How to Order Hockey Helmets
Step-by-step Instructions
Here is what you need to do...
Step 1
Step one in ordering the right hockey helmet for you is to make sure that no matter what product you buy, that your helmet has an HECC seal of approval. The Hockey Equipment Certification Council rating is the standard by which helmets are built. If a helmet does not meet the rigorous testing and protection standards of the HECC, it's not worth your time to consider it. On that note, mostly all HECC certified hockey helmets are now made from polycarbonates (lightweight plastic materials).
Step 2
Step two in ordering the right hockey helmet for you is size and fit. The fit of a hockey helmet should be snug and never loose, nor should it ever be heavier towards the front or back of the head. Balance and comfort are key, too tight and the helmet is likely not protecting the proper areas.
Step 3
Step three in ordering the right hockey helmet for you is protection. As mentioned in Step one, any helmet you want must be certified by the HECC, but it must also fit properly. And while “fit†most often refers to how snug a helmet must be on top of one’s head (Step two), it is also paramount to protection. A snug and proper fitting hockey helmet will also be the helmet that protects you best. In order to know that your hockey helmet fits (and protects) you optimally, the padding of the helmet should go no lower than the middle of the forehead and must reach, at the very least, to the edge of the player’s hairline. Tight or loose fitting helmets should not be worn as you are often exposed to more dangers than you are protected from.
Step 4
Step four in ordering the right hockey helmet for you is adjustability. Older helmets were rarely easily adjustable, requiring screw drivers and, sometimes, the removal of padding. Today, helmets are now primarily tool-free, allowing the player to adjust the fit using either dials, straps or clips. While adjustable helmets are good for allowing an adult player to optimize their comfort level, they are most often the best choice for youth and amateur players.
Step 5
Step five in ordering the right hockey helmet for you is choosing your facemask. The facemask is not a mandatory part of the helmet in professional leagues, but is a requirement when playing any level below College/Junior Hockey. Most youth leagues do not allow half-shields or half-visors, though most senior leagues do. The facemask on a hockey helmet is either made of a metal-wire frame, high resistance clear plastic, or a combination of both.
Step 6
Step six in ordering the right hockey helmet for you is ensuring the proper fit of the facemask to your helmet. In order to establish that the facemask is in its proper place, the player’s chin must fit comfortably into the chin strap/protector while the edges of the facemask must slide easily into the clasps found above the earpiece.
Step 7
Step seven in ordering the right hockey helmet for you is pricing. Although online prices are often cheaper than in-store prices, it is heavily recommended that you try on the exact helmet you intend to buy. Although you may not want to buy your helmet from a local store, it is best to go in and try on the various helmets in order to determine your size. That way, once you know which helmet fits you the best, you will have a much easier time identifying which helmet to order while having the ability to seek out the best price.
Special Attention
Difficulties people often experience or parts that need special attention to do it right.
As mentioned in Step seven, trying on and determining which helmet fits you properly is necessary, even if you plan to buy online, but an advantage of trying on helmets and shopping online is that many of the manufacturers sell their hockey helmets directly through their websites, and as such offer better warranties and repair services than most stores.
Stuff You'll Need
| Brand | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Stealth S9 Ice Hockey Helmet and Cage Combo | $84.99 | |
| 1500 Ice Hockey Helmet with Cage | $39.99 | |
| Stealth S7 Ice Hockey Helmet | $79.99 | |
| 5100 Senior Hockey Helmet | $89.99 | |
| 2100 Helmet Combo(Junior) | $67.00 | |
| Reebok 7K Helmet Combo | $104.00 | |
| Bauer 2100 Helmet Only | $34.99 | |
| Bauer 2100 Combo Helmet | $46.99 | |
| Mylec Helmet with Chinstrap | $24.99 |
Suggested Further Reading
| Author | Title | Price |
|---|
This Student Author
This Student Author's Background
Funny or interesting story about this topic...
Inspired by legendary Montreal Canadiens goaltender, Jacques Plante, who introduced the goaltender mask during the 1959 season; the hockey helmet, although it had existed in various prior forms, did not become a fixture of the sport or a mandatory piece of hockey equipment until 1979 when the president of the National Hockey League enforced a new rule making it mandatory that all new players wear a hockey helmet. Although certain players were granted exemption under the new rule, "grandfathered" in, every player to play in the NHL since 1996-97 has worn a helmet.
When did you first do this & how did you get started?
The very first time I ever stepped on the ice in a pair of skates was also the very first time I wore a helmet. Although I did not begin playing organized hockey until the age of 7, my father began teaching me to skate at the age of four and, much like learning to ride a bicycle, the mistakes I made when first learning to skate would have been far more painful had I not been wearing my helmet. Protecting your head, whether practicing or playing hockey, or simply skating outside, is always a priority when you step on the ice as head injuries cannot be avoided without a helmet.