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Reviewer Details: 32 years old / 5’11 / 220lbs Location: Calgary, AB Playing Level: Upper div men's rec league hockey (former minor league rep team player) I picked up a set of Bauer Nexus 6000 shoulder pads to replace a worn out set of Bauer Supreme One.4's. I've been using them exclusively for approximately 6 months now. Fit I like the fit of these shoulder pads. They're way too high-end and protective for adult-rec hockey, but I know that I'm not going to end up with an upper body injury from an unexpected hit or a shot that goes too high. The biggest selling feature for me was the comfort of these pads. I like the "traditional" feel. It feels like you're wearing shoulder pads. Not a corset, not a weird sports bra, not a something that bunches up and gets all scrunched. Shoulder pads, with protection and big ol' shoulder caps. I would like them to be a bit less bulky, but this isn't a knock against the pad whatsoever, rather personal choice. 9/10 Protection Great protection. No issues whatsoever. I like the bigger shoulder caps. I like the density of the foams and plastics. I like the coverage of the biceps, abdomen and the chest. Overall, I feel protected. Ready for battle. Yet, mobility is never an issue. The pads let me move and move WITH me. They stay secure to the body while maintaining their protective qualities. 9/10 Weight Again, the pads are a bit bulky and this is reflected a bit in their weight. The weight is a trade-off for the protection. I can't knock the weight because it doesn't hinder the usage and it doesn't feel like they're "too heavy" or too bulky. 8.5/10 Durability No true durability issues to note as of yet. Absolutely nothing whatsoever. The pads have held up really well. A bit of graphic fading, but that's minor. 10/10 Intangibles Nothing really to note here. The pads have a great feel and they're protective. It makes me feel confident at all levels of hockey. For shinny I usually opt for a padded shirt rather than these pads because they are a bit much, but for league play they're my go-to protective. The sizing is good and in-line with other protective. The straps feel good too. Conclusion A great shoulder pad if you're looking for something with superior protection and are willing to go with something a bit thicker, bigger and more bold. A traditional fit which may be more reminiscent of shoulder pads from previous generations for some of us. Not likely a good match for just playing shinny, but a good investment for league play where you're not quite sure where the other team's shots or shoulders are going. Overall Rating 9.1/10

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php/files/file/177-2014-bauer-goal-catalogue/ We'll work on the review in the coming days.

Skate: Bauer Vapor X90 Size: 9.5D Foot Type: Normal arch. Wider forefoot Ht./Wt.: 6'1" 197 lbs. Play Level: C level adult league. I play both Defense and Forward Previous skates worn: CCM U+07; size 9.5D Purchased: June 2013 I needed a lighter skate that would also give me more protection to my feet when blocking shots during the game. I first looked at the Skate bumpers as another option than spending a pocket full on new skates. After a couple of trips to the ER for X-rays to the ankle, it was in my best option to get a new set of skates. Fitment was a big concern as well as durability in the foot to take a blocked shot or two. I had the Vapors and the Mako's as my two choices. I went ahead with the Vapors at the end of the day, actually the sales associate convinced me to move from the X70's to the X90 for additional strength in boot. Had the boots baked in at the store and sharpened prior to leaving there. There was a tone of difference once I got on the ice. Blade/Holder (10/10) With the TUUK Lightspeed 2 holders has made a great difference from my previous set. No more having to tighten the nuts that hold the runners in. I even bought a second set of runners so I can change out if needed. I have only had to swap out once between periods, however it was quick and painless. My previous skates continued to make a clicking noise after a game which was annoying. With these holders and runners no additional noise during a game or walking back to the locker room. Weight/Protection (10/10) These have been the lightest set of skates I have owned yet so far. It doesn't feel like I have a set of skates on when I'm playing. So far I have taken many blocked shots while playing D and the boot has left me with no pain after a game. I have been extremely impressed on the protection of this skate. Durability (9/10) I have had some wear on the skates, mainly the silver that is on the upper boot and around the Bauer logo has worn off, nothing that hurts the durability of the skate. I have chips in the holder from contact with other players, but is still holding strong. I have not seen and loss of protections, movement from the boot yet. Playing every week through a 2.5 hour game these skates have done well. I did have to put a gel insert into my right boot for added comfort on the ball of my foot. This could have been from baking the skate and not keeping still as it set. Performance (10/10) With the added strength of the boot compared from my CCM's and it being exceptionally lighter I have seen my ability to transition and get up to speed to shorten. After a shift on the ice I don't feel like I have cinderblocks on my feet. The key factor here is the ability to take a blocked shot to the ankle and not feel it after the game. Conclusion (97%) I would have to say that this is a solid skate for any level of hockey. Yes, the price is a bit high on these models compared to my previous brand, but I believe that with a higher cost of the product, the better the durability of the skate. I would purchase this skate again if I had to.

