There are many sports that are very physical to play. One of the most physical sports is the game of ice hockey. That is why this sport requires those who play it to be protected from head to toe. One of the most vulnerable areas to injury when playing the game is the head. That is why no matter what level of hockey you or your youth player is involved in you must have a proper helmet. We have taken the time in this article to tell you what makes a helmet a good one and we have also reviewed some of the best hockey helmets in the sports marketplace.
Top Hockey Helmet Comparison Chart
Why do you need a good helmet when playing the sport of hockey? The main reason is to avoid taking unabsorbed blows to the head that can possibly result in a concussion. A concussion results when you take a blow to the head that is significant enough to rattle the brain inside your skull. They can be an injury that is very hard to detect and they can even result in your brain being permanently damaged. That is why a good hockey helmet is considered an essential piece of equipment for any level hockey player.
Hockey Helmet Buyer’s Guide
What makes a hockey helmet a good one? There are several things that you need to consider. It is the combination of several key characteristics that make a helmet safe and comfortable to wear when playing the game of hockey.
Here are the key features of hockey helmets that you need to take a close look at when making a hockey helmet purchase for you or your youth hockey player:
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Price
Most of us are on some type of budget when we are shopping for hockey equipment and helmets are usually no exception. Be forewarned though, a hockey helmet is not something you want to shop for based totally on price. We have just told you about the need for protection against concussions and other hockey-related head injuries. So our advice here is to spend a little more to get a helmet that gives you as much protection as possible to help prevent head injuries. There are other areas you can trim your hockey shopping budget so you will be well-advised not to do it when shopping for a helmet.
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Safety
This is the number one priority when shopping for helmets to wear when playing the game of hockey. Strangely enough, years ago helmets were not even required equipment for playing the game; nowadays though they are mandatory equipment even at professional levels. Most leagues will even require the use of some type of eye or face protection with them too.
What makes a helmet safe to wear? There is actually a combination of things that come together to make a hockey helmet as safe as possible. Here are the main factors of a helmet that contribute to the safety of it when it is being worn during a hockey game.
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Fit/Adjustability
The importance of a helmet fitting you or your youth hockey player properly cannot be emphasized enough. A hockey helmet that does not fit is almost as bad as having no hockey helmet at all. If a helmet is too loose on a player it can even cause an injury itself.
That is why you need to buy a helmet that has some adjustability built into it. Rarely do you put on a helmet and it fits perfectly. A quality helmet will have such things as screws that allow you to adjust the tightness of the helmet around your ears and snug it up around your head.
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Padding
Not only does any helmet you purchase have to fit snuggly on your head but it also has to be padded in the right places too. Basically, that means any place that your head comes into contact with the helmet there should be some thick foam padding between your head and the plastic part of the helmet too. The foam will not only protect you but it will also help the helmet feel more comfortable as you wear it.
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Eye/Face Protection
These days eye protection is pretty much mandatory in many adult leagues and full face protection is usually required in youth leagues. Even if it is not required in the league you play in you really should consider wearing at least a visor on your helmet. So look for a helmet that is sold in combination with eye or full face protection.
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Strapping
To make your helmet as safe as possible you will need a good chin strap too. Most will come with a standard chinstrap but some are of higher quality and are more comfortable to use than others.
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Weight
Manufacturers will try to do whatever is possible to keep their helmets light, but some helmets are definitely heavier than others. This can be especially true if eye or full face protection is added to the helmet. If a helmet is too heavy for you it may be uncomfortable to wear and can even cause some neck soreness. So consider a helmets weight during the buying process too.
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Style
Try your helmet on to see if it looks good. If two helmets are of similar quality then you might want to pick the one that looks best on you. There is nothing written that says you can’t look good while playing the game of hockey. Hockey helmets also come in a variety of colors to choose from too in most cases.
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Warranty
Hockey is a sport that is very rough on equipment. Although helmets are usually strong and impervious to most things that happen in the game, you never know when a helmet will break prematurely. That is why you want to check out the warranty on any helmet you are thinking about buying. The longer the warranty the more peace of mind you have to spend a little bit more on a hockey helmet.
Best Hockey Helmet Reviews
1. Bauer IMS 5.0 Helmet
We like this helmet not necessarily because it’s the “best” on the list. In fact, it’s not the best in terms of absolute quality, but when we considered the price for value, it won the contest. The size adjustment was easy, and it required no tools. The facemask (Bauer 2100) was included in the deal as were integrated protective ear covers. Of course, it’s CAS/HECC approved.
It’s important to note that it’s not a “one size fits all” helmet so you’ll have to take some care when choosing. Having said that, it does adjust larger or smaller to an extent.
As expected, it offers multi-density foam that is strategically optimized and engineered for the best protection in various areas around the head.
Pros
- Great price point
- Glowing user reviews about smacking their heads at high velocity into the ice and nearly not feeling any impact at all!
