Helmet advice for my son, 7

[Tyler Roy 86]

The amount of people that will buy 3 $200 sticks but wont spend $100 on a helmet is ridiculous.

As many people have said, fit is a huge factor. I agree, but I have one more thing to add: Can't put a price on your boys noggin.

[akravetz 29]

As many people have said, fit is a huge factor. I agree, but I have one more thing to add: Can't put a price on your boys noggin.

I agree and for that reason, I am looking to go big on a helmet. I don't care about the sticks, or other stuff. Helmets are key. Again, I think I put in an earlier post, I am a whitewater kayaker and my helmet has saved me many times as well, rocks and moving water can hurt.

Another poster commented that some people will not spend on a helmet but on a stick. I am the complete opposite, so my boy is going to be outfitted with a sherman tank for a helmet and a twig for a stick. Might not make the NHL but he will make it into college. :)

Another person posted about the M11 and fit. He loves the fit. He wants that helmet but we can only find a small in red or white. He needs a navy helmet for his team. It's my fault. I didn't realize that Cascade was brought by Bauer and the line would be discontinued. The wife has him now at the rink, apparently, and they are going to look at an 8K which is what a lot of the other kids have (largely because it is the helmet that the guy has in stock). I would like to wait to go into St. Louis or Chicago to look at an IMS 7.0 which i Hear is similar to the M11.

However, wife might pull the trigger today. Figure we can't go wrong either way. Just want something that will keep the kid safe. I know and I apologize for the long thread on something that you guys all know is common sense. But for this dad, it's a big deal so thanks so much for all the thoughts and advice. will let you know what happens.

Andy in Peoria

[Tyler Roy 86]

The 7.0 is very similar to the M11 is most every aspect. The 7.0 is made in America and has the seven tech, same adjustment with the tool free system, vented liner and the custom color option. If you feel comfortable in the M11 the 7.0 would be something to grab. Most sites have the custom option where you can select the shell and insert colors, those orders are sent to Bauer where they are made to order and sent to your home.

"I would like to wait to go into St. Louis or Chicago to look at an IMS 7.0 which i Hear is similar to the M11"

The 11.0 is where Bauer combined with the Cascade tech. You have the seven tech with softer cones for better low impact management but also Bauers high end Poron XRD. The liner is also slightly lower profile.

[akravetz 29]

Thanks. The boy looked at a Reebok 7K last night and liked it. It's not the colors he wants (yes, he's seven). so I think we might just go with that. All his friends have that model (I had said 8K before but that's my helmet. mistake on my part). I really like the IMS 7.0 for the 7 technology, the one shell and the ease of adjustment. But, he's seven, they don't check and well, barring falling on the ice, there is little to worry about save one of his buddies whacking on the head. That said, I think the 7K is a sizable upgrade from his Bauer 1500. It feels lighter but seems stronger. However, we are going to another LHS in Bloomington this weekend to see what they have (a sale) so we might change again. Sorry to keep bothering people with this but this has been very informative. And on the plus said, I post here rather than pester my wife with information about hockey helmets. She's not as, how should I put this, interested. :)

andy in Peoria

[Tyler Roy 86]

Can somebody create the color changing helmet? That would make your situation that much easier, eh?

[Souldriver 64]

Don't say that or well get mood helmets. You'll really know if your getting under someone's skin when you chirp then.

[ID Rollerpop 4]

I may be a little off base but I have always liked the exceptionally light helmets like the S19, E700 etc for squirts and younger. A lot of concussions relate to whiplash motions and anecdotally less weight in the helmet gives the child a little more control with their relatively undeveloped neck musculature. Again just a person view but one that has worked well for us to this point.

[akravetz 29]

Don't say that or well get mood helmets. You'll really know if your getting under someone's skin when you chirp then.

That, sir, is the funniest thing I have read all day. Thanks. I needed a good laugh. Been a rough day at work, and practice was later tonight. Trying to get the boy, 7, and my daughter, 4, who also plays and is a rink rat, into bed tonight was tough.

[akravetz 29]

Well, we managed to find a M11 in medium which was apparently his real size. The small fit him perfectly but the LHS guy told us to get a medium as, well, that way he has some growing room. The problem was that we could only get one without a cage. Can I take the cage off his Bauer 1500 (a small) and put it on the new helmet. My guess is that it will not fit as it is from a small helmet and the new one is a medium. Can I get another 1500 cage or should I go for something else to put on the M11. Thanks.

Andy in Peoria

[Souldriver 64]

try it.

i would geta better cage for the guy if you have to buy a new one though.

