Bauer 960 Senior Certified Straight Bar Goalie Mask

Bauer 960 Senior Certified Straight Bar Goalie Mask

The 960 Goal Mask is for the elite goalie. The shell has been updated to the power core epoxy shell that now features a Smacwrap Comp Shell,which dampens vibration and makes this the most protective mask on the market. It now has new grooves at the edge of the mask to increase airflow for better breathability. It features a new style elite chin cup with an elastic stretch strap. Finally, an Enhanced Puck View wire suits more goalie sightlines, providing better vision on the ice.

The Bauer 960 goalie mask is one of the most iconic and storied goalie masks of all time. The 960 goalie mask shape was originally designed by Jerry Wright which was then carried on to the Itech 961 lines and now the Bauer 960 model.  This mask shape has the distinction of being one of the most used shapes in NHL history.

The Bauer 960 uses a new Smacwrap composite shell.  This is a major upgrade from previous Bauer 960 models. The Smacwrap is more protective then previous models and also has a vibration dampening material within the shell. The liner material of the new 960 mask is similar to the previous generation but with added air flow properties for better ventilation. There are now channels within the foam padding which allows for more air to flow through the mask and keeping the goalie cooler.  The chin cup on the new 960 is attached using an elastic connection system.  This makes the chin cup much more comfortable then previous generations.

A new size for the 960 goal mask has also been added.  In the past, the 960XPM came in a Small/Medium or Medium/Large.  The 960 mask will come in a small, medium and large.  The small is an entirely new shell size with the medium being the same size as the 960XPM small/medium and the large lining the same size as the 960XPM medium/large.

The Bauer 960 Goalie Mask is a high level mask. Recommended 5 to 7 uses per week.

Bauer 960 Senior Certified Straight Bar Goalie Mask Features:

• Model Year: 2023
• Shell: Smacwrap Composite Shell
• Liner: AirFlow Liner With Poron XRD & IX Foam
• Wire Cage: Enhanced Puck View
• Back Plate: Thermo-Comp With Molded Occipital Support
• Harness: Pro 5 Point Harness
• Hardware: Stainless Steel
• Chin Cup: Elite Chin Cup With Elastic Stretch Strap
• Sweatband: Thermocore Material
• Mask Bag: Includes a Padded Mask Bag & Extra Sweatband
• Sizing:
  • Small 20.5in. to 21.75
  • Medium 21.5in. to 22.75in.
  • Large 22.5 to 23.5

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.