$1200 to spend for my head

[macman]

Ok here is the deal. I am now the full time goalie for my team. For those who don’t know the whole story I just started playing net not long ago, after my goalie went down from injury. I took the plunge and bought a full set of gear, and I am now playing net fully time. The only item I have not bought yet is a mask. I know and read all the mask wars, I would like to ask some questions of everyone without starting a war.

My idea is to ask that people with opinions on things pm me with it. I want to get as much information as possible. I see a lot on the board and in the searches, but I don’t see anything to lookout for or any good ways to compare things. My goal is to keep the trolls from starting anything on the BB openly. Ok now to my questions.
First I started playing by barrowing a mask from the goalie from my team. The mask was a Itech 960 it did not fit well, and I have gone to using my player helmet with a Itech 50 cateye cage. It works well, and I am wondering if maybe I should be a “CWD” or go with a custom mask. I am willing to spend money on proper head protection. I have $1,200 I’m willing to spend. So far here is what I see and know of.

If I go with a combo helmet, I have the warwick “Hasek” helmet $1100 the custom made masks combo helmet for $400 or $360 without the cage and the Sportmask Mage $500 or Centurion $600 though most likely not the Centurion since its not being made as of now. Past the ones listed I don’t know of any other modern combo helmets out there. Option 2 is to have a fully custom molded mask made. Here there are a great many mask to choose from, and the differences are many. The one main area I have looked at is the price. I have seen it written that most all masks that are custom made are in the range of $1000 there about.
We even have a thread started this week asking what the high price masks are. My question here, is a mask that is fully custom molded but cost $600-700 range lesser grade then a $1200 or do you feel it can be as good . I know people say don’t skip on a mask, and im fine spending all $1200 on one. But is it necessary to spend that much when another company offers one for less that is as good. There are about 8-10 mask makers offering fully custom molded masks that I know of.

I can find good points to everyone and in some cases comparing them can come down to flipping a coin on what to buy. How do we choose each mask? Again I don’t want to turn this into a mask war, combos suck get a mask or anything like that. Also no need for trolls to post. I know it may be wishful thinking on my part. Lets try to keep it clean. And please lets try pming me when you can to keep it from being a war. I can read thru all the information in pms and make a choice just fine. Thanks guys, and ladys

Tim

[Mx42]

Take that wall of text and set it up in front of the net.

[Gregan]

I'm all for getting top notch gear... but to me it doesn't sound like you are playing a particularly high level of hockey and $1200 on a custom mask seems like MAJOR overkill.

Personally, I play the higher end mens leagues out here in Vancouver and I don't see any need for spending that kind of coin on a custom mask for protection purposes.

Are you spending that much just because you can and you think it would be awesome to have a custom molded mask?

I have a $400 lid and have no concerns that I will get my head injured. Granted I'm not playing against NHLers... but I do play in the top mens leagues here in Vancouver so I do face my fair share of zingers.

[puckstopper33]

Heck I spend $700 cnd total on a custom made mask and paint job from Protechsport. No need to go out and drop $1200 on helmet unless your in the pros. I play with ex pro and jr guys and have never had a problem with it.

[kevinsane]

Excellent post! It's nice to see someone who has the wherewithal to ask a good question.
Ultimately, balance your budget against your level of play.
There are some really good people making masks, but two of the nicest are Mont and Stacey at Stacey Composites. Huntster on this BB can share his experiences with you. He is a good goalie who decided better head protection was in his best interest.
Sportmask, Warwick, and others make very good helmets, if that's your preference.
Sportmask Mage wearers abound here, and they certainly can provide feedback, and I haven't seen any complaints regarding protection.
Good luck with whatever you choose, and welcome to the ranks!

[fortz]

talk to ed cubberly, he told me that he can make masks with slightly less kevlar and still fully custom for around 1k.... might be worth looking into?

[goalieboy29]

I gots to admit, I forked more than that for my Armadilla when I got it 10 year ago!
Didn't regret a cent. Twas the best mask I've ever worn but sadly no longer in production. I say spend all you got toprotect your lid. Sorry fellas, but there 'aint no way a $400 mask protects the same as a $1200 mask. To my mind there are a lot more dangers out there than just shots. Getting run over or landing hard on the back of your head sucks. It sucks less with better gear. I think in masks more money does buy better quality. At least it did with my Armadilla.