Skate: Bauer Supreme one.8 Size: 8.5D Foot Type: Normal arch. Narrow heel with wider forefoot. Ht./Wt.: 6'0 175 lbs. Play Level: A level adult league. Play both Defense and Forward Previous skates worn: Nike Bauer Supreme one90; size 8.5D Purchased: December 2013 For my 18th birthday, my parents bought me the NBH Supreme one90. Had the skates baked and they fit perfectly from the start. Since this was my first experience using a skate with the hard shell, the top of the skates would dig into my upper ankle area since there wasn't much padding there. Once I got used to the skates though, my ankles did a better job of holding steady. Aside from that, I had no problems with the one90's for about 6 years. Up until recently, started developing lace bite on one foot likely due to the deterioration of the tongue. The tongue on the one90's is very thin, and I'm honestly surprised it hasn't given me problems until now. With the skates being relatively beat up from high school and rec hockey early on while playing non-checking adult league since then, it was time for new skates. Decided to go with a skate that would last long without going over the top in terms of price. I especially appreciate the tongue on this skate. Going back to the traditional style of tongue has allowed for my lace bite to recede. Blade/Holder (10/10) With the TUUK Lightspeed 2 holders and TUUK LS 2.1 steel, I'm glad I took a step down for these. I'm not a huge fan of the fusion steel. I never had to experience this, but I've seen too many times, where friends have had the fusion steel break catching passes in their skates. Also, I had to have my previous holders in the one90's shimmed to prevent the clicking noise that commonly occurred with the holders. Couldn't be happier with my current holders and steel. Weight (10/10) These are to date the lightest skate I've ever worn. A tad lighter that NBH Supreme one90's, but not by much, at least, it's not noticeable when skating. Protection (9/10) I have blocked multiple shots with these on and I've had no problem (granted I play in a adult league with no slap shots). I will say that with the hard shell skates, it still remains that if someone whacks me in the skate with their stick, the force seems to carry through the skate, but not a major issue. Durability (9.5/10) Have a few nicks and scuffs on the boot. Also, have a few chips in the holder. But, since I'm playing on three teams at the moment, the amount of wear and tear seems to be per usual. I'm just hoping the boot stays as stiff as my Supreme one90's did. Performance (10/10) Due to the increase in lateral stiffness of the boot (upgrading from my old skates), I am able to push through turns and accelerate with more control and force than before. I am not the greatest skater, but I like to move quick. So, upgrading to newer skates definitely improves things by a slight margin. These skates have the same feel as any other Bauer Supreme skate I've worn. Overall Assessment (97%) Overall, I'm happy with the purchase I made on these skates. Unfortunately, the local shops in my area were out of stock, so had to order them in my size, but I couldn't be happier. They are working out great. BOTTOM LINE - Solid skate. For the price range, you get a top notch skate without missing out on too many bells and whistles.

Bauer Total One .520 Tapered Shaft -Height - 6'2" -Weight - 215 lbs -Level of play: Beer Leaguer (ice and inline) -Position: "Center Lite" (I play right on front of the net on both ends, with as little puck carrying responsibilities as I can get away with. Sort of like a Center in basketball, but nothing like a traditional center in hockey. So on D, I just try to clear out the area in front of the net the best I can. On O, I suck the D in and free up space on the perimeter for my line mates to cycle the puck around, and occasionally bury a rebound of theirs.) -Blades used- Warrior AXT1 Kopitar & Zetterberg; and Easton Mako II Iginla -Flex- 102 and 87. I used 102 for the first 20 sessions or so, and 87 for the last one. The 102 rips slapshots at insane speeds. However, I rarely seem to ever find myself in position to ever take slapshots (even when I am assigned to play D). In warm ups tho, this thing blasts rockets. I have not taken any slapshots with the 87 flex yet. I switched to 87 just last game because I was feeling like it took too much time and effort to load the 102 for wristshots. I often find myself in position for wristshots, and wanted something I could snap a little easier, still getting decent speed and power on my shots. -Shaft Shape/Grip- Boxy shaft, Tac Spiral Grip, no sticky stuff (none needed). My gloves are pretty grippy as well (Vapor APX), so my hand does not slide as easily up and down the shaft as I would like, but my grip is always strong. Shaft feels nice in my hands. Score: 9.5/10 -Stickhandling/receiving passes- My stickhandling is the weakest part of my game, so I just created a position for myself where I camp the net on D until the puck clears the zone, then beeline it for the goal we are shooting at as the puck carrier leaves our end, often dragging 2 guys with me. So, cannot really comment on the stickhandling for this stick. It feels good when I am just practicing and warming up, but in games, forget it, that is not my thing. This stick does feel nice receiving & sending passes, but I think that is really more the blade than the stick. FWIW, I love stickchecking too with this stick, it wields similarly to how I would imagine a fencer feels about his sword, and I am pretty good at knocking pucks off guys's sticks. Not sure if the stick has anything to do with this, or if any stick would work when I find myself in proper position with the right angle to knock pucks away. I guess balance might come into play here, and if this is the case, them this stick is right. Score: 9.5/10 Shooting- It is my understanding that this shaft was designed to harness the power of TotalOne with the tapered release. It does cover all 3 shots nicely, as I can rip off rockets on all three. I definitely feel a nicer wristshot with the 87 flex than with the 102. The release is not quick though- maybe it is my poor technique, or maybe it is the stick. I am curious to try a Warrior Covert or Easton Mako/V9 to see if I can get off quicker releases on my wristshots. Score: 9.5/10 Weight and balance- I think that this shaft weighs in around 300 grams, so throw a 125 gram blade on it, and I imagine that I am coming in around 425 grams + the tape that I use to shim the blade. Not a Sherwood Wrecker sub 400g stick, but they were not out when this stick released. Balance wise, feels right. Score: 9.5/10 Durability- This is where this stick shines. I fired off tons of slapshots as hard as I can, as it has been a long layoff, and I want my body to balance itself out with the force dynamics of shooting. So, the 102 flex probably has about 100 slapshots on it, plus all the stickchecking, and is showing no signs of abuse whatsoever, with full pop still intact as from the first day I got it. Score: 10/10 Intangibles- Perfect combination of durability and performance. For me, the durability is key, as I am far from an LHS. I am pretty well stocked on these (they are on clearance right now), so I have been intentionally hard on the 102 flex, just to see what these can do. Score: 9.5/10 Conclusion- Great all-around shaft, especially at $67 after coupon code (EMAILME is the coupon code for 5% off, at the only vendor who is still selling these sticks). Hard to find anything wrong with this shaft. I am pretty sure that all struggles that I am having are related to my own skill set liability issues, except the seemingly slow release, which I think is a combo of stick+ me. Even so, when Bauer made this stick, they could have gone for a lower/more taper for a quicker release, but they seemed to want to retain the T1 power, which they certainly have done. Total Score: 57.5/60