Cons
- Some users complain of issues pertaining to wrong sizes being shipped and even stated sizes don’t make as much sense as they could
2. WARRIOR PX2H6 Ice Hockey Players Helmet
One of the best features of this helmet is its uncanny ability to fit and adjust to just about any size and shape of head for a perfect fit. With its wide range of impact protection and adjustability, it’s one of our top-ranked choices. Warrior also boasts of a 3-layer VN foam barrier that is strategically designed for maximum impact protection at the back of the helmet, while the front has a dual-density VN foam liner. The overall design is convenient because it’s tool-less and spring-loaded so not only don’t you need a wrench of some kind, but because it’s spring-loaded, you can move the adjustable parts easier.
It features a dual-density chin cup in the cage as well, so you get the whole package! Overall, this is a definite buy if it’s still available!
Pros
- dual-layer and triple layer density foam shell for a 360-degree fit
- Highly adjustable
- Comfortable foam padding
- Cage included
Cons
- A little pricey
- A little heavy
3. Bauer Unisex 4500 Helmet Combo
This is a very good teen and adult hockey helmet from Bauer. It can even stand up to the rigors of highly competitive ice hockey leagues. It is really designed to keep your head safe from injury during normal contact that sometimes results when playing hockey.
What do we think makes it such a good teen or adult helmet buy? For one we loved how adjustable this helmet is. If it is snug to slightly loose when you buy it, you will be able to fine-tune its fit very easily. It also gives you complete protection above your neck since it comes with a full face cage and translucent ear covers.
It offers those that wear it the comfort and protection of thick density foam and it is a stylish helmet that will look good with any uniform too. The dual-density foam chin cup is a nice addition as well. This helmet may cost you a little extra to buy but it is definitely worth it.
Pros
- Comes in several different colors
- Highly adjustable
- Comfortable foam padding
Cons
- A little pricey
- Only for teen or adult players
4. CCM FitLite 40 Hockey Helmet Combo
Here is yet another good combination helmet and face cage on our list. This one comes from the reputable hockey equipment manufacturer CCM. It is a model that boasts being stellar in both protection and in comfort while wearing it. It is geared toward youth and young teen players and it’s very affordable for all that it gives you.
The beauty of this helmet starts with the fit. It uses a very soft but sturdy foam insert. It is also fully adjustable without the need to use tools; that means you can even make adjustments for your young hockey player during breaks in a game or practice. CCM claims this helmet is aerodynamic and we have no reason to doubt that based on its design. CCM has done a very nice job venting this helmet too.
This fine youth helmet package also includes the full cage over the face and all the strapping to hold it in place securely.
Pros
- Comes in different colors
- Adjustable without tools
- Comfortable foam padding
Cons
- A little pricey
- Only for youth or young teen players
- A little heavy for very small kids
5. Bauer Prodigy Hockey Youth Helmet with Cage
Another really good choice for any young hockey player is the Bauer Prodigy Youth Helmet with Cage. It features youth-specific elements like a quick-release chin strap buckle, quick-release facemask snaps, adjustable top-clips and J-hook mounts that can be use in 4-positions. The facemask is much easier to use than a traditional adult helmet face mask and the adjustable snaps allow parents to change the positioning and fit of the cage as the player grows.
The dual-density foam on the inside of the helmet provides excellent comfort while the dual-ridge crown enhances protection even further, while at the same time, promoting airflow through the sizeable vents on the side of the helmet. Tool-free adjustment is standard, so your convenience factor is jacked even more!!
Pros
- Highly rated in concussion tests
- Very lightweight
- Comfortable foam padding
- Great price
Cons
- A little bulky feeling
6. Bauer Hockey 7500 Hockey Helmet
Here is another fine teen and adult hockey helmet from Bauer. Not only will it protect any teen or adult hockey player but they will look and feel good while wearing it too. Bauer is very innovative with their helmet designs and that is why so many high level and professional players choose to wear Bauer helmets.
There is a lot to like about this helmet and it all starts with how lightweight it is and how comfortable it feels when wearing it. We noticed you want to get the fit just right or it may seem a little bulky; but once you adjust it then its fine. The padding in it will do a great job of protecting you and it also helps make this helmet very comfortable to wear.
This helmet has a good price point considering the excellent quality it delivers.
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Comfortable foam padding
Cons
- A little pricey
- Durability issues with the foam glue
- A little bulky feeling
Conclusion & Recommendations
Whenever you or your child is playing a sport the head is such a critical area to protect and it’s no exception when it comes to playing hockey. Be patient shopping and get the right helmet for you or your youth player. All the helmets on our list are good buys but we especially like two of them; the Bauer IMS and for youth skaters we really liked the Bauer Prodigy youth hockey helmet combo.
Even if you do not like any of the helmets on the list, then at least follow the advice in our buying guide. If you do that then you will stand a good chance of finding a helmet that is a perfect fit for you and your youth player and prevents concussions.