Recommended Helmet for Padded / Waster practice?

[Tim Hyde]

The lacross helmets in my area seem to be 2-3x more espensive then the hockey helmets <img src="/forum/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" /> about $100-$230. But I guess your head is more expensive eh?

The lacross helmets seem to have a bit wider openings then the hockey helmets too. (at least the brands im looking at)

Also, I was wondering how long one of these hockey helmets with the clear faceplates would last.


http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=503309&amp;cp=&amp;page=2&amp;keywords=hockey+helmet&amp;searchId=10408405094&amp;doVSearch=no&amp;clickid=topnav_search_txt&amp;pageBucket=0&amp;parentPage=search

Would a waster fit inbetween those holes in the bottom?

It seems they have a half wire half clear version also says its a Polycarbonate shield.

[Bill Welch]

I found 47 lacross helmets on e-bay for around 20 bucks, and a dicks sporting goods you can get a eye guard for about 20 dollars also.

[Brian Hunt]

Just for Informations sake, Polycarbonate is a high impact plastic. It was designed to be tough, resilant and able to take a blow. I have some 3/4 inch hollow tubes of this material I have been playing with.They are frequently used to make shatter proof flourescent lights. It is also used by many people to make EL light saber blades that light up, but can be used for heavy duelling purposes among the Star Wars fan people. The stuff is resiliant, but is somewhat flexible when struck. The one thing I would worry about on a face shield is how thick it is, and how far it will collapse before a blow before it stops it. It sure would suck to have the stuff withstand the blow, but collapse far enough that your nose gets bloodied. Since these are a commercial protective product, I assume this has been taken into account in their manufacture. You can buy polycarbonate form usplastics.com.

hope this info was helpful.

Brian Hunt
GFS.

[Matthew_Anderson]

Well, I've been the lacrosse and hockey helmet route, and they work well, especially for the padded weapons that won't fit through the grill. Now I generally use a three-weapon fencing mask for everything other than real harnissfechten. Like Shane, I wear a padded coif underneath and find it to be plenty of protection. There really is no need to hit anyone really hard in the back of the head anyway.

[Jeff Hansen]

Brian: in answer to your question -yes, I tested the mesh on my helmt vs steel by stabbing it with the needle nose pliers I was using. Punched right through, so, no, they are NOT proof against a thrust with blunt steel. I has held up fine vs. padded and wasters however.

The stuff I have is mild steel with a galvanized coating to lock the wires in place, and (if I remember right) the wire diam. was .034 inch. Next time (and what I would recommend to others) I will go up to something in the neighborhood of .06 inch wire diam. and stainless steel (more $ but much harder than the mild steel). Current space between wires is about 1/8th inch. I think it would be safe to go up to 3/16 - 1/4 for better visibility, particularly with the thicker wire in stainless.

The wire mesh is available online at Belleville Wire Mesh in every size from something like a fuel filter screen up to crusher grating that is basically woven rebar witha 3" gap. Small zip ties work great for attaching it to the face cage on a lacrosse or hockey helmet.

[Jake_Norwood]

I used zipties--the kind used to hold racing motorcycles together--which endured all of my tests.

Then I took it out for violence, and an underweight 24" baton simulator destroyed them. Bam.

Jake

[Jeff Hansen]

As I used somewhere in the neigborhood of 15 of the things to attach the wire mesh to the hockey cage, I kinda doubt they're all going to fail at once. And , thus far, they are all still fine after several months of use.

p.s. Jake, Ive been meaning to ask you, have your pants had anything interesting to say to you lately? <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Brian Hunt]

Hey Jeff,

Thanks for the reply, that was what I was afraid of with the type of wire you used. You might want to look at a woven steel mesh, instead of the type you used, it is much harder to punch through. Otherwise, the added mesh is a good idea.

Brian Hunt
GFS.

[Jake_Norwood]

As I used somewhere in the neigborhood of 15 of the things to attach the wire mesh to the hockey cage, I kinda doubt they're all going to fail at once. And , thus far, they are all still fine after several months of use.

I used about 6 or 8, I think. Good to hear that they're holding up.

p.s. Jake, Ive been meaning to ask you, have your pants had anything interesting to say to you lately?

Incidentally, yes. I've been working out in my black Army-issue PT pants, lately, and the crotch is entirely too low, making anything resembling a lunge quite difficult.

They're saying "don't lunge in me." I hate it when my pants say stuff like that.

Jake

[Jeff Hansen]

LOL <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" /> Does the Army know about this?

sorry for wandering off topic.

[Matt Bruskotter]

It sounds like most of you use LaCrosse helmets, fencing helmets, or hockey helmets. I'm new to ARMA (I'm talking 2 weeks here) and I was wondering if there's a standard for what protection you, or we, wear during waster/padded waster sparring? I would assume hockey helmets and gloves but what about the chest? I come from a background in kendo where we wear a helmet, gloves, and chest armor. I just assumed the same would be true. Of course, total body protection would be preferable but what areas are vital to protect? Given the information in your articles, the main target areas are the head, wrists, chest, and legs. Is it just more common sense than I'm thinking it is or does ARMA have a general standard or is it personal preference? Should there be a national standard?

[Mike Chidester]

Wear a cup. That's the single most important piece of protective gear. Period.

Beyond that:

- Gloves are useful.
- A helmet is very good to have (we've discussed this above, IMO if you need one that protects the back of your head, you're doing something wrong).
- Elbow pads can occasionally nice (I can count on one hand the number of times I've been hit there, but getting hit there does hurt).
- Some forearm pads (like football players wear) are very nice.
- You may want knee pads if you get hit there a lot or have weak knees.

Honestly, I've sparred with no padding whatsoever without injury, and gotten hurt pretty bad despite all of the padding I had on. There's no real standard of any kind.

[Matt Bruskotter]

So helmet, hands, wrist, and possibly elbow or knee. Chest protection is generally unneeded? Would the kendo equipment be useful?

[JeffGentry]

Hey Mathew

We generaly try to use alot of control when we spar with waster's, you will get hit on occasion, the padding you were is realy up to you a helmet is the minimum.

Jeff

[Matt Bruskotter]

Sounds good. I'm thinking of buying a couple of helmets and hockey gloves at least. See you at the meeting this weekend!