Hockey Cage or Visor: Which is Better? (The Honest Truth) - BS Hockey (2023)

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Not sure whether to wear a hockey cage or a visor on your helmet? All hockey players are faced with this choice, although each option is used more often at different levels of the sport. But does a cage or visor improve visibility on ice? What is the safety difference between a cage and a visor? Which one is the best? This comprehensive guide helpfully compares the pros and cons of cages and displays.

The hockey cage and visor have their own strengths and weaknesses. The cages offer full protection and do not allow for facial injuries. But some players get distracted looking through the cage. Visors are more practical as they are transparent and allow access to your face in-game. But half visors leave the face partially unprotected and can fog up. To choose the best one for you, decide whether you prefer safety and convenience or comfort and style.

Why do hockey players wear cages and visors?

Ice hockey players are required to wear a cage or visor at almost all levels of the sport.

Firstly, the cage and visor take some getting used to.SecurityReasons. Hockey is an unpredictable game with hazards such as pucks and sticks that can arisehurtan unprotected face Both cage and visor provide facial protection, albeit to varying degrees.

I love youCollege-HockeyLeagues require their players to wear a cage or full face shield. Most professional leagues, includingNHL, now requires playerswear visors. But that was only a relatively recent development. Players now only appear barefaced in some men's recreational leagues and in very loose games.

Hockey Cage vs Visor: What's the Difference?

Cage

ACageit is a protective cover that attaches to the helmet. It is made of thin, wire-like steel, aluminum or titanium in the shape of a face shield. The cage has a chin guard that sits comfortably low on the face. The cage attaches to the top of the helmet, while the chin guard has straps that attach to the sides of the helmet.

visor

Avisor(or "Face Shield") is a clear polycarbonate protective shield that attaches to the helmet. Can be supplied with half visor or full visor.

• medium visor

ANDmedium visorit usually only covers the lower part of the nose. The full visor has an additional part that protects the lower half of the face and includes a chin guard. The half visor is attached to the front of the helmet, usually the top and sides, or just the sides.

• full visor

ANDfull visorIt attaches at the top and is secured via a chin guard with straps on the sides (similar to the cage).

What are the advantages of hockey visor?

Players may choose to wear a visor for a variety of reasons. This includes its performance and adaptability advantages, comfort and visor style.

1. Provides durability

Hockey visors come in a variety of styles and sizes, making them customizable. For starters, players can choose to wear a half visor or a full visor. Half visors also come in different sizes. Most go to the bridge of the nose. But if a player prefers a longer or shorter scope, there are half scopes that reach around the barrel or scopes that are about an inch shorter. Certain crosshair types also allow for mid-game tweaking.

2. Provide premium protection

Some visors are screwed onto the top and sides of the helmet, so no adjustments are possible. However, other visors are only attached to the sides of the helmet, allowing players to adjust the shield's height and placement at any time. Alternatively, players can use the full viewfinder. Its upper part is identical to the half-visor, but it has additional protection for the lower part of the face and jaw. The full visor offers full face protection in contrast to the half visor.

3. clear visibility

In terms of performance, players can choose to wear a visor, as this does not affect their vision on the ice. The polycarbonate visor material is transparent, so it's almost like you're not wearing anything in front of your eyes. Players can also choose to switch from a cage to a visor once they reach adulthood. They likely grew up with a cage as children, so switching to a visor is seen as a useful upgrade. The half visor is convenient as it allows easy access to the face.

4. Cleaning the face or drinking is quick and easy

Players must wipe off sweat and drink water during the game. The half visor allows them to perform these tasks without removing the helmet or unbuttoning and opening the helmet case or full visor. The half visor is also the most aesthetically pleasing face shield option. It exudes a casual look that still allows players to show personality instead of completely covering their face.

5. Stylesin

All NHL players also wear visors, so the visor is associated with appearanceprofessional players. Visors can also be colored, which some players appreciate for their eye-catching style. But beware: wearing a colored visor can attract unwanted attention and "squeals" from opponents.

What are the disadvantages of a visor?

1. Lack of guaranteed security

The main problem with visors is the lack of guaranteed safety. Full face shields are no problem in this regard, but half face shields are by far the most dangerous face shield option other than wearing none. When players wear half a visor, the lower half of their face remains unprotected. Also, a club or puck can get under the visor and hit the top of the face.

