Hockey is a physically demanding sport that requires quick bursts of energy and constant movement. Everything in this sport is lightning-fast, including the game tempo, slap shots, and players. There’s no time for a break; something is always happening, and if you blink, you may miss it. This continuous action is precisely why many love the sport.
However, hockey is also a hard-hitting sport, making helmets essential for players at all levels. Helmets are mandatory to help prevent injuries such as cuts, skull fractures, and concussions. Bauer offers a comprehensive range of ice hockey helmets suitable for both beginners and seasoned professionals.
Bauer is a well-known brand in the ice hockey community, renowned for its commitment to player safety and performance. Their helmets, crafted from advanced materials and cutting-edge technology, provide exceptional protection, comfort, and fit. Features like the Seven+Technology, which offers superior impact absorption, and lightweight, multi-density foam liners allow players to focus on the game with confidence.
How to Choose the Right Hockey Helmet
Choosing the right rocket helmet for injury prevention means considering several factors such as the play level, safety features and proper fit.
Play Level
When shopping for Bauer helmets, you’ll notice that they are categorised as recreational, performance and elite. These categories represent the player’s level of play.
- Recreational-level helmets are designed for entry-level or youth hockey players. They provide the necessary protection for first-time players at an affordable price. Junior and youth recreational-level helmets are proportionately designed for the smaller heads of young, aspiring players.
- Performance-level helmets are ideal for recreational league or pick-up hockey players who play once or twice a week. These helmets often feature classic vinyl nitrile or expanded polypropylene foam liners, providing adequate protection for those who do not play at the highest levels and prefer a traditional fit and feel.
- Elite-level helmets offer superior protection and comfort. They are intended for professional or club athletes who play three to four times per week and require maximum protection in a full-contact league. They are also an excellent choice for anyone needing a helmet that provides the best fit, ventilation, comfort, and style.
Safety Features
A hockey helmet’s safety features include a hard outer shell, interior foam padding, and a facemask, all of which work together to protect the wearer.
The hard shell of a Bauer hockey helmet is made from high-density polyethylene-injected plastic. This shell allows for personalization, enabling players to choose their favorite color and add their team logo or jersey number.
Inside the shell, protective foam cushioning absorbs impact and provides a snug fit. EPP foam, often used in these helmets, is a tough foam wrapped in softer foam for comfort. Unlike bicycle helmets, which are designed for single-impact use, hockey helmets are built to withstand multiple impacts. Professional players may opt for helmets with advanced features that surpass EPP performance, offering protection against higher impact levels.
To play ice hockey, regardless of level, you’ll need a helmet with a facemask. There are two options to choose from: wire cages and full face shields.
- Wire cages are made of metal or composite materials and offer excellent protection without fogging up like full face shields.
- Full face shields are made from impact-resistant plastic and provide better visibility than cages. However, they can fog up if not properly maintained.
Proper Fit
Choosing the right fit begins with choosing the right outer shell style. You can choose between a one-point or multi-point adjustment system.
A helmet with a one-point adjustment system provides a customised fit at a lower price tag, making it an excellent alternative for younger players. These designs use a mono-lock system on the helmet’s top. The helmet’s length can be adjusted and locked in place with one or two screws. Other one-point adjustment versions provide tool-free features that assist you get a proper fit. These designs, however, do not allow for helmet width modifications.
In the past, the form of your head dictated the helmet you had to purchase. With the Bauers FreeForm Adjustment System, you can now choose a helmet based on style and benefits rather than fit.
Bauer helmets’ revolutionary FreeForm Adjustment System allows for independent length and breadth changes. No other helmet on the market can provide this level of general fit and comfort. The FreeForm design uses a three-tab system, one on top and two on the back, and is found in Hyperlite Elite and Reakt performance helmets. This 3-tab system provides the most size adjustability available.
Our Recommendations
Bauer Hockey Helmet Hyperlite
Choose this option if you want a helmet that is lightweight, comfortable, and affordable.
The Bauer Hyperlite is a dynamic helmet designed for elite athletes, featuring a sleek appearance. It maximizes the benefits of the FreeForm Adjustment technology, allowing for adjustments in length and width in all directions for a snug fit. The helmet also incorporates SHOCKLITE-FOAM technology in all five main zones, making it lightweight, comfortable, and highly protective against impacts on the ice.
Bauer RE-AKT 150 Hockey Helmet
Choose this option if you want enhanced fit, excellent protection, and exceptional comfort.
The Bauer Re-Akt 150 hockey helmet boasts cutting-edge innovations, including the Freeform Adjustment System for a personalized fit. This system allows for tool-free adjustments of the helmet’s length and width, offering a wide range of sizes to ensure the perfect fit and comfort. The helmet also features a Comfort Pod liner system with a contoured design that conforms to the head’s shape. This design includes multilayer construction with XRD and IX foams, providing protection against both high- and low-velocity impacts.
Additionally, the helmet includes Bauer’s VTX technology, a lightweight foam liner that offers all-around impact resistance. This innovative system is strategically placed in the front, top, and back of the helmet, providing extra protection and comfort where it matters most.
