Cascade M11 Helmet Review

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak with Mark Messier about his new project, the development of promotion of the new M11 Helmet.

Since that time I have had been able to use the new helmet a few times and am prepared to share my thoughts on the helmet.

Style and Comfort

The style of the helmet is much improved from the previous Cascade CHX helmet and this is one of the things that Messier stressed during his involvement in the project.

“It is important that the helmet provide good style in addition to comfort, venting and the SEVEN technology that increases safety and comfort unlike any other helmet on the market.”

The Cascade Seven technology uses “lateral displacement technology” to
provide the protection of two helmets in one. The theory is that the
M11 helmet protects equally as well against concussions as it does
against catastrophic hits.  I must say that the helmet is very comfortable and just the comfort alone versus that of the traditional EPP foam makes it worth checking out.

Fortunately, I didn’t get to test the helmet against a serious impact that could cause a concussion, but it did deflect a couple of sticks and pucks over the course of several games without incident.

There still exists some debate among ‘experts’ as to the actual effectiveness of any helmet’s ability to prevent or reduce the incidence of concussion.

Overall Impression

However, all in all the M11 performed well with respect to adequate airflow/venting over the course of my testing. Although the Easton Stealth S17 provided better venting, I found the M11 more comfortable overall and easier to adjust with respect to the sizing of the helmet. The ProFit fit sizing system allows a ‘no-tool’ adjustment that really does eliminate pressure points found with other helmets.

Some retail stores have yet to stock the M11 helmet and a few have expressed that they still don’t think it passes the ‘mirror test’.

In my opinion the helmet provides great comfort and has addressed the venting issues as well as the ‘bulkiness’ issues of the previous generation – Cascade CHX. The M11 has also met all of the standards for HECC and CSA certifications and is now compatible with the major manufacturers of cages and shields.

The style is a matter of personal choice, but I’d say that with 15 different colors available and the option of choosing different colored vents, it deserves to be on your list when you make your next helmet purchase.

The Cascade M11 Helmet is currently available at Total Hockey.net for around $120.00.

You can also learn more about the features at the Messier Project website.

Easton Stealth S17 Helmet

The Stealth S17 is the premiere line of helmet and similar to the Easton S17 Stick , it features a host of industry leading innovations and technological advancements.

I’ve had the opportunity to test it out a few times now and the S17 Helmet is extremely light and provides tremendous ventilation compared to older helmets using EPP foam padding.

In addition, the helmet is fully adjustable without tools or hardware which is a fantastic feature for any of you that remember trying to tighten or loosen your helmet on the bench or between periods during a game!

That said, the helmet does fit differently than other helmets on the market.  It sits on the the head with fewer points of the helmet actually making contact with the head, while the adjustable In-Form Fit system (see details below) allows for complete control of the sizing that locks the helmet in place around the back of the head.

FEATURES

The S17 features include the MonoLock^™ Sizing System, which is a tool-less sizing feature that keeps the bulk off the sides of the helmet and utilizes a “player-friendly” lever on the back.

The InForm^™ Fit System, created by Easton’s sister company GIRO, is by far the easiest to operate micro-adjustment fit-band in hockey. It surrounds the head comfortably and securely, and is unlike the fit of any other helmet on the market.

Here is what, Easton Vice President, Ned Goldsmith had to say about the new S17 helmet:

“The helmet category is one of the only areas Easton didn’t participate in and the helmets truly round out our entire product line. We didn’t want to come to market with just any helmet. We wanted a superior design, style, comfort, durability and of course protection. We wouldn’t settle for anything less,” Goldsmith said.

“The new Helmets are going to make an immediate impact. Our long list of NHLers and our dedicated R&D team contributed to the extensive research that was done in the creation of these helmets. The result is stellar and players will notice right away. The new technologies and design will make for the best comfort, fit, protection, and style on the market.”

AVAILABILITY

The Easton Stealth S17 Helmet is available for sale at your local hockey shop. However, Easton has a new S19 stick coming out and the new helmet (maybe S19 helmet) is being tested at the Easton Pro Camp in September 2009.

If you are in the market for a new helmet and can’t wait until the new Easton helmet arrives, you may want to check out the S17 Helmet or the Mission Intake Fusion Helmet , the Cascade CHX or new Cascade M11 which claims to have the best concussion protection on the market.

It’s always a good idea to check Total Hockey.net for the best prices on helmets and equipment orders.

The Northland “Dome” Hockey Helmet

A while ago I wrote a series of posts entitled the Worst Hockey Equipment Ever. Within that series I noted that the Cooper XL7 helmet was the worst hockey helmet ever produced. While I still stand firmly behind my decision to proclaim the Cooper XL7 as the worst, there is a close second.

The Northland “Dome” Helmet that is probably best known for being worn by none other than Lanny McDonald, is rather ugly itself. I had several requests to feature the Northland “Dome” Helmet as one of the ugliest pieces of equipment and, I admit, there were days when it did seem uglier than the XL7.

I’m not sure if it was just me, but I think the helmet’s ugliness was lost on me due to Lanny’s flaming red mustache. Had McDonald not had such an enormous red mustache, the hideousness of the Dome Helmet may have overtaken that of the Cooper XL7.

If you are in need of a new hockey helmet, you can get some great deals at Total Hockey.net !