[akravetz 29]

We might but I want to know what fits or doesn't fit. Am I correct in that a small cage might (probably) not fit a medium helmet? He doesn't like the cages that come with the IMS series which is the bauer version of the m11 so I was going to try his old cage first to see how it works before investing in a new cage. Again, being incredibly anal and frankly stupid about this. But if this is all I obsess about in my son's hockey career, I am doing fine.

[Souldriver 64]

In not sure about sizing down with cages, you'll just have to pop it on to see.

Honestly I would invest in the cage bc they last forever and a medium cage could last him a very long time, as in his whole playing career (that is if there are no huge advancements in cage tech)

Something like a Bauer re-akt is the tops right now as it's sightlines are great and it's super light titanium. This could easily last for years and multiple helmets for the little guy.

[AIREAYE 248]

Well, we managed to find a M11 in medium which was apparently his real size. The small fit him perfectly but the LHS guy told us to get a medium as, well, that way he has some growing room. The problem was that we could only get one without a cage. Can I take the cage off his Bauer 1500 (a small) and put it on the new helmet. My guess is that it will not fit as it is from a small helmet and the new one is a medium. Can I get another 1500 cage or should I go for something else to put on the M11. Thanks.

Andy in Peoria

??!!

[akravetz 29]

??!!

The guy said the small was perfect but at its fullest extension meaning that there was no room to grow. He recommended getting a medium as it will still fit snugly when pushed in (with the adjustment clips) and then allow for him to grow. Was this a mistake? It makes sense in how you are told to buy skates (ie, a bit big at this age as they are growing like weeds).

Andy in Peoria

[Tyler Roy 86]

Heads don't grow like feet do, that being said I think the small was the right choice. With a medium at its smallest setting you don't leave many options for when the helmet starts to "break in" or settle to your head. I find I have to make my helmet smaller and smaller the more I use it. Your head is very important and having a helmet that "fit perfect" is your biggest priority. I think you should go back and get the small and return the medium.

The guy said the small was perfect but at its fullest extension meaning that there was no room to grow. He recommended getting a medium as it will still fit snugly when pushed in (with the adjustment clips) and then allow for him to grow. Was this a mistake? It makes sense in how you are told to buy skates (ie, a bit big at this age as they are growing like weeds).

Andy in Peoria

[akravetz 29]

Heads don't grow like feet do, that being said I think the small was the right choice. With a medium at its smallest setting you don't leave many options for when the helmet starts to "break in" or settle to your head. I find I have to make my helmet smaller and smaller the more I use it. Your head is very important and having a helmet that "fit perfect" is your biggest priority. I think you should go back and get the small and return the medium.

Great... I hate buying gear. sigh.

[Souldriver 64]

Wait, hold on. Does the medium still fit well? As good as the small? There is a bit of overlap in the sizes, I found the difference is less length bc that's so adjustable but the width by a little.

If the medium all the way in is a little big go to the small, don't risk that. If the med isn't all the way in and fits well keep it. Have him wiggle his head around with the helmet on to see if it moves. If it shifts then it's too big.

[akravetz 29]

It is on order. What happened was the LHS didn't have a small so they told us to go online and get a medium. Classy in some ways as they lost the sale but they know our kid and other kids in the program. And they like the kids so they want what is best for them. Dude said the small was a good fit for now but that he had no room to grow. Suggested a medium and that way, you can adjust as he gets bigger. So we'll find out whenever it comes in. Sigh. More stress.

Andy in Peoria.

[Stewie 721]

if the small fits on the highest setting, the medium should be ok. I think there is usually about an 1/8 hat size overlap between the sizes on a helmet.

[akravetz 29]

Well, we got the helmet in stock and yet, it's way too big. Oh well, we tried. And I am just out $14 for return shipping. Thanks to all who helped me. The lesson of the day is buy at a LHS where you can get fitted, sized and deal with a human being rather than wait a week to find out the item is too big .

Andy in Peoria

[akravetz 29]

And now the LHS told us the 7K that we got fits him in the helmet but the cage is way too loose. So we tried to put a small cage on a medium helmet. Didn't work. Then tried a small helmet and he complained it was too tight and well, we are back to square one. Gonna head to another store at the end of the month. They have more brands. Again, thanks for all help. Only posting now to keep people up to speed.

[akravetz 29]

Well, a month later, and nearly a dozen different helmets attempted at an area store, we settled on the Bauer IMS 7.0 in an XS. Wow. So two other stores were completely off who put him in mediums or even a small. He's an XS, doesn't have the back dial adjustment thingy all the way open and it fits him with the cage perfectly. Thanks for all the help. He's happy with the bucket. Dad's happy as he's finally in a good helmet that will last until 2018 or so. (in theory) and mom is happy as it matches his team colors. I knew we had to try one on but I can't believe we had to try on the same helmet in different stores to get different results. Goofy.

andy in peoria