Helmets

[Souldriver 64]

Ok so I currently have a Bauer HH8000 (in that sweet sweet silver) and it's been strong for the past 6 years except now the padding is starting to restock. Nothing bad, I can reapply it with some pressure but they do come back off. The certification also expired in 2010 but I'm not worried playing in lower, low contact leagues.

I'm looking for protection, and breathability and nothing that will fall apart within the year. cages arnt a concern as iI go with a half visor and the VN vs EPP isn't an issue as I'll go with whatever even though I'm coming from an epp with gel pad helmet.

Price is a tiny concern but I'm more than ok splurging on dome protection.

Right now I'm looking at:

Bauer Re-akt: havnt heard a bad thing about this one except for price. I'll have to try the suspendtek in person though.

Bauer IMS 9: seems like a reakt without the suspension, kind of new but I'm sure people out there have been using these

Easton e700: the miniscule weight and (imho) sweet matte finishes draw me to this, it would be interesting to see how these fit with the girl fit system and static outter she'll.

Warrior known: I've been liking warrior a lot lately though I hear new krowns will be coming out soon and usually second gen warrior products have huge improvements.

If these all fit my block of a head correctly what are you guys seeing as the pros and cons of these helmets, I havnt been helmet shopping in a loong time so I don't even know how much more breathable, lightweight, protective today's buckets are.

I will alls be avoiding the cascade helmets, Bauer IMS 11, and Bauer 9900. I've read bad things about durability, ventilation, and worse protection and concussions about these.

Also at the moment I'm playing more roller than ice if that helps, but I still want a high end helmet.

[Monty22 835]

Go to your LHS. Try on as many helmets as you can. They all will fit differently. Some will not fit your head at all. Choose the one that fits your head the best.

[Souldriver 64]

I will but if there are helmets out there that are deceptively unprotective, or fall apart within a couple months I want that knowledge beforehand. My local shops also have limited supply and a lot of times don't carry sizes or high end gear, and I'm in a busy hockey area.

Though I am going to try on what I can I'm sure Bauer (unless there was a huge change in sizing over the past 5 years) do fit nicely now.

I guess what this is for is getting the intangibles you don't get from trying things on, and you get from playing with a helmet over time. Ie ventilation us hard to tell in a lhs.

[Cosmic 178]

I have read that the pads in the Easton e700 absorb sweat, and hold it there for a long time after use. The pads start to stink, but are removable and can be washed. To me, that's just an extra headache, I'd prefer just to have a helmet that weighs a few more grams and stays dry (like the Re-AKT).

[althoma1 575]

I'm sure Bauer (unless there was a huge change in sizing over the past 5 years) do fit nicely now.

I guess what this is for is getting the intangibles you don't get from trying things on, and you get from playing with a helmet over time. Ie ventilation us hard to tell in a lhs.

Once you try on a few Bauer helmets you'll see that not all Bauer helmets fit the same - just about every model has a unique fit. I know the Re-akt and the IMS 9.0 both fit differently as I've tried both of those on.

Bauer Re-akt: These fit larger than average - I've worn a large in every helmet I've had (my head is 23.5 inches around which is a large in most helmets) and while I can put a large on at a smaller setting, I found that a medium was a better fit. The helmet is low profile, felt comfortable on my head and seems like it'd ventilate well. JR has a review on this helmet that you should read if you haven't already: http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/60910-bauer-re-akt-helmet/ as well as a teardown: http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php/topic/60154-bauer-re-akt-helmet-initial-thoughtsteardown/

Bauer IMS 9: This helmet felt narrower than the Re-Akt. I believe it uses the same shell, but a different liner and the liner is thicker so that's why it feels different.

Easton E700: Definitely the lightest helmet out there - the previous S19 helmet didn't fit my head well with the old baseball cap style system, but when I tried the E700 with the giro system I was able to adjust it so that a large E700 felt quite comfortable on my head. JR did a teardown: http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/59003-easton-e700-helmet-teardown/ and Chadd started a Long Term Review: http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php/topic/59045-easton-e700-helmet/

Warrior Krown: Not the most low profile helmet out there (it's noticeably bigger than some of the other helmets), but it does adjust both length and width wise for fit. JR did a teardown: http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php/topic/61498-warrior-krown-360-helmet-initial-thoughtsteardown/ and started a LTR: http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/61718-warrior-krown-360-helmet/

Personally, I wear one of the helmets you're planning to avoid - the Cascade M11. I've worn the helmet since just after it came out as it was the most comfortable helmet for my head at the time. One did break on me near the back adjustment, but it was after about a year of use when I took a pretty hard fall and the back of the helmet hit the ice. I was pleased I didn't get a concussion from that and went out and bought another M11 a few days later that I've now been using for over 2 years. I have noticed that it does get warm when playing roller hockey and don't notice this as much when playing ice. I'd love to see the ventilation improved, but I'm happy with both the comfort and protection and find the durability to be more than acceptable (if a helmet breaks after a hard fall, but I'm not injured then I'm fine with that).

