Best Catcher's Mask/Helmet

We like the Force3.  I'm sure others will have different opinions, but my 2024 catcher likes it. 

All Star MVP 4000 is the most protective helmet available. It's not cheap but if you want to keep your kids squash intact then it is worth it.

First, sorry to hear about that, @atlnon. As my thread about it last week documents, it's scary and confusing as hell.

Son would second @TerribleBPthrower, the MVP4k is what he uses. Took a little time to get used to the extra weight compared to the MVP 2500, but it's held up very well. But as All-Star says (and my son proved), there is no concussion-proof helmet or mask. Minimizing the forces and thereby reducing the chance is the best we can hope for.

Are you guys following the Return to School/Return to Sports protocol? Son just cleared his on Sunday, 9 days after the initial concussion.

@Senna posted:

First, sorry to hear about that, @atlnon. As my thread about it last week documents, it's scary and confusing as hell.

Son would second @TerribleBPthrower, the MVP4k is what he uses. Took a little time to get used to the extra weight compared to the MVP 2500, but it's held up very well. But as All-Star says (and my son proved), there is no concussion-proof helmet or mask. Minimizing the forces and thereby reducing the chance is the best we can hope for.

Are you guys following the Return to School/Return to Sports protocol? Son just cleared his on Sunday, 9 days after the initial concussion.

You should reach out to AllStar and let them know. All of their testing seems to be on ball to helmet impacts. While rare, there is obviously the chance of a helmet to helmet impact.

Glad to hear your son has been cleared!

Good idea, @TerribleBPthrower. Just sent them a note.

@Senna posted:

Are you guys following the Return to School/Return to Sports protocol? Son just cleared his on Sunday, 9 days after the initial concussion.

I'm actually a little confused by the protocol.  From my understanding, bec it was mild, he's cleared to participate as soon as he got cleared by the doctor.  Regardless, they have a game today and the next game is Sat.  I already told the coach that I would feel more comfortable if he doesn't play today and wait till Sat at the earliest (that will be a week after he got the concussion).  And even then, maybe start as DH or 3rd base instead of catcher.

I went ahead and ordered the Force3 as that is what my son is familiar with already.  He currently has an allstar helmet that was part of his system 7 gear but I'm sure it's not the 4000 model.  This allstar 4000 model doesn't have the spring suspension?  It just relies on the padding?

@atlnon posted:

I'm actually a little confused by the protocol.  From my understanding, bec it was mild, he's cleared to participate as soon as he got cleared by the doctor.  Regardless, they have a game today and the next game is Sat.  I already told the coach that I would feel more comfortable if he doesn't play today and wait till Sat at the earliest (that will be a week after he got the concussion).  And even then, maybe start as DH or 3rd base instead of catcher.

I went ahead and ordered the Force3 as that is what my son is familiar with already.  He currently has an allstar helmet that was part of his system 7 gear but I'm sure it's not the 4000 model.  This allstar 4000 model doesn't have the spring suspension?  It just relies on the padding?

Correct on 4K, no spring suspension.

I am not a medical professional. However, this is what we were told by the specialist (went to ER on Mon, specialist on Tue, corresponding to day 2 and 3 post-concussion).

Overall, the typical "dark room, all quiet" method is not advised. Rather, do what feels comfortable. If TV works, great, watch TV. If it hurts, then stop. Find the limits, basically, but all within the framework below.

For both return to learn and return to school, we were giving the attached guidance. If you successfully complete stage 1 on a day, then move immediately to stage 2 the next day (no need to stay on a stage for multiple days if you are successful). If you have any issues on a stage, then take a step back to the previous stage.  

Our doctor did not need to provide clearance, as he said that so long as all symptoms were resolved at a successful completion of stage 5, he was ok. That said, coach did require a clearance letter, which we obtained yesterday.

And while it could in theory be cleared in 6 days, son took 9 before he was essentially at stage 6, cleared to play. I think that's a very reasonable and safe timeline in his instance.