Hockey Gear Whoring Thread and Reviews

[m3thods]

^^ Aiya why you have to say that???


One thing to note about CCM skates- if they have U Foam (think CL, and a few skates below) then they will fit horrendous out of the box. If you read reviews though, the foam reacts to heat molding unlike most other foams. Apparently it really wraps around the foot enhancing fit. IIRC, when they were released they were returnable even if you baked it. They believed in it that much. Now, I guess they won't do that at all so you'll have to take a chance on it. Check out the reviews. If they remotely fit, I'd give those a shot.

[Nvasion]

the CL were way too tight, i might go back and try on some eastons. never tried them on before.

[cdizzle_996]

If you want comfort try on a Graf..

I've tried 5 pairs of skates over the past few years Totalone NXG, RBZ, most recently 20k..and I still go back to my trusty G7's

[Nvasion]

where do they have grafs locally?

[cdizzle_996]

Originally Posted by Nvasion

where do they have grafs locally?

I'm from Abbotsford so I only know the places out here. The Hockeyshop used to, but I just looked at their site and it doesn't show anything.

Looks like cyclone Taylor's carries them and matches online pricing

Skates | Cyclone Taylor Sports | Over 50 Years of Hockey Excellence

[Spidey]

you guys should check these out.. so far the reviews have been great.. I am tempted to get these as my next pair, but they look horrendous imo

VH Speed Skating - VH hockey

[SumAznGuy]

Originally Posted by cdizzle_996

If you want comfort try on a Graf..

I've tried 5 pairs of skates over the past few years Totalone NXG, RBZ, most recently 20k..and I still go back to my trusty G7's

Keep in mind, everyone's feet is going to be different so every brand of skate will fit differently. Even each person's left and right foot will differ from each other.
I have a flat wide foot with no arch, so I cannot wear any boot with an arch. So no Easton or Bauer will ever fit me.

If you really want a comfortable skate that fits well, then you have to go custom.

[skiiipi]

Originally Posted by Nvasion

where do they have grafs locally?

Some sport chek stores now carries Graf so you can use your team assist coupons on them there
Posted via RS Mobile

[Nvasion]

Originally Posted by skiiipi

Some sport chek stores now carries Graf so you can use your team assist coupons on them there
Posted via RS Mobile

any idea which one? last few days ive been to a few sport chek(marine drive, broadway, and Richmond center) and could find any

[m3thods]

Originally Posted by Spidey

you guys should check these out.. so far the reviews have been great.. I am tempted to get these as my next pair, but they look horrendous imo

VH Speed Skating - VH hockey

$$, but yes you're right. Anything that custom better be good. A number of NHLers are in them and seem to be doing great.

[mickz]

Originally Posted by Nvasion

the CL were way too tight, i might go back and try on some eastons. never tried them on before.

Which areas of the skates are tight? Modern day boots are less forgiving and may need some additional baking or work done by your local shop.

If you do decide to go with new skates and the Easton route, the EQ series is wider and will have more volume but as with any skate I wouldn't make my purchase without trying them on. They're discontinued so finding them locally may be a challenge.

As for current models, the Makos fit me pretty well after baking aside from a bit of rubbing on my small toe in the toe box (I couldn't even squeeze my foot in straight out of the box). The shop I was at didn't have EE so I'm not sure if that would've been too wide.

I find the CL skates narrow for my feet as well. I ended up staying in Supremes and buying the NXG. The skates are built on an oversized last so the D width is actually an E. I don't like brand jumping too much once I'm dialed into a certain skate line.

Supremes have worked out for me but everyone's foot is going to be different. Go try on every skate in your price range before making your decision.

Originally Posted by cdizzle_996

If you want comfort try on a Graf..

I've tried 5 pairs of skates over the past few years Totalone NXG, RBZ, most recently 20k..and I still go back to my trusty G7's

The most comfortable boot will fit your foot the best. The G7 has a pretty unique shape to it. The other skates you owned all fit a bit different.

