Re-Akt vs. IMS 11.0

[sickwilly 37]

I'm interested in buying either the Bauer Re-Akt or IMS 11.0. Both helmets seem to fit well (I have tried both off-ice). I don't care about price, weight, or looks. I'd also like to hear what people think about the Bauer titanium cage vs the similar, non-titanium models.

I understand that no helmet is concussion-proof, but I'd like to buy the one that will (hopefully) reduce my risk as much as possible. I wear a mouthguard and full shield every time I play. I have also dialed back the intensity of my play to try to minimize risk.

A little background... I'm an ex-college, junior and senior player. I only play in no check leagues and shinny. I have sustained a number of concussions through the years. The two worst ones have come in the past few years, in 'non-contact" hockey. Both happened when weaker, less "aware" players tripping me from behind when I was going full-tilt, close to the goal). Even though it seldom happens, That type of impact is probably my #1 concern... going close to full speed, head first into the boards. I also worry about accidental, open ice collisions, although I'm mobile/aware enough to avoid most of these, as are most of the guys in the league I'm now playing in.

I'm currently using the M11 with a Bauer 9500 cage. The M11 has served me well, I've just had it for a few years and want to get soemthing that's in better shape. FWIW, my two worst concussions came wearing a Pro Stock CCM H2 (VN) and a Buaer 9500 (retail). The one that came wearing the 9500 was a pretty gruesome collision with the boards. I don't know that any helmet would have completely saved me on that one.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and input!

[Souldriver 64]

Well theyre two very different helmets....

The ims 11 is the next itteration of the m11. It has a little better airflow and a little better protection. When I looked at new helmets I saw too many reviews saying they got concussions with the cascade stuff and if this is supposed to be the new cascade helmet I'll avoid that.

I went with the re-akt and it's been great so far though I don't have any big hits in it. It's very, very comfy. Fits my head right, vents well enough, and the cage is too notch. My only issue is that they use a hard rubber now on their earguards and it touches my ears and irritates them. They used to use a soft grey foam that was much more comfortable and now I know why people like to remove the ear guards.

In the end the best helmet is going to be the one that fits the best on you and leaves zero gaps and zero play. That's what's going to be best at preventing concussions.

[Cosmic 178]

According to the marketing, the Re-AKT would give you the better protection, due to the Suspend-Tech liner, right? Protecting you from those torsional hits and whatnot.

I like my Re-AKT, and the titanium cage. However, the titanium cage does not come down low enough, unless I push my helmet so that the front of the bucket is right above my eyes. I always liked a little more space there; I like having the front of the bucket about mid forehead (as it is in this pic, and, as you can see, the chin guard becomes a mouth guard, when the bucket is placed where I like it).

So, right after I made that post, I ordered the Large Titanium Cage. The cage is great, just the Medium is too short, as you can see here. And I forgot to mention, when I do push down the helmet so that my mouth is lined up with the chin strap, I think it does something to my vision; I see too much crossbar, and I do not see as much as I do, as when the chin strap is on top of my mouth. So, just something to consider. If I could do it all again, then I would have just bought the M Re-AKT bucket, with the L cage. (instead of the M/M combo).

I cannot, and will hopefully never, be able to speak about how it fares in collisions. I guess you might say I have a rather conservative style. I used to go all out playing basketball, but those days are over.

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[hunterphfr 12]

The Titanium cage is incredibly light. Like there's no way a cage can be this light light. My son loves his.

[psulion22 402]

I also think the sight lines from the titanium are better then even the 9900. I had a 9900 cage on my 9900 helmet, then Re-Akt helmet, and couldn't see out of the thing, particularly felt like the peripheral was blocked. Switched to a Re-Con combo visor, but it's heavy and doesn't breathe well. The weight was pulling the helmet down on my head which constantly had to be adjusted. Finally switched to the Re-Akt titanium cage and it's great. Barely notice it at all, both in weight and visibility.

[Souldriver 64]

one thing i note now with cages is that when i wore one that there was a bar blocking my bottom peripheral vision right where my sightlines to the puck was so i needed to look down. i only noticed it though when i switched to a halfie.

[Cosmic 178]

one thing i note now with cages is that when i wore one that there was a bar blocking my bottom peripheral vision right where my sightlines to the puck was so i needed to look down. i only noticed it though when i switched to a halfie.

Yea the other night I kept getting false reads out of my peripheral left. I kept thinking there was a cherry picker over there trying to sneak behind me (I was playing defense and my 3 teammates were all pretty much playing Forward). Every time I looked over, no one was there.

[Souldriver 64]

Well that's a ghost.

[LearDriver 1]

I can't speak to several things: the IMS, cage, or Re-Akt's collision protection, but I can say that I absolutely love my Re-Akt helmet. It's so light and comfortable that I hardly notice it most of the time. I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

Wish I had more to offer you.

[Cosmic 178]

Well that's a ghost.

Yea Indonesia is full of ghosts- the jinn.

