The Bauer 960 goalie helmet is a part of the Bauer profile series, which is one of the most popular and trusted goalie mask lineups on the market. The Bauer Profile line of goalie masks include:
- Bauer 960
- Bauer 950
- Bauer 940
- Bauer 930
We have been using the Bauer 960 goalie helmet for going on 6+ years, having purchased and tested the Bauer 960 XPM, the Bauer 960, and the latest version of this helmet. The original Bauer 960 is going as strong as it was the day we bought it and now owning three of these helmets, I can confidently tell you that if you are looking to buy a new goalie helmet that’s going to most likely outlast your playing days, buy a Bauer 960.
These helmets are without question one of the best goalie helmets money can buy.
First things first, are the Bauer 960 and 961 goalie masks the same thing?
Yes, they are. The only difference between the Bauer 960 and the 961 model is the non certified cat eye cage that comes on the 961. So, if you go to buy a 961 on say, Pure Goalie, for example — and you’re not finding a 961, you’re actually looking for a non certified Bauer 960.
The Bauer 960 is one of the most polarizing goalie masks on the market, period. It’s an incredibly popular mask that was debuted as one of Itech’s “Profile” masks WAY back in the day. The 960 has been around forever, and for good reason.
This helmet has been our #1 recommended goalie mask for a number of years. It's one of the single most popular goalie helmets of all time. Currently worn by roughly 40% of NHL goalies.
Bauer 960 Goalie Helmet Review
Is the Bauer 960 worth it? We argue that yes, it is. When it comes to head protection, there simply isn’t a more comfortable, better helmet. If you’re going to invest heavily into one piece of equipment, make it your helmet. The Bauer Profile lineup, specifically the 960 series, has been one of the best goalie masks on the market for some time.
Will the Bauer 960 goalie helmet work for youth goalies?
This mask isn’t necessarily the best youth goalie helmet, because of two reasons. First, it’s expensive and built for pros. The mask is sized accordingly, so it will not fit a youth netminder the best. Second, there are better fitting masks built specifically for young goalies.
Bauer 960 Goalie Mask Sizing Explained
We’ve written extensively about goalie helmet sizing elsewhere on our site, so we won’t delve too far into it here. For the sake of clarity, the Bauer 960 is offered in the following sizes: small, medium and large.
| Bauer 960 | |
| Mask Size |
Head Circumference
|
| Small | 20.9″ – 22″ |
| Medium | 21.7″ – 22.8″ |
| Large | 22.4″ – 23.6″ |
Bauer 960 Features
The Bauer 960 is the highest end goalie helmet that Bauer offers. In 2020, Bauer changed up the build structure of the 960, introducing what they call “Smacwrap” to the build material.
Smacwrap is designed to further reduce impact and vibration in the helmet. Truly, I cannot tell you the difference of whether or not this makes a difference on the new Bauer 960 helmets as compared to the older “Bauer 960 XPM”. My honest opinion is that with the 960 XPM, Bauer was trying to present a large change to their profile lineup.
In the end, my assumption is that they realized people would buy these for their reliability and build quality regardless of what they did. So, in order to change something, they presented us with “Smacwrap technology”. You can check whether or not your Bauer helmet is the latest 2020 and beyond model by looking inside the chin cup (photo below) to identify whether or not “SMACWRAP” is on the inside of the chin.
They also offer a Bauer NME (read the Bauer NME Review here). Bauer also offers a 950 and a 940, two masks at a lower price point that follow this line. For the 960, it’s going to cost you about $900. The entire profile line has been, from a design standpoint, largely untouched for two decades.
With the design remaining the same, Bauer has made tremendous improvements to the strength and impact resistance of the latest models of this goalie helmet.
- Mask is built with fiberglass base, wrapped in layers of 12k carbon composite
- Mask utilizes a Smacwrap Composite shell, for “enhanced impact protection” and reduced vibration
- Offers INNEGRA fiber reinforcement in the forehead and chin areas. According to Bauer, this technology helps damped vibration and shock
- The interior of the mask has a new liner that features impact absorbing XRD foam and soft VN foam. It’s worth pointing out that the mask liner is now mechanically attached, not manually. Replacing the foam in the new 960 could prove to be a challenge (though, we’re not sure why you would replace it).
