full cage Choosing best cage color for visibility

[Circa6683 0]

After seeing a couple guys take a puck to the face recently I've decided to switch to a full cage for the first time. I'm not sure if the color/finish really helps with visibility. I've heard white is the best for blending in, anyone have experience with this? All help is appreciated.

[Monty22 832]

I've found the the flatter, oval shaped bars have more of an effect on visibility than the difference between the gunmetal or white. I've been wearing a Bauer 7500 since they came out with no desire to change. 

[althoma1 574]

I agree with Monty. Get something with flatter/thinner bars. The titanium cages from Bauer (Reakt) and CCM (Fitlite) are both very good. The titanium cages are also lighter than steel and won't rust. I have tried both the Bauer Reakt and the CCM Fitlite titanium and they're both very light with great visibility.

The CCM fits a bit longer and wider in the same size (I had both in large) which was a better fit for my face and helmet; that's why I prefer the CCM, but if the Reakt fits you well then it's a great cage. I'd just try those two on in a store with your helmet and buy the one that fits you best. Remember, you don't have to buy the same size cage as your helmet - you can go up or down a size if that fits your face better.

[specs78 33]

I have a fitlite with white bars and it just vanishes. The flat bars really make a difference. I had been wearing a Bauer concept 3 shield and got tired of the fog issues, so I went cage. I found that there was a really obvious difference in vision between the Bauer and ccm cages based on where the bars landed. For me, the Bauer bars felt like they were right where I was looking, and the ccm bars felt out of the way. If you can, bring your helmet in see how the cages would actually sit. I was surprised how much it mattered for me 

[IPv6Freely 2092]

I agree that flat bars help more than color, though from a goalie perspective I find white to be MUCH better than any darker color so I try to stick with that generally. 

All of that said, a cage where the bars are JUST in the right spot will be the best for your visibility regardless of shape or color. 

[start_today 770]

Two things that people often inexplicably overlook, then complain that they can’t see out of the cage-

1) buy the correct size for your face. Don’t buy one two sizes too big. 

2) don’t “hang” the cage 3 inches from your chin, wear it like it’s designed. 

I think if people would quit doing that, they wouldn’t have such a problem adapting. 

[hellaavangard 33]

+1 for the Re-akt cage

[VegasHockey 1280]

5 hours ago, hellaavangard said:

+1 for the Re-akt cage

Agreed +2

[IPv6Freely 2092]

18 hours ago, start_today said:

Two things that people often inexplicably overlook, then complain that they can’t see out of the cage-

1) buy the correct size for your face. Don’t buy one two sizes too big. 

2) don’t “hang” the cage 3 inches from your chin, wear it like it’s designed. 

I think if people would quit doing that, they wouldn’t have such a problem adapting. 

Heh, my suggestions were assuming you actually put it on properly 🤨

17 hours ago, hellaavangard said:

+1 for the Re-akt cage

 

11 hours ago, Nicholas G said:

Agreed +2

Love the re-akt cage for weight. Though I found the sightlines slightly off for me. 

[Paddy 11]

Does anyone know how the Bauer titanium cage fits compared to their other cages?

 

I'm using a Profile II and badly want to upgrade.  I went to my two closest LHS today and neither stocked the cage, so I may be going online without being able to test fit.

[Left Wing King 50]

Went from a cage to a fishbow! Loved it, wouldn't switch back.

[Paddy 11]

I have been tempted by it, but I'm an extreme headsweater. It's ridiculous, tbh, and I'm convinced a fishbowl would be useless by the second or third shift. Love the idea though...

[Left Wing King 50]

I use washing up liquid and I don't get fog.

[VegasHockey 1280]

5 hours ago, Paddy said:

Does anyone know how the Bauer titanium cage fits compared to their other cages?

 

I'm using a Profile II and badly want to upgrade.  I went to my two closest LHS today and neither stocked the cage, so I may be going online without being able to test fit.

Fits very similar to the Profile II and Profile III 

[Leif 161]

13 hours ago, Paddy said:

Does anyone know how the Bauer titanium cage fits compared to their other cages?

 

I'm using a Profile II and badly want to upgrade.  I went to my two closest LHS today and neither stocked the cage, so I may be going online without being able to test fit.

I bought a Bauer Re-akt cage for my large 4500 and Reakt 200 helmets. It needed widening a bit before it would fit properly, not easy but doable by hand. Much better than the normal cage I had before. 

Edited January 4, 2019 by Leif

[Leif 161]

11 hours ago, Left Wing King said:

Went from a cage to a fishbow! Loved it, wouldn't switch back.

I have a fishbowl. I tried it once and within minutes it was dripping with moisture, totally useless on our cold damp rink. I tried washing up liquid on my eyeglasses during public skating, and it sort of works, but the air is so humid and cold that they did steam up a bit. The Bauer hybrid visor-cage is an alternative, more airflow than a fishbowl, more protection than a visor. 

Someone at our rink got a puck in the face and lost four teeth. Oddly enough lots of players then switched from a visor to a cage, even though months earlier I'd expressed concern that they wore visors. At their rec sessions there is an ex-pro Slovak who is first rate, who takes slap shots even when someone is between him and the goal, I've taken a few from him. And I will be wearing a neck guard in future at those sessions, a puck to the throat could kill. I took a puck to the ribs last week, and that hit a non padded area, and it hurt. 

[Left Wing King 50]

I think a puck to the teeth would improve some of our team! 

I remember our keeper took a slapper to the neck, he was struggling to breathe for a good 15 minutes, probably had a fag after 20! The next session back he had the plastic neck guard on, first slapper, same guy, snapped the thing in half!

Back to the fishbowl, I use a small drizzle of washing up liquid, rub it in, inside and out, then any excess is taken off with a cloth. We're quite lucky with the rink atmospherics.

[sko buffs 30]

I've been rocking the ccm fm580's (black & white) for a while, never had any issues with visibility. 

[stick9 890]

I don't like a cage that blends in. Seeing the bars helps me look past them and focus on what matters.

Currently using the Bauer titanium cage, love it. 

[caveman27 208]

I always wear full-face mask.

After having used a variety of cages in white and black, I prefer clear full-face mask. Bauer Concept III

[ricepow 14]

I liked my Bauer titanium cage when I was using one.  I think the design and the color helped with visibility. But I really prefer a visor over a cage.