WTB: New Mask and Chesty - What are your opinions ?

[HellCrow]

Hey boys !

I'm looking to switch my old ITECH Pro mask which has started to crack on the top, and the screws are about to pop out of the helmet. No need to talk about the cage which has rust almost everywhere and is bent a little at different spots with shots I couldn't catch fast enough. Also in phase 2, I will be looking for a new chesty, but I can wait a few months and still play with the one I have at the moment.

MASK:
So about the mask, I checked the reviews on https://goaliecoaches.com/best-goalie-masks-for-protection/ and it seems that the best money can buy is the Bauer 960 (non-VTX as  don't have a wide forehead). I know it's not a cheap one, but hey, it's my head after all. I am just wondering if any of you wear hit, and if you can tell your experiences with it during gameplay. Otherwise, do you suggest alternatives to it ?

 

Chesty:

I currently have a Vaughn and I love the mobility of this chesty. When I bought it a few years back, I was comfortable game 1, and had near to zero adaptation do make in my gameplay to get use to it. I think I would stick with Vaughn for my next one also so I checked between the VELOCITY V9 PRO SR and the VELOCITY V9 PRO CARBON SR.
There is a price difference of 100$ between them and I wonder if the carbon version is too much. 

 

Any thoughts on these fellow goalies ?

Thanks for your inputs, really appreciated !

 

[A.YOUNGoalie13]

As far as the mask, I’m not a huge fan of the big company masks like Bauer and CCM, although ask anyone on here, the axis is an unbelievable mask and the top end Bauer ones are as well. I personally feel better about my head’s protection when it is in a Kevlar fiberglass carbon fiber shell as opposed to a fancy plastic one. I recommend kustom komposites for a custom build or sportsmask for an off the shelf mask. As far as the chesties, I’m not a huge fan of the Vaughn’s as I used to have one and my shoulders got killed. I would spend the extra 100 and grab the pro carbon or for 100 bucks less get a pro CCM or Brian’s one.

[coopaloop1234]

19 minutes ago, A.YOUNGoalie13 said:

As far as the mask, I’m not a huge fan of the big company masks like Bauer and CCM, although ask anyone on here, the axis is an unbelievable mask and the top end Bauer ones are as well. I personally feel better about my head’s protection when it is in a Kevlar fiberglass carbon fiber shell as opposed to a fancy plastic one. I recommend kustom komposites for a custom build or sportsmask for an off the shelf mask. As far as the chesties, I’m not a huge fan of the Vaughn’s as I used to have one and my shoulders got killed. I would spend the extra 100 and grab the pro carbon or for 100 bucks less get a pro CCM or Brian’s one.

So @A.YOUNGoalie13 means well here, but he's not correct about the material composition of the high level Bauer/CCM masks. They're both fibreglass/composite laced masks that are the same calibre as any of the custom companies. You're only looking at shoddy plastic materials for entry level masks which it's clear you're not in the market for.

I use the VTX and it's been fantastic for a protection and durability standpoint. The Profile series is a very popular mask for a reason and if it fits you well (most important aspect of a mask) then you should have absolute confidence in it.

As for the C/A's, the Pro series (non-carbon) vaughn unit is wildly overpriced. It's a senor level chesty that they want to charge pro level prices for. If you're stuck on those two, the Pro-Carbon is a much stronger value for your dollar. 

[Quadzilla32]

Not going to lie tried on a Vaughn and the mobility was awesome and almost swayed me in picking one up but like mentioned by Coop they are WAY overpriced for the level of protection they offer. I would suggest looking at a smaller company that will make just as good if not better gear for a lower price point. I picked up a Passau and it was cheaper than any off the shelf "pro" gear and is a tank.

As for masks There are other companies that offer arguably more protective masks for the same price if not cheaper. OTNY makes good masks, I have one of their higher end masks and have taken some good shots off the head and only heard a cracks but no ringing or headaches. I think my OTNY was around $730 with upgraded foams and PC cage.

