While playing hockey, all the players are in constant motion, increasing the chances of getting hurt. Therefore, it's better to take precautions during hockey matches because an accidental fall or a collision can injure you badly, affecting your brain. That’s why you need a protective helmet for both hockey practice as well as tournaments.
You have to choose a good brand and go with a model appropriate for your purpose. However, the task is easier said than being done. When choosing a helmet, you need to keep both comfort and protection in mind, which is why there is no room for mistakes. So, to help you, we have formulated a well-explained buying guide. After all, you cannot let one helmet stop you from playing the next match!
What Are the Major Parts of a Hockey Helmet?
Before you learn about the factors contributing to choosing the best and most appropriate hockey helmet, we would like to discuss the parts with which a standard product is made. It will help you to understand different helmets in a better way.
Outer hard shell
The major part of the hockey helmet is the outermost shell meant for protecting your head against any injury. In low-priced helmets, the shell is made from a normal vinyl polymer which distributes the collision force and reduces the momentum. As these helmets don't give advanced outer shells, it's better not to wear them during tournaments. On branded helmets, however, the shell is manufactured from hard polymers, which provide the maximum level of protection.
Inner foam liners
On the inner part of the helmet is a foam liner that absorbs the maximum amount of the collision force produced during impacts. In addition, the liner also helps in increasing the comfort level so that you won’t have to suffer from continuous bumping against the hard shell.
Ear protectors
In some hockey protective helmets, you can find ear protectors on both sides. These protectors are designed to fit around your ears perfectly and protect them from any injury. However, since they are not present in all helmets, you need to decide whether or not you need the ear protectors.
Chin straps
All hockey helmets are not featured with chin straps. Instead, a few models are available in the market where you can find these straps. It can be used for tightening the helmet on your head so that it doesn’t slip off during the game. Also, in some products, the straps hang very loosely, which may be a stylistic addition to your hockey gear.
Outer eye shield
One of the most important protective shields that you can find in some of the helmets is the visor. It is usually made from high-quality, transparent polymer and is attached to the top lining of the helmet. The visors will protect your eyes from incoming balls or any accidental hit from the hockey stick.
What Factors Should You Consider Before Selecting A Hockey Helmet?
Fit
When it comes to hockey helmets, fit and size are the two most important factors to consider. Your helmet should have the right shape according to the structure of your head. This will allow you to fix the helmet on your head properly without any gap. It would be best if you make sure that its size is neither too big nor too small. The right fitting is essential as a tight helmet will cause pain in the head after a couple of hours while a loose helmet will increase the chances of getting hurt badly.
Protective accessories
So far, you've probably noticed that there are different types of protective features in the helmets. Therefore, while choosing a particular model, you need to decide the types of protective accessories present in the helmet. For example, if you are concerned about the safety of your eyes, a hockey helmet with a visor shield will work the best. Similarly, for keeping the helmet in place on your head, an adjustable chin strap will help a lot.
Material
You need to check the materials with which the hockey helmet is made. First, start with the outer shell material. It should be hard and durable to withstand the collision forces without suffering any damage. Similarly, make sure that the inner foam liner is soothing against your skin. In addition, having a sweat-absorbing liner will further make the helmet more comfortable.
Aesthetics
Lastly, you need to consider the design of the hockey helmet. Usually, the outer shell is painted with glossy coats that are highly durable. You can either go with neutral colors like black, grey, and white or pick a bold color like blue, red, maroon, and so on.
Primary Features
The hockey helmets are usually made with lightweight materials that will reduce the pressure on your head. Also, you won’t have to endure frequent headaches due to a heavy helmet.
Modern helmets are highly adjustable and come with several features for getting the right fit according to your head's shape.
In some helmets, you will find that the outer shell has textured grooves. These structures increase the surface area for better distribution of the force of the collision.
You can get a helmet with a custom-fit feature that will help in covering your entire head with a protective outer shell and a comforting inner liner.
Taking Care of Your Hockey Helmet
You can use a wet rag to wipe the helmet's outer shell, provided it's slippery and is painted with glossy color.
To prevent bad odor from coming out of the foam liner on the inside, always allow the helmet to dry after the match.
Do not use water to clean the helmet because it can damage the inner foam material in most cases.
Some Buyers Also Ask
Q: Can I protect my ears with a hockey helmet?
A: Yes, you can protect your ears with hockey helmets. Just make sure to get a product with ear loops on both sides to protect the ear lobe and other parts from injuries.
Q: How can I determine the size of my hockey helmet?
A: To determine the hockey helmet size, you need to consider your head's shape and size. Then, you can use the size chart to determine the exact measurements of the helmet that you need.
Q: How often should I replace my hockey helmet?
A: You should replace your helmet as soon as cracks develop on the outer shell or inner foam liner form tears and separate from the shell's wall.