Cheap VS Expensive Hockey Helmets - Which one is the best and most protective ? 

Hi Chris, As you said: the helmet that fits the bests (least negative space but sits properly on your head and is still comfortable) is the most protective helmet for your head. One point I'd like to add: There is a date printed on the certification stickers, I think it's 6 years after the date of manufacture. All helmet materials (plastics, foams, etc) break down over time and their protection effectiveness decreases. The salt and bacteria from your sweat as well as regular use accelerates this. I see a lot of beer-leaguers wearing really old helmets like a badge of honor...but in reality they are sacrificing a lot of protection wearing that HT2, HH4000, SK2000 etc. Best practice is to replace it after a few years regardless of how often you play or whether or not it's had any serious impacts. Thanks again for all the hard work @ HT, please keep making videos!

I've been trying to get into the sport and your videos help me a ton! Thanks so much!

I work for the largest hockey retailer in Canada, pro hockey life. I can tell you that the higher price point helmets have stronger, better holding materials. Every line of helmet such as the ccm FL series vs. the Bauer re-akt line has a different shape. The tool-less adjustments on helmets only compensate for a front to back adjustment and don’t change the actual width or shape of the helmet. In the end the helmet that gives you the most snug yet comfortable fit will suit you best. More movement inside of the helmet means you’re in a misfit due to your head shape which means you won’t be able to deal with impacts as well as a snug fit. Ideally a high end helmet that fits your head shape will be best as it is using the best foams, including impact absorbing foams, suspended foams (for more hold on the head to not allow movement), as well as MP foams, and on top of this it should be providing a comfortable, snug, locked-in feel. If you’re looking for the best protection, try on multiple top end helmets from several lines of helmets until you find one that provides the best hold on your head.

Good info and this series has been great. Let’s keep it going with more protective gear.

Great Video...very informative! Keep up the strong work!

Thank you for sharing, some great info there!

Thank you for this video, Chris! It's reassuring that I bought a good helmet last year. Warrior PX+ (#5 according g to VT)

Great video! U guys keep making videos i need to see thanks Chris.

Brilliant video as always super informative it’s nice to know if your strapped for cash aswell that a helmet is just as good! And protective

Your videos are very informative . Thanks

Thank you for your research and info!

Thanks for this video! Didn't know VT had done concussion protection study on hockey helmets. Thanks for bringing that to our attention!

Great info. Thanks.

Brilliant upload, always a great informative resource. Keep doing what you do! Dan K. - Boston, MA

I'm glad that you referenced Virginia techs ratings . I see this is 2019 , maybe an updated helmet video ?

Did they do a similar test for goalie helmets? I would really like to see those results.

Every hockey helmet sold in Canada must pass CSA requirements. What this means is that as long as it is certified it is safe. That being said the single most important organ you have is your brain. You only have one head. I’ve been playing for more than 40 years. I still believe hockey helmets are behind almost all sports protective helmets. Comfort is important. It shouldn’t become a noticeable element of your game.

Also: different brands generally have different fits. Ccm have very narrow helmets whilst warrior have round helmets with Bauer somewhere in between

Finally!! Thank you!

Jofa and Cooper helmets are just too legendary to wear thou. And respect for those that rock even older hockey memorabilia!

Yikes, my bucket got 0 stars...

Bauer reakt with Grom cage looks great

Honestly, i used to have the Bauer 7500 and thought it was crap. Took a puck to the head a got a concussion. Im in the CCM Tacks 710 (rated lower than the 7500) and feel like the padding in it does a better job. Same thing happened, got a puck to the head but no concussion with the CCM.

I would like to hear your option on helmets after you talk to those of us who sell those helmets, I can tell you that CCM made the FL500 to get a five star helmet but never wants anyone in it, and their rep has told me this him self, Virgina Tech only tests against one type of impact and that is a straight on high energy impact, basically it's a football test which has a lot more helmet to helmet, shoulder to helmet and forearm to helmet impacts and the impact that they test against is like skate from one end of the ice to the other at full speed and jumping head first into the post. Also nothing trumps a properly fitted helmet and maybe just maybe the head fits the Krown best as it is really is the same helmet as some of the other helmets that don't have the same rating and the CCM Resistance helmets and their replacements the Tack helmets are some of the lowest rated but was created in partnership with the University of Ottawa's head trauma department

Wow... I was going to buy a FitLite 3DS as I naturally assumed it is the 'best' helmet. FL 500 for me (with money left over). Hopefully it fits!

