Best Hockey Helmets for a Safe Game on The Ice
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Franklin Sports Youth Hockey Helmet -
Bauer IMS 5.0 Combo Hockey Helmet -
Franklin Sports Team Licensed NHL Hockey Helmet -
Warrior BURN JR Hockey Helmet 19 -
CCM 50 Bullriding Hockey Helmet -
Bauer 4500 Combo Adult Helmet Hockey Helmet -
CCM Fl40 Hockey Helmet Combo -
Rawlings Adult Renegade Coolflo Hockey Helmet -
Bauer Profile Pro 961 Goalie Mask -
Eddy Custom LT Pro-Spec Goalie Mask -
Buyer's Guide
With head injuries sidelining so many of the game’s top players, it’s no secret that the proper headgear is absolutely essential for any player. The wrong helmet or mask will not only fall apart after extreme exposure to moisture but will also not disperse impacts or offer as much protection after a few hits. And with shots getting faster, players hitting harder, and concussions running rampantly throughout the sport, there is no reason why players shouldn’t be protecting their noggins with a high-quality set of helmets and masks. We have listed below what we have determined to be the top hockey helmets on the market. Use the buying guide below to help you pick out the right one for you!
Our Top Ten Helmets for Hockey
Franklin Sports Youth Hockey Helmet - Best Hockey Helmet Overall
Even the best of helmets start to deteriorate over time. But that’s where Reebok has set itself above the competition. While most helmets become impossible to adjust as they’re exposed to more and more moisture, the 11K helmet’s custom adjust system continues to perform well, which is great for a guy like me that passes equipment onto friends when I get new gear. There is also a special liner that molds to your head and, thankfully, doesn’t harden over time. It’s also available in every color combination available, which makes it a great helmet for teams that want to have the style of a true NHL team.
Bauer IMS 5.0 Combo Hockey Helmet - Runner Up
Why is this helmet the best? Because it has everything a player could want. Ergo Translucent ear covers, antibacterial protection, and a great cooling ventilation system. But the one thing that really sticks out with the 9900 is the way it feels. It features memory comfort foam that is very flexible and will adjust to a player’s head. But the best part is that Bauer has taken steps to assure the foam won’t harden over time, which is a constant problem with helmets. Add in the impact protection system which will dissipate up to 90 percent of the force of impact, and you have a helmet that is essential for any player that wants full protection in the most important place.
Franklin Sports Team Licensed NHL Hockey Helmet - Honorable Mention
If you want a helmet that looks as great as it performs, then Easton has you covered. The E700 has a sleek poly carbonate shell that doesn’t lose its look after taking multiple impacts and being exposed to moisture for extended amounts of time. It also features a foam liner and Giro inspired fit system with plush padding that provides optimal comfort and a snug fit. It’s a little more expensive than some others, but it’s a great investment for highly active players in need of a helmet that will last and perform.
Warrior BURN JR Hockey Helmet 19 - Consider
Warrior’s latest helmet feels very familiar, but not in a bad way. It reminds me a lot of the helmets I used to wear growing up. The only difference? This helmet continues to feel new over time, where the liners in the older helmets would begin to harden after a few months. It also feels a lot safer than the older helmets (thank goodness). The shell is split into four pieces, which helps air pass through and keeps it light. It should also help to prevent any long cracks from forming after big impacts.
CCM 50 Bullriding Hockey Helmet - Best Hockey Helmet Overall
CCM has set a great standard for offering everything a player could want in a helmet with the V10. The EPP foam liner offers some of the most reliable impact protection of any helmet on the market today. Mix that with the cooling ventilation system, and the sleek aerodynamic design, and the heat activated memory foam, and you have one of the most reliable and ergonomic helmets available. And yes, CCM has made sure to make this one of the lightest pieces of equipment money can buy, just like the rest of their products.
Bauer 4500 Combo Adult Helmet Hockey Helmet - Best Goalie Mask
One of the greatest things about Bauer hockey masks is that they don’t need all that much attention to really last. And the new and approved liner in the Concept C1 will help to continue that trend. It’s quick drying, comfortable, and won’t harden over time. The window is standard, and will feel familiar to many goalies. They’re also customizable and can be ordered to the specifications of your favorite professional goaltender. There’s a reason top goalies like Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury have always turned to Bauer over their long careers.
CCM Fl40 Hockey Helmet Combo - Best Goalie Mask
With players faster than ever, and shots that are even quicker, many goalies are adapting to masks with wider windows to see that much more of their surroundings. And as far as wide-windowed masks go, CCM has a leg up on the competition. It’s comfortable and snug, has a design similar to masks of the 90’s for veterans, and is fully adjustable without any tools. It comes standard with an old school titanium square cage, which is one of the few downfalls of this mask. But don’t let that stop you from getting one of the few elite masks that will help you catch players crashing the crease from any side.
Rawlings Adult Renegade Coolflo Hockey Helmet - Best Goalie Mask
One of the most intriguing things about this mask is the fact that Vaughn designed it so that impacts will disperse towards the back of the helmet, whereas most helmets just disperse near the point of impact. This will help to ensure that even the hardest of shots will not leave you rattled, which is something that even top helmets can’t protect against will the shot velocity of modern players. The window is also nice and wide, the cage is stainless steel and won’t rust easily, and there are no gaps on the inner protective liner (which is also removable for easy cleaning).
