Hockey helmets and hurling helmets do not differ greatly in appearance, but do differ in purpose. Because the most common injuries in hockey are lacerations to the head, concussions and other head- and neck-related injuries, hockey helmets are made to protect the head more than hurling helmets.
Hockey vs. Hurling
Hockey and hurling vary greatly in how they are played, which makes their helmets differ slightly. Hurling is played on a grass field, similar to a football or soccer field. Hurlers use a stick that is wider at the bottom, and a ball similar to a racquetball or tennis ball. That is why hurling helmets have a wider gaps in the mask and cages. A hockey puck is much smaller than a hurling ball, which is why hockey masks normally have visors.
Shape
The shape of hockey and hurling helmets vary due primarily to the greater risk of head and eye damage in hockey. Hockey helmets have a contoured shape at the back part of the head, with a prominent circular shape on the upper part on the back which then narrows as the helmet extends down towards the neck. Hurling helmets are more circular around the entire head and may jet out at the back slightly. There is more padding on the hockey helmet because of the greater risk for concussion or other head injuries.
Features
Hockey helmets generally have a visor that covers the upper half of the head down to the nose. Some hockey helmets -- such as goalie helmets -- have caged masks, though the cages or bars on the mask do not have very large gaps. Hurling masks, on the other hand, generally are caged with about three to four bars going down and covering the entire face.
Adjusting Helmets
Hockey helmets do not have a lot of adjusting spots as hurling helmets do. Hockey helmets are generally purchased very size-specific, whereas hurling helmets have more generic sizes and use adjustment points on the helmet. Cooper Hurling Helmets, a popular brand of hurling helmets, has nine adjusting points on its helmets, allowing for an almost perfect fit to the head regardless of your size. Hockey helmets generally have a chin strap similar to a bicycle helmet that can be adjusted to tighten the fit.
Considerations
Hockey and hurling helmets do not differ greatly in price, but more in availability. Hockey in the United States is much more popular than hurling, so purchasing hockey helmets is much easier. As of November 2010, hockey helmets can be purchased anywhere from $40 all the way up to $200. Hurling helmets are on average about $100.
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