strosedefence34 175 Report post Posted December 27, 2022 Just got a glimpse of the '23 Bauer catalog and noticed the 4500 is not in there. I am assuming that means they are being discontinued at retail? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krev 86 Report post Posted December 27, 2022 Yes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strosedefence34 175 Report post Posted December 27, 2022 I mean I get it from bauer’s standpoint but man that’s a huge b disappointment Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
218hockey 49 Report post Posted December 28, 2022 What's the allure of the 4500? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flip12 708 Report post Posted December 28, 2022 2 hours ago, 218hockey said: What's the allure of the 4500? It’s insanely comfy. I just got one after way too long with a Bauer HH5000 that was just a terrible fit anyway. I tried on newer helmets before settling on the 4500 and they all felt all plastic-like inside, without the soft grip of the 4500, sliding around and whatnot. 4500’s a classic that just works. Like the tapered MacBook Air or iPhone < 4 body. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strosedefence34 175 Report post Posted December 28, 2022 8 hours ago, 218hockey said: What's the allure of the 4500? It's just very comfortable. I had a similar experience to @flip12. I was using a Bauer 5000 that didn't fit great and switched back in college to a 4500 back when it was branded Nike Bauer. I have just replaced them over the years as they either cracked or got warn out. I just got a new one for Christmas but with the news of them discontinuing it I may try on some of the newer helmets and return the one I got. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Westside 228 Report post Posted December 28, 2022 The 4500 is definitely the most comfortable helmet I’ve ever worn until I picked up a Tacks X. Of course, a 4500 costs well under $100 and even a discounted price stock X costs double Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strosedefence34 175 Report post Posted December 28, 2022 Went to Pure Hockey and tried on a ReAkt 150. I really liked the fit and it felt pretty comfortable. I am going to think about swapping it out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xstartxtodayx 343 Report post Posted December 28, 2022 The CCM V08 is a similar fit and same padding as a 4500 and still readily available (Dicks was selling them new still just a couple months ago). Personally I think the V08 is a better looking helmet but that's all preference... it's one of the most used helmets in the NHL so I don't think I'm alone there lol. Just be aware the CCM runs bigger than Bauer... I'm a medium in Bauer but a small in CCM. Of course now with that said I've ditched all my V08's and started using a CCM 910 which is way more comfortable and lighter (and supposedly more safe?). 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strosedefence34 175 Report post Posted December 28, 2022 36 minutes ago, xstartxtodayx said: The CCM V08 is a similar fit and same padding as a 4500 and still readily available (Dicks was selling them new still just a couple months ago). Personally I think the V08 is a better looking helmet but that's all preference... it's one of the most used helmets in the NHL so I don't think I'm alone there lol. Just be aware the CCM runs bigger than Bauer... I'm a medium in Bauer but a small in CCM. Of course now with that said I've ditched all my V08's and started using a CCM 910 which is way more comfortable and lighter (and supposedly more safe?). I’ve tried a V08 in the past. A size down from my Bauer. While the fit was fine just wasn’t for me. I’m leaning more towards keeping this one and figuring it out down the road when I need a new helmet. For me I just don’t like the idea that I’ll never be able to get another one at retail. I use pro stock gear but I’m not one to shy away from retail stuff either. I know these will be available as pro stock but I feel like as more and more people who grew up on newer tech enter the nhl it’s only a matter of time before Bauer stops making them completely. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bl4 38 Report post Posted December 28, 2022 The 4500 never fit me (going back to its initial Cooper days), so please take this with a grain of salt. But, I picked up a Tacks 710 helmet recently, and it's been very comfortable. It's definitely pricier than the 4500, but also much cheaper than some of the other options out there. I don't like the way it looks as much as the 4500, but I think it has a slightly similar low-profile appearance (and is also quite light). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OldCY 94 Report post Posted December 28, 2022 (edited) 5 hours ago, strosedefence34 said: Went to Pure Hockey and tried on a ReAkt 150. I really liked the fit and it felt pretty comfortable. I am going to think about swapping it out. Get it or even a re akt 85 Edited December 28, 2022 by OldCY Input 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xstartxtodayx 343 Report post Posted December 29, 2022 47 minutes ago, bl4 said: The 4500 never fit me (going back to its initial Cooper days), so please take this with a grain of salt. But, I picked up a Tacks 710 helmet recently, and it's been very comfortable. It's definitely pricier than the 4500, but also much cheaper than some of the other options out there. I don't like the way it looks as much as the 4500, but I think it has a slightly similar low-profile appearance (and is also quite light). The 4500 is more of an oval fit where as the 710 is a round/square fit. I tried the predecessor of the 710 (which I think was the resistance or 110?) and got rid of it after 1 skate since it was too round of a fit, I went