I did try on the M11 Pro in the same size as my M11 (large) a few weeks ago as a shop was clearing out the M11 Pros they had in stock and was surprised to find that the M11 Pro wasn't as comfortable for me as the original M11. So even though I was tempted by the price, I didn't end up picking up a Pro because I preferred the fit of the original M11.

[Souldriver 64]

Althome it looks like you're nailing what I'm looking for. I was going to search the reviews and ltrs when I got home but you made it way easier. I have one or two other thoughts but once again I'll wait till I'm home to comment

[LearDriver 1]

Here's a little insight on my experience with the RE-AKT. I wish I had more to offer you in terms of a comparison between helmets, but I haven't tried any others out. Additionally, I haven't had it too long, maybe 3 months?

Thankfully, I haven't had the opportunity to test out the effectiveness of my RE-AKT on impacts. I love the helmet though and do not regret spending the money on it for a second. It has been holding up nicely to my 2-3x a week play on both ice and inline; the only wear it shows is on the padding inside: the coloring of the padding's lettering has partially rubbed off...big whoop, lol. It's very light and comfortable and I really don't even notice it. Ventilation of the helmet itself is hard to judge as I wear the Bauer 920 Combo with it. I sweat a bit and I'm sure that has a lot to do with it (the Combo), but the sweat doesn't really run down my face too much, but is more noticeable with the warm, indoor roller rink. I let my equipment dry overnight in the open and don't notice any odors. The Occipital Lock thingy is pretty nice and gives it a nice fit on the head.

Really, I can't express enough how much I really like this helmet. I know it's tough to judge from someone else's experiences and opinions; I was in the same boat and just had to make a leap in one direction. Glad I chose this one.

[hunterphfr 12]

I'm mid 40s play twice a week and am also on a tournament fire department team and my son is 12 and skates 4+/- times a week. We live in hot and humid Florida. We've both worn the Bauer 9500 helmet. I would consider that helmet to be almost dangerous. EPP has broken, gel pads fall out or displace and mine cracked the length of the ridge from the top of my head to the occipital area after being hit from behind into the boards head first. I'm currently wearing a 9900. I've been very happy with it as most of the 9500 problems seem to have been addressed, although my gel pads have recently begun to shift and one has fallen out. I really like the red and black colour scheme, as my team wears Team Canada jerseys. Ventilation on the 9900 is I would say adequate, definitely below the exceptional I would rank my Intake at. I do miss that helmet. My son is currently in the e700 with a Re-Akt cage. We couldn't be happier with this combination. Fit is perfect for him. With this helmet it pretty much fits or it doesn't though. Weight is absolutely insanely light, especially with no cage, a frameless half shield or a Re-Akt cage. Ventilation is good, he wears a skull cap when his hair gets long as the large ventilation holes allow his hair to poke through. The absence of gel pads is a plus. I like the gel pad comfort, but I'm tired of missing, displaced pads and goop in my hair. He recently had the liner separating from its Velcro backing on one of his liner pieces. $14 later and it was replaced along with a helmets worth of spares. Try and find replacement gel pads.

IF an e700 helmet fits you I would consider it to be perfect for low contact roller. It's weight is negligible, Wayne Gretzky Jofa salad bowl negligible. It breaths well. The heat of roller in a hot climate cannot be considered ideal for any helmet with gel pads, in the long run they'll be a problem. The e700 has none of the problems associated with gel pads, shifting & missing pads or gel goop in your hair. BUT fit with this helmet is going to be a yay or nay situation.

[Chadd 916]

The E600 has most of the same features/benefits and is only a little heavier, at a significant cost savings.

[Souldriver 64]

Chadd, sweet preemptive strike. I was looking at it quick and didn't see a difference as I was kind of considering that as well.

Btw I saw a review or two that said the matte helmets have spots that are "soft" near the logo and easily push in. Any experience with this?

I played tn with my hh8000 and sweat was dripping down my forehead and my visor and my forehead felt overly warm and on the bench I couldnt wait to get it off to vent and was regretting putting it back on for shifts. I'm in ny and the weather was humid due to the rain but it was only 65-70 outside, really not that hot especially as spring still has games and I may play during summer this year.

The gels are also slowly starting to not stick unless my heads in the helmet, the glue isn't messy or anything but they're coming up.

Right now I'm going to get out to the shops tomorrow and try the e700, reakt, and ims 9 for kicks and see if any of their shapes fit my head. All of this is for naught if they don't fit or hurt.

[Chadd 916]

No issue with soft spots on mine. In fact, I took a stick to the logo a couple weeks ago. I would stay away from the matte finishes, simply because of the marking issues. None of the guys on my team that got the regular finishes had those issues.

With the cage/visor mounting hardware not being in the padding of the E600, it will likely handle a little more abuse than the E700 will.

[Souldriver 64]

Good to know, I saw you mentioning that in your review. I was thinking that matte white is sweet too but I the pictures I have seen of it show a more sterile, teeth colored white which erks me for some reason.

I'll take a look at them in the shops but I feel like, against my and your better judgement, the matte will get the best of me....

