HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR HOCKEY HELMETS

The popularity of hockey caused an increasing number of hockey helmet manufacturers in the market. This can be both a good and a bad thing for you as a buyer. For the good side, you will have a lot of options that will give you the best helmet for maximum protection and comfort. The bad news is that you may find comparing and researching a very daunting task since you cannot be lax in choosing them. Remember that they are not plain accessories but they can help save you from potential head injury and even your life.

How to choose the right and the best helmet for you? Just take note of the following steps and you will find the best hockey helmets for your needs.

• Choose the brands. Although it may sound like a cliché, it is a fact that quality helmets come from known brands. You have to ensure that you will get the brands that are known and recommended by professional hockey players or perhaps by hockey leagues. Aside from this, you also have to ensure that the brands have met the standards set by authorities that monitor the products made in the market. For example, the authorities must have certified that the brand followed their regulation and have proven that they only make quality products. The Internet is the best source for you to do this research by checking out different reviews made by independent review sites or professionals.

• Next, you must check the overall cosmetic value of the helmet. Be meticulous in checking for helmet cracks. Remember that you cannot entrust your head’s safety to a helmet that will be damaged with a simple and minor fall. Aside from cosmetic damages, be mindful of potential modifications on the hockey helmet. This means that you must not find any drilled holes or even as simple as altered color.

• Check for the right size. The key in keeping your head safe from injuries is to find the perfect fitting helmet for your head. This means that the helmet should not be too loose or too tight on your cranium area. The good news in comparing the sizes of these hockey helmets is that manufacturers release size charts to help you know the best ones for you.

• Choose the right helmet with the best face protector for you. Order those that will be more comfortable for you. Would you feel the game more by using visors and shields or will it be better for you to use the cage face protectors?

• Since your helmet will have face protectors, you have to make sure that the shields or cages fit perfectly on the helmet. This means that the attachment should not wobble or get easily dismantled on the helmet, especially if they are not supposed to.

• There can be instances when the face protectors are separate accessories from the helmet. This means that you have to install these accessories on your own. If you opt to get this type of helmet you have to make sure that you have everything that you need in attaching them. It must have the parts that are required in fixing the protectors on the helmet. Since you will attach them on your own the installation guides should also be inside the kit. This will be your guide for installing the face protectors properly so it will not be detached while you’re in the middle of the game.

• You will now find a lot of models that will allow you to modify the size of your hockey helmet. These are the best options if you are not sure with the right size that you have to get, especially if you will get them online.

• In choosing the helmet size you have to consider the age of the person who will use it. if you will get helmets for adults, you can choose those that have fixed sizes by knowing the exact head circumference or size. But if you will get helmets for your kids, you may find it beneficial for you to get those that can be adjusted using screws. These adjustable helmets are perfect since you need not to buy new helmets as your child grows. This will help you save money in purchasing new helmets each and every time your child has outgrown the size you bought.

• Don’t be lured by cheap prices for brand new hockey helmets. Remember that the higher priced hockey helmets may give you more in terms of protection. Typically, good quality helmets for adults will have a price range of around $70 and up. Kids’ helmets can have a price of around $50. Also check the things included with your helmet so you will know if you are actually saving money or having to buy additional accessories that are included as standard with other hockey helmets. There are some helmets that have separate face protectors so you might spend more by buying the separate attachments. Check and see if you have the things that you need in it.

• Don’t settle for second hand helmet where possible. But if you really need to buy second hand, you must check the hockey helmet for any possible alterations. These alterations can change the protective quality of these helmets and endanger your life while playing.

 HOCKEY HELMET BRANDS ON THE MARKET

There is an increasing demand for hockey helmets since more and more people have become hooked in this sport. This also suggests that more brands are now producing this type of helmet for their buyers. The following are just some of the brands that you can get on the market.

BAUER HOCKEY

This company was founded in 1927 and has been making apparel and equipment for hockey. This company was known to be Nike Bauer until 2008. Now, they continue to make legacy in making quality helmets, shin guards, skates and a lot more for hockey enthusiasts. The hockey helmet models you will find in this brand are model numbers 9900, M104, 1500, and a lot more.

REEBOK

This brand was founded in 1895 and throughout the years has been creating different equipment for sports. Because of how long they have been in the market and how the National Hockey League has known this brand, you are assured that the equipment you will get from them are of high quality, especially for helmets.

EASTON

Just like the two brand mentioned above, this brand has also been among the established pioneers in the world of sports. Founded by Doug Easton in 1922, this company started to produce bows and arrows for archery. It eventually created other equipment for other sports like in hockey. They make products from helmets, elbow and shoulder pads, gloves and a lot more.

These are just some of the brands that manufacturer hockey helmets so you will have a lot of options in comparing them. As long as you research properly online you will get the best one for your needs in terms of design but also in the best protection that you can have.