I've tried on several Grafs and none of them feel as natural as a Bauer Supreme to me. It depends on the shape of your foot and it will vary from person to person. I know some people prefer Graf because they're not as stiff as some of the competitors' boots.

[Nvasion]

pretty much at the very front the CL are too tight for me. i went to a few sportchek and couldnt find any EQ(which i wanted to try on)

guess ill stick with my 2011 rbk 8k since they fit me the best out of all the other brands ive tried.

[m3thods]

So I finally made my way to THS to check out some goalie gear. They unfortunately didn't have goalie pad knee blocks (the thick harder one), so it's ebay/PAW for me.

I also was able to check out the new Warrior Ritual G2 gear. GOOD LORD. They are impossibly light. I thought the new Brians stuff was light, but these are noticeably lighter than even those! The new glove closes so easily.

That said, the construction looks a tad worse than comparable Brian's gear. With that said, everything looks absolutely top notch. And removable palms!

Now I just have to wait until the G3s are announced so I can overhaul my entire set in two years :P

[Spidey]

Originally Posted by m3thods

$$, but yes you're right. Anything that custom better be good. A number of NHLers are in them and seem to be doing great.

it's not that much more than any top of the line skate out there.

[m3thods]

You're correct. But I'd also classify top of the line skates as "$$". When the TO's, APX, and Makos came out, up went the MSRP to almost 900 bucks. Want custom? Add 50-100 more.

So yes relatively speaking VH isn't that much more. But for most people not playing for keeps or able to spend large amounts of cash on gear, top end skates are expensive.

[Truenosan]

Originally Posted by m3thods

So I finally made my way to THS to check out some goalie gear. They unfortunately didn't have goalie pad knee blocks (the thick harder one), so it's ebay/PAW for me.

I also was able to check out the new Warrior Ritual G2 gear. GOOD LORD. They are impossibly light. I thought the new Brians stuff was light, but these are noticeably lighter than even those! The new glove closes so easily.

That said, the construction looks a tad worse than comparable Brian's gear. With that said, everything looks absolutely top notch. And removable palms!

Now I just have to wait until the G3s are announced so I can overhaul my entire set in two years :P

Which knee blocks are you looking for? I have a few sets kicking around,

[m3thods]

It's just something to try. I have older V2s with 4 knee lifts in each knee (about 3/4inch each, soft foam). My grand plan was to put blocks in, then put 1-2 of the existing knee lifts to put me higher in my butterfly. I'm not very flexible, so I need all the help I can get.

What I wanted to try were more modern knee blocks (the harder, bigger block of foam) as my fat ass and knee pads sink into the knee lifts a bit easily. Also, as they're 4 separate ones they seem to fan out sometimes when I'm scrambling, putting stress on my very unflexible hips as I get closer to the ice.

They would have to attach via the 4 holes (and not have to be stitched). I'd be interested in buying a pair off of you if the price (and product) is right. Feel free to PM me what you have.

[BallPeenHammer2]

Originally Posted by m3thods

It's just something to try. I have older V2s with 4 knee lifts in each knee (about 3/4inch each, soft foam). My grand plan was to put blocks in, then put 1-2 of the existing knee lifts to put me higher in my butterfly. I'm not very flexible, so I need all the help I can get.

What I wanted to try were more modern knee blocks (the harder, bigger block of foam) as my fat ass and knee pads sink into the knee lifts a bit easily. Also, as they're 4 separate ones they seem to fan out sometimes when I'm scrambling, putting stress on my very unflexible hips as I get closer to the ice.

They would have to attach via the 4 holes (and not have to be stitched). I'd be interested in buying a pair off of you if the price (and product) is right. Feel free to PM me what you have.

As a fellow goalie who's also not very flexible, I would steer clear of harder knee blocks for it really hurts you in the long run. Shock absorption on those are not great.

If u must have them, then use softer ones on top to soften the blow of landing.

