Itech HC100: Itech finally made a helmet that passes the mirror test
Written: Mar 12 '04 (Updated Oct 05 '05)
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Pros: It looks good and it offers affordable, top notch protection.
Cons: A few people have found the EPP too stiff
The Bottom Line: This is a top of the line helmet for a mid-line price. You cannot beat the HC100 for price to protection ratio.
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| puckmugger's Full Review: Itech HC 100 Pro Hockey Helmet |
Itech helmets have always been the choice of just a very few European players in the NHL. They were also the choice of numerous parents of young players who weren’t vain enough to care that they looked a little funny on the rink. However, the new HC100 is a good-looking helmet that is quickly becoming one of the most popular helmets in the league.
Making my decision
OK, I admit that when I started skating out I picked up the old Itech model 15. Hey I’m a goalie, not a skater. I didn’t care if it made my head look like a black fire hydrant. After a year I realized that I actually enjoyed skating out a lot more than I did wearing that inexpensive and uncomfortable helmet.
I tried pretty much all the helmets on the market a number of times before deciding on the Itech HC100. It was a close race with CCM for comfort. I’ve never liked EPP foam in goalie helmets, but in the HC100 it is very comfortable. It is also rated as one of the most protective player helmets on the market.
Another nice feature is the improved screw system in the HC100. My older Itech helmet had round backings that took a great deal of effort to remove . . . except when it was new and they screws kept falling out on their own. The new backings are rectangular and lock into the helmet. This makes adding a cage to the helmet a breeze. Also, I haven’t had any screw work loose in the new helmet.
The price on the HC100 certainly didn’t hurt either. For the same price as a mid-line Bauer or CCM helmet, you get the top of the line. This helmet is as good as any on the market and it looks better than most of them as well. It also has removable ear guards which are a feature many people look for.
The helmet design
The Itech 100 is a somewhat standard ABS plastic shell. This is the most common design for player helmets currently. The shell is adjustable with four screws (two on either side of the helmet). The 100 is a bit easier to adjust than its stiff competitors, the Bauer 5000 and the CCM helmets which can be very difficult to slide.
Inside the helmet the lining is EPP foam and a soft foam rubber lining. EPP has set the standard for the highest level of concussion protection currently utilized in hockey helmets. EPP is also much lighter than Vinyl Nitrate or Foam rubber liners. EPP is a rather stiff material, so the foam rubber is where the comfort comes from in the 100.
Unlike the older Itech helmets the 100 offers removable ear pieces, streamlined good looks and the newer ear loop style chin straps. Chin straps on the older Itech helmets were hard, or impossible to replace as they were attached directly to the helmet. The ear loops solve this problem and are more of a standard system.
The Itech 100 will accept all standard masks and shields with no modification or problems.
Final Thoughts
Helmets are a bit like skates. I found the HC100 to be the best fit for me. Odds are that your head isn’t the same shape as mine, so you should try them on and make a decision.
If it does fit, this is one of the most protective player helmets available, and it will cost you about $10 less than comparable CCM and Bauer units. Only the Nike Quest helmet with inflatable air bladders is more protective, and it will cost twice as much.
The bottom line is, if this helmet fits, you cannot do better for the price.
Update - Independent Testing
Recently a number of helmets were tested by an independent firm as part of the development process for a new helmet design. They found that the HC100 had the highest impact absorption level of any helmet on the market prior to the 2005 models hitting the shelves. This and the excellent price of the HC100 make it my personal choice.
© Scott Noble – Unauthorized use prohibited
A few of my other links that you might find helpful:
Fitting and Selecting Hockey Protective Gear
Hockey Mask and Cage Buying Guide
Bauer 5000 Helmet
Itech FX 50 Facial Protection
Recommended:
Yes
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