Bauer Profile Pro 961 Goalie Mask - Best Goalie Mask
First and foremost, this mask comes with ever popular cat-eye wire. As well as a sweat band and very nice carrying case. It is very similar to the Concept C1 in many ways except for its construction and shape. While the C1 is made for newer goalies that are aggressive and looking for a wider window, this mask is a little more traditional and will feel right at home classic butterfly goaltenders. It also features a very comfortable adjustable chin strap, and a lightweight liner that is very quick drying. Definitely for serious players that are looking for the feel of an old-school mask, with the protection of a modern one.
Eddy Custom LT Pro-Spec Goalie Mask - Best Goalie Mask
You may not have heard of Eddy Masks, but don’t let that stop you from giving the Custom LT Pro-Spec a look. To start, all of the edges are rounded which will prevent chipping and keep you from getting any surprise cuts when grabbing your mask after a game. It’s made with very light carbon fiber, and sits more comfortably along your forehead than almost any other mask. And although it’s less expensive than some of the other masks, the liner does not fall apart and harden over time. This mask is a great bargain and will serve any goalie well.
Buyer's Guide
While playing hockey, all the players are in constant motion, increasing the chances of getting hurt. Therefore, it's better to take precautions during hockey matches because an accidental fall or a collision can injure you badly, affecting your brain. That’s why you need a protective helmet for both hockey practice as well as tournaments.
You have to choose a good brand and go with a model appropriate for your purpose. However, the task is easier said than being done. When choosing a helmet, you need to keep both comfort and protection in mind, which is why there is no room for mistakes. So, to help you, we have formulated a well-explained buying guide. After all, you cannot let one helmet stop you from playing the next match!
What Are the Major Parts of a Hockey Helmet?
Before you learn about the factors contributing to choosing the best and most appropriate hockey helmet, we would like to discuss the parts with which a standard product is made. It will help you to understand different helmets in a better way.
Outer hard shell
The major part of the hockey helmet is the outermost shell meant for protecting your head against any injury. In low-priced helmets, the shell is made from a normal vinyl polymer which distributes the collision force and reduces the momentum. As these helmets don't give advanced outer shells, it's better not to wear them during tournaments. On branded helmets, however, the shell is manufactured from hard polymers, which provide the maximum level of protection.
Inner foam liners
On the inner part of the helmet is a foam liner that absorbs the maximum amount of the collision force produced during impacts. In addition, the liner also helps in increasing the comfort level so that you won’t have to suffer from continuous bumping against the hard shell.
Ear protectors
In some hockey protective helmets, you can find ear protectors on both sides. These protectors are designed to fit around your ears perfectly and protect them from any injury. However, since they are not present in all helmets, you need to decide whether or not you need the ear protectors.
Chin straps
All hockey helmets are not featured with chin straps. Instead, a few models are available in the market where you can find these straps. It can be used for tightening the helmet on your head so that it doesn’t slip off during the game. Also, in some products, the straps hang very loosely, which may be a stylistic addition to your hockey gear.
Outer eye shield
One of the most important protective shields that you can find in some of the helmets is the visor. It is usually made from high-quality, transparent polymer and is attached to the top lining of the helmet. The visors will protect your eyes from incoming balls or any accidental hit from the hockey stick.
What Factors Should You Consider Before Selecting A Hockey Helmet?
Fit
When it comes to hockey helmets, fit and size are the two most important factors to consider. Your helmet should have the right shape according to the structure of your head. This will allow you to fix the helmet on your head properly without any gap. It would be best if you make sure that its size is neither too big nor too small. The right fitting is essential as a tight helmet will cause pain in the head after a couple of hours while a loose helmet will increase the chances of getting hurt badly.
Protective accessories
So far, you've probably noticed that there are different types of protective features in the helmets. Therefore, while choosing a particular model, you need to decide the types of protective accessories present in the helmet. For example, if you are concerned about the safety of your eyes, a hockey helmet with a visor shield will work the best. Similarly, for keeping the helmet in place on your head, an adjustable chin strap will help a lot.
Material
You need to check the materials with which the hockey helmet is made. First, start with the outer shell material. It should be hard and durable to withstand the collision forces without suffering any damage. Similarly, make sure that the inner foam liner is soothing against your skin. In addition, having a sweat-absorbing liner will further make the helmet more comfortable.
Aesthetics
Lastly, you need to consider the design of the hockey helmet. Usually, the outer shell is painted with glossy coats that are highly durable. You can either go with neutral colors like black, grey, and white or pick a bold color like blue, red, maroon, and so on.
Primary Features
The hockey helmets are usually made with lightweight materials that will reduce the pressure on your head. Also, you won’t have to endure frequent headaches due to a heavy helmet.
Modern helmets are highly adjustable and come with several features for getting the right fit according to your head's shape.
In some helmets, you will find that the outer shell has textured grooves. These structures increase the surface area for better distribution of the force of the collision.
You can get a helmet with a custom-fit feature that will help in covering your entire head with a protective outer shell and a comforting inner liner.
Taking Care of Your Hockey Helmet
You can use a wet rag to wipe the helmet's outer shell, provided it's slippery and is painted with glossy color.
To prevent bad odor from coming out of the foam liner on the inside, always allow the helmet to dry after the match.
Do not use water to clean the helmet because it can damage the inner foam material in most cases.
Some Buyers Also Ask
Q: Can I protect my ears with a hockey helmet?
A: Yes, you can protect your ears with hockey helmets. Just make sure to get a product with ear loops on both sides to protect the ear lobe and other parts from injuries.
Q: How can I determine the size of my hockey helmet?
A: To determine the hockey helmet size, you need to consider your head's shape and size. Then, you can use the size chart to determine the exact measurements of the helmet that you need.
Q: How often should I replace my hockey helmet?
A: You should replace your helmet as soon as cracks develop on the outer shell or inner foam liner form tears and separate from the shell's wall.