THS has blocks for Vaughns and RBK's at the side of the shelf where all the straps and sweat bands are. Try those.

ALSO, before going to PAW, talk to Cecil at the THS repair dept. and see what it takes for him to fabricate something for you. He does a fantastic job. Price is extremely reasonable too. I perform all my repairs and fabrications there.

Another option would be to check out KneeStax:
https://sites.google.com/site/kneestax/

They're on Vancouver Island.

As an end note: I would try to velcro the new blocks in instead of lacing them. I tore them out on my old Bauer RX8's, and had Cecil sew some velcro in where the pads used to lace in. WAAAAY better afterwards. Moved around less, and easier to change on the fly.

PAW simply takes way too long for us Vancouverites and it's hard to return the items if they don't work out.

[m3thods]

I only saw the Nash lifts at THS, which are essentially the same as what I currently have. Asked if they carried blocks and they said not anymore.

I wear G-Form knee pads under my Reebok knee pads, and planned on putting 1-2 of the already-present knee lifts on top of the desired knee block. Shock absorption wouldn't be an issue for me with that. The plan for blocks was to keep me higher in my butterfly and reduce the "flaring" of my separate lifts which brings me closer to the ice, straining my hips. Since we're not in the show, I don't care if my knee area isn't NHL spec hahaha. At this point is just being as comfortable as possible letting pucks go by me :P

But thanks for your suggestions. I'll chat with Cecil next time I'm in the store.

[BallPeenHammer2]

i also noticed they sell square pieces of foam to line helmets. If you want, you can buy a couple packs and ask cecil to make a tight nylon shell sleeve for them and put them in your pads. Let me know if you need any other mods/tips. I'm more than happy to help on here or in person.

[BallPeenHammer2]

Originally Posted by m3thods

I only saw the Nash lifts at THS, which are essentially the same as what I currently have. Asked if they carried blocks and they said not anymore.

I wear G-Form knee pads under my Reebok knee pads, and planned on putting 1-2 of the already-present knee lifts on top of the desired knee block. Shock absorption wouldn't be an issue for me with that. The plan for blocks was to keep me higher in my butterfly and reduce the "flaring" of my separate lifts which brings me closer to the ice, straining my hips. Since we're not in the show, I don't care if my knee area isn't NHL spec hahaha. At this point is just being as comfortable as possible letting pucks go by me :P

But thanks for your suggestions. I'll chat with Cecil next time I'm in the store.

They DO carry Vaughn and RBK knee landing main blocks. It's there dude trust me. I just got some a few weeks ago!

[m3thods]

The kneestax idea might work. And I'd support a local company in the process.

I'll check them out after I take a look at my pads. I'm thinking a large no wrap and 2 of my stock lifts would be perfect!

Originally Posted by BallPeenHammer2

They DO carry Vaughn and RBK knee landing main blocks. It's there dude trust me. I just got some a few weeks ago!

I was there this past Friday to get new steel into my player skates. Spent 20 mins downstairs looking at all the aisles. Even asked the 2 guys working. They said no blocks. I even looked with them as well.

Are they special order or something? Because they weren't on the retail shelves when I was last there.

[BallPeenHammer2]

weird. They had a bunch there before.....maybe they weren't selling so they yanked them?

As for the lifts, I would probably try to stay away from them. If you go for kneestax, you can specify to them the overall thickness you want. You can also look into ordering blocks from Brian's and Warrior. Both companies use very thick and large 1 piece knee blocks.

I don't like seperate lifts because I don't like that excess give and movement in my knee area when I slide.

[m3thods]

^Yeah that's part of the reason why I want to reduce the number. For me when I slide they flare out sometimes, bringing me closer to the ice and bringing extra strain to my hips. Once I modded the pads I was going to tape/velcro everything together so they stay as one unit.

[BallPeenHammer2]

^Best way is to still have 1 major piece. Maybe 2.

Send me a pic, let me take a look? Also if you can include a pic of how the blocks are attached to the pad.