Hockey Cages, Visors & Shields - Page 7

Unlock the full potential of your hockey experience with high-quality cages, visors, and shields available at SidelineSwap. These essential accessories are designed to provide superior protection, ensuring you stay safe on the ice without sacrificing visibility or comfort. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, investing in these products is crucial for minimizing the risk of facial injuries from errant pucks or stick checks during the game.

At SidelineSwap, you can find an excellent selection of used and clearance hockey cages, visors, and shields that combine performance and affordability. Opting for used equipment not only helps a bustling community of hockey enthusiasts exchange gear but also lets you score premium products at a fraction of the cost. These items have been thoroughly reviewed to meet standards, so you can trust that you're getting reliable protection every time you step onto the rink.

Adding a cage or a visor to your hockey helmet boosts your confidence, enabling you to focus fully on your gameplay without worrying about injury. Shields offer enhanced visibility and are especially popular among players who want to maintain eye protection without traditional cage constructions. Experience the peace of mind and competitive edge that comes from using trusted gear—browse our selection on SidelineSwap today and upgrade your hockey kit with ease.

When did helmets come into play?

Hockey helmets didn’t start to become popular until around 1933, when an incident between a Bruins defender and a Maple Leafs player resulted in a cracked skull, effectively ending the Toronto player’s career. Most NHL players remained reluctant to wear helmets until 1968, when Bill Masterton suffered a fatal brain aneurysm. Hockey helmets finally became mandatory in 1979.

Today, NHL players are free to wear helmets with cages or visors, and many still shun the extra protection -- perhaps unsurprisingly.

Cages vs. Visors

After minor hockey, players are allowed to decide which type of face and eye protection they want to use. The main three choices are: visors, cages or half shields. There are a few leagues that require players to wear hockey cages.

A hockey cage provides full protection of the face and mouth. Cages are great because they provide a heightened sense of confidence, as players are guarded from sharp blades and pucks. The downside of cages are that they’re a bit heavier than visors, and some players feel as though cages obstruct their vision too much.

Hockey visors, on the other hand, are lighter and easier to see through than cages. If you opt for a visor or half shield, just know you’ll be compromising on safety a little bit.

What's popular? Best cages, visors and shields

There are a variety of different hockey cages and visors on the market. Some visor brands we’d recommend include Oakley and Bauer. If you’re looking for a cage, Bauer also makes great cage options. The Bauer Re-Akt Titanium Face Mask is a particularly popular model, as it's 50 percent lighter than carbon steel face masks. Its patented oval wire is almost undetectable by your eyes, so skaters can play with confidence and unobstructed vision. The Oakley Pro Straight Visor is another great hockey shield option. It has a traditional cut that's proven popular over the years, featuring a shatterproof polycarbonate construction that allows you to see the ice clearly.