Helmet Sweatbands

[TBLfan 25]

Thanks for bumping this thread, I've been trying to find it. NoSweat contacted me and wanted me to try out their product so I figured I'd give it a shot. Before I get started I'd like to thank them for sending me a packet to test out. If you have any questions/comments they're pretty good about responding on twitter @NoSweatCo.

These come in a pack of four so I figured the best way to test these out was to share them with people using different helmets. In this case, we tested a Bauer Re-AKT, an Easton S19 and an Easton E700(I've been looking for another user but haven't had much luck). I also compared fit in a Warrior Crown, helmet and a couple VN helmets from Bauer and Easton.

Willy, Bauer Re-AKT w/ full cage:

Fit: Placing the NoSweat in the size medium Re-AKT we found that it did partly cover the front vents, a little over halfway.

Durability: After one ice session the NoSweat was split about 2.5" along the bottom on the right side, the gel stayed put so it wasn't noticed until in the locker room.

Effectiveness: Will had been complaining of sweat dripping into his eyes, until this ice time. He said that it worked really well at keeping the sweat off his face and there was no ill effects due to the vents being partially obstructed.

Conclusion: According to Will, it works great but durability is a problem. If he has to replace it once per icetime, the cost will add up. He plays 2, sometimes 3 times a week and occasional tournaments mixed in. Going through almost a packet a week or a packet over the course of a tournament would add to the already expensive consumables used in hockey(clear tape/cloth tape/stick wax/laces/etc). Right now, he's not a user until the durability is increased.

Gary, Easton E700 w/ halfshield:

Fit: Upon placing the NoSweat in the helmet, it seemed to cover the front vents completely.

Durability: Gary was able to get two games out of it before he said it started developing a couple splits with the gel exposed.

Effectiveness: According to Gary, it worked great. There were no ill effects due to the vents being covered and the NoSweat did as advertised, it soaked up loads of sweat.

Conclusion: While I was asking Gary what he thought about it he asked me if our LHS sold NoSweat...he's obviously a fan, haha.

Brian(me), Easton S19 w/ halfshield(and pics):

Fit: Upon placing the NoSweat in the helmet, it seemed to cover the front vents completely.

Durability: I got about 1.5 hours before it started to split exposing the gel. I kept playing and although the splits got bigger in the last half hour, no gel seemed to come out.

Effectiveness: Unlike the other two, I had some issues with heat buildup. My helmet not only felt warmer, in a cold rink, but my half shield kept fogging up(normally not a problem). Every time I went to the bench I had to take my helmet off, it was HOT. I also still had plenty of sweat in my face, not in my eyes...I think it was working but I was just sweating more from all over.

Conclusion: I went back to my old sweatband for a few reasons:

1: My helmet is less warm to wear, more airflow is just better.

2: It has never failed me, in over two years I've never had to replace it...in fact, I've never had to wash it because airing it out dries it just fine.

3. Cost. I know they aren't expensive but with all the expendables in hockey it's just one more thing to buy, one more thing to carry and one more thing to change every game or two.

Here is showing how the vents are 100% sealed off.

Inside the helmet:http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh218/TBLfan/20121217_190147_zps17bc7ebc.jpg

From the outside: http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh218/TBLfan/20121217_190211-1_zps75478ffc.jpg

I do have some possibly helpful criticism for future no sweat products and/or current users. In checking fit with multiple helmets, the pad seemed to cover at least part of the vents in every single high-end helmet I placed it in. In VN helmets it seemed to be a much better fit. Although probably not practical to do, altering the shape to slim the amount of forehead/temple coverage it would fit many, if not all helmets without sealing off the vents.

The "problem" areas that I believe could be removed yet having the product remain effective: http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh218/TBLfan/20121217_185709-1_zps7b0672d8.jpg

Current users might be able to accomplish similar results by folding over the NoSweat like you would to mark your place in a book, though I cannot comment on how that would affect durability.

[IPv6Freely 2093]

Great review! I agree that covering the vents is bad. I'm curious though... for those that said durability was an issue - do you guys take your helmet off during a game at all?

[NoSweat 1]

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE for giving feedback on the performance of NoSweat!

We are constantly looking at how we can improve our product and can't tell you how much we appreciate honest feedback from people that are passionate about hockey and the performance of their equipment. Please keep it coming: good, bad, new ideas, questions, etc. it's all greatly appreciated!