[sickwilly 37]

Thanks for the input so far, everyone. Sounds like the titanium cage is the real deal.

Does the Suspend-Tech liner feel like it really adds much in terms of protection, or does it feel more gimmicky?

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php/topic/62520-2013-bauer-hockey-catalogue/?p=950399

I broke down the differences between the helmets.

The premise behind the Suspend-Tech liner is that the helmet will move with you during rotational hits.

[Meals 2]

I just got a Re-Akt and love it! The IMS 11.0 didn't fit me as well. My head size and cage size are different so I only ordered the helmet for now and using my old 5100 cage.

[wrangler 157]

I've been noticing the cage a lot less after previously using the 9500 and the Itech titanium. For me, that's the best testimonial. Obviously, the way a given cage model and size fits your own head may give somewhat different results than those experienced by others.

[Cosmic 178]

Thanks for the input so far, everyone. Sounds like the titanium cage is the real deal.

Does the Suspend-Tech liner feel like it really adds much in terms of protection, or does it feel more gimmicky?

Slasher,

Don't forget about the Mission Inhaler helmet (release date is potentially Sept 18), yea?

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php/topic/63950-mission-inhaler-helmet/

I am looking at it more for ventilation than protection, I just sweat so much when I play, and then feel sick afterward. I need to look at my beverage consumption choice as well. I am drinking tons of water when I play, but need to figure a healthy electrolyte replenishment, like Gatorade, without the crap in it.

[sickwilly 37]

Slasher,

Don't forget about the Mission Inhaler helmet (release date is potentially Sept 18), yea?

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php/topic/63950-mission-inhaler-helmet/

I am looking at it more for ventilation than protection, I just sweat so much when I play, and then feel sick afterward. I need to look at my beverage consumption choice as well. I am drinking tons of water when I play, but need to figure a healthy electrolyte replenishment, like Gatorade, without the crap in it.

http://www.amazon.com/Trace-Minerals-Research-Performance-Electrolyte/dp/B000AMR8YO/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1376222323&sr=8-7&keywords=electrolyte+tablets

I use these. They're really helpful for me, anyway. A few other beer leaguers that I skate with have started to use them, too.

[Cosmic 178]

Thanks for the input so far, everyone. Sounds like the titanium cage is the real deal.

Does the Suspend-Tech liner feel like it really adds much in terms of protection, or does it feel more gimmicky?

Slasher-

When I saw the videos with the Suspend Tech, it seemed to be rather big, bulky, plasticky and cumbersome. A guy at IW explained that it is thin and rubbery. I do not even notice the Suspend Tech, but it may give a more comfortable feel with my shaved head, then the foam. The other night, I had bad irritation on the back/bottom of my head where the foam is )of the occipital region). Could have been that I took my helmet off and on 20 times, and it was a bit tight, so it rubbed the back of my head a bit raw. Also, I just shaved the night before (I try to shave 2 nights before to let the non-visible nicks heal. So, the point is, I do not notice, and thus lie the Suspend Tech. I am not an engineer, so I cannot say if it will add extra protection, but I like it nonetheless and think it adds some comfort.

[Souldriver 64]

I've noticed in the begining of the game i have the re-akt one notch bigger. As the games go on I make it tighter and it's still very comfy. I think the foams settle and get squished a little.

[Ruhnie 1]

Can anyone with the Re-Akt comment on how the memory foam inside is applied? I'd love to get this helmet, but my last Bauer had terrible foam pads. After a couple of months the glue/adhesive gave out and they kept falling out. To make it worse the glue is impossible to get off all the way so I always get some in my hair now. I refuse to by another helmet with glued-on pads.

[Souldriver 64]

I'm sure some of them are glued on. The ones near the earpieces are kept in with the side screws. The suspend tech wraps under the black pads and in the middle is stitched together. This stops your head from touching most of that stuff behind it. I wore mine duringthe sweaty days of summer and I'm still wearing it now no problem.

There is a teardown done by JR on the re-akt as well.

[Ruhnie 1]

Cool, thx for the feedback. Might not be as much of an issue then. Anytime it hits 90 in my garage, I'll walk out and all the padding will be on the ground :(

[hunterphfr 12]

I know exactly what you mean. My son and I both had the 9500 and I now have a 9900. The gel pads are an absolute pain in the ass over time. I'll probably never get another helmet that uses them. I love my 9900 black with red, it goes perfect with our jerseys. But the gel pads are a huge pain. My son now has an E700. The Velcro comfort pads have held up tremendously well and he skates a lot.

[Souldriver 64]

Well keep the helmet inside out of the heat if it's that bad. I played where my basement was in the 80s and rink had to be 90 if not 100 plus but it should be too much of a problem. Those Bauer helmets were known that those pads didn't withstand for whatever reason. I have an h8000 and it lasted me this year and the gel pads are stil in tact.

The e700 is a nice helmet too. Too bad it didn't fit my head. :/