2. leave areas blank

When you wear half a visor, you're essentially playing hockey, hoping you don't get hit in the face. The visor prevents contact with the upper part of the face from the front or at a high angle. So it's better than not using any protection at all. But with a half visor, the lower half of the face is left entirely to chance. More often than not, players make it through a game without anyone getting punched in the face. But tall sticks and eye-high pucks can pose dangerous hazards that crop up from time to time in even the most casual and friendly hockey games. Use a full face shield to ensure your face protection. On the other hand, the full visor does not allow easy access to the face while playing, as it is tied at the chin and jaw.

3. Visors can fog up

Another disadvantage of the display is that it can fog up during gameplay. Players who sweat and overheat during practice cause condensation to form on the inside of the visor material. This condensation creates fog and sometimes moisture in the visor. The fog can be cleared and the breeze generated during skating blows away the fog.anti-fog treatmentsThere are also. But fog can still be an inconvenience for some players.

4. It can be distracting

When players transition from a cage to a crosshair, they may also find the lower crosshair barrier irritating when looking at the puck. The bottom of the visor adds a smooth "line" to the view, but it takes some getting used to.

What are the advantages of a hockey cage?

1. Full face protection

The most immediate benefit of using a cage is the protection it provides. Playing ice hockey with a cage gives you complete confidence to protect your face. The cage fully covers the chin, jaws and everything above.

2. Durability

The "holes" formed in the steel cage are also small enough to prevent a puck or racquet blade from passing through them. The cage is also very strong, so if you get hit in the face, the cage will protect you.

3. Low maintenance

However, the holes in the cage are big enough for water to splash out during play. So if you have a spray bottle, you can drink from it through the helmet cage.

4. Elegant cages

The cage might not be as visually distracting as you might think. Today's hockey cages are almost all finished in a gray/silver color that minimizes their flashy appearance. But even when the cages were black, and decades ago, they were veryverysticky and thick - players would still get used to the look as part of their vision of the hockey game.

5. No risk of fogging

The cages also never fog up like the visors do sometimes.

What are the disadvantages of a cage?

However, some players don't like the cage due to its eye barrier. However, for the most part, players who have never used it have to get used to it.

1. Must be in full bloom. Tired of getting up during a break or trying to get something to drink.

The cage must also be unbuckled from the helmet and opened if you want access to your face during gameplay. This can be inconvenient for players who sweat a lot during practice or if you don't have a spray bottle.

2. Distract first. Generally uncomfortable for some.

The cage is also a practical design that lacks the charm of a visor. It's available in gray or black (although black is more distracting than a gray cage). And while color is an option for a cage, it's actually not equipment designed for its appearance.

Scout Hockey vs. Cage: Which is the best?

The time has come:Is the cage or the visor better? The answer depends, at least in part, on what you prioritize when you're on the ice.

Aside from the style points, the full cage or visor is the best option. Both offer full face protection which is very important. Without face protection, ice hockey players suffered serious facial injuries. Some players, such as NHLersBryan BerardShe almost lost an eyeball in completely random movements. And players routinelylose teethwhen no protection is used.

If you are concerned about your safety,Use a full cage or visor.

In fact, more players use the cage than the full visor. Between these two options, you can consider the visual elements of each option. Both the cage and the full visor have some aspects that you need to get used to. However, if you opt for a full face shield, the cage is a little less thick and you don't risk fogging in the ice.

If you can't handle the visual presence of the cage,Go with full visor.

But in terms of performance, comfort and aesthetics, themedium visorIt's the best option. Offers the lightest, least irritating eye protection to the face.

But remember:The benefits of half visors are outweighed by the safety risks they pose. If you opt for the half visor, you always run the risk of injuring your face and possibly even the upper part of your face that you think the visor is protecting. If you are serious about your safety then you should use the full cage or visor. When other concerns like performance and style trump safety, opt for the half visor. Many players wear half a visor and come out of their games without any injuries. But a painful walk to the dentist's chair or worse isn't always worth the minor performance benefits and superficial benefits of a half visor.

ANDcage and full visorThey are designed for a practical and safe hockey game. They're not as stylish or as comfortable as the half visor, but they'll save your face from serious injury.half visorsThey also offer protection, but they always come with a risk. Hockey players use all three options, and each player is likely to get used to one of the three.Just assess your safety and style priorities before making the decision for yourself.