Why the Cascade CS Lacrosse Helmet is an Excellent Option for Youth Athletes

Why the Cascade CS Lacrosse Helmet is an Excellent Option for Youth Athletes

Superior Protection with Advanced Safety Features

The Cascade CS lacrosse helmet provides top-tier protection for young athletes with its advanced safety features engineered specifically for youth players. At the core of the CS’s protective technologies is the innovative Seven+ liner system, which utilizes seven padding zones strategically placed around the head for optimized impact absorption and dispersion. These Seven+ foam pads work together to divert energy away from the head while also reducing peak G-forces from hits. Moreover, the pads utilize progressive padding layers that compress and rebound at different rates to manage linear and rotational energy. For example, the crown pad uses a dual-density vinyl nitrile foam to reduce impact forces to the top of the head.

In testing, the Seven+ system has been proven to reduce the risk of concussions compared to traditional foam liners. The CS shell is also engineered to work in conjunction with the Seven+ pads to direct impact forces away from the head through its strategic design and geometry. The shell itself is made from a durable yet lightweight injection-molded polycarbonate with optimized thickness zones for added strength while maintaining low weight. Ventilation ports along the shell encourage air flow to keep young athletes cool as well.

For parents and coaches concerned about safety, the CS lacrosse helmet checks off all the boxes. It is designed to meet key lacrosse standards including the NOCSAE ND200 safety requirements for lacrosse as well as the younger age-specific NOCSAE ND105 standard. Safety certifications along with advanced technologies like the Seven+ system give both kids and parents peace of mind knowing the CS provides top-tier protection. Ultimately, by leveraging the latest innovations in helmet safety, Cascade engineering helps ensure young lacrosse players can enjoy the sport with one less worry.

A Lightweight Yet Durable Design Optimized for Youth Players

The Cascade CS lacrosse helmet is thoughtfully engineered with youth athletes in mind, balancing protective technologies and innovative design features to meet the needs of growing kids. Weighing in at just 2 pounds, the CS shell uses an advanced polycarbonate material that is both durable yet extremely lightweight. This helps reduce neck fatigue that can come from heavier helmets, allowing young athletes to focus on playing their best. The lightweight build also enhances mobility and agility on the field.

Despite its lightweight profile, the CS shell maintains a high degree of strength thanks to strategic thickness zoning. Areas most prone to direct impacts like the crown, sides, and rear feature slightly thicker shell dimensions for extra reinforcement without adding unnecessary bulk. Cascade also developed an advanced shell shape optimized for youth players through extensive 3D head-scanning data. The CS design accounts for the smaller head sizes and proportions of youth athletes compared to adult players. This anatomical design helps the helmet sit lower on the head for optimized fit and protection.

The CS shell also utilizes strategically placed ventilation ports to increase air flow and keep young athletes cool during intense gameplay. The vents along the shell work together with the moisture-wicking Ultra-Dri liner inside the helmet to channel humidity and heat out. By leveraging research data and head scanning technologies, Cascade engineers ensured the CS offers the ideal balance of lightweight, breathable and protective. Ultimately, all of the CS technologies allow youth athletes to feel protected yet unrestricted when running drills or dodging defenders on the field.

Strategic Venting Keeps Young Athletes Cool and Comfortable

One of the key design factors Cascade engineers focused on when developing the CS lacrosse helmet was implementing strategic venting zones to help regulate temperature. Lacrosse is an intensive sport, requiring quick sprints across the field during gameplay. The last thing a young athlete needs is their helmet contributing to overheating. The CS utilizes multiple air vents placed at key spots around the helmet to allow for ample airflow.

The front of the shell features several small vents just above the facemask area to allow air to pass over the forehead. Larger exhaust vents at the rear of the shell help draw heat and humidity up and out from the head. Along the sides, engineered airflow channels direct cooling breezes over the ears. All the vents work synergistically to bring fresh air in through the front while expelling warm air out the back. This ventilation system helps prevent the interior padding from becoming saturated with sweat during intense play.

Complementing the exterior vents, the interior of the CS features a moisture-wicking anti-microbial Ultra-Dri liner. This advanced fabric quickly redirects sweat and moisture away from an athlete’s head and into the air channels towards the exhaust vents. The sweat-wicking capabilities also prevent oversaturation of the Seven+ foam pads, helping them maintain protective performance. Additionally, the liner material itself inhibits the growth of odor and bacteria causing microbes for improved hygiene.

By leveraging research data on optimal ventilation zones, Cascade designed a helmet that targets airflow where young athletes need it most. The cooling technologies help kids stay energized and focused on the game, not on overheating. Plus, the breathable construction simply provides more comfort even during extensive time spent on the field during practice. For active youth players, the CS ventilation system checks off all the boxes.

