VN V EPP inside helmet

[walkerdb7 20]

I am a converted goalie and am upgrading my helmet. Growing up and in men's league I always had a VN helmet when I skated out (CCM HT2 and Cooper/Bauer 4000). I currently play no check beer league.

I like the fit on the Vector bucket, but I am curious about the V08 v V10.

What are the benefits of the EPP? It is actually safer for impacts? lighter?

[Chadd 916]

Oh boy, time to open this can of worms again.

From everything that I have read, and while this subject interests me I am not an expert, EPP will dampen direct impacts more than VN. VN will do a better job on indirect or rotational impacts. Additionally, EPP will start to crack and break down after any impact above a certain level. You will need to inspect it after any and all major impacts to see if it is starting to break down. VN will begin to get harder as it absorbs more and more sweat, making the padding less effective.

My preference is VN, but that is all it really is, a preference. Go with the helmet that fits you best, a proper fit will provide the best protection of all.

[walkerdb7 20]

The LHS only had the EPP version of the vector. I have not tried on the VN version, but that is what I am familiar with and was thinking about sticking with that.

The e700 and v10 were the two most comfortable helmets. I like the weight of the e700 and the look of the v10.

Is the EPP cracking much of an issue for beer league players? My one complaint about VN helmets is that the tan foam seems to get moldy after awhile.

How often do MFGs suggest you get a new helmet if you are using VN?

[AIREAYE 248]

The LHS only had the EPP version of the vector. I have not tried on the VN version, but that is what I am familiar with and was thinking about sticking with that.

The e700 and v10 were the two most comfortable helmets. I like the weight of the e700 and the look of the v10.

Is the EPP cracking much of an issue for beer league players? My one complaint about VN helmets is that the tan foam seems to get moldy after awhile.

How often do MFGs suggest you get a new helmet if you are using VN?

I believe it should be considered (if you have not sustained any major impacts or other durability issues) once the foams start to harden. IIRC you should be transitioning after about 3 years or so, there's no exact time.

[Joker518 0]

EPP is only going to break after a severe impact in most cases. I'm sure smaller, repeated blows could also cause it to break eventually but hockey helmets are not designed like cycling helmets i.e. one major impact and you need to replace the whole thing.

I've found my EPP buckets to last just as long as my old VN alternatives but I do not play in checking leagues anymore.

BTW Walker, all certified helmets have a date sticker on them. To be totally safe, you should discontinue use of after that date as materials can break down and impact the integrity of protection. Unless you're brutal on your gear, VN helmets generally do not have hardening issues within the sticker date window.

[Monty22 833]

Maybe a silly question, but why not a combo of both VN and EPP? Would the thinkness required to make each effective be too thick to be practical?

[hockeymass 11]

EPP is only going to break after a severe impact in most cases. I'm sure smaller, repeated blows could also cause it to break eventually but hockey helmets are not designed like cycling helmets i.e. one major impact and you need to replace the whole thing.

I've found my EPP buckets to last just as long as my old VN alternatives but I do not play in checking leagues anymore.

BTW Walker all certified helmets have a date sticker on them. To be totally safe, you should discontinue use of after that date as materials can break down and impact the integrity of protection. Unless you're brutal on your gear, VN helmets generally do not have hardening issues within the sticker date window.

My brand new E700 says April 2018. I'll probably have moved on to a new bucket way before that.

Maybe a silly question, but why not a combo of both VN and EPP? Would the thinkness required to make each effective be too thick to be practical?

You'd probably end up with either a layer of EPP so thin it would crack with light pressure, or a layer of VN that barely does anything.

[Chadd 916]

Maybe a silly question, but why not a combo of both VN and EPP? Would the thinkness required to make each effective be too thick to be practical?

It would be the size of a carbster and nobody wants to look like the great gazoo

[AIREAYE 248]

Just to clarify, the date has nothing to do with 'expiration' of the helmet itself. It is simply the length of time the helmet is certified for. That certification must be relevant for all USA Hockey-sanctioned hockey. The previous posts about impact and degradation of foams is still the most important.

[Monty22 833]

What about a layer of zorbium and the interior that touches the head be VN? The big knock against the zorbium was it's water absorbtion, right? Or was it that substantial amounts of it were needed to achive the desirerd results for protection? If it's the later probably same issue Chadd rasies no doubt...

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Maybe a silly question, but why not a combo of both VN and EPP? Would the thinkness required to make each effective be too thick to be practical?

Bauer 9900 and Warrior Krown 360 use a combination of VN and EPP foams; VN is used in certain areas for comfort.

The knock on Zorbium was how much was needed...

Haha I forgot about that whole Hefter helmet fiasco...

[Law Goalie 147]

I can't find it offhand, but there was a study that suggested that VN dealt with minor, repeated impacts *far* better than EPP, which was ideal for absorbing one catastrophic impact.

Chadd's point about rotational impacts is an interesting one. Because the actual impact force is less than a direct hit, presumably VN would perform better. However, it would seem that a lighter helmet would put less strain on the neck and carry less momentum. That's partly why Ryan Miller was so shaken up when Lucic nailed him: goalie masks are meant to take enormous, repeated direct impacts along a tiny range of angles in front of the face, and nothing else.

Personally, I'm a big fan of EVA foam. It's thermoformable, biologically inert, doesn't harden as quickly as VN, and has similar characteristics at similar densities. It is more expensive, and it has less surface integrity (if that's the right term) than VN, so it can get a bit torn up if you're not careful with it.

Gels, of course, are fantastic, but I do worry about adding weight to the head, especially for skaters; for goalies, it's probably a benefit as long as nobody runs you.

[IniNew 53]

Just to clarify, the date has nothing to do with 'expiration' of the helmet itself. It is simply the length of time the helmet is certified for. That certification must be relevant for all USA Hockey-sanctioned hockey. The previous posts about impact and degradation of foams is still the most important.

This is not true. Your helmet does not have to be certified for use in Men's League (18+). It just has to be a "hockey helmet". Gretzky's helmet that you see every once in a while is dictated as a broom ball helmet as an example.

[DarkStar50 679]

If your beer league operates under USA Hockey with USA Hockey referees, you will need a certified helmet. 99.9 % of the helmets are going to be certified anyway. The .1 % with Gretzky Jofa helmets are few and far between. They are also rather stupid for bothering to wear that old Jofa helmet. It is pretty damn useless as a helmet.

[hockeymass 11]

If your beer league operates under USA Hockey with USA Hockey referees, you will need a certified helmet. 99.9 % of the helmets are going to be certified anyway. The .1 % with Gretzky Jofa helmets are few and far between. They are also rather stupid for bothering to wear that old Jofa helmet. It is pretty damn useless as a helmet.

Not to mention hideous.

[AIREAYE 248]

If your beer league operates under USA Hockey with USA Hockey referees, you will need a certified helmet. 99.9 % of the helmets are going to be certified anyway. The .1 % with Gretzky Jofa helmets are few and far between. They are also rather stupid for bothering to wear that old Jofa helmet. It is pretty damn useless as a helmet.

This was what I was referring to, thanks DarkStar.