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/files/file/155-2013-bauer-hockey-catalogue/ Skates - This year, Vapor gets the update; flagship skate is the Vapor APX2. The major changes boot-wise are the lacing system - instead of plastic layered in between materials and then grommeted with metal eyelets, it is a solid pre-cut piece, made of the same plastic that is used in holders. The premise behind it is that it will maximize energy as well as provide stability to the boot. Also, no need to worry about rusting eyelets; there aren't any. The holes are D-shaped, which help maintain flat laces. The tongue is also new for 2013; it is a 3-piece tongue; thicker felt on top, but thinner on the foot for a better fit. The X 100 skate is essentially the same spec as the Vapor APX from last year, and the X 90 replaces the 7.0. Supreme and Nexus remain unchanged for 2013. The other big advance in this category is the Tuuk Lightspeed EDGE holder. The holder height has been bumped up 3mm in both towers for a greater attack angle; you are able to turn tighter because the ability to get lower on your turns has been increased. But what is arguably its greatest feature is the blade attachment mechanism; it employs a trigger which is recessed in the last hole in the holder bridge. Pull the trigger and the runner is released; when you put the steel back in, it snaps back in and locks the trigger. It's a great system for those who keep sets of replacement steel and rotate them; very convenient. Bauer will be telling this story on all of their skate boxes as well as an education on optimal skate hollows; in a collaboration with Blackstone Sports, they will list optimal FBV and ROH hollows for your body weight and ice conditions. The Lightspeed EDGE will be available on all Vapor skates from APX2 to X 60 (which is the 3rd skate in the line, going up from the entry level X 40) as well as aftermarket, in all runner options (Fusion/LS2/LS3.) Sticks - Nothing new now; sticks change in October 2013. Helmets and Facial - RE-AKT remains unchanged for 2013. The IMS 11.0 is what is replacing the Cascade M11 Pro; the biggest advance in the helmet is that they are backing up the Seven technology (more on that later) with PoronXRD in key areas. It still keeps the same adjustment system as the M11 Pro. Another key feature is that the Poron and the foam liner in the helmet will be perforated for airflow; which was my biggest issue when I was using the M11 Pro. MSRP $159, available June 15, made in Liverpool, NY, along with all of the different colorways. The IMS 9.0 is the same shell as the RE-AKT (other than that it now has a spring-loaded occipital lock system instead of the tab that is on the RE-AKT,) however, the internals are different. It has their Vertex foam, but doesn't have the Suspend-Tech liner that is found on the RE-AKT. It has a thin layer of VN on top of the Vertex, so at first glance, if you were to flip the helmet around and look into it, it'd look like a VN helmet. It is essentially what a pro VN RE-AKT would look like, if it existed. One point that has to be made is that every NHLer you saw wearing a RE-AKT was wearing the off-the-shelf version. So, now, they have an option if they like that fit/VN feel and don't want the Suspend-Tech, and so do you. MSRP $139, available April 15. The IMS 7.0 is the M11 helmet, however, with the redesigned Seven Technology. Seven tested really well for high-impact, however, not as good on the low-impact side, as the majority of hockey hits are exactly that. The solution was to soften the coils so that they compress easier. MSRP $119, available June 15, made in Liverpool, NY, along with all of the different colorways. 9900 will still be offered in the line through 2013. Facial remains unchanged, but one product has (finally) been tweaked, and that is the Concept2. It is now known as the Concept3; enhanced vision and airflow; vents have been made bigger, and now it comes with a double-coat of anti-scratch material in addition to anti-fog. Even comes with a helmet bag. Gloves - The big change for gloves is the Supreme line; inspired by what the Rangers do to their gloves, the main feature of the Supreme TotalONE NXG is the addition of PoronXRD to the pad that sits on your hand in the glove. It will be lined, however. This addition makes it 23% more protective than the previous TotalONE glove. Single-layer nash palm with three PU patches in key areas for wear. MSRP $179. Followed by the ONE.8/6/4. Continuing with the whole family thing, the Supreme 4-Roll is now a Nexus - the Nexus 1000 has dual density EPP in the rolls, equating to 15% more protection than the previous 4-roll. 3-piece thumb, nash palm with a black nash overlay, airmesh gussets. MSRP $169. The Nexus 800 is identical to the 4-Roll, so no worries for those who like that style glove. Vapor line remains for 2013. Protective - Supreme, Vapor and Nexus are now three complete families with three distinct fit profiles; Supreme is an anatomical fit, Vapor a tapered and Nexus is a traditional fit, if you will. The new TotalONE pant system is comprised of two parts; the inner girdle still has the mobility and adjustment aspects of a standard wrap girdle, however, has their Vent Armor in the hip and kidney areas. It is fastened to the shell using a patented system that has strong Velcro tabs; one in the back and two on the sides. Now, the outer shell has stretch/wear zones and padding in the kidney and thigh areas, just like what NHL EQMs (and me) have been doing. NXG comes in at $149, only sold in combos, however, the shell will be sold separately if you need to change colors. The ONE.8 version comes in at $119, and will offer a custom program for team sales. Nexus inherits the Supreme pant line from years past - small tweak by adding EPP in the kidney area. Also, the standard pant shell offering has been modified to fit over pants, not girdles. Vapor line remains for 2013. The latest retail trend is for the NHL-spec 1/2" foam shoulder caps to trickle down to retail, which is a good thing. Bauer is taking a different approach to it; what they did was to add two densities of Vent Armor foam (a layer of plastic is sandwiched between to keep the cap shape); the softer foam will be on the top of the cap, and the denser foam will be on the inside of the cap, all the while maintaining the same thickness of previous Bauer shoulder caps. That's the premise behind the NXG shoulder pad, also, the rear of the shoulder pad (areas where a player would get cross-checked) has been improved, trickling down to the ONE.6 pad. New tooling on the elbow pads - there is a groove along the middle of the pad so that it fits closer to the elbow. On the NXG, the part that touches the elbow is PoronXRD, followed by a mid-density foam, then the shell, and then a softer cap on top of the shell. On the shin, PoronXRD in the kneecap as well. These areas are uncovered; the thought is that most players use baselayers nowadays, and since elbow/shin pads fit closer to the body, it won't shift and adds a more comfortable feel. Release date is April 15 on protective.

