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Please note: all prices are in US dollar.
Bauer NME IX Pro Cat Eye Cage Senior Goalie Mask
The new Bauer NME IX is the next generation of the popular Bauer NME series. The Bauer NME IX mask has the look of Bauer VTX Pro mask which is worn by goalies like Ben Bishop of the Dallas Stars. The NME IX has a very good protection rating because of a composite Powercore shell construction. Its Power Core shell is a blend of fiberglass and epoxy, which allows for better dampening throughout the forehead and chin. This mask uses a Poron and XRD liner construction which is not only extremely comfortable, it can help with deceleration of impacts to the shell of the mask. The Powercore Shell is rigid enough to deflect shot off the mask with little flex to the shell with the XRD & Poron foams helping absorb the remaining impact. There are no guarantees with any mask and even with the best protection available, an injury may result. It is our opinion that the Bauer NME IX is a well built mask and provides a substantial upgrade compared to polycarbonate (plastic) goalie masks. There are four sizes to the NME8 masks, Fit .5 = Junior, Fit 1 = Small, Fit 2 = Medium, Fit 3 = Large. A padded mask bag and an extra sweatband are included on each NME IX mask purchase. For price, style and protection – the NME IX is definitely a mask that is worth consideration for anyone serious about protecting their head. This mask has a one year warranty.
The Bauer NME IX Goalie Mask is a high mid-level mask. Recommended 3 to 5 uses per week.
Bauer NME IX Pro Cat Eye Cage Senior Goalie Mask Features:
- VTX Technology
- Powercore Shell
- Thermo-Core
- PORON® XRD® Foam
- Padded Mask Bag Included
- Fit 1 = Senior Small
- Fit 2 = Senior Medium
- Fit 3 = Senior Large
Goalie Mask Construction
Goalies Plus is very particular about the kind of masks we sell, we feel there are good masks on the market today and unsafe masks on the market today. Our pro level masks and high mid-level masks are all glass lay-up shells with either carbon or kevlar reinforcement. These types of masks are very rigid, when a shot hits the goalies mask – the mask is solid enough to deflect about 90 to 95 percent shots away from the head without any or minimal shell flex. What this means is the mask shell will not flex towards the goalies head under impact. Under extreme impact, the mask will actually start to crack and disperse the shock away from the goalies head. This dispersion keeps the mask from flexing in towards the goalies head. The glass lay-up masks are also very rigid so if you try to squeeze the mask at the ears, it will have very minimal flex. This is very important if a larger player falls on the goalie. The rigidness of the mask helps minimize the risk of a compression concussion. These types of masks start in the price range of $ 350.00 and go up from there based on features. We feel that this is a very sound investment for any goalie. Even at a recreational level, a beginner or low level player can still get a hold of a shot by dumb luck, better to be safe then sorry in our opinion.
Now for the other type of mask construction – plastic injected masks. You will hear terms like polycarbonate or other fancy terms but the reality is these mask are built in a mold by plastic injection. There are claims of these shells being crack resistant or holding up better under hammer or puck shooting machine tests. These are actually true, a plastic injected mask generally will not crack; however the problem of shock transfer to the head is increased dramatically in our opinion. Plastic injected masks do not break – they bend, when it bends the impact is transferred back through the goalies head. This is our opinion and we feel this makes a very dangerous situation for a goalie has the impact transfers from the shell through the foam and onto the head. Also, when you squeeze the ear areas together, there is a huge amount of flex. If a larger player falls on a goalie, this can create a compression concussion. Sometimes at a youth or junior level, there may not be an option for a higher level mask so a goalie may have to choose a plastic injected mask. However at the senior sizes, there are plenty of safer options. Again these are our opinions about goalie masks and we feel confident that our customers are being given the proper information to make an educated decision on their head protection.