I would like to know how they tested helmets because I had a Warrior Krown360(which was 3rd on the list)for a couple of years but I recently bought to the Alpha One(which was at the bottom of the list)and in my time using them both I felt the Alpha One to feel more protective and comfortable during games and in impacts with for example the boards than the Krown360 did for me. Would love to see the tests they perform and get a better understanding of how the scores are given. All the best!

Actually live just an hour and a half from Virginia Tech, and knowing the school will definitely look into the list. That said, I am not a hockey player, but a new ice skater looking to get a hockey helmet for my learn to skate lessons. How would you suggest looking into hockey helmets from the perspective of safety for the new skater?

I’ve still got a cooper from the 80’s !

I have an obnoxiously large and oddly shaped head, so I often have no choice but to spend a lot on helmets because the comfort level and sizing options just aren't available at lower price points

Can you use a DOT cheap($60) motorcycle helmet ice skating????..mine fits slightly snug it's a 2X

Thank you for using my music!

Most NHL players wear a CCM v08 because pros use the VN liner. They don’t make them retail anymore but it’s about $60 on average on SLS or S2K, EBay etc

You should do the same video but with goalie equipment.

Looking to purchase either Bauer Re-Akt 95 or CCM Tacks 710 for a Thursday night Beer League. Need some help in choosing. Tried both on and still can't decide. Please Help!!

Growing up, you either wore 4500 or the CCM v08. They were two most popular helmets. Both are rated very low…

Mine only has 1* according to this .. Bauer Re-AKT 100...

According to the VT study only 18 of the 58 helmets (31%) provide adequate or better protection so I guess I'll just buy whichever helmet fits the best and looks the coolest then call it a day. If I'm gonna die anyway I want to at least be comfortable and look good.

I couldn't find my Cascade on the list. It may have something to do with the fact that it's certification expired 4 years ago.

I have a mid range helmet, react 150 and I took a slap shot to the side of the head, it has a very shallow crack, but I didn’t suffer any head injuries

your videos are so good!!!

What was the blue CCM helmet in this video?

FL500 is bonkers huge. So heavy with so much padding. No wonder it is the most protective.

Hi guys,i live in Turkey and there are no hockey stores or skates being selled only a handful of them(which dont fit my foot or too soft)can anyone give information about buying them from like canada or america if i can ?

My helmet was 3 last the alpha one pro

I would like to hear your opinion on ear protectors. Why do most pros remove them? A lot of guys in beer league remove them too. I wear mine as they never bothered or hindered me.

I have the react 200 and I’ve been fine after many should be concussion causing hits. Amazing bucket but it’s $400

Wonder how example Ccm Resistance 100, 110 and Tacks 110 have so different scores on VT tests, either isn't they are technically same helmet?

Finnaly convinced my parents to let me play hockey. Just got my gear today. I’ve been a huge fan of the game and your channel for a long time. I’m so excited!

You forgot to mention that different helmets have different shapes. For example a Bauer reakt 75 fits a narrow head, a reakt 200 fits a wide head, which is why I chose the latter. The Reakt 75 did not fit me at all. Use the VTech research and then try them on. I took a slapshot to my head when wearing the Reakt 200, I felt nothing, and I’ve banged my head on the boards too and felt nothing, unlike with my old Bauer 4500, so I think the VTech research is valuable, though not perfect.

unfortunately this video leaves as many questions open as the VT study which I did read. I'm guessing that the safety is a combination of the outer helmet being able to flex and deflect along with the inner padding being able to absorb. In reading the VT study it said that NCAA men take 200 some "hits" during a season. That seems very high. Finally the whole portion of the study is relying on what energy it takes to create a concussion. I suspect that is the biggest question of all. The tests used a nearly 75lb weight on a pendulum. So my question is when do you get 75lb of weight delivered to your head. I'm not questioning or thinking we don't need good hockey helmut testing but I sure as heck have a lot of question on how they actually do these tests. I'm very much behind finding the proper testing and the better helmet but I suspect that if people can't come to agreement on testing or standards then that hurts the whole process.

Is this a one time test by VT or will they update it as helmets come out ?

i believe it was said in the video but! dont get a helmet that doesnt fit as well just because it has a high rating, whatever is most comfortable and fits you best will protect you well, even if it has 0 stars.