- Bauer also focuses on adding extra padding for shock dampening near the chin of the 960
- They advertise a 37.5 sweatband for better moisture control inside the mask — though we recommend a SHAM Sweatband.
- Bauer added a carbon edge wrap to help reduce and prevent chipping as well as a padded helmet bag for traveling with the helmet.
Bauer Profile 950 vs 960
If you’re considering getting a Bauer 950, just pay the extra money and get the 960 series. You’ll be glad you did. The 960 and the Bauer NME line is where they’re spending all of their time on development and improvement, so any major changes will be most notable at their top of the line product.
The 950 is still a great mask, however, it’s designed to target a lower price point.
Bauer 960 vs Bauer NME ONE
The Bauer 960 goalie helmet will fit most goalies. The NME series from Bauer is built for goalies with a slightly wider head. One of my favorite goalies to wear the Bauer NME series was Devan Dubnyk, who has since retired. The NME goalie helmets from Bauer are an excellent product, though I’ve got a fancy for the sleek, slim look of the Bauer 960.
We wrote about this a bit more on our VTX article, but the two masks are actually very comparable. They are designed for two completely different faces, so it’s critical that you make sure you’re buying the right mask for your face profile.
If you have a more profiled face, get the 960. If you’ve got a wider face, get the NME ONE. You’ll thank us later.
With all that said, should I be spending $900 on a goalie mask?
If the Bauer 960 XPM helps prevent even one concussion, it’s a resounding yes. Even if it doesn’t, you’ll feel more confident with this mask, giving you a better experience between the pipes (that’s what it’s all about, right?).
Buy one, you’ll be glad you did.
Bauer 960 Goalie Helmet Alternatives
If for whatever reason you’re not interested in the Bauer 960, there are a couple other comparable goalie helmets available that mirror the performance and price of the Bauer 960 series.
First up, the CCM Axis XF. This is CCM’s latest iteration of the CCM Axis helmet, designed for professional goalies or those playing at an advanced level.
The latest, top of the line goalie helmet from CCM is the CCM Axis XF. This helmet brings us into an exciting new era of CCM goalie helmets, with huge changes from the standard Axis Pro.
The next helmet I recommend is the Warrior Ritual F2 Pro. Warrior hasn’t been in the goalie mask manufacturing space for nearly as long as Bauer or CCM has, but they found a lot of success and received tremendous feedback of the original Ritual goalie mask.
The Warrior Ritual F2 Pro is the 2nd iteration of the Ritual goalie helmet, with a number of marked improvements over the initial release of this helmet, which was known as the Ritual F1.
Pros wearing the Bauer 961 Goalie Mask
You cannot count the number of NHL goalies wearing the Bauer 961 on two hands, meaning it’s a tried and true mask from youth to the NHL. At the professional level, goalies do not simply wear a mask because they’re paid to wear it. They understand just how critical a high performing helmet is, with shot speeds upwards of 100 miles per hour. If you can’t take our word for it, take theirs. Bauer goalie helmets are one of the most popular, if not the single most popular, goalie helmets in the NHl.
The video below gives a great look at the inside and up close of the Bauer 961 mask.
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Alex Stalock of the Minnesota Wild, wore a Bauer 960 during the 2017 / 2018 NHL season.
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Jonathan Bernier wears a Bauer 960 XPM.
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Dallas Stars 2017 first round draft pick Jake Oettinger wears Bauer 960 XPM.
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All in all, the list of professional goalies wearing the 960 XPM mask goes on, and on. It’s a phenomenal mask that’s going to do everything you ask it to.\
This helmet has been our #1 recommended goalie mask for a number of years. It's one of the single most popular goalie helmets of all time. Currently worn by roughly 40% of NHL goalies.