[Souldriver 64]

Tried on the reakt, ims9 , and e700 today. No warrior helmets at this shop

I started with the Easton and like everyone else I was surprised by the lack of weight. I took the medium (usually a L) and it fit my head nice! Except for two spots. The part of the helmet in front of the ears where the j clips go was putting pressure on the sides of my head as it seems the helmet comes in on the bottom. It was also very stiff and I feel like if I take a hit there the energy would go tight into the side of my head. I thought ok my head is big so I tried a L. The top was then loose and the sides now didn't have pressure but were digging into my head. I guess having the helmet full helps it open up, or they all just go down to the same width on bottom.

Damn, really liked the looks of this one and it fit nice otherwise.

Onto the bauers, I started with the reakt once again a med based on others experiences but I couldbt get it to adjust so I asked for help so I don't break it on them and tried the ims in the mean time.

The ims 9 med didnt fit so I stepped right up to the large. The fit was ok everywhere except for the back. It felt like points of the hardback padding were in ny neck and I couldn't tilt my head up unless I wanted to feel more pressure. It wasn't bad but there was a hard pressure there. I do know the back of my head is very flat straight into my neack so I figured there were pads that were there for more normal shaped heads.

At this poi t I figured the reakt would be very similar but I tried it on once the store attendant got it to open up a bit. Exactly like everyone else the M fit well and all the hard parts of the ims9 now had the soft suspendtek padding on it so it felt nice. Very much that pillow feel others have mentioned. I out it on tightened it up and wiggled my head and it didn't move at all to my knowledge. With a bit hit. Who knows but with my in-store, don't look too stupid head shakes it was pretty spot on. But there is that feeling in the back of my neck. Damn maybe this isn't for me either. But I remembered this has the occipital lock in the back as an adjustment. I opened it up all the way and it was fine. No pressure and I can tilt my head up like I do with my helmet currently. Really impressed and even though it's not e700 light it was still surprisingly light when I picked it up.

One thing I did notice is the Bauer black color really isn't that deep looking. It's like a dark flat graphite color it didnt have deep black all the other black helmets had. If you guys hace ever seen an older flat black les Paul guitar you know what im talking about. It almost looked like it has Brown to it. I know this is just aesthetics but it looks like the helmet has been used even though it's brand new. I figured maybe I'll look into the navy bc it's very dark and sleek on other bauers I've seen. But on the reakt it's lighter and seems cloudier, its not deep. The white looks ok but I avoid white at all costs bc it easily is marked.

Maybe it's just me but even looking at the pics of the pros wearing them they seem to shine and be much deeper looking than what's in the store. Do they do something different to get all of them matching to team specs? It's like I have to cut and wax the helmet. Ugh, why do I let my ocd bother me so!

[Souldriver 64]

Picked up my med reakt in black today. I'm going to wear it tonight for a while to see if there are any discomforts that pop when I wear it for more than 5 minutes at a time.

I was also thinking of green bc I always wanted a green helmet but it woukdnt match anything, or navy so it matches our blue and white but without seeing them in person black is the safe bet.

[wrangler 157]

Sounds like you got something that fits well. I didn't notice a color difference between the black RE-AKT and other black helmets; mine's nice and shiny.

[Souldriver 64]

It's not really shine, it's the depth. I have words to explain it but I'm not sure how they're translate as they're all terms I would use when spraying black lacquer.

It's not really shine, it's the depth. I have words to explain it but I'm not sure how they're translate as they're all terms I would use when spraying black lacquer.

[wrangler 157]

I mentioned the shine in response to your description of "flat". I'm not sure that I understand "depth", so I didn't address that. I didn't see much difference between the RE-AKT and the 5100 color, though the 5100 doesn't have a perfect new surface to compare.

[Souldriver 64]

Yeah, I'll try to take a picture if what I mean. Who knows maybe it's a lighting illusion like I've seen mentioned with bright lights in stadiums and when they take the photos for websites. Maybe when I take a pic in my basements lighting it'll look like a brand new helmet about to hut some NHL ice.

But this all is obviously my ocd over aesthetics and not really anything else.

[LearDriver 1]

Congrats on your new RE-AKT! I hope you like it; bet you will!

[mojo122 540]

Just picked up a black Re-Act to replace my busted E700 and agree with Souldriver in that the black is nowhere as glossy as it was on my E700.

[Souldriver 64]

Just picked up a black Re-Act to replace my busted E700 and agree with Souldriver in that the black is nowhere as glossy as it was on my E700.

And mojos e700 was matte black

[wrangler 157]

Just picked up a black Re-Act to replace my busted E700 and agree with Souldriver in that the black is nowhere as glossy as it was on my E700.

We should compare helmets at SJ.

[JSK81 400]

The black Re-Akt is indeed a different shade. Kinda like really, really dark brown.

[Souldriver 64]

Everyone calm down! I have good pictures of what I am talking about!...

To be posted tm.

[Shayzam 0]

I loved the look of the matte e700 right up until i actually seen one on the ice, even on the shelf it had lots of appeal. Then i saw a guy wearing one on the ice and he just stood out and looked kind of goofy. Not that looks play the hugest factor but i've always thought that Bauer makes the best looking buckets.