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I skated today for the first time in almost 2 1/2 years, thanks to a broken foot and assorted health issues. It was pretty ugly but I was out there.

Good news for Mako fans, more of that tech is creeping into the Vapor

The multi-piece sole for the skates was interesting, or strange, depending on what you think. I kind of assumed you wanted a stiff sole to your skate boot, but Bauer has developed a sole where the middle and back have some flex. I'm a little bit skeptical of the reliability of the carbon fiber/stainless steel runners, what if the carbon fiber and steel separate? I'm sure it can handle the weight of my body skating on it, but what it you slam your skates into the boards or goal posts, or step on a stick (all of which has happened to me by accident)? Is it going to crack, come loose or break off? This guy's video covers it.

Ribcor Team is for the guy who is a play maker, making passes, forechecking, backchecking, screens the goalie and tries to tip in the puck and plays defense. Ribcor Maxx is for the player who hogs the puck when he gets it, never passes it to anyone and hot dogs around the neutral zone for what seems like a minute even when 2 other guys are open for a pass, doesn't play defense for the most part, and wants the ref to call slashing on light taps. Just kidding. I don't know the difference.

Usually Vendor Exclusive (SMU) sticks are based on the stick at the same price point but with added features from the stick from the next price point. Here the Maxx SE is priced the same as a Team Stick at Sportchek ($179.99), so I can only assume it has a feature or two borrowed from the Trigger 5. Really the only two differences between the Team Stick and the Trigger 5 are blade construction (Ascent 2 vs. Agilty) and the Trigger 5 uses X-Flow tech to bring down the weight by an additonal 30 grams. So your probably getting one of these two (be sort of pointless to give the customer both, wouldn't make much sense to even sell Trigger 5s if you had the same stick at a lower price sans paint job.). If your actually going to the store to purchase, pick up a 415-420 gram stick and compare. If the weights are different, your probably just getting the different blade construction.

Yup, definitely less wrap and it's stiffer than a regular facing so it restricts forward flex as well. It also improves lateral stiffness and it locks the laces in really nicely. I wish you could just put those plastic teeth inside a regular eyelet to grip and hooks the lace, that would be the best of both worlds

The skates could look like a pair of turds (1), as long as they perform that’s what counts. I would want feedback from others before buying into them, although realistically it won’t be many years before my current skates wear out anyway. (1) I hope I don’t give Bauer ideas. It’s not meant literally. But the way the designs are going, you never know. Turdlite. It’s kinda catchy.

I’ve heard it can feel less wrapped or less connected.

Hyperlight’s jewel next to the eyelets is an alarming rip off of True’s Chrome Tornado. In general, they look like Yeezys.

I went back then the family morning schedule changed and I had to stop. So now I get to get out again after another layoff. Not a bad situation though: -Shanked pass "Sorry, I've haven't been on the ice in months..." -Get burnt on D "Sorry, I've haven't been on the ice in months..." -Catch an edge and look like a newb "Sorry, I've haven't been on the ice in months..." -Sail a shot 15 feet wide "Sorry, I've haven't been on the ice in months..." Eventually that well will run dry and I won't have any excuses, but while it lasts....

The only diff between the total custom and 3d custom is the additional customization you can get done including diff skate size. The actual moulding process around the custom foot last is exactly the same. Just like Bauer, CCM isn't "built" around your foot last. It's essentially baking on steroids. The boot formed around a last made from your scan.

Time to move on to something else. The PM9 is a dinosaur. 😉