Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Helmets => Topic started by: Ayrtek Cricket on September 23, 2017, 02:30:00 PM
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Having now spend a third of my life looking at the cricket helmet market id like to ask the cross section of members of the forum for some input.
The opportunity has arisen to look at the safety provided by the cricket helmets and moving it forward even further.
1. Are people are particularly bothered by just how safe the helmets they wear are?
2. When looking to purchase a helmet would you look for the helmet thats not only passes but excels under the BSI tests?
3. Or is the fact that the helmet has passed testing all that concerns you?
Id welcome your input so I can gain a further understanding of the cricket buyers insights.
Cheers
Tom
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No
No
Yes
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1. Are people are particularly bothered by just how safe the helmets they wear are?
2. When looking to purchase a helmet would you look for the helmet thats not only passes but excels under the BSI tests?
3. Or is the fact that the helmet has passed testing all that concerns you?
1. Yes. I like to know my kit will save me if called into action! I got rid of my old Albion to replace it with a new style Masuri for this reason. I also bought a stem guard for additional safety/protection
2. I'd like to know it not only passed, but passed well! For example if a brand passed the regulations but had known quality control issues I'd avoid that brand! Equally if a brand volunteered their helmets for regular testing to ensure there quality control was up to scratch off be more engined to use their products.
3. No, it also needs to fit well, have good visibility and be comfortable on my head! There would be little point buying a compliant helmet if it wasn't very comfortable.
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1. Of course.
2. Yes, but only to a point. Don't make it 3 times as expensive to produce to gain that extra 10%.
3. Fit, feel, vision are all almost equally as important. Make it safe, then make it user friendly.
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1. yes and no, I want it to pass the tests but be suitable for the standard I play.
2. Not really I want value for my lid
3. Yes.
Weight and price are the major factor for me. And looks. Lets not pretend I am not vein about my kit...
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1) yes, that's why I changed to the new style last year
2) if I played a higher standard this would be a yes
3) yes, something that is comfortable is my priority though
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Yes - no point in it not being capable of doing its job properly.
50/50 - I dont want a helmet that scrapes through I want one that passes relatively easily and from a manufacturer who design their helmets to pass because they think its important, not just get it to a standard just enough to pass so they can flog them. However will i pay double the cost for one way above the standard? No probably not i don't play to a level that justifies it.
Yes - now its having passed the standard is the main criteria whereas before it probably wasnt. However looks, feel, comfort and price are still factors.
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Thanks for those that have answered so far,
A potential offset would be a slight weight increase by 30-40g to improve performance to a level where all impacts were below 50gn (for example) where to pass any helmet needs to be below 250gn.
Is weight a major factor now people consider when purchasing or have people come to accept that in order to provide safer helmets in line with the new safety standard they have increased in weight in some cases?
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1) Yes, but only fussed enough to know it'll be sufficient in the majority of cases - so long as it'll take a blow at 75/80 then I'm not overly bothered past that
2) Can't say I'd be that bothered, just knowing it's passed the testing would probably be sufficient for me
3) I'd say yes, but then I wouldn't consider a helmet that hadn't. First decision would likely be the weight vs the price.
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Is weight a major factor now people consider when purchasing or have people come to accept that in order to provide safer helmets in line with the new safety standard they have increased in weight in some cases?
Still weight for me mate, the likelihood of an impact of that nature happening to me is so low that I'd be more worried about the weight. Fastest I'd face on a regular basis is likely mid 70s so if it passes the testing thats enough for me really
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The weight isn't really an issue for me, I think it's something you get used to
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1. Broadly yes, but it's so rare that I get dinged in the head at any speed in matches that it's lower on the list of concerns than comfort/visibility.
2/3. All else being equal then yes of course the safer the better, but the testing standards exceed what I can reasonably expect to require of a lid personally, so in practice I'd prefer something that just passes with improved comfort/weight/visibility over a mega safe lid.
Not planning to replace my current Masuri until I have to, but price will be a big factor when I do - the way the prices are going now is a lot of money to be paying for something you have to replace after one big impact! A change in materials to something that will take multiple hits would be a big positive.
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1. Not really
2. Not a factor for me
3. Doesn't bother me either way.
For me, comfort is more important than anything else- even though I play ECB prem cricket against some quick bowlers I'm confident enough that most reasonable helmets will help me avoid disaster (as my old style Arytek did). In the past I have searched for old style Masuri's and old style Aryteks to find the lightest, most comfortable helmet possible. However, I'd never ware an old plastic Albion, thats where I draw the line, they are just too dangerous.
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1. No - as long as it reduces the inpact on my skull, i'm not bothered. Dont really care about safety standards really.
2. No
3. No
Weight, comfort and visibility are all that bothers me. I dont worry about cost. I cba about what it looks like but people i get the impression the design of your helmets is like modern 'storm trooper' pads. Alot of people prefer the traditional look.
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@DorsetDan re. assumptions - definitely don't assume that helmets are required to prevent head injuries! I think the assumption that the test (on ball impact anyway) exceeds what most clubbies will face is reasonable though, can't remember the exact ball speed but (64/68?) but it's supposed to equate to 80 out of the hand, which is plenty above club bowlers! As for the drop test part, yes it's inadequate but I'm also pretty unbothered about that, in my personal assessment the helmet is there mainly to stop the ball hitting me in the face.
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Yes - its my head, I've only got one if them and medical science is somewhat lagging behind in brain injury compared to the rest of the body.
