Easton S19 Z-Shock Helmet

When Easton released the S19 hockey stick, the addressed the concerns that players had with the S17 stick.  So, when I heard about the release of the S19 helmet, I was hoping they addressed a couple of issues from the old Easton S17 Helmet as well. In particular, the fit of the helmet to the contour of the head in order to avoid pressure points. Well, the S19 helmet did that and quite a bit more!

The new S19 Helmet combines a better fit along with improved venting, all while reducing the weight of the helmet.  A fantastic combination of fit and functionality, that even includes removable ear guards for those of us who despise them!  The major improvement in the fit of the S19 is the low-density foam comfort pads that have been inserted at strategic places within the helmet. These pads really reduce the pressure points that were common with the S17.

The ventilation of the S17 Helmet was not bad, but Easton has improved that as well with the development of the S19 helmet. One thing that is common among most helmets, including the new Easton S19, is the tendency of sweat to make the inside foam of the helmet slippery.  While this doesn’t really affect the performance or fit of the helmet, it can be an annoyance at times. In addition, the acu-snap fitting system is slightly awkward to use. I believe there is potential for improvement in it’s design.

Easton S19 Features

Of course, we would be remiss not to talk about the extremely light construction of the S19 Z-shock (325 g). The helmet is noticeably lighter than any other helmet I have ever worn, while still exceeding the impact requirements for certification by a wide margin.  This is a great advance in technology, but Easton has not made any claims of increased concussion protection.  Easton has, however, manufactured the S19 helmet using a one-piece polycarbonate shell which increases stiffness. This feature is similar to science behind the Cascade M11′s one piece construction.

Overall, the Easton S19 helmet is a marked improvement from the S17, lighter than the Bauer 9500 and more stylish and less bulky than the Reebok 8K and Cascade M11 helmet.  If you are in the market for a top of the line helmet, then the Easton S19 should be on your list.

Buy The Easton S19 Helmet

The S19 is set to be available in retail stores by May 2010 and should retail in the $170.00 range. Or, you can pre-order your Easton S19 helmet from Total Hockey.com right now!