Fun, Bold Colors That Kids Love

Unlike more traditional white or black lacrosse helmets, Cascade designed the CS with vibrant, bold color options that young athletes get excited about wearing. Currently, the helmet comes in eight fun color choices including bright orange, neon green, royal purple, bright yellow and more. This allows teams to pick a bold color that fits their style and players to express their personalities. The colors also make it easy for teammates, coaches and parents to spot players on the field.

In addition to the eye-catching base colors, some CS models feature complementary accent colors that give the helmet an extra pop. For example, the black helmet option has electric green streaks sweeping back from the facemask for a slick look. Other versions utilize color-coordinated facemasks that match the bold helmet colors. The purple helmet brings it all together with vibrant purple cage bars. These styling cues make wearing the CS just as fun for young players as the game itself.

Cascade understands how important self-expression is, even on the field. Letting young athletes choose a helmet color they connect with gives them a sense of ownership over their gear. This in turn boosts confidence and energizes them to play at their highest level. And for kids who want to change up their style, the removable shell wraps make it easy to customize color and graphics down the road.

With colors ranging from basic black to neon brights, every athlete can find a CS lacrosse helmet that fits their personal flair. Cascade made player customization a priority knowing how much young athletes value standing out. Matching bold colors with vital protection, the CS helmet delivers style and safety in one package.

An Adjustable Fit System to Accommodate Growing Athletes

Unlike adult players, youth athletes are continuously growing and changing shape. The Cascade CS lacrosse helmet accounts for growth spurts and evolving head dimensions with its adjustable fit system. This ensures kids get a secure and protective fit year after year as they progress in the sport.

The key to the CS fit system is its innovative QuickFit360 technology. It utilizes flexible cables connected to the four shell adjustment posts that integrate with the occipital lock located at the rear base of the helmet. This occipital lock is ergonomically contoured to cradle the back of the head comfortably. To adjust fit, players simply twist the QuickFit dial to tighten or loosen all four adjustment posts simultaneously. This provides even tensioning for a stabilized fit.

The simplified fit adjustment is fast and intuitive even for young athletes. They can quickly dial in the right fit for their current head size and then easily tweak adjustments later on as needed. The occipital lock minimizes back gapping as kids grow to maintain protection. The QuickFit system also eliminates issues like over-tightening just one side, helping parents avoid fit mistakes.

For an extra degree of customization, Cascade offers heat-moldable foam pads that conform to match players’ head shapes. This helps minimize internal gaps and slippage while accommodating anatomical nuances. Dialing in a personalized fit boosts comfort and security during intensive gameplay.

By prioritizing adaptability and ease of adjustment, Cascade ensures every kid can achieve the ideal helmet fit. The CS grows as young athletes grow while maintaining vital protective coverage season after season.

Meets Key Lacrosse Safety Standards for Optimal Protection

Protecting youth athletes is the top priority for Cascade when engineering lacrosse helmets. The CS is designed to meet safety regulations that help minimize head injuries during gameplay and impact scenarios. This gives both parents and players confidence in the helmet’s protective capabilities.

All CS lacrosse helmets are tested and certified to the NOCSAE ND200 standard, which evaluates a helmet’s ability to reduce impact forces. Helmets must pass impacts at multiple velocities and locations to receive ND200 certification. Additionally, the youth CS model meets the NOCSAE ND105 safety standard, which focuses specifically on youth helmet protection by utilizing lower impact forces during testing.

The CS is also compatible with Cascade-specific NOCSAE-approved lacrosse balls. This ball and helmet system works together to further reduce impact energy transferred to a player’s head. Together, these advanced safety testing protocols and sport-specific engineering allow Cascade to optimize protection for lacrosse’s fast-paced style of play.

By meeting key industry standards, the CS gives parents assurance that their kids will be protected during those hard hits that sometimes happen during intense games. The helmet absorbs and disperses energy from all directions of impact while aligning with sport regulatory board requirements.

For those wanting the highest levels of tested and certified protection, the CS lacrosse helmet checks off all the boxes. Its safety ratings back up Cascade’s innovative protective technologies, so athletes can play with confidence.

Shell Engineered to Distribute Impact Forces

At the foundation of the Cascade CS lacrosse helmet is an advanced polycarbonate shell engineered to optimize impact force dispersion for reduced head acceleration. Both the shell material and its structural design work together to divert energy away from direct transfer to the head.

The polycarbonate construction strikes an ideal balance between durability and flex. This allows the shell to flex just enough upon impact to broaden the area of force dissipation rather than focusing energy on one spot. The shell’s thickness is also strategically mapped to reinforce likely impact zones with extra rigidity.

In terms of structural design, the CS shell features an anatomical shape that deflects glancing side impacts outward. The rounded smooth contours leave minimal surface area for blunt force transfer. Airflow channels along the shell sides also act as compression zones to allow the helmet to flex inward upon impact. This flex action helps dissipate linear force.

