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Why would most pros care (or even know) what kind of steel they're using? They have EQMs to care for them. Things like durability and edge retention matter to guys like us that want to have sharp skates without having to pay for sharpenings or steel more often. They matter to an EQM who has to sharpen and maintain dozens of pairs of skates/runners in a short period of time. As long as the skates are sharp and cut to give the characteristics the player likes, pros don't give one second's thought to what brand of steel is on the skate. Bauer isn't going to alienate any pros by doing this. They may piss off a few EQMs who have to cut skates more often, but that's not likely to affect thier usage amongst players in the league.

I said that in my initial post. Old school guys perhaps remember the Oakley/Jofa Image lawsuit...it worked out for both parties in the end. It is still comical to read the posts on here and other outlets about this. It's not that serious. Remember a week ago when there was an article in The Athletic and people were shocked that most pro players didn't know anything about profiles? Now do you think they're in tune with their steel options? Once again, the EQM is the key to all of this. If an EQM is using STEP, it's because he likes their product, not because a NHL player demanded it. There isn't going to be a mass boycott of Bauer products in NHL rooms due to this. Nailed it. Bauer knew what they were doing when they patented the top geometry of the holder. You may not like it, but it is certainly within their right to do so.

It isn’t. If the interface that locks the blade in is patented, Bauer has the right to control that. If a car part attaches via a standard interface, it is not controlled by the OEM. A business can use its IP however it wants, that’s the point. It can keep it for itself, license it, sell it, etc. Without IP you lessen the incentive for innovation in many cases.

They’re already in figure. They already tried a holder. But once again - most people don’t swap holders.

Yes, but it's in reverse to the player lines. Supreme goalie skates fit like Vapor player skates - less volume, less foot wrap, less width, tapered boot. Vapor goalie skates (because they're built off the Reactor line, not the Vapor player line) fit like Supreme player skates - wider, more volume, more foot wrap, more room in the ankle, more anatomical boot. The stiffness of the boot is a product of the quarter package composition, both lines will have the same stiffness when using the same quarter material. Unlike player skates, the pitch is the same on both models. One key difference is that the Supreme goalie skate has an asymmetrical ankle, where the outside of the ankle is lower than the inside. Vapor goalie skates have a symmetrical ankle, both sides are the same height. Other than that, the features are the same across the product levels.

Have walked this path...we are in betweeners...no way around it. If I don't wear suspenders with the QRLs...I have to keep pulling them up. CCM med...waaaaay too small...large...fits. I like the Warriors so much better that I just suck it up and use suspenders. It's worthwhile for me as the padding in the hip is significantly better...I have two new hips...I'll wear suspenders...small price. Cannot speak to the CCM with X-Padding designation.

No I'm not in QRL pants, I'm in QLT pants (CCM Quick Lite). I'm same height as you but I weigh 195lb with a 34 pant size. Unless you got even thicker a$$ and legs than me, you probably are a size 36 or 38 pant, so this makes sense as to why HP45 medium are crazy tight for you. I'm surprised though the large CCM are as loose as they sound though. I expect the medium HP45's to me snug fitting but not choking my waist and legs. I have to literally pull the strap on my large CCM retail pants as tight as it can possibly go, so I'm not too worried about mediums being crazy small. Sounds like suspenders plus the medium Warrior would be the best fit though for you. Sounds like I might even need to get smalls if I go with Warrior Franchise pro stock.

What is your height, weight, current pant waist size?

I ordered the HP45X in medium and they should be here relatively soon. I'll give my thoughts on sizing after I get it. For the heck of it, I may buy some Warrior Franchise pro stock and also HP70. I spoke with a customer sales rep from PSH and he said based on my info on the QLT Large pants I have being very loose in the waist, that a medium HP45x would be fine. As far as your situation if the medium are way too tight then you pretty much have to go with Larges and use suspenders. You could also try HP70 as PSH told me the waist is a little more traditional fitting in the same size as HP45. For info, I am a 34 pant size in most clothing.

I don't slide, per se, I just don't like my feet to be able to squiggle around at all.

This is true. STEP will continue to manufacture for a limited time to deplete our stocks but once we are out we are out. I can't say to much more at the moment. we value every customer of STEP Blades no matter what brand skate you use, you are the reason why we strive to create the best possible hockey blades on the market. You will only see better from us going forward! Thanks,