Shoot the wad Timmer!!

Have fun doing it too...

BTW, I recently forked $900 for a custom Protechsport which is a super deal for top notch gear.
(but it's no Armadilla!)

[hrosenberg33]

Hey macman I recently went through a similar process as you although my budget is much lower than yours (yet still in the "high end" range).


To answer if a fully custom mask will be a better FIT then a custom "padded" one.....very likely. Will it be more protective? I can't really answer that question with anything other than a guess. If given a choice I would go for the former. You may want to ask a guy like Stacey (Flying Dutchman) as I believe he is a chemical engineer and seems to have great knowledge of formal tests for materials, foams and masks. Also makes custom and/or custom padded masks within your budget.

Another gentleman who will answer many of your questions and may be someone who you could look to purchase your mask from is Shawn (kicksave). He makes masks that contain all the materials the big guys do, does full custom (all his masks, no custom padded) and is a nice guy too. He's also an honest gent and will answer a lot of your sales without trying to sell you one of his masks.

Finally, Michel at Protechsport seems very willing to answer LOTS of questions, makes a great product, will do custom and/or custom padded and replys emails really quickly (michel.doganieri@videotron.ca).

Don't know if that helped at all....but good luck.


Hans

[Gregan]

Originally Posted by goalieboy29

Sorry fellas, but there 'aint no way a $400 mask protects the same as a $1200 mask.

No one here said that a $400 lid protects that same as a $1200 lid.

What people have said here is that for most levels of hockey, you don't need a $1200 lid to be safe.

I think a great goal, and VERY attainable goal, for you should be to get a great goalie mask with a custom paint job for $1200.

[Stryker908]

Originally Posted by Mx42

Take that wall of text and set it up in front of the net.

HAHA... That cracked me up !

[goalieboy29]

Originally Posted by Gregan

No one here said that a $400 lid protects that same as a $1200 lid. .

I know, I said that.

Originally Posted by Gregan

"What people have said here is that for most levels of hockey, you don't need a $1200 lid to be safe.".

I know, you said that already. How do YOU determine safe? For you it's a $400 lid.... MY point is that $ buys better protection. He asked for opinions and mine is to buy the best you can afford. He already said he has $1200 to spend. Why not spend it?

Originally Posted by Gregan

I think a great goal, and VERY attainable goal, for you should be to get a great goalie mask with a custom paint job for $1200.

Huh? Didn't you just say spending $1200 was MAJOR overkill? Yup, you did;

Originally Posted by Gregan

I'm all for getting top notch gear... but to me it doesn't sound like you are playing a particularly high level of hockey and $1200 on a custom mask seems like MAJOR overkill."

Sorry, No idea what you're driving at...

[Geoff48]

I would look at a Protechsport... about $500 USD gets you his very TOP end mask, based off your head mold. And yes, this $500 mask IS as protective as a $1200 mask. If you wanted you could also spend a few hundred more and have the inside of the mask "pro finished" (smooth interior just like the exterior)

[OldDawg]

Hey for $1200 you could fly down to Tijuana and get a whole lot for for your......

[rpringle@grants]

No doubt an armoured car is safer and more secure than a Volvo. But do you need that margin of safety to drive to work every day on a highway? Especially at the cost differential?

Sure a $1200 custom-made/ fitted mask will be safer than $500 off-the-shelf mask. But if you're playing with beer-leaguers, do you need the extra margin of safety? Especially at the cost differential?

If you want to blow the incremental $700, go for it.

But you and your game will get more benefit if you take the $700 and attend a goalie camp or take a bunch of private lessons.

[kicksave]

Tim, without getting into any problems,or opening the door for the mask war, I will say your best bet is to send personal emails to as many mask/helmet makers as you can. ask good questions of each.
what comes in the mask what is offered to you. custom options, wait times etc.. point being what ever you feel you need to know about the mask.


Now on the price stand point i myself dont feel the final cost is the end all beat all in chooseing a mask. and no $1200 does not make a mask better then a $600 one. The higher price mask may very well be better then the lower one. Just as easy though the lower price one can be better. And anyway there it truely no best mask. you have to pick best for you. for 10 different goalies that can be 10 different masks. First off you need to make a choice on a combo helmet or a mask, then you can compare them all.