Additionally, the occipital lock cup at the lower rear of the shell is shaped to glance off errant hits from the back rather than directly absorb them. The subtle curvature of the entire shell aims to redirect rather than directly absorb big collisions, working to protect the head inside.

Through its material resilience and key structural features, the CS shell is engineered for physics-based impact mechanics. Its design safeguards young athletes by diverting energy transference away from the head during problematic hits. This advanced shell lays the foundation for reducing sudden impacts.

Strategically-Placed Padding for Cushioning and Comfort

The Cascade CS lacrosse helmet utilizes targeted, multi-layer foam padding placed strategically around the head for optimized cushioning and comfort. The padding works synergistically with the outer shell to absorb impact forces and reduce acceleration to the head during collisions.

At the core of the CS padding system is the Seven+ liner, which features seven distinct foam pads encircling the head. Each pad uses varying densities and layering techniques specialized for its location. For example, the crown pad utilizes a dual-density vinyl nitrile foam to better disperse top impacts. The front pad uses multi-impact foam to guard the forehead.

Low-density comfort foams placed adjacent to the head provide cushioning and alleviate pressure points. This helps secure the helmet firmly without discomfort. The foam pads are also perforated in strategic areas to enhance breathability and ventilation for comfort.

For a customized fit, Cascade offers heat-moldable padding sets that conform to players’ distinct head anatomy. This improves comfort, stability and gap reduction inside the helmet. The molded padding option takes CS comfort to the next level.

Through extensive lab testing and data analysis, Cascade optimized padding type, density, and placement to best protect youth athletes during repetitive lacrosse impacts. The mix of high-tech foams absorbs force while providing exceptional comfort over long games and practices.

Facemask Optimizes Vision While Protecting the Face

The Cascade CS lacrosse helmet comes equipped with an advanced facemask that provides full facial protection without obstructing vision or mobility. Designed specifically for youth players, the mask aims to guard against errant stick and ball impacts while enabling excellent sightlines on the field.

To optimize vision, the facemask uses slender yet strong stainless steel bar construction with minimalist vertical bars in the sightline zone. Cascade streamlined the geometry to open up downward and peripheral viewing angles critical for lacrosse. The open sides also enhance hearing and allow for verbal communication during play.

For strength, the stainless steel alloy provides durability with high resistance to impacts. Optimized bar thicknesses absorb energy effectively while minimizing mask bulk and weight. The bars feature a flat rear contour to keep the mask gently contoured to the face increasing comfort and stability.

Ventilation ports along the eyeline promote airflow circulation to prevent fogging during intense play. Overall, the balanced combination of strong protection and excellent visibility helps young athletes play to their full potential on the field.

By tailoring the mask profile specifically for youth players, Cascade removes distractions and obstacles that can impede performance. The sleek, low-profile construction safeguards faces without limiting vision, hearing, or ventilation.

Quick Release Buttons Allow for Easy Facemask Removal

For emergency situations on the field, the Cascade CS lacrosse helmet features quick release buttons that allow coaches and medical staff to rapidly remove the facemask. This provides full access to the face in the event prompt care is needed after a collision.

Located on each side clip connector, the quick release tabs detach the mask from the helmet shell with a simple press. The one-handed operation takes just seconds for mask removal without requiring tools. Compared to traditional screw-based attachments, the quick release system greatly minimizes removal time when urgent access is critical.

The quick release buttons also deter inadvertent mask detachment during normal play. Their recessed position protects against accidental pressing and the force required for activation prevents flukes. Young players can compete aggressively without concern over the mask randomly ejecting.

For regular mask detachment needed for helmet cleaning or swapping components, standard hex screws are still used to provide a fully-secured attachment during games. The dual design gives the flexibility for both routine maintenance and emergency access.

By integrating quick release functionality, Cascade enables the CS helmet to be rapidly converted to full face access when traumatic events unfortunately occur. This design consideration provides valuable response capability to protect young athletes.

Designed to Integrate with Lacrosse Goggles for Eye Protection

For enhanced eye protection, the Cascade CS lacrosse helmet is engineered to integrate seamlessly with Cascade lacrosse goggles. The goggles attach securely to the facemask to provide coverage against frontal impacts while the helmet guards the rest of the face.

Designed specifically for youth players, the low-profile goggles feature an adjustable stretch strap that threads through the facemask to keep the goggles firmly in place. The arms interlock securely over the visor-less mask, fully protecting the eye area all the way to the shell brim.

The streamlined polycarbonate lens is shaped to sit close to the face maximizing eye coverage. The material provides excellent impact resistance while the ventilation between goggles and face promotes airflow. Available with clear or tinted lenses, the goggles safeguard eyes without obscuring vision.

