn't matter what level you play at, it's only a matter of when.

However, I know a couple of guys who use the X100 shield and are quite happy with it.

[wrangler 157]

What model cage did you have, that got dented?

[ScruffyTheJanitor 1]

What model cage did you have, that got dented?

An FM480, chrome.

[lebowski 0]

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm going to stick with my cage for the time being.

[mike_big_mac 1]

Back in my days in Junior we used to use these http://www.6amsports.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=25&zenid=556fe5eaf852eb4c506c82d3c845dcf3 Itech visors (had the hinge on the helmet and two straps). If I remember correctly it covered all the way down at least to my top lip if not just past my bottom lip. These visors are crappy and scratch easily, but offer more protection than the newer Bauer pro cut straight visors these days.

[Haggerty 144]

Yeah stick with cage if you are used to it... Don't need to be like me and get 9 teeth knocked out and a hairline fracture in your jaw because of a deflected puck

[Empieee 0]

hmm, I thought about switching aswell.. but after I caught a stick of a goalie, a puck and a stick of player right on my cage I decided my teeth weren't worth it.. I would say, if you can earn your money with hockey it might be nice.. but since you aint getting paid for it I wont do it... just my 2 cents

[Andoy 5]

No it's not a crazy idea to switch from a cage to a visor as many people do it all the time. Just be fully aware of the risks from wearing one and understand your league's insurance policy on half visors.

[xrickyb86x 1]

and please, please, please, do yourself a favor and wear a mouth guard. It wont prevent you from losing chicklets but it will help.

[Machinehead2k5 32]

You can go with the Visor/cage combo that my friend uses.

OR Go this route: WARNING PERSON IN PICTURE IS NOT FATTER THAN THEY APPEAR :)