So after my old helmet started to show its age, and the inside gel pads started to move with the hot summer and the immense sweat i decided to go with something a little newer and hopefully has a bit more ventilation. It was this or the e700 but the easton did not fit my head. previous helmet was the H8000 in large, Im keeping it as a backup as there are no issues and i upgraded for better ventilation. Length of use - 2-3 months Fit - GREAT!... for my head that is. For helmets you really need to fit your headshape for the helmet. not only for comfort but that is the best way to protect your dome! Absolutely zero pressure points anywhere on the helmet and its great feeling around the temples/sides due to the block of PoronXRD padding there. I thought my old helmet was comfy but this is legit pillows on my head. I also usually wear a L and got a Med on this helmet and i ended up adjusting it down a lot. Well fitting, comfy, no bulk. Only issue was my ears hit against the ear guards and its not comfy there are all, my old helmet had a grey foam there and it was great, this just has hard clear rubber and it bores on my ear. 9/10 Protection - Feels sturdy and looks like it can take a hit, but JR put it best "New technologies, new foam, new concept. Unfortunately, there's no way for me to prove/disprove that it does as advertised." N/A Weight - Light! Surprisingly light bc there seems to be a lot packed in, with a half shield i can hardly tell its on. its still noticeably lighter than the e700 but it wont bother you in game. i have to get a cage for the upcoming season and im putting on the matching re-akt titanium cage so im not worried about that 9.5/10 Durability - Nothing as of yet, helmet came a little scratched but that may have been a from handling and isnt a structural concern. all screws and moving parts still move well. 10/10 Edit: 8/10 see bottom post for more info Intangibles - One of the big things for me is the heat management. it did this fine and bye bye stinging eyes of summer and visor full of droplets! the hot spot on my forehead form my other helmet is gone and i couldnt be happier. the new inhaler was announced after i bought this or i would of held up. one issue for me was how the black looks, its not a true black. 80% of the time you wont notice but I have OCD and i just catch it in the light sometimes and it erks me. more on this in the pics below. 9/10 Conclusion - I pull no bars in protecting my dome, i need it for a long time and there are no ways of getting around it. i feel comfortable and protected in this helmet. it amazes me how much lighter it is and yet i feel more secure. Im hoping the day that it gets really put to the test never comes but if it does i feel prepared. it also is a great looking helmet with good ventilation. real streamlined but has classic looks. 9.5/10 Final score - 47/50 = 94/100! Pics - very deep black like in the stadiums and on tv right? well sometimes it also looks like this, and JR feel free to remove this but i found in this pic you can see from afar the helemt has a muddy look to it. it never seems to have a real deep "dip your hand into it" liquid black look to it. it looks like real dark dirty oil after an oil change, not saying it looks dirty but thats the best thing i can compare it to. back of the helmet with my "H" logo waterslided on. looks good IMHO

I had this stick for about a year before it finally snapped but it did good for a tax return gift to myself Body: Type: 5' 7" 250 lbs Stick: RH P88 Kane 87 flex cut down to the 105 flex mark, about 55-54" Recent Sticks: APX, Widow, DT1 Blade: the blade is stiff and has that great sandpaper texture to it. its not a lot but it does help tape stick better and the puck as well., the texture also holds up nice over time and doesnt smooth out. The feel though is average and unlike both Warriors i couldnt tell where the puck was on the blade, I left a lot of pucks behind because I didnt realize they rolled of the edge of my stick 8/10 Shaft/Flex: The shaft has that great small round contour for it and it really helped me get back into hockey and relearn how to stickhandle a little better. Though i outgrew this and wanted a little more shoulder to fill my palms i did enjoy this and it was a good stepping stone. The flex feels stiffer than rating by a little, really stiff compared to the easy loading warriors. 9/10 Stickhandling/receiving passes: stick handling was great and rolling your hand around the shaft was a breeze when you needed to. receiving passes was a little pingy but not too bad, a little wax helped this 9/10 Shooting: Wristers and snap shots were great, right on target and real hard. For me the more i put into the stick the more i got out of it with these shots. the widows and dt1s were a hair harder but its negatable. Slap shots though for me were an atrocity! Only once during warmups did a get a good one. Maybe i was trying too hard as others suggest but I havnt had a problem doing this with other sticks. To me the intelli-sense tech is there but it didnt work for me 7/10 Weight and balance: Weight is great and balance is too. the stick was a pinch shaft heavy before i cut it but post cut it was spot on. 10/10 Durability: Lasted a full year before it snapped which is good seeing how much i used it, It must be that new epoxy their using. the stick never fully lost its pop, it did drop off though but it never fully died. 8/10 Intangibles: matte finish was nice and so is the blade texture. micro shaft feel will be greta for those with small hands or those that love a tiny shaft. Itelli-sense seems great for some but flops for others. 8/10 Conclusion: A great stick but overall not for me. I would much prefer a tiny bigger shaft and just a straight low kick, non of that intelli-sense nonsense. Right now though im cruising with my DT1s and couldnt be happier, it seems like that stick was tailored for me. as another member said the APX is great at a lot of things, but is a master of none. 59/70 = 8.4/10