back to the V08 after that until I found the 910 which is also an oval fit and works great for me. My son has the opposite issue, he has a round head and all the oval fit helmets crush the sides of his head 🤦♂️ 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strosedefence34 175 Report post Posted December 29, 2022 14 hours ago, OldCY said: Get it or even a re akt 85 I'd probably get the 150 if anything. The 85 looks like it has a similar if not the same shell design but I didn't see any to try on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OldCY 94 Report post Posted December 29, 2022 35 minutes ago, strosedefence34 said: I'd probably get the 150 if anything. The 85 looks like it has a similar if not the same shell design but I didn't see any to try on. I have a 150. Very comfy. I think the 85 is very similar fit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cavs019 707 Report post Posted December 29, 2022 I wore a 4500 my whole life and recently switched to the ReAkt 150. I don’t think I can ever go back to VN padding. I feel like Bauer finally nailed it with the 150 in terms of protection/comfort/ventilation/looks and its NHL adoption rate reflects that. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strosedefence34 175 Report post Posted December 29, 2022 50 minutes ago, Cavs019 said: I wore a 4500 my whole life and recently switched to the ReAkt 150. I don’t think I can ever go back to VN padding. I feel like Bauer finally nailed it with the 150 in terms of protection/comfort/ventilation/looks and its NHL adoption rate reflects that. Everything you said it why I am considering it. It has been a few years since I purchased a new 4500 so maybe I will try it on and see how it fits and make a decision off of that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Burning Bear 76 Report post Posted January 2, 2023 I'm kind of in the "figured it'd happen sooner" camp here. Then again, helmets like the Bauer 4500 and CCM HT2 (which was actually axed quite a while back) were around for so long and were so iconic that I figured they would've at least kept the shell and replaced the innards with modern tech. My kingdom for an HT2 with a 910/SuperTacks X system on the inside. Oh and by the way, if you're a fan of the RE-AKT 95 like I am, it looks like that helmet's going the way of the dodo as well. However, I think something similar's replacing it, albeit at a lower price point. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iceman8310 105 Report post Posted January 12, 2023 On 12/28/2022 at 12:08 AM, 218hockey said: What's the allure of the 4500? Really? It’s a great helmet 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flip12 708 Report post Posted January 13, 2023 10 hours ago, iceman8310 said: Really? It’s a great helmet It's the first helmet I've owned that I actually look forward to wearing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ggmunsen 14 Report post Posted January 13, 2023 I've been using this helmet since it's iteration as a 3000, then went on to have a couple of them as a 4000, and have had three or four 4500s since. When National Sports went out of business in Canada a couple years back, I picked up two more just in case this happened. I still wear one with a bird cage for men's league and another one for coaching. It's also almost time for my son to get a new lid and I keep telling him how great the 4500 is, not sure he agrees, but we'll see what he likes best. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BruinDust 42 Report post Posted January 13, 2023 5 hours ago, ggmunsen said: I've been using this helmet since it's iteration as a 3000, then went on to have a couple of them as a 4000, and have had three or four 4500s since. When National Sports went out of business in Canada a couple years back, I picked up two more just in case this happened. I still wear one with a bird cage for men's league and another one for coaching. It's also almost time for my son to get a new lid and I keep telling him how great the 4500 is, not sure he agrees, but we'll see what he likes best. I did the same thing. Figured worst case I won't lose on it if I never use it and decide to sell. Although I wish I had bought 2 like yourself, I grabbed just 1 and then picked up another from PHL last week after reading this thread. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AnimalFear 18 Report post Posted January 14, 2023 I love the 4500 helmet. I've been wearing them for nearly 20 years. They fit me perfectly and I think the 4500 combined with the Profile II cage is the best looking combo out there. It's a real shame Bauer is discontinuing it. A ton of NHLers are still wearing the 4500. Even some guys who were wearing more modern helmets have switched to the 4500 relatively recently, like Duchene and Konecny. I just ordered a couple so that I have a stock available for when they run out. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flip12 708 Report post Posted January 18, 2023 10 hours ago, pgeorgan said: Maybe they'll bring it back with some better foams and better concussion protection. I used to wear one for the sty, but frankly the updated helmets are 10x more comfortable. But that’s just like your opinion man. Better concussion protection by what measure? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strosedefence34 175 Report post Posted January 18, 2023 I decided to pick up a ReAkt 150. Only played once with it but honestly super impressed. Very light weight and fit great. No hotspots or anything. I'll miss the 4500 but we had a good run but it was time for something newer. My only complaint is that my 580 cage seems to weigh the helmet down a little. I need CCM to come out with a titanium 580 and I'll be set. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites