Cage, visor or no visor? This question worries many ice hockey players. After minor hockey, it's up to the players to decide what type of protection to use (although some adult leagues require cages). In our previous article we aHockey Helmet Buying Guide, in this article we will talk about the most common helmet accessories, cages and visors.
If you are looking for a cage or a visorYou need to make sure it fits your helmet first. Hockey Monkey has oneHelpful cage/visor compatibility chartwith which you can see which visor or cage fits your helmet.
Popular brands of cages and displays
Popular brands of cages and displaysThis segment is dominated by Bauer and Oakley, with a small but consistent presence from CCM and Warrior. There are several atypical brands such as Hejduk Sport, Tron and Avision.
Why use a cage or a visor?
Combo cages, visors and shields (which are hard plastic or steel face shields that extend under the chin to provide full face protection with the visibility capabilities of a clear visor) are of course designed to protect the eyes and face from wandering sticks protection. and disc impact, preventing cuts and fractures. Leagues often require this, and especially for players under the age of 18, most governing bodies will not allow you to play without some face protection.
Note from Coach Jeremy: Speaking from experience, I see chapped lips, noses and eyebrows several times a year in players not wearing face shields or just a visor. I recommend a full cage for anyone just starting out in hockey as newer players have less control of the puck and their sticks.
hockey cage or visor
One of the best options for new players is Hockey Cage vs. Visor. I'll quickly break down the pros and cons of each.
Hockey cage
Hockey cage- Advantages of a hockey cage
- Full protection ensures you won't need any dental work or stitches
- Mandatory in some leagues
- Increased confidence to clean corners without fear of getting hit
- Disadvantages of a hockey cage
- heavier variant
- It can affect vision (although some don't even notice it)
- Can be uncomfortable for some
visor / shield
- Advantages of a visor/shield
- improved visibility
- Less weight
- Provides some protection from not using a cage or shield
- Disadvantages of a visor/shield
- It doesn't offer as much protection as a full cage.
- can fog up
- May scratch and wear over time (especially if not protected in hockey bag)
Cage size and price range
A new face mask, or "cage," a metal mesh cast into the face, is available for just $25 new for a junior size and $35 for a senior size. This style of mask can cost up to $70, usually a high-quality material like titanium, which is stronger and lighter than regular steel.
A visor, also known as a "half shield", costs between $30 and $80, usually depending on the shape, size, and style of the visor, as well as options like tinting or attachment points.
A combo cage will set you back around $60, which doesn't really give you a price range.
Differences in material/properties between the price ranges
Cages are usually steel, but there is currently a titanium option offered by Bauer. Stronger and lighter than steel, titanium offers a more comfortable option and added protection. The biggest difference in retail cage offerings is the size and shape of the steel.
Some of the most common and popular cage designs are CCM FM580, Bauer Re-akt and CCM Resistance. Players like the longer, straighter look of some of the more "bubbly" looks of Bauer cages, as well as the choice of white, black, or chrome depending on player preference.
When it comes to visors, they are all made from the same or similar materials and the difference in protection is mostly down to size. For obvious reasons, a larger visor will help protect the face better when properly fitted to the helmet.
Some visors, like the sporty Hejduk, offer options such as a "cutout" where the helmet meets the visor, on the temples, and care must be taken to ensure these unusual designs are legal under the Governing Body. Some of these sights may be outside the rules. The biggest difference is also whether the visor sits on the forehead or just on the temples.
3-dot sights are a sturdier accessory and don't "rotate" and move as much as some NHL players (Nicklas Kronwall) often do. However, additional hardware above the eyebrows can often reduce ventilation and cause the visor to fog up. Some visors are coloured, which is good for a player who may be sensitive to light, or for players like Alexander Ovechkin, who believes his 'smoked' visor helps hide where he's looking, which he says some goalies use, to help predict the target Is. the disc is over
Currently the combos are only offered by Bauer and Avision and the overall design is quite similar. Avision's combos have a variety of color options for the external hardware and also allow for swapping out or swapping out the display part if it's too scratched or hard to see. Bauer combos come in two varieties, one with all plastic including a lower jaw protector and another where the underside consists of a typical steel cage attached to a polycarbonate visor.
How should the visor and cage fit together?
For a half shield, the farther from the face the better. This allows airflow to prevent the visor from fogging up and helps prevent the visor from digging into the player's cheek or nose after a hit, fall or puck.
The visor must be held firmly on the screws that are attached with two screws on each side of the bracket to ensure it sits flat on the face. The top of the visor should line up directly with the bottom of the helmet at the front to allow room for airflow but no gaps for the lugs to pass through.
Shields and combos, despite the prevailing style, should sit comfortably on the chin and not "hang". Each helmet should have "J-clips" attached to the bars and the helmet or cage should slide in easily. This prevents a cage-breaking impact or combo on the player's face. While it still prevents most injuries, it can still cut your face and possibly even break your nose if not secured in the J-Clips. If chin sweat is a problem, a small hole in the center can help resolve the issue to loosen.Sweat accumulation .
How to size a cage or visor
Cages: A cage or a combination one size smaller than a helmet can be used, such as: B. A large helm and a medium cage, but the shield cannot be one size larger than the helm. Most brands of cages and visors fit their competitors' helmets, so mixing and matching is an option.
Visors: Visors usually work as one size fits all
I recommend checking theCage/Visor CompatibilityDiagram before buying.
Expected Useful Life
A cage can be used for a long time as long as it does not start to rust. A diligent owner who after each skating takes his helmet out of his pocket to sit and dry it can feel safe in a cage for over 10 years. However, care must be taken to ensure that rust and corrosion do not settle in the joints.
Visors and combos should probably not be used for more than 5 years as the coating will wear and crack, creating scratches and the plastic itself will slowly weaken like a helmet.
Cage and visor maintenance
A cage requires very little maintenance and only needs to be taken out of the bag to dry to prevent rust and corrosion. Set screws and clips should be checked for corrosion every few months. Screws also tend to loosen or fall out over time. It is recommended to check the screws for tightness from time to time.
Visors need to be cleaned frequently. While there are many hockey specific products for cleaning, cleaning, and polishing visors, one of the most commonly used products is Pledge Furniture Polish, used even at the professional level. Polishing does a better job of maintaining a clear and clean sight and is highly recommended by players and referees at many levels.
Visor and combination wearers are also strongly advised to pack the helmet in a helmet bag to prevent the visor from being scratched by random things in the hockey bag while moving. A pillowcase or a tied t-shirt makes this task wonderful.
Recommendations for displays and cages
Due to the carefree nature of players and the unpredictability of pucks, cages and full face shields are highly recommended for all players.It is important to note that US hockey insurance claims cannot be made for injuries to the mouth or face of a player who sustains an injury while not wearing a cage.. However, if you have the confidence and conscience to wear a visor, or if you are a referee and wearing a cage is prohibited, a visor is also strongly recommended.
Your teeth may be replaced after very painful surgery and a difficult recovery, and the same goes for a broken jaw or cheekbone. But if a slice hits your eye, it could be gone forever. Last March, Marc Staal got a disc without a visor almost directly in his eye. Staal had to miss the rest of the season and there were doubts if his career was over.
Steven Stamkos suffered a very similar punch to the face in the 2010 playoffs, but because he was wearing a visor when he was hit, he was able to return to the same game after stitching up a laceration and being placed in a cage for the remainder of the game .
Where to buy to save
It's pretty much thanks to the fit charts and compatibility chartsBuy cages and visors easily onlineand find something that goes well with your helmet. The advantage is that you will have a much larger choice! (recommended stores below)
If youto buy second handYou want to make sure there is no damage. Look for rust and bent bars on cages and scratches on visors.
You can also searchDead tag optionslike Itech, which produced many cages before the company, which was acquired by Bauer a few years ago, ceased to exist. Many of Bauer's current retail offerings are based on itech offerings, with no change to the branding that can also be found online.
Recommended online stores
- Hockey-Overalls(largest online hockey retailer)
- Pro Hockey Life(for Canadians)
- Pure hockey