Skate: Bauer Vapor X 7.0, Size 9.0, Width D Ht./Wt.: 6'2"/175 lbs Play Level: C/D level adult league. Primarily wing, occasionally D Previous skates worn: Vapor X:40, Size 9.0, Width D (Fall 2010-June 2013), Bauer Supreme 4000 Composite custom sized (late 90's, decade plus break, Fall 2010) Time Frame: June 2013-Present Fit (9.5/10) Let me preface this by saying that I have a very thin and fairly narrow foot. Stock skates are never going to fit me perfectly but a custom job just wasn't feasible at this point in time. Also I have excessively flexible ankles, for those familiar with running shoes I always have to choose the stiffest stability style that prevents over-pronation. ***Update***Switched to waxed laces, they've helped significantly with keeping the boot tight. Depth- No issues, but depth will almost never be an issue with my foot type. Width- The narrower cut of the Vapor line fits my foot as well as any stock cut out there. Toe Cap- No issues. Comfort- Not fully broken in yet but so far there's been no noticeable pain in any areas of my foot. ***Update***I've skated in them enough times to start get them broken in a bit. They feel very stabile yet responsive even with the boot being as stiff as it is. Blade/Holder (10/10) Stock Tuuk Lightspeed 2 with LS2 stainless steel runner Weight (10/10) At my LHS I did a "foot by foot" comparison between these and my old X:40s, these felt considerably lighter. I remembered when I first started looking at the current generations of skates a couple of years ago and picking up the X:60 and marveling how light top end skates had become, given that this is the next generation of the X:60 that still holds true. Protection (10/10) Solid feeling skate, have yet to take a hard shot off of it though. Durability (10/10) Since I've put relatively little use on these skates it's tough to make a fair assessment. However my X:40s held up very well considering I bought them used, I'm going to venture the guess that these will hold just as well. Performance (10/10) Once again referring to my foot type, I'm always going to need a lot of ankle support. My previous pair of skates just weren't getting it done anymore so I decided to move up the model chain. The extra stiffness of the boot makes such a big difference. I was having some issues with my edges slipping a bit in my old skate, particularly the outside edge of my push off skate during crossovers and that has been solved. I was also having an issue with feeling that I was tilted too forward when I was bending my knees particularly on long skating strides up and down the ice. Again, that's been corrected. I can't wait until these get a little more broken in and I get used to them more. Final Words I had long regretted having to move out of my old Supremes given that they were customized and the best fitting skate I had ever worn. For the past few years I had always wondered what a modern top end skate felt like. I know that the APX and APX2 are now considered top of the line skates, I was still intrigued that the X7.0s were a newer version of the X:60s. Not having skated in either of the APXs I can't comment as to how they feel and perform, but I am more than satisfied with the X7.0s. I realize that as of this writing they have been phased out and are no longer in current production, but I'd highly recommend these if you're a Bauer fan and looking to get into one of their top skates.

Bauer APX Pro Size: 14" Time used: Since Sept 2012 Fit: The APX Pro is Bauer's tapered glove in their lineup; while it is more form-fitting than most gloves, it's not a close-to-the-hand fit; there is room in the glove for your hands to move some. I actually prefer this fit foremost. I didn't have any finger tightness or anything of the sort. 10/10 Weight & Mobility: It's a light glove; the internals of the glove is dual-density foam with poly inserts for additional protection, but on the basis alone that it's a tapered glove, there's simply less glove. As stated in the fit, there is still room in the glove for your hands to move. The cuff is a two piece construction with a notch in the middle, and the backhand pad is short and hinged, allowing it to flex freely. I'm pretty particular with my glove in the sense that my optimal preference would have a completely free top hand, however, I'd prefer the bottom hand cuff to be a bit closed. That is personal preference, and is noted. 9/10 Protection: This is where I think the glove has improved from the X:60; the glove does feel more protective in that aspect. It gets the job done compared to similar gloves on the market. However, if you want an absolute bulletproof glove, these aren't it. They are designated Pro for a reason; the regular APX is more robust in that department. 8.5/10 Durability: The outer of the glove is a combination of nylon and cable knit. Since September, no loose stitching and no rips. 10/10 Palm: Since September, no problems with the palm, which is a dual-layered palm. I used Tacki-Macs and Oggie grips with it, which do a better job than tape in that aspect. No loose stitching and no rips. I'd much prefer a single-layer palm, however, and feel it would be understood in the marketplace based on what kind of glove this is. 8.5/10 Ventilation: Not spectacular, but not horrible either. The ThermoMax liner helps keep the hands cool in that regard, however, it is not as if it is a "vented" glove. I never noticed that the glove was too hot or anything of the sort. 9/10 Aesthetics: Graphics are tasteful - my glove is primarily black with yellow ring/pinky finger stripes and yellow binding. The embroidery is a nice touch. 10/10 Overall: Very good glove if you are seeking a light and nimble pair. Thanks goes out to John Davidson, protective product manager at Bauer Hockey for providing me with these. 65/70 - 9.2/10

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/files/file/154-2013-bauer-goal-catalogue/ Law Goalie will be reviewing the catalogue.

Foot spec - Wide forefoot, wide heel, small arch Last skate worn - Bauer Supreme TotalONE NXG Size - 10.5D Length of review - since August 2012 The Bauer Nexus line debuted in 2012, replacing the Flexlite (as a third skate for Bauer) line. The direction of the line was to offer a skate that would be more traditional in terms of technology, as well as an emphasis on comfort. The Nexus 1000 line is a standalone fit; the 800 on down fit more like the Flexlite did. Fit/Break-in - The Nexus 1000 is built on an oversize last; a D will actually be a true-to-last EE. The boot is pretty much straight-walled; the forefoot tends to be similar to a Vapor EE (albeit with a roomier toecap) however, the boot has a deeper fit and a relaxed lacing pattern, which ends to a wider heel. The skate fit me decently in this aspect; just a tad bit wider than what I've been using in the past few years. The instep was a little bit higher as well. Skate feels extremely supple inside; harkens back to how mid-90s Supreme skates used to feel, with the tan Clarino and plush padding. I baked them once; had a little bit of issues with the right skate, which was because I was overtightening them while lacing. Once I figured out the optimal lacing, my problems were minimal. The only glaring issue I had (and when I write these things, I try to put it in a global context; what may not work for me may work for you) was the tongue. It's a 52oz felt with a lace-bite guard. It had been years since I skated with a felt tongue, and quite frankly, I prefer a molded one nowadays. There were times in which I was fighting it; they would twist on me while I skated. I went ahead and flopped them, but since I was lacing them up fully, the break was before the metatarsal guard. I got to use them about 5 times after I did, and while it improved it slightly, it wasn't something I was fully able to solve. Break-in process went extremely well; it has been one, if not the quickest skates for me to break-in. 8.5/10 (deducted 1 point due to tongue) Performance - As I stated earlier; the line was geared towards those who prefer a traditional boot and put an emphasis on comfort over performance. You don't get the added perks that the Supreme and Vapor offer in terms of their quarter packages, however, you're not exactly getting a circa 1994 boot here. Not once did I feel limited by the skate in any way. One of my main concerns going in was the stiffness - I had said that in the Initial Thoughts thread as well as the LTR - but that thought was eviscerated once I hit the ice. It was plenty supportive on the foot, as well as giving me a bit of forgiveness in the ankle area, which is always a good thing. Don't get it twisted - this is a pro-level boot. 8.75/10 Blade/Holder - The skate comes with a LS2 holder and LS Fusion steel. Halfway throughout the review, I picked up a Step BlackSteel project to review, which has no bearing on this review, so I'll use my standard LS2 score from previous reviews. 9/10 Weight- The skate was not designed to be the skate for the gram-counters out there, however, it is surprisingly light; much lighter than skates in its class/spec. 8.5/10 Protection - When I do reviews for helmets, I mention I'm not a crash-test dummy. The same concept applies for my skate protection; if I'm by my defensive zone hash mark and it's not because I'm lining up for a faceoff, something wrong has happened. I don't get in front of shots. However, the Nexus 1000 does have a bit of padding to it; the internals consist of high-density foam with additional reinforcements. The outer quarter package is Tech Mesh, which was used on top-end non-Curv Vapors (X 7.0, X:60, XXXX, XXX, XX) so it should stand up to rigorous play. 9/10 Durability - I haven't had any issues with anything on the skate; the boots are well-made, no stitching issues, no major gouges, and the wear properties of the Clarino liner have always been strong. 10/10 Conclusion - All in all, it was a pleasant experience reviewing these skates. They've visually appealing, they perform well, and they fill a void in Bauer's lineup. You still see those guys out there with their older Supremes, Tacks or Grafs, and simply refuse to adapt to the technology-driven boots of today. With these, they can be with the times however still maintain the comfort level they are used to. While I like to be on the bleeding-edge of technology personally, these skates certainly didn't hold me back, and should meet your needs for a workhorse skate. Overall - 53.75/60 = 89% Shout-Outs - Once again, must thank Keith Duffy, who is the Sr. Skate Product Manager at Bauer Hockey, for supplying me with a pair. As with every manufacturer, I've always had an excellent rapport with Bauer and our discussions and feedback I have provided to them has been warmly received. Please address any questions you may have in my Initial Thoughts thread. Also, if you want to track the progress here is the Long-Term Review on the skate. It will still be updated to reflect any change on the product.

Before I get into my review of the RX:60's, just a quick word about myself... I am 6'1", weigh about 175lbs, play competitive Roller Hockey... not bad for an old guy! :-) I have owned my RX:60's for 2.5 years. They have alot of miles on them, I play as much as 5 hours a week. I play year round in a variety of leagues, some recreational, some highly competitive. I have clipped a few sections from an old post that I made when I first purchased the RX:60, I have taken some of those words and have added my 2+ years of experiences on top of those comments. I give me ratings on the original skate itself and then I have added a "Follow-up" section to comment on the upgrades that I have added to take the skate. -- FIT -- I already knew that the Bauer Vapor line D width is a good fit for me... narrow heel pocket, low volume quarter, medium toe-box, all works for me. I was already skating on a pair of Bauer Vapor X:60LE ice skates size 10.5D and I was coming off a pair of RX:25's size 10.5R for Roller (which were too big). I have read online that there was some sizing differences between these skates. So, before I ordered my RX:60's back in March 2011, I had to use a bit of an educated guess on which size would fit best. Based on information that I could find, the RX:60's fit about a 1/4 size smaller then the X:60 ice skate. So I decided to go for size 10D. I was a bit worried that my toes would be crunched at the toe! Fortunately, they fit just about perfectly for length, toes just feathered the front of the toe-box. Even better when I put on a very thin pair of wicking sport socks! However, to get the RX:60's to fit just right... I had to have them baked, and I had a couple of hot-spots punched out, and after only a few skates, they were absolutely perfect. Getting hot spots punched out is a fantastic technique to really improve the level of comfort on these skates, as they are very stiff. You may never break them in enough just by wearing them, to get "hot spots" out. I highly recommend getting this done if you are experiencing pain in small specific areas of your boot. To provide a good comparison of boot length in the 3 skates mentioned above, here is what I found: - X:60 10D - toes touch, - RX:60 10D - toes feather the front, - RX:20/25 10R - toes have space at the front. Once I got the hot-spots worked out, they were the best feeling Roller Hockey boot I have ever had (and I have had quite a few). It almost felt like they were a part of my foot, they were so incredibly solid. The one thing that I noticed (which is the same for the X:60), is that you really have to crank up the laces to get that real solid feel. Most times, it requires a second tightening after a little warm-up skate. However, after about 4-6 months, they were broke in enough that I didn't have to do that any more. Now 2.5 years later and endless hours of use, the boot is still incredibly solid, completely comfortable, there is absolutely no signs of this boot starting to get soft, this is one tough cookie... truly the best boot on the market. Rating: 9.9 Follow-up: After about a year of ownership, I upgraded the stock Bauer foot-bed which was quite thin and had very little arch support to a yellow Superfeet foot-bed. Considering I always felt they were very comfortable before, I was very surprised how much more comfortable they were with the new foot-bed in place. Well worth the upgrade! -- CHASSIS -- Initially I used the Magnesium Vanguard chassis that came on the skate from Bauer. I thought they felt light and solid. I noted in my "first look" posting, that I thought they were much stronger and the fit and finish was considerably better then any aluminum chassis I had used prior. Where the chassis touch the bearings was an exact fit, and no matter how tight I put the axles on, it did not seem to slow the bearing down... solid! With aluminum chassis, I always had to find that "just tight enough" point where they didn't slow the bearings down. Rating: 9 Follow-up: After about 6 months on the Mag chassis, I switched to a set of Sprung A7's. The Sprung's are a perfect match for someone who wants to get the "ice hockey" feel on your inline skates. Especially for someone who goes back and forth from ice hockey to roller hockey in the same week. There is never and issue of adjusting to the feel of the rocker on ice any more! So I won't go into a ton of detail about the Sprung's, simply that they are a fantastic product and if you play ice, do whatever you can to get a pair, they are just that good! My hopes are their production will start again soon. -- WHEELS -- These came with a set of Labeda Addictions (red), first impressions are that they have excellent grip, I could hardly make them slip on quick starts or the hardest turns. The other thing that I noticed, was the sense that they were much faster then the Milleniums I had on the RX:25's. After about 6 months, I used them in combination with another set of Orange Additctions, I found that the Addictions had very good level of wear, I never chunked them out ever. After about a year of use, they still seemed to be in good condition, but they started to get a bit slippery, requiring replacement. Rating: 9 Follow-up: I eventually went with a set of Revision Variants. I used a number of different combinations between Bronze, Gold, Platinum and even Steels. I tried an endless list setups... everything from all one durometer, to mixing them up softer on the front and back with harder in the middle. I ended up liking the combination of Gold on the front and back with Bronze in the middle. I have been using that setup for the last year now. I am very impressed with the quality of these wheels, after the first skate or two, they never seem to loose their grip. I am still skating on the same set that I used a nearly year ago! -- BEARINGS -- The Mission Swiss bearings, seriously not impressed. Ok, when they were brand new, they felt good. But it didn't take long before they were vibrating and slowing down. Cleaning and relubing them didn't seem to help? Maybe I didn't get a good batch of bearings or something... but I was quite disappointed. Rating: 5 Follow-up: I switched the Mission Swiss for the Bones Swiss that I was using in the RX:25's after about 2-3 weeks. These bearings might just be the best on the planet. Immediately the first moment that I stepped on the floor with the Bones Swiss in place, I could tell they rolled easier and smoother. If I remember correctly, I got them back in 2009, so now nearly 4 years later, they are spinning just like they did on day one. I keep them clean and well lubricated... they are very fast and liquid smooth... incredible! -- WEIGHT / PROTECTION -- As I mentioned before, the weight seemed lighter then any other skate that I have ever used before. If you remove the wheels from the chassis, you can truly get a sense for how feather light this package really is. What is so incredible is how solid the boot and chassis is with such little mass. The main bulk of the weight is primarily in the wheels and bearings... which every skate has to carry! Regarding protection, I have taken a great number of hard shots off the toe as well as the side of the quarter panel, and never once, have I had to break stride or go sit down in pain! These things are simply incredible the level protection that they provide. Rating: 10 -- DURABILITY -- After 2.5 years of use, these skates still even appear to have that "new look", there is not one place on the skate that you can detect any severe wear or any signs of breakdown. The only place that seems to have any level of wear is the side bumpers up near the toe-box, which is designed for Roller skates to take scuff's away from the boot itself... it has done it's job admirably! One other small nit, is that the decorative felt on the top edge of the tongue is wore away from rubbing on my shin pad, as I wear my shins on the outside of the tongue, but note that the structure of the tongue is still 100%. The lace bite area is still in perfect condition. Rating: 10 -- INTANGIBLES -- A few comments about things that I have noticed regarding the sense of confidence that these skates give. I aways feel 100% confident that I can take very hard corners and these skates will hang on. That goes the same for braking maneuvers, prior to skating on the RX:60's, I always had one side that I felt more confident hitting the brakes on then the other. Over the time that I have owned these skates I have noticed that I am confident in making braking maneuvers on both sides equally well. I'm not sure how to gauge that sense of confidence, but I have noticed it repeatedly over the last year that I have been using them. I attribute this to a combination of things: the great fit, incredible solid feel of the boot and high level of grip that the wheels provide and the stability that Sprung chassis provides. Note, that I did not have the quite the same sense of confidence prior to my upgrading to Sprungs and the Revision Variant wheels. Considering these facts, I won't give a rating for this section. -- CONCLUSIONS -- Over-all, first impressions are "WOW, what a fantastic skate", fit and performance are at a level that I have never felt before in a Roller Hockey skate. After 2.5 years... my impressions have not changed... they might just be the best skate on the planet. The test of time has put its stamp on this classic model. Rating: 9.5 Here are a few pictures. RX:60 w Sprungs RX:60 w X:60's

Reviewer Details: 28 years old / 5’11 / 205lbs Location: Calgary, AB Playing Level: Men's div A/B and rec league hockey (former minor league rep team player) After a lengthy search for "the best skate socks", I picked up a pair of Bauer Vapor performance skate socks on the advice of a couple MSH members. I've been using them exclusively for approximately 5 months now. Fit: The sizing on the package is true for my application. I'm a 9.5-10 shoe size, and I fit really well into a size large pair which is advertised for an 8-13 shoe size. The sock definitely fits tight all over the foot and doesn't seem to bag out, bunch up or relax over time. My calves are fairly muscular and I definitely struggle a bit to get the socks all the way up on my leg, especially right at the top hem of the sock, but they definitely aren't falling down when they're in place. While the socks are tight, they aren't restrictive or painful. Someone with larger legs might not be able to get them all the way up their calves comfortably. If you have a larger or wider foot (approaching the 12-13 size), the socks might be fairly tight for you. 9/10 Protection: This is definitely a thicker sock, but not in the same way as a wool sock or a regular old gym sock. I'd say they're slightly thicker than Coolees socks. This adds to the protective qualities of the sock. I feel that my foot is protected from any seams, rubbing, etc within my skate. The sock also has a double layer of fabric in the area most commonly affected by lace bite, and are double-walled in the ankle area. 10/10 Weight: I think the weight and protection of the sock go somewhat hand in hand. I will add that the socks are still fairly light weight, and don't seem to gain a lot more weight when wet. They feel like a well-built product in your hands. They aren't flimsy like a pair of sweat socks. The weight might also contribute to their warmth. I find these socks a bit warmer than most other pairs that I've tried, but I tend to prefer that over frozen toes. 10/10 Durability: I've been using these socks for approximately 5 months, an average of 3 times per week. I try to wash them after every use, and when that isn't possible I wash them at least once a week. I dry them in the dryer and this has not caused them to shrink or wear. I've noticed nothing in terms of durability issues. There's a bit of pilling around the ankle and heel, but it is extremely minor. No loose threads, no tears, no broken elastics. The socks remain as tight and functional as the day I first bought them. 10/10 Intangibles: I think I paid in the neighborhood of $17-20 CDN for a pair of these socks. At the time I thought it was a bit much, but they've been worth every dollar and more. I was buying a ton of other socks, trying to find something that worked and felt best for me. Since wearing these socks for the first time, I've had no inclination to so much as try anything else. There's no grips on the socks and they don't move around when I slide my foot into my skates. The sock stays where you want to wear it and doesn't twist or move. This is the most comfortable pair of socks that I've ever worn inside skates. Conclusion: These socks rock, plain and simple. I might just be the fussiest guy when it comes to skate socks, and I have a big box of all the socks that didn't make the cut to prove it. The Bauer Vapor performance skate sock is the best out of anything I've tried, and I'll continue to wear them exclusively. I want to thank the Overall Rating: 9.75/10

Foot spec - Wide forefoot, wide heel, small arch Last skate worn - Bauer Supreme TotalONE Size - 10.5D I have tested Supreme skates for Bauer since 2004 - from 8090 to ONE90 to ONE95 to TotalONE to T1 NXG Length of review - since March 2012 Now to the details - Fit - The TotalONE NXG's pattern is identical to the TotalONE. We will address the changes between the two skates, but certainly won't be in this section. The skates felt very good out of the box; I had started out with the Stiff inserts and did not experience any of the initial problems that I did when I had TotalONE. I swapped the stock insoles out for my custom Superfeet that were in my previous skates. What is different this time around is that I a) did not have to do a rebake, which I normally did with every skate I've had, and b) I never had that "take these things off of my feet" feeling that I normally get with skates. Absolutely zero heel slip, which was something I marked the TotalONE down for in the last review. 9.75/10 Performance - When I reviewed TotalONE, I stressed how important it is to figuring out your optimal stiffness for the inserts. However, this time, I already knew what worked so once I got my XS inserts there wasn't a learning curve. HOWEVER - the biggest difference between that skate and this one is the tendon guard. The area around the tendon guard has been notched, and the tendon guard itself has been re-engineered. The difference is 5°, however, that equates to 15% more range of motion...and yes, it is noticeable. I had that "oh, damn" moment on my fifth time on the skates - started to realize how much more I was getting out of my stride; enough to go back to the TotalONE to see if it was there all along; it wasn't. Starts were very good, as well as cornering. At that point, it was fun to push the limits. 10/10 Blade/Holder - The skate comes with a LS2 holder and LS Fusion steel. Initially, I went ahead and put my old Fusion on there, but decided to take them off once I skated; they felt too low. Instead of putting the new Fusion steel back on, I had found a set of regular LS2 steel in my garage that was never sharpened, however cross-ground. I went ahead and just put that on instead; no knock against Fusion; cross-ground steel is exposed to the elements so just wanted to sharpen them before they rusted. The LS2 is a good holder; not my favorite, but it works. 9/10 Weight- On par with TotalONE, which I called "best in class" in my review two years ago. It still applies. 10/10 Protection - When I do reviews for helmets, I mention I'm not a crash-test dummy. The same concept applies for my skate protection; if I'm by my defensive zone hash mark and it's not because I'm lining up for a faceoff, something wrong has happened. I don't get in front of shots. The skates do feel solid though, they have since ONE95 and the introduction of ALIVE/Curv. One thing to note though, the 3Flex Inserts now have extended material - think Always maxi-pads with "wings." What is good about that is that it does offer more protection across the top of the foot against skate cuts and the like. 9.5/10 (.5 more from TotalONE due to the new inserts) Durability - My pair seems to be well-made. Stitching is spot-on, mount is spot-on, nothing alarming. The liner has not shown any issues of wear around the top eyelets (which was an issue due to the tongue construction of the TotalONE. The NXG tongue was changed with that in mind.) 10/10 Conclusion - I really enjoyed the previous iteration of this skate; they really worked well for me. The thought that the skate could be improved wasn't one that I really had - I expected a possible graphics package change but didn't expect that much more of an improvement when the NXG came around. Simply not true - I believe that the tweaks made do make it a better skate. Overall - 58.25/60 = 9.7/10 Shout-Outs - Once again, must thank Keith Duffy, who is the Sr. Skate Product Manager at Bauer Hockey, for supplying me with a pair. As with every manufacturer, I've always had an excellent rapport with Bauer and our discussions and feedback I have provided to them has been warmly received. Please address any questions you may have in my Initial Thoughts thread. Also, if you want to track the progress (the past month hadn't been reported, lots of work on MSH) here is the Long-Term Review on the skate. It will still be updated to reflect any change on the product.