As concussions in the NHL have shown up in more headlines over the past few seasons, sport officials have desperately been searching for a helmet that offers a better combination of safety and performance. The recently-released Easton E700 promises to lead the industry in both areas. Does it deliver?

Protection
By far, the most important function of a helmet is protection. The E700 excels in this area, thanks to its full EPP foam liner. EPP foam is miles ahead of the heavy white foam blocks that line the inside of older helmets. It is light, flexible and breathable, giving players both protection and comfort. Easton claims the helmet was designed with crush-resistant properties specifically to protect players from multiple impacts.
Fit
There’s nothing worse for a hockey player than a poorly-fitting helmet that slides all over the head. To fix this problem, Easton borrowed a trick from bicycle manufacturers. Instead of tools, the helmet uses a series of elastic bands and Velcro straps to make the helmet contour perfectly to any player’s head. No tools means no need to carry rusty old screwdrivers around in your hockey bag.
Weight
The first thing you notice when you pick up the Easton E700 is that it weighs almost nothing. At only 0.78 pounds, it’s one of the lightest helmets on the market. Most lightweight helmets feel flimsy. The E700 is an exception thanks to its quality construction.
Style
It’s always nice to look cool while you’re scoring goals. The E700 features a low profile with air vents that look like evil eyes staring down opponents. The model comes in 10 different colors, but we’re especially fond of matte black. The only disadvantage of this helmet’s style is that its unique shape may throw off the fit of third-party face masks.
If you’re looking for a lightweight helmet that not only does its job, but also fits well and looks great, we recommend the new Easton E700. Head over to eastonhockey.com for more details. If you decide to check it out, let us know what you think through Facebook or Twitter.