Looking at the article seems like they are primarily using off the shelf masks which are going to cost more and offer less protection than smaller manufacturers. Hell you can get a full custom mask for cheaper than the $999 price tag.

[coopaloop1234]

1 minute ago, Quadzilla32 said:

Not going to lie tried on a Vaughn and the mobility was awesome and almost swayed me in picking one up but like mentioned by Coop they are WAY overpriced for the level of protection they offer. I would suggest looking at a smaller company that will make just as good if not better gear for a lower price point. I picked up a Passau and it was cheaper than any off the shelf "pro" gear and is a tank.

As for masks There are other companies that offer arguably more protective masks for the same price if not cheaper. OTNY makes good masks, I have one of their higher end masks and have taken some good shots off the head and only heard a cracks but no ringing or headaches. I think my OTNY was around $730 with upgraded foams and PC cage.

Looking at the article seems like they are primarily using off the shelf masks which are going to cost more and offer less protection than smaller manufacturers. Hell you can get a full custom mask for cheaper than the $999 price tag.

For the record, I was commenting on the 600$ price tag for a senior level C/A. Should be ~$400 like every other senior C/A.

I liked my adventures in Vaughn C/A's and I've never found them too lacking in protection. (V5 7800 + LT90). Sure, they're not tanky, but I'll take more mobile and more form fitting C/A over the opposite.

 

[Quadzilla32]

Understood Coop, was driving home your point that they want too much money for what they are offering.

[mr_shifty1982]

There is an updated 2020 Bauer 960 version than the 960xpm...I'd recommend either or. Get it. 

[Puckstopper]

Two very basic question comes to mind here:

What level of shooter are you facing?   My recommendation for a mask or C/A will be different for guys who are facing former college/pro shooters vs a kid playing at the US High School level vs an adult in a learn to play type environment.    I'm guessing that like most of us, you're not at either of the extreme ends of the spectrum, but rather somewhere in the middle.

What budget are you comfortable with?  You don't have to give me exact dollars, but usually people fall into a few different catagories such as:

A.  Price is no object, performance and protection are the only priority (my dream shopper).

B.  Price is a factor, but you're not willing to compromise much on performance/protection to save money

C.  Price is a significant factor.  Please get me the best protection you can, but I can't spend more than X.

D.  Price is more important than anything else.  I usually steer these folks to the used market so they can get a little more bang for their buck.  There's nothing wrong with being on a budget, and I'd rather they/their kids were protected enough to enjoy the game.

 

So, assuming you fall in the upper middle tier of both categories (good to very good shooters, willing to spend if you're getting something for your money) here are my recommendations:

Mask:  Buy the mask that fits you best in the $500 US range and up.  Below that you're getting into some questionable materials/compromises in terms of masks, but you only need to go all the way to something like a 960 if you're really facing bombs or have a reason to be more concerned than normal about your head. Prioritize FIT over price at this level.  A poorly fit $1000 mask won't protect you nearly as well as a well fitting upper-mid range mask like a Bauer 950 will.  I went from a pro level mask custom built for someone else to a Bauer NME8 and was much safer in the NME as it fit me almost perfectly.  I've since added a 960 to my arsenal, and don't notice much difference between it and the NME for the level of shots I face.   If you're seeing more former ACHA/NCAA type shots than I do, this will not be great advice and you'll want to spend more.  

C/A:  Seriously consider the Bauer 2X if you can still find one in your size.  They're more protective than any retail Vaughn unit, and once they break in the mobility is absolutely top notch.   I'll be replacing my current 2X with a 3X in the near future, but having tried one out already I'm worried that it's a step back in terms of mobility.  If your C/A must be Vaughn, go with the Pro Carbon.  The feedback I get on the way the "Pro" units break down is nothing short of embarrassing for Vaughn.

[A.YOUNGoalie13]

9 hours ago, coopaloop1234 said:

So @A.YOUNGoalie13 means well here, but he's not correct about the material composition of the high level Bauer/CCM masks. They're both fibreglass/composite laced masks that are the same calibre as any of the custom companies. You're only looking at shoddy plastic materials for entry level masks which it's clear you're not in the market for.

