Your thoughts on cages

[Stewie 721]

I am in the market to purchase a new cage (and read this as cage only). I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on which they liked the best. The main one i was looking at was the Bauer 7500. Have a chance to pick one of these up possibly for 35 bones. I have a reebok 7k helmet but took a slapper to the face and the cage that came with is now dented, so this will replace the cage as the helmet still has at least a year of good life, the dent is just messing a little with my depth preception.

[shoeshine boy 242]

I'm a big fan of the Bauer 9900. the vision on the sides is much better than any other cage, imo. I've got a Re-AKT titanium cage on order through a team purchase program but it hasn't come in yet.

[althoma1 574]

If you asked the same question a couple years ago I would've said either find an Itech Titanium or pick up a Bauer 9900. The Itech Titanium was the lightest cage available a couple years ago, has good visability and is much more rust resistant than steel cages. The Bauer 9900 has slighty better vision (based on feedback from some users on the board that have used both) due to the flat bars, but isn't as light as the Itech Titanium. Now Bauer has the RE-AKT titanium cage that combines the vision of the 9900 and rust resitance and weight of a titanium cage (it's actually slightly lighter than the Itech Ti cage and has a nicer chin cup).

Personally, I still use an Itech Titanium and am happy with it, but if it needs replacing in the future I'll definitely be grabbing a RE-AKT cage.

[Doctor Hook 0]

I was a FM480 man for years, but I've recently switched to a Boulder Hockey Shield and am very happy with it.

[Stewie 721]

this boulder shield actually intrigues me a lot, ill look for other postings on the topic, but in the mean time, how does it compare weight/scratch resistance wise to the good old poly cages from bauer etc. I wore a comboa cage/mask from bauer when i was younger but find them very heavy now.

[Doctor Hook 0]

this boulder shield actually intrigues me a lot, ill look for other postings on the topic, but in the mean time, how does it compare weight/scratch resistance wise to the good old poly cages from bauer etc. I wore a comboa cage/mask from bauer when i was younger but find them very heavy now.

The shield is lighter than my FM480, and has taken a few high sticks/falling on the ice and looks good as new. For maintenance, I just wipe it down with a clean, wet towel before using, no anti-fog spray needed.

Only adjustment I needed was its reduced airflow after switching from a full cage; but once you play a few games, it is hardly noticeable.

My only gripe about it is the fact that the chincup is pretty bunk. I actually removed it entirely and now just use two seperate side straps, so it is the equivalent of an extra long visor with mouth coverage.

[Harv 86]

I'm sold on the older Jofa 381 and 480s. Classic design with nice bars.

381

480

[Konig von Kuhlem 0]

If you asked the same question a couple years ago I would've said either find an Itech Titanium or pick up a Bauer 9900. The Itech Titanium was the lightest cage available a couple years ago, has good visability and is much more rust resistant than steel cages. The Bauer 9900 has slighty better vision (based on feedback from some users on the board that have used both) due to the flat bars, but isn't as light as the Itech Titanium. Now Bauer has the RE-AKT titanium cage that combines the vision of the 9900 and rust resitance and weight of a titanium cage (it's actually slightly lighter than the Itech Ti cage and has a nicer chin cup).

Personally, I still use an Itech Titanium and am happy with it, but if it needs replacing in the future I'll definitely be grabbing a RE-AKT cage.

I have 9900's on all my helmets and the vision is awesome... it also saved my eye the other night from a shot. It looks like the new RE-AKT has the same vision, but lighter, so maybe for the next helmet...

[Vuronov 18]

I use a Reebok 11K cage and have had no issues with it after a game or two of getting used to it (was using a half-shield prior). Air flow is of course great, and the visibility is quite good with their flat bars. The chin cup has been very comfortable and fits well too so no complaints all around.

[Morten 2]

I like the 7500, the more flat profile and the true vision, makes the two vertical center bars blend into one'ish.

The chin cup is durable and comfortable, even with beard scratching it and the thermomax keeps odor to a really minimum.

In the end, it is about your vision and comfort of the different cages

Try some on your helmet or trial´N´error.

[hunterphfr 12]

Just picked up the RE-AKT cage for my son. Has the same vertical bars as the 9900 for increased vision and is insanely light as well.

[wetwilly17 6]

i am extremely happy with my bauer 9900. i sweat a lot and apparently have very corrosive sweat. i rust out cages so quickly. i've skated approximately 150 times in my bauer 9900 and there is zero rust. it is also much lighter than all the other cages ive used although i've never used a titanium, and the vision is great. it is a great product and worth the extra money over a lower end cage.

[Monty22 833]

I've used JOFA/CCM 480s for years and recently switched to the Bauer 7500. Great visability and the color/flatwire combination seems to be the best at making the cage"disapear" when wearing it. It's alos a lower profile than the 480. I'd get another in a heartbeat. Great cage.

[Stewie 721]

so they didnt have any 7500 in my size, and i tried the 7500 helmet/cage combo. I found the bars to have sort of an annoying positioning in terms of one of the horizontal bars being right in the middle of my field of view.

does anyone know if the 11k cage can fit on a 6k helmet? it seemed awkward in the store but the 6k i grabbed didnt have the cage brackets in.

[IPv6Freely 2093]

Sorry to hijack... do you guys think a re-akt cage will fit on a CCM V10?

[Stewie 721]

it should be fairly universal from what i understand, ive never had to replace a cage though, but then again when i was a kid i never blocked 250 lb grown men slapshot at point blank range

[OpenIceHit42 2]

I have a Bauer 5100 that had the 5100 cage when I bought it and I hated it after a few games. I recently purchased the 7500 cage and absolutely love it. Highly recommend it.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

Had the original Bauer FM5000 on my Bauer 5000 helmet, finally dented it and had to replace it. Bought the 9900, it works for me. Vision's a little better and less noticeable than my original facemask.

[Too Old 1]

I guess I don't understand folks complaining about odor and corrosion. Am I the only one who washes their helmet/cage off after every game under the shower then puts it in front of the fan with the other just-washed/just-Febrezed gear to dry?

[hellaavangard 33]

I recently picked up a Re-akt combo and I absolutely love the Re-akt cage. I've previously used a Jofa 480 and Itech Concept II shield and I find the Re-akt to be far superior. The visibility is great, you hardly notice the bars and as mentioned, it is very light weight. I found the weight of the 480 tended to pull my helmet forward, and the Concept II made it a little difficult to breath while skating. I highly recommend the Re-akt cage.

[wetwilly17 6]

I guess I don't understand folks complaining about odor and corrosion. Am I the only one who washes their helmet/cage off after every game under the shower then puts it in front of the fan with the other just-washed/just-Febrezed gear to dry?

there are other factors: how much you play, how much you sweat, your sweat characteristics, humidity affecting dry time, etc... i take care of my gear better than anyone i know and carbon steel cages still rust on me.

[shoeshine boy 242]

Sorry to hijack... do you guys think a re-akt cage will fit on a CCM V10?

don't see why not. I have a Bauer 9900 on my pro stock CCM V08.

[IPv6Freely 2093]

Right on. I never thought I'd care much about cage weight, but I notice I'm fairly often pushing my chin against my chest to push my helmet back up a bit. Could be helmet fit too, but I imagine it slips because of the cage. Never had movement when I used a visor.

[Too Old 1]

If your helmet slips because of the weight of a cage then it fits too loose. ;)

[IPv6Freely 2093]

If your helmet slips because of the weight of a cage then it fits too loose. ;)

Very well could be true. When I adjusted it, it was out of the box with no cage or visor, so it didn't move around at all. I'll re-adjust it. I'm about ready for a new helmet anyway, as much as my wife will kill me if I bring one home...