Hockey Helmets & Head Protection

Hockey Helmets and Head Protection

Explore helmets, visors, mouthguards, and neck guards for hockey—all crafted to shield your head from impact and enhance safety while playing ice hockey.

Ice Hockey Helmets

Your helmet is the crucial piece of protective gear in ice hockey. During the game, players face many types of head injuries. Player collisions, falls on the ice, and impacts from a puck are common dangers in the sport. As a high-impact contact game, where such events happen regularly and pucks can reach speeds up to 160 km/h, a helmet is unquestionably essential.

Ensuring a Proper Fit for Your Ice Hockey Helmet

Helmets for ice hockey should fit snugly without causing any pressure points. A helmet that fits correctly will stay in place during play.

It should sit evenly on your head, covering the top of your forehead.
There should be no movement or sliding when you move your head.
Secure the chin strap under your chin while allowing you to open your mouth comfortably.

Standards and Certifications for Ice Hockey Helmets

Helmets for ice hockey are required to meet stringent criteria. These are the most common certifications:

HECC: An American standard created for ice hockey helmets. The Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC) guarantees substantial protection against head injuries and is a requirement for all players within USA Hockey regulations.
CSA: The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) enforces rigorous testing for shock absorption, field of vision, durability, and construction. A helmet labeled with CSA certification is permitted for hockey play under Hockey Canada's jurisdiction.
CE: Within the EU, there is no specific ice hockey helmet certification. However, helmets sold in the EU must adhere to the CE marking under the general Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) directive.

Players of ice hockey in the EU should look for HECC and CSA certifications when buying helmets.

Hockey Neck Guards

A hockey throat guard offers protection for the throat and upper neck against ice skate blades, pucks, and sticks. Typically, it's made of cut-resistant materials with a soft, padded lining for comfort.

When selecting a hockey neck guard, ensure it protects vital areas without restricting movement or breathing. Seek certified items that meet recognized standards like BNQ certification for proven safety.

Hockey Visors

A hockey visor defends the eyes and face against sticks, pucks, and debris. Attached to the helmet, it is crafted from clear, impact-resistant polycarbonate. A quality visor should provide distortion-free vision and be coated with anti-fog or anti-scratch properties for continued clarity. Clean the visor regularly, inspecting for any scratches that might reduce vision or compromise the material. Visors should offer a balance between safety and unobstructed sight.

Ice Hockey Helmet Visor vs "Full Cage"

A Full Cage for hockey offers full facial protection, safeguarding the face, teeth, and eyes from pucks and sticks. Certain leagues deem it mandatory, and it allows players to engage in physical play without risking injury. However, it is the heaviest choice, might slightly impede vision, and could feel limiting for some players.

A visor offers better visibility, is lighter, and less constrictive. While it provides more protection than no face guard, it doesn't offer the full protection of a Full Cage. Visors may fog, scratch over time, and require careful storage to avoid damage.

Full-face visors, also known as "fishbowls," deliver optimal protection by covering the entire face while maintaining clear visibility.

Hockey Mouth Guards

A hockey mouthguard helps in avoiding dental injuries and lessens the impact risk on the jaw. It should fit securely over teeth without causing discomfort or obstructing breathing and talking. Options like custom-molded or boil-and-bite designs offer a close fit, while high-quality materials promise durability and easy cleaning.