I use the VTX and it's been fantastic for a protection and durability standpoint. The Profile series is a very popular mask for a reason and if it fits you well (most important aspect of a mask) then you should have absolute confidence in it.

As for the C/A's, the Pro series (non-carbon) vaughn unit is wildly overpriced. It's a senor level chesty that they want to charge pro level prices for. If you're stuck on those two, the Pro-Carbon is a much stronger value for your dollar. 

@coopaloop1234 wears a vtx, so he has all that extra space for correct information so he can correct normally sized headed bums like me

[coopaloop1234]

19 minutes ago, A.YOUNGoalie13 said:

@coopaloop1234 wears a vtx, so he has all that extra space for correct information so he can correct normally sized headed bums like me

I just like to shit on Gen Z.

[Desert Tendy]

Check out Coveted for a goalie masks.  I would wear that over any big box company.  For a chesty I would buy the Vaughn Pro Carbon.  I have the beefed up VE8 and I’m purchasing a custom SLR2.   No issues with the beefed up VE8.  Brown makes a sold unit as well.

[A.YOUNGoalie13]

4 hours ago, coopaloop1234 said:

I just like to shit on Gen Z.

Unfortunate

we don’t all suck

[HellCrow]

Oh well after a few misadventures at the store with their terminal with which you pay, (locked 2 of my cards, took over 4 hours to have the line at both banks and have my cards unlocked. The terminal was adding random digits to your PIN when hitting any keys on the keyboard, even the OK button... ), I finally managed to get my hands on a new Bauer 960XPM black.

I'm gathering information on the process to have a custom cage made by "Grilles Ange-Gardien" to put on and see if I like this or not. I will carry both of them in case that at some tournament they ask for a regular cage. 

Looking forward to be hit right in the head during the warm-up !   

 

[johncho]

On the subject of custom cage made by "Grilles Ange-Gardien"

Maybe this is the wrong place to discuss this and please keep in mind that I've not played super high level nor have worn this grill. But having worked with cars and crumple zones, I don't know if having a super stiff/strong grill is a good idea in terms of impact absorption. The grill probably disperses it throughout the mask and it's fine, but I'm still a bit hesitant when it comes to it. 

I will say that one benefit that I do see is the geometry and the better sight lines.

[HellCrow]

@johncho, honestly I've played my whole like with a regular cage and I am curious to "see" who big it will impact my vision during the game. 
I can't compare since I've never worn any, so far, but I will let you know (all of you) when I receive it.

I hope it will make a big difference. 

As for the build quality, I think the bars are a bit more thick but I know for sure that the welds are better. 
But I am sure that getting a good hard shot, right in the kisser, will make the bar bends as intended.

[A.YOUNGoalie13]

2 hours ago, johncho said:

On the subject of custom cage made by "Grilles Ange-Gardien"

Maybe this is the wrong place to discuss this and please keep in mind that I've not played super high level nor have worn this grill. But having worked with cars and crumple zones, I don't know if having a super stiff/strong grill is a good idea in terms of impact absorption. The grill probably disperses it throughout the mask and it's fine, but I'm still a bit hesitant when it comes to it. 

I will say that one benefit that I do see is the geometry and the better sight lines.

 

1 hour ago, HellCrow said:

@johncho, honestly I've played my whole like with a regular cage and I am curious to "see" who big it will impact my vision during the game. 
I can't compare since I've never worn any, so far, but I will let you know (all of you) when I receive it.

I hope it will make a big difference. 

As for the build quality, I think the bars are a bit more thick but I know for sure that the welds are better. 
But I am sure that getting a good hard shot, right in the kisser, will make the bar bends as intended.

Bauer banned production of titanium cages for this reason. They didn’t give at all and guys were getting concussions with them because the energy of the puck when through the cage directly to the head instead of the cage bending to disperse the energy around the head. Just be careful when looking at something super thick and stiff like that. Keep in mind if the pros aren’t using something like that there may be a reason why.