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Ive tried everything. One of the benefits of owning a hockey shop 😉 TLDR: I prefer the FT4 Pro over the Hyperlite. However, I think the 100K is better than them both. I actually like the FT4 more than the FT4 Pro though as the slightly lower stiffness allows the boot to flex a little more. The FT4 Pro and Hyperlite are very different. FT4 Pro is very stiff, considerably stiffer than the Hyperlite all over. More forward flex in the Hyperlite than the FT4 Pro. FT4 Pro is significantly more responsive. Weight is about the same with standard steel. With the Carbonlite option, the Hyperlite is significantly lighter. I did not like the Carbonlite though. FT4 Pro foams seem better than the Hyperlite, I feel they actually mold better to your feet. Hyperlite didn't lock me in as well as the FT4 Pro. I like the liner better on the FT4 Pro, I would feel my heel slip slightly on hard pushes in the Hyperlite. I assume the monoframe boot also contributes to better fit. I didn't notice the fancy new outsole on the Hyperlite. Maybe because I used Flare instead of typical steel but the implied design of the new Hyperlite outsole was supposed to allow for more flexion and thus more grip. I felt nothing different or new. I didn't like the Hyperlite tongue. The tongue insert was painful for me. No lacebite, just overall was not comfortable and when in a deep knee bend I felt like it was digging into my forefoot. I also prefer the interchangeable tongue of the FT4 Pro.

I had this problem on my left pinky toe when I got a pair of Ribcor 100k's a couple of months ago. I thought the same size as my AS3 Pros would do it. Well...the toe box is about 2-3mm narrower in this model skate (my left foot is an 8...right is 7...7.5 is perfect for both feet historically). Took a heat gun and slowly got to where I could take a puck and hammer into the cap. Left it overnight...next day taped some Grolsh washers on the puck to increase diameter and did it again. They are perfect now. Honestly, if they don't last five years, I don't care. The modern skates are awesome in so many ways, but durability ain't even in the engineering conversation. The 77 Super Tacks I had through my high school and college career lasted until 1986. They were soaking wet for 9 years straight. Hacked, chopped...you name it. I didn't even use ProToe on them. Eventually there just wasn't any blade left. I don't expect any of these new skates to make that journey. On the plus side...no break-in, dry in an hour, and both of them (either model) weigh about as much as one of my old Comp 5000's🏒🥅🇨🇦👍😎. Anyway...that's what I did 😉

I have the 14" gloves and have the the pre-released version and the final product ones. Love them! My favorite glove prior to these was the FT4 Pro and Vapor 2X Pro. Out of the box they feel like .5" smaller than they are rated. They fit like I expect, no slop, tight to the hand, plenty of room in the cuff for maneuverability. If the final product ones break-in like my pre-released ones you should expect them to slightly loosen when they break in.

Been on them now for prob a month or so, skate often, 10 hours a week. While I can't say I notice anything about the flex stuff, I can agree with the "not tying them so tight, is better" sentiment. And these are comfy... really light. So far I must say I love them. I hope they stand up.