For players needing enhanced eye protection, the integrated goggle design allows the CS helmet to be converted into a unified protective system. Rather than wearing goggles under an ill-fitting mask, Cascade’s components integrate together seamlessly.

By engineering the CS shell, mask, and goggle shapes in unison, Cascade provides optimal facial and eye protection in one complete lacrosse-ready package. The synchronized components work together to keep young athletes fully guarded.

Chin Strap Keeps Helmet Firmly in Place During Play

To help secure the Cascade CS lacrosse helmet solidly in position during active play, the helmet utilizes an adjustable chin strap system. This helps stabilize the helmet on the athlete’s head preventing shifting while running and contact.

The chin strap assembly uses a four-point attachment for equilibrium. Two adjustable nylon straps extend from the side shells to connect securely under the chin with a snap clasp. This cups the chin providing stability both front-to-back and side-to-side.

The straps integrate with the occipital lock system at the rear for customized tensioning. Players can dial in the right balance of snug fit with the quick turn of a dial. For convenience, the chin strap features a quick release tab allowing it to detach from the snap clasp.

Maintaining helmet position is crucial for maintaining protection during impacts. A loose helmet shifts upon collision, pressing against the foam liner inconsistently. The CS chin strap keeps the helmet centered on the head so padding compresses symmetrically for optimal energy absorption.

By securing the helmet throughout active play whether running drills or battling for a ground ball, Cascade’s adjustable chin strap system enhances stability. The components work together for customized balance between security and comfort.

Offered at an Affordable Price Point for Parents

Cascade designed the CS lacrosse helmet with value in mind, offering advanced technologies and quality construction at an affordable price accessible for most families. This opens up the Cascade brand protection to athletes who otherwise may not invest in a premium helmet.

Starting at around $80, the CS hits a sweet spot balancing performance with budget friendliness. This positions it favorably amongst competitors in the same youth helmet category. The injection molded shell keeps manufacturing costs down without sacrificing materials or structural integrity.

Despite the value pricing, Cascade refuses to cut corners on safety. The CS still utilizes the same high-performance Seven+ liner system found in top-tier Cascade models costing over $200. Young athletes get the same proven protection technologies for a fraction of the price.

For parents watching every penny, the CS lacrosse helmet brings Cascade’s pinnacle engineering within reach. It provides peace of mind knowing their child is protected by an advanced helmet at an affordable investment level.

With the CS, Cascade proves protection and value can go hand-in-hand. Quality youth lacrosse gear need not break the bank account to help keep kids safe on the field.

Many Elite Youth Lacrosse Programs Use the CS Helmet

From regional travel teams to national powerhouses, countless elite level youth lacrosse clubs trust the Cascade CS helmet to protect their athletes. The helmet is rapidly becoming a staple within competitive youth lacrosse thanks to its unmatched blend of protection, comfort and value.

For example, perennial club champions like the Long Island Express universally outfit their 10U and 12U teams in the CS helmet. Top high school academy feeder programs like the Denver Elite rely on CS helmets for their top prospects. Prominent names choose the CS to give their young talent an athletic edge.

By meeting key safety standards and integrating breakthrough technologies like Seven+ pads, Cascade demonstrates a commitment to continuous innovation. This ethos resonates with competitive programs seeking any solutions to enhance player performance.

Cascade also engages the youth community directly by sponsoring premier recruiting events like the NXT Summer Showcase and FLG Lacrosse tournaments. This visibility reinforces CS helmet adoption at the ground level.

For programs training tomorrow’s stars, the CS provides sleek style and protection without breaking budget. Its prominence within the upper echelon of youth lacrosse reveals the trust in its performance.

Cascade is a Trusted Brand Known for Innovative Lacrosse Gear

With roots tracing back to the sport’s origins, Cascade is a trusted household name within lacrosse equipment and protective gear. The brand’s reputation for pioneering technologies makes the CS helmet a reliable choice.

Founded in 1986, Cascade invented the first lacrosse-specific helmet ushering in a new era of safety in the sport. Through robust innovation pipelines and player feedback, Cascade continuously elevates protection and performance across its equipment lineup.

Cascade also revolutionized lacrosse face protection by introducing the first compression-formed carbon steel facemasks. More recently, the brand launched groundbreaking innovations like the Seven+ liner that reimagines impact absorption. This spirit of innovation trickles down to the youth CS model.

In addition to protective gear, Cascade supplies elite heads, shafts, pads and uniforms through partnerships with MLL professionals and national governing bodies like US Lacrosse. This integrated approach fuels better understanding and development across all lacrosse equipment segments.

With over three decades dedicated to advancing lacrosse, parents can trust Cascade will be around to support the CS helmet throughout their child’s playing career. The brand’s stability and reputation instill confidence in the purchase.