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Don't get sucked into the marketing nonsense. Sure there are changes over time, but not every change is a step forward. A lot of times it's probably lateral, and sometimes it's even backward. It's impossible to say this skate is better than this other skate because it's not that straight forward. Because each of us is different. Each of our needs/preferences is different. So what might be the perfect skate for one person maybe the worst pair of skates ever for another. Just because it maybe stiffer does not mean it's automatically better for you. Because at the end of the day, all that matters is that the skate fits you properly, and that you're confident that it allows you to do what you want when you want. If a $50 pair of skates does that for you, then it's the perfect skate. If a $1000 pair of skates doesn't, then it's junk. Also names are just names. They're just fancy labels to call something, and it's a way the marketing can trick you into thinking something is good or better. The XYZ 10000 Pros must be better than the XYZ 1000 Pros from last year because it has a bigger number in the name right? It's like calling something the deluxe or the special version or limited edition. Just look at the MSRP price points for relative comparisons, and then, put the skate on. That'll be the final judgement on if a skate is good or not. If it fits well, and it feels good, then there you go.

For what it's worth, I've been using tennis racket overwrap on my sticks for about the last year and I don't think I'll ever go back. They're pretty lightweight and add just the right amount of tackiness and cushion. I can get 6 months out of a single wrap, and a pack of 6 costs $10 US on amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R7LZJT3/).

I didn't pay near retail for it though haha. If I could get the same deal for the Aycane or Warroad stuff I would buy them too 😂

At least Warrior has made improvements on the QR5 Pro line of gloves. I should clarify, I ripped open an pro stock glove to show what materials were used before but I haven't gotten a chance to rip open a pair of retail gloves. But I point out the lack of plastics and more expensive (and heavier) foams used in the pro stock versions. It is sad that people pretend all retail gloves are the same when CCM, True, and Warrior now offer a more protective glove than Vapor and Supreme Bauer gloves.

This applies to more than just skates and not just Bauer. Both Bauer and Warrior seem to be cheapening their offerings for the last 4-5 years. An example would be the APX2/1X glove got downgraded in the 1x lite and that continued into the hyper lite glove. Warrior's latest LX elbow pad is a substantial step down from their DX elbow pad the year before. Same applies to the quality of their gloves since the QR1

Thanks, all! Very helpful. think the gymnast chalk sounds promising. I'm going to give it a go. I was able to track some of the old formula in my city's Chinatown, so I should be good for a couple more seasons. Howie's (or whoever) should make a hockey specific handle powder. It would get them dozens of extra customers.

All good! Just wanted to clarify things. Thanks for checking them out 🙂

I had that video confused with this video. Enjoy your reviews BTW keep it up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvfbeIb2cuU

I love my Bauer 1x shin pads. Like the 1S, they're made of Curv Composite and have this hinge at the ankle. Bauer ditched both in what I an only assume are cost cutting measures

I'm a Bauer skate guy and I've recently went skate shopping for a new pair. Bit of background when I got back into playing recreational hockey in 2015 my first skates were the Bauer Nexus 5000s (2014-15) which I used for three seasons than upgraded to the Bauer 7000s (2014-15) while on clearance. Going to the 7000s with the tech-mesh boot and full composite outsole the upgrade was very noticeable. I had an injury (broken heel and high ankle sprain) back in late May and when I started playing again this fall I wanted to explore new skates as my 7000s now have four seasons on them. Looking for a bit more stability. Focusing on Bauer I tried on the Mach, the M5 Pro and the M4. Also tried on the Hyperlite, 3X pro and 3X. And my first impression of all of these skates.........they feel cheap. They felt more "disposable" and flimsy in that they were built for performance but not for long-lasting comfort and durability. Particularly the M5 Pros when compared to my old Nexus 7000s as they were both from the "2nd price point". I didn't see or feel the quality there when compared to skates from the same price point basically as 2-3 generations of skates ago. Granted one skate is tech-mesh and one is Curv Composite. So I ended up finding a new pair of Nexus 2Ns (2018-19) online and on clearance. While I haven't had a chance to try them yet (in the process of swapping out the tongues) my first reaction is they are a better quality skate than the current M5 Pro judging by the materials and finish. But yet not quite as durable or of the quality of my older Nexus 7000s. All really from the same price point (2nd from the top) just different years (2014 vs. 2018 vs. 2022). My impression of Bauer skates is while prices keep creeping higher every year, the quality of materials used in the skates construction is decreasing with each passing generation. Sure each passing generation will likely get lighter and stiffer, but will you get the comfort and usage/durability out of skates that customers have become accustomed to? I'm not so sure.

All of there stuff seems pretty interesting. Can't bring myself to pay that much for base layers though

In the words of Fiona Apple, "so's everything." Kidding aside, looking at his performance over the years, I wouldn't rock that boat either. If his mental picture of what he's in is that solid that even a reskinned skate occupies even an iota of awareness, I'd say ditch it