Yes. See above. For those that say no. IT'S YOUR HEAD!!!! Its not just about village bowling being slower. With local cricket, there's more propensity for wayward run out attempts, beamers, lack of sightscreens, top edges into your face, people generally doing stupid things, i.e. throwing the ball in when there's no chance of a run out, etc. Not sure I'd want to gamble on a run oit attempt from 10nyards away where the guy ends up hitting my melon instead of the stumps...
No. Has to meet the above requirements and be comfortable, wearable and practical.
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To me if helmet meets or just exceeds safety standard, it is good enough but the lightest weight is top priority once min. safety is met..
Secondly, helmets today are too oval that even with 58 and rouder head, we cant fit some of the large sizes at 63 cm due to the narrow sides..would be good to have rounder shape options..
Lastly, the current regulation restricts ability to move grill up and down but why restrict forward and backward grill adjustment at fixed gap. If folks can adjust forward and backward at fixed grill-peak gap, would be really good option to have..
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To me if helmet meets or just exceeds safety standard, it is good enough but the lightest weight is top priority once min. safety is met..
Secondly, helmets today are too oval that even with 58 and rouder head, we cant fit some of the large sizes at 63 cm due to the narrow sides..would be good to have rounder shape options..
Lastly, the current regulation restricts ability to move grill up and down but why restrict forward and backward grill adjustment at fixed gap. If folks can adjust forward and backward at fixed grill-peak gap, would be really good option to have..
What's with all these round/basketball headed people these days ? Is this some form of recent Darwinian evolution (devolution? ) that I'm unaware of ? :D
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Head shape and size varies massively, this is where the Air liner was so beneficial IMO. It will mould to the shape of your head as the cells are intercepted nnecyed so air flows between them to fill the voids and obtain a snug fit.
With the more traditional EPS type liners we took the cross section of the head and designed it in line with the average have shape and size in order to provide a solid starting point.
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1. I would like the helmet to pass the standard or what is the point in wearing it. it will bother me if it isn't safe enough.
2. Absolutely! I want the safest product but also lightest weight.
3. Very important for me that the helmet has passed the safety standards.
The concerns are - weight (don't want it to e too heavy), ventilation (I sweat crazy) and price - the current prices are manageable but I don't want the prices to go even higher up!
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2 things I want from a helmet.
Visibility. Give me the best view I can.
Weight. As light as it can be so I forget quickly I'm wearing it.
Price is not of issue.
Current standard of helmet is fine with me, I've seen many professional take a blow and be generally fine, currently bat without a lid as the current crop have poor visibility at mo in my opinion. So anything would be better.
And as a bonus.
I want a manufacturer or manufacturers to start making neck guards as standard with there helmets, weather that being included in the box. Or built into the helmet as standard.
The way they are cashing in by charging what they do for them, has currently out me off sending any money there way
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I want a manufacturer or manufacturers to start making neck guards as standard with there helmets, weather that being included in the box. Or built into the helmet as standard.
The way they are cashing in by charging what they do for them, has currently out me off sending any money there way
Totally agree with this, putting the Ayrtek and Masuri guards aside, the rest of these neck guards must cost literally pittance to manufacture - in the case of the foam guards probably at best a quid?
To charge £20 for something that is potentially life saving is a bit of a joke, especially when it basically puts people off buying it (I haven't bought one yet purely on price - would happily wear it if it was cheaper/included with the lid).
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I’ve had mine made in the UK which comes with an associated cost of, retailers then wanted to stock it which mean factoring in a cost-trade-retail margin.
I’m in the process of carrying out R&D into further improvements to make in thinner and lighter whilst still offering the same level of protection. Looking at including one with a helmet purchase is something also on the agenda if it’s viable Commercially.
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I’ve had mine made in the UK which comes with an associated cost of, retailers then wanted to stock it which mean factoring in a cost-trade-retail margin.
I’m in the process of carrying out R&D into further improvements to make in thinner and lighter whilst still offering the same level of protection. Looking at including one with a helmet purchase is something also on the agenda if it’s viable Commercially.
That's why I excluded you haha - fully understand the work that's been put into it!
Not entirely sure the same could be said for Shrey's bit of foam mind...
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Totally agree with this, putting the Ayrtek guard aside, the rest of these neck guards must cost literally pittance to manufacture - in the case of the foam guards probably at best a quid?
To charge £20 for something that is potentially life saving is a bit of a joke, especially when it basically puts people off buying it (I haven't bought one yet purely on price - would happily wear it if it was cheaper/included with the lid).
The Masuri one is a pretty comprehensive product, way ahead of a bit of ropey old foam from Shrey. I agree it's pushing the envelope at £50 but i don't think it has cost a couple of quid to make, especially being UK made.
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Yeah my bad - wasn't thinking of the Masuri one, will amend the OP - it was aimed at the likes of Shrey/Ganador etc etc
And god forbid, even our favourite friend Lekka seems to have created his own. Still sends me pointless emails trying to get me to sell my own branded version lol.
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The way they are cashing in by charging what they do for them, has currently out me off sending any money there way
Did me too. But it wasnt until i was batting against the machine outdoors and the ball hits something or just rears up out of nowhere amd hits me on the side of the face in the grill. Didn't think twice about buying one then!
I have been hit close to the area before. top edge off a sweep and didnt think about it. But the neck guard weren't a thing then.