Bauer 4000 vs. 5000 helmet

[Accord 0]

Between the 4000 and 5000, which helmet is more protective and more resistant to concussions?

I was looking into the 5000 and it's got "dual density foam liner" and all sorts of fancy features which are meaningless to me. Exactly what does all this stuff mean? Does the 5000 have have that rock hard foam similar to the CCM 1052 or is it the soft traditional foam? It also has EPP inserts, what are those?

[Chadd 916]

5000 has the hard foam, 4000 has the traditional foam. The 4000 seems to be a bit more narrow to me, they don't seem to fit the same way.

[Accord 0]

I absolutely hate that hard foam, I had a CCM 1052 and couldn't even wear it because I felt like I had a brick on my head, the hard foam would give me headaches.

Is the 4000 basically the best and most protective helmet out there which uses the traditional soft foam or is there anything else that I should also look at and consider? Also, how does the 4000 compare with the CCM 652, protection wise?

[Chadd 916]

I prefer the Itech HC95.

[Fletch 219]

I've worn both, but I prefer the 4000 over the 5000. The 4000 feels lighter on my head and has a more snug fit.

[mickz 107]

I've worn both, but I prefer the 4000 over the 5000. The 4000 feels lighter on my head and has a more snug fit.

The majority of the NHL seems to pick the 4000 over the 5000 too.

[MDE3 0]

The new 8000 has a combination of hard foam and gel at the pressure points to reduce that old "brick" feeling, the width is adjustable as well as the length...the only helmet I know that is, although there may be others coming out with this feature. It seems to be an extremely comfortable and protective helmet, if a bit bulkier.

My son's team has them in "pewter" (dull silver color)..so the nickname "robocops" has frequently been heard.

[Sven 1]

Robocops ?

How cool is that :D

[JCYC5 0]

I've tried all four (Itech HC100, HC95, Bauer 5000, 4000)

I like my HC100 the most :D

[nieminen24 0]

the ccm seems more protective to me because of the thicker padding

[Modo22 0]

I am glad you started this poll. I am just starting to look for a new helmet and was trying to decide between the two.

**Instead of starting a new post I was wondering if anyone can answer a quick question for me. I am going to be getting Bauer XX skates, but was wondering why some sites list them as Bauer SFL Vapor XX; Bauer Vapor XX; Bauer SFL XX….you get my point. It seems that most sites do not list them the same way. I assume there is no difference in the skates right?

[Chadd 916]

I am going to be getting Bauer XX skates, but was wondering why some sites list them as Bauer SFL Vapor XX; Bauer Vapor XX; Bauer SFL XX….you get my point. It seems that most sites do not list them the same way. I assume there is no difference in the skates right?

No difference.

[Modo22 0]

THANKS CHADD

[Jake 0]

Fit-wise, are 5000's similar to 4000's, or wider?

[shifter 0]

I bought a nbh 4000 helmet like 3 months ago and when i first put it on it felt good but when it was ice time it was hurting the side of my head really bad. So i exchanged it for a 5000 and I really happy about it because it was my first time with epp foam and it felt good

[Jake 0]

I had the same issue with a 4000.

[Ryan DYHA 0]

IMO, the 5000 is more resistant to concussions, and is very comfortable because at all of the pressure points, there is like a gel material applied to the foam. This reduces the "hard foam feeling". also, I think the helmet is lighter, it probably snt, but the helmet seems a bit balanced on your head if that makes any sense.

[dix0r 0]

I've tried all four (Itech HC100, HC95, Bauer 5000, 4000)

I like my HC100 the most :D

i've owned all four and prefer the 4000/4500. obviously it's like skates though - they don't all fit the same...

[mew1838 0]

Is EPP or Vinyl nitrate more protective?

[Chadd 916]

Fit-wise, are 5000's similar to 4000's, or wider?

wider

Is EPP or Vinyl nitrate more protective?

Depends on the type of impact. For hockey I believe VN is better as long as it is replaced before it gets hard.

[duch 0]

EPP liners are supposed to be more protective however it is also a very hard material, hence the need for soft padding strips to cushion your head, at certain pressure points inside the helmet.I think the Bauer 5000,8000 and 8500 are all very well manufactured to address this. I've owned the 5000 and now have the 8500 and both I've found to be extremely comfortable and protective helmets. They are slightly heavier than some other models but you can't beat them for protection and durability.

[TBLfan 25]

EPP also can crack after a hard hit(obsorbing the blow), in which case you should replace the helmet. The real negative side to that is that often you cannot see the crack without taking the foam out or an xray(i'd imagine xrays would work).

So durability isn't really a plus to EPP. Protection is a plus but, in my opinion, it's a push with VN because the added protection goes to crap when it's fractured. While VN's protection is there until it gets hard.

[DamnLocust 0]

Even with VN, if you take a hard blow to the head, you SHOULD replace the helmet anyway. That doesn't mean that people actually replace them though.

[TBLfan 25]

It's my understanding that with VN the foam itself rarely gets damaged upon impact but EPP on the other hand often gets damaged upon impact.

Either way, I don't feel comfortable in helmets with EPP.

[RadioGaGa 162]

I had a 4000 and I now have 2 5000's (a retail and a Pro). I like the 5000 better. I think it fits my head better and the toolless adjustment is great.

The padding is still soft in both 5000's.