RECENT PRODUCT IMPROVEMENTS - We dramatically improved the seal of the NoSweat over the last 2 months. The seal of our initial product (which was used in the reviews posted) was formed by medical-grade adhesive & pressure and performed great for 98% of users. Essentially, the new and improved seal is formed by melting/welding the edges of the NoSweat together, which has made the product more durable and provides a better, more consistent performance for NoSweat users. As of 2/1/2013 all orders off of our website & new orders being sent to our dealers have had NoSweats with the improved seal.

There were a few questions that multiple people had about NoSweat, which we addressed (or hope we did. ha) below:

Could be why they say not to.

On that note, you've basically confirmed my suspicion that they have about a 3 game lifecycle. I think THEY recommend replacing it every game, but I see no real reason to.

NoSweat Lifecycle:

We have found that for MOST hockey players a NoSweat will last 2-4 times you play. Ultimately, this will vary from person-to-person depending on how much you sweat. Below are two different trends we are seeing for NHL players and Youth players:

• NHL PLAYERS - NoSweat lifecycle is 1 game/practice (obviously for these guys "budgeting" is not a concern. ha)
• YOUTH PLAYERS - NoSweat lifecycle averages 3-5+ games/practices

Because they contain a liquid core, which, if exposed, should not be touched, inhaled, or looked at. Ingredients of NoSweats include an unknown glowing substance which fell to earth, presumably from outer space.

DO NOT CUT YOUR NoSweat:

Tailboard Jockey was pretty close! ha, just kidding.

The main reason you should not cut your NoSweat is because the product wicks sweat off of the skin surface and locks it into the core of the product where it turns into a gel-like state. If you cut your NoSweat, you will break the seal of the product and sweat/gel-beads will leak out of the product once it is saturated. Overall, cutting the NoSweat makes the product less durable and it does not perform well.

We hope this information helps. Please let us know if you have any other questions, comments, ideas, etc. we really appreciate it!

[NoSweat 1]

Thanks for bumping this thread, I've been trying to find it. NoSweat contacted me and wanted me to try out their product so I figured I'd give it a shot. Before I get started I'd like to thank them for sending me a packet to test out. If you have any questions/comments they're pretty good about responding on twitter @NoSweatCo.

These come in a pack of four so I figured the best way to test these out was to share them with people using different helmets. In this case, we tested a Bauer Re-AKT, an Easton S19 and an Easton E700(I've been looking for another user but haven't had much luck). I also compared fit in a Warrior Crown, helmet and a couple VN helmets from Bauer and Easton.

Willy, Bauer Re-AKT w/ full cage:

Fit: Placing the NoSweat in the size medium Re-AKT we found that it did partly cover the front vents, a little over halfway.

Durability: After one ice session the NoSweat was split about 2.5" along the bottom on the right side, the gel stayed put so it wasn't noticed until in the locker room.

Effectiveness: Will had been complaining of sweat dripping into his eyes, until this ice time. He said that it worked really well at keeping the sweat off his face and there was no ill effects due to the vents being partially obstructed.

Conclusion: According to Will, it works great but durability is a problem. If he has to replace it once per icetime, the cost will add up. He plays 2, sometimes 3 times a week and occasional tournaments mixed in. Going through almost a packet a week or a packet over the course of a tournament would add to the already expensive consumables used in hockey(clear tape/cloth tape/stick wax/laces/etc). Right now, he's not a user until the durability is increased.

Gary, Easton E700 w/ halfshield:

Fit: Upon placing the NoSweat in the helmet, it seemed to cover the front vents completely.

Durability: Gary was able to get two games out of it before he said it started developing a couple splits with the gel exposed.

Effectiveness: According to Gary, it worked great. There were no ill effects due to the vents being covered and the NoSweat did as advertised, it soaked up loads of sweat.

Conclusion: While I was asking Gary what he thought about it he asked me if our LHS sold NoSweat...he's obviously a fan, haha.

Brian(me), Easton S19 w/ halfshield(and pics):

Fit: Upon placing the NoSweat in the helmet, it seemed to cover the front vents completely.

Durability: I got about 1.5 hours before it started to split exposing the gel. I kept playing and although the splits got bigger in the last half hour, no gel seemed to come out.

Effectiveness: Unlike the other two, I had some issues with heat buildup. My helmet not only felt warmer, in a cold rink, but my half shield kept fogging up(normally not a problem). Every time I went to the bench I had to take my helmet off, it was HOT. I also still had plenty of sweat in my face, not in my eyes...I think it was working but I was just sweating more from all over.

Conclusion: I went back to my old sweatband for a few reasons:

1: My helmet is less warm to wear, more airflow is just better.

2: It has never failed me, in over two years I've never had to replace it...in fact, I've never had to wash it because airing it out dries it just fine.

3. Cost. I know they aren't expensive but with all the expendables in hockey it's just one more thing to buy, one more thing to carry and one more thing to change every game or two.

Here is showing how the vents are 100% sealed off.

Inside the helmet:http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh218/TBLfan/20121217_190147_zps17bc7ebc.jpg

From the outside: http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh218/TBLfan/20121217_190211-1_zps75478ffc.jpg

I do have some possibly helpful criticism for future no sweat products and/or current users. In checking fit with multiple helmets, the pad seemed to cover at least part of the vents in every single high-end helmet I placed it in. In VN helmets it seemed to be a much better fit. Although probably not practical to do, altering the shape to slim the amount of forehead/temple coverage it would fit many, if not all helmets without sealing off the vents.

The "problem" areas that I believe could be removed yet having the product remain effective: http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh218/TBLfan/20121217_185709-1_zps7b0672d8.jpg

Current users might be able to accomplish similar results by folding over the NoSweat like you would to mark your place in a book, though I cannot comment on how that would affect durability.

TBLfan, we can't thank you enough for the thorough review. The photos you posted were VERY helpful!

With the recent improvements to the seal of the NoSweat, both Gary & Willy should be able to get another skate or two out of each NoSweat. We are more than happy to send you some new samples if you are up for passing them on.

Also, we haven't really had anyone report heat issues when using NoSweat, but have actually had most users report being "cooler" when using NoSweat. As you concluded, your heat issues were most likely due to the Nosweat completely covering up the your vent holes of your helmet. We are working on some different ways we can address the issue and really appreciate the recommendation photo you posted! We will definitely let you know when we have something worth testing.

Thanks again!

[SCOMPL 14]

I recently settled on a solution to my sweat-in-the-eyes problem and wanted to share it in this thread. For the record, I did try NoSweat. While it worked great, I don't like the idea of adding another consumable (disposable) hockey accessory to my bag. The cost of skate sharpenings, tape, wax, laces, anti-fog spray, etc. really adds up!

I found the Bauer NME Goalie Mask Sweatband on Ice Warehouse (http://www.icewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=B7SB) and gave it a shot. To my pleasant surprise, this goalie sweat band is very thin! It is about the same thickness as a NoSweat pad when compressed; measuring about 1/4" uncompressed. Also, it is backed with the loop-side of Velcro. I put some hook-side Velcro Wafer-Thin Ovals (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Velcro-Wafer-Thin-Ovals-White-48ct/17190479) inside my helmet, and they hold the sweatband in place very well. The sweatband is about 1.5" tall, and does partially block the lower vents on my Bauer RE-AKT helmet, but I consider it a non-issue since sweat dripping into my eyes was an issue without anything blocking the vents in the first place.

I actually purchased two of these sweatbands, which will allow me to swap them out while the other is in the washing machine. I've found that I don't need to hot-swap them on the bench, because they don't get saturated enough.

Here is an image: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75086194/IMG_1076.JPG

[OldCY 94]

Bravo. This might be my next experiment. I have worn skull caps and they end up bunching up and just are generally uncomfortable.

Your option looks cheap and effective!

I recently settled on a solution to my sweat-in-the-eyes problem and wanted to share it in this thread. For the record, I did try NoSweat. While it worked great, I don't like the idea of adding another consumable (disposable) hockey accessory to my bag. The cost of skate sharpenings, tape, wax, laces, anti-fog spray, etc. really adds up!

I found the Bauer NME Goalie Mask Sweatband on Ice Warehouse (http://www.icewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=B7SB) and gave it a shot. To my pleasant surprise, this goalie sweat band is very thin! It is about the same thickness as a NoSweat pad when compressed; measuring about 1/4" uncompressed. Also, it is backed with the loop-side of Velcro. I put some hook-side Velcro Wafer-Thin Ovals (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Velcro-Wafer-Thin-Ovals-White-48ct/17190479) inside my helmet, and they hold the sweatband in place very well. The sweatband is about 1.5" tall, and does partially block the lower vents on my Bauer RE-AKT helmet, but I consider it a non-issue since sweat dripping into my eyes was an issue without anything blocking the vents in the first place.

I actually purchased two of these sweatbands, which will allow me to swap them out while the other is in the washing machine. I've found that I don't need to hot-swap them on the bench, because they don't get saturated enough.

Here is an image: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/75086194/IMG_1076.JPG

[Cosmic 178]

I have not tried, but I saw these in a YouTube in the bag video:

http://www.shamsweatbands.com/

[Chadd 916]

I have not tried, but I saw these in a YouTube in the bag video:

http://www.shamsweatbands.com/

Is that the same guy that was threatening to sue people for showing others how to make their own?