After reading through the study quickly I think a really big factor wasn't considered. Isn't the best helmet the one that fits you? With the way they were taking measurements I feel like a helmet fitted to a head shape it was designed for might change the results quite a bit. I believe the entire helmet industry revolves around that factor so to keep the head used a constant variable could've been a big mistake... To all out there, don't use this study fully to determine which helmet is "better". Get the one that fits you the best, try everything if necessary.

Are u guys ever gonna make your music page available?

How would you rate Pavelski's helmet?

Damnit, your video comes out one week after I purchase a new brain bucket, wear it a few sessions, then recycle the box so I am unable to return it. My helmet? A CCM FL90, the lowest scoring helmet tested by Virginia Tech. I'd better do all I can to keep my noggin' off the ice! Now please, the shoulder pads and hockey pants rating videos as my next upgrades are coming this summer and I kind of had my heart set on some CCM 7092s or Super Tacks Because I'm kind of sold on that D3O foam.

My new bucket only has a one star rating... just dropped $200 on the Bauer Re-Akt 150 😭

Wow.....my son's ccm 11k got 1 star, and his previous ccm tacks 710 got zero. For high school in Michigan, they check the stickers to make sure they're within four years I believe. His 11k is 2015 I think, so he'll need a new helmet this upcoming season. Will certainly be looking in to that ccm fl500. One thing I've never skimped on when it comes to gear is the helmet. Always went top end. However, it seems that our choices didn't even get close to the level of protection we thought we were getting. I love when you do videos like these. Thanks for the info.

Usually I don’t subscribe when youtubers say to but I love your videos and I thought it would be nice

Thanks for the "heads up". Turns out the expensive helmet I bought is on the "not recommended list". Time for a new bucket.

Ccm tacks 710 is the best

I've worn the same CCM for 40+ years. No head injuries, yet.

Your doing player helmuts I am a goaltender can. You do one on goalie masks

It should be most important that the player feels and they seem all protective and not necessary the price

Reebok 7000..8000.best..I play hockey over 40 years..never had such cool helmet before..

Explains why my head was ringing a few times in high school games.

Lmao i just got a ccm fl90 today and this video dropped haha

Wish I knew this before I dropped over $300 on the fitlite 3DS with the cage

Bauer Re Akts are the best

It's wild that the super tacks x, which is the most expensive helmet on the list, as well as ever, is also the worst rated (dead last) from Virginia Tech!

My buckey was att the bottom

What about my Jofa?!

I run a hockey shop and I usually tell people they're all protective, but the more you spend the more adjustment and longevity you'll get. Plus a helmet that fits better, usually because it has more adjustments will better protect your head. I also tell customers that the helmet will often be the most expensive piece of equipment, obviuosly not counting skates and sticks depending on the age.

As we’ve always known, you’re better off with an old dual-layer V08 than pretty much anything else.

Lol my fl90 has 0 stars😂 ice have 2 and theyre the best for me.

cool

$400 helemet second to last. Wow Mine is #6

My helmet fell 4th

Im surprised helmets from 2020 receive such poor ratings :o

Q.) Will the blue hat you’re wearing in the video be available?

slippery slope, according to this list the 2 helmets i am playing right now aren't even worth a star but the one that constantly blurred my eyes because of a totally messed up drainage and actually was the only one that I caught a concussion with made it to the top part of the list. It's like always, don't trust any statistic you haven't faked yourself...

1

Weird how the pros still wear the cheap helmets

I was the 667 like sorry guys for ruining the number

Actually few years ago they made a full independent research on helmets about the protectivity (can't remember what facility, but I try to dig that). Ratings were from one star to 5 stars. The best helmet (only ONE) got 3 stars and that wasn't the expensive one. None got 5 stars nor 4. Bunch got 2 stars and rest one or ZERO. ALL hockey helmets are disgrace what is coming to protecting the head. There is no active shells on hockey helmets at all. The shell just keeps the insides tackted. I think the Virginia tech research was done because of that research and they upgraded the 3 stars to 5 and so on. Looks better.

I used to wear a cheap helmet and almost after every training I would nearly puke

Maybe an unpopular opinion but when it comes to personal health from a sport injury, why should the top of the line line that is beat for protection be financially unobtainable?

RIP the Warrior Alpha One

Bauer 4500, pros wear it, it’s less than $100, more comfortable than my $300 Bauer Reakt

first love the vid

first

Sideline swap can get u the 300$ ones for 50$ problem solved

Your doing player helmuts I am a goaltender can. You do one on goalie masks