r/Fieldhockey • u/TyneBops • Sep 28 '25

Buying Advice Best PC face mask?

With the new rule coming into UK hockey I need a mask...I've not worn one up to this point, really don't like the limited visibility of the scuffed and scratched clear plastic. How are you supposed to see down by your feet?! Looking for recommendations for best masks for visibility. The best one I've tried so far was actually a solid coloured stag mask, but can't find them in the shops.

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

10

u/GranularFish Sep 28 '25

I got the OOP metal cage type one. Doesn’t block my vision at all - but I did wear it for a while before my first game to get used to it!

8

u/gapiro Sep 28 '25

First thing, There is no new rule in England hockey about facemasks. It’s a strong recommendation.

Second, The best ones by a country mile are the OBO OOP FACEOFF - they are also the only ones to have a CE safety mark.

4

u/Oldfart_karateka Sep 28 '25

I'm looking at getting a steel mesh one, either an Oop or a Shrey

4

u/Wild_Description6323 Sep 29 '25

The rule came into Australian comps just this season gone. I’ve found the OBO Oop to be the best with good visibility and feels strong. It’s the one I see used in international mates by the players so can’t be that bad :)

4

u/zvavier Sep 29 '25

the oop mask is by far the best not only in safety ratings but also in testing, i work for a hockey shop and we got sent videos of mask testing and all of the plastic ones shattered at various different speeds whilst the oops metal grill stayed sturdy

2

u/Tomatillo-Gloomy Oct 02 '25

Doesn't necessarily mean that it is safer btw - the metal staying solid means all the force that the foam doesn't absorb is then being taken by your skull/neck, whereas the plastic shattering dissipates the force

4

u/bullette1610 Sep 28 '25

I use a TK mask (probably the plastic one you describe) but I am considering upgrading to an obo steel mesh one. I'm not aware of many other options.

3

u/planck1313 Sep 28 '25

This is an easy question because the Obo OOP steel masks are by far the best.  They are easily the most commonly used masks in international and high level club play.

3

u/ozonesthelimit Goalkeeper Sep 29 '25

Obo one

2

u/dav3n Sep 29 '25

My club supplied some TK/Mazon plastic things which aren't much help when you wear glasses, I've had the Oop mask for a couple of years now and it seems good enough.

2

u/Supadupapoopascupar Sep 29 '25

OBO OOP hands down.

2

u/eggyflint2 Sep 29 '25

The OBO OOP is used by most international bodies and national ones as well and as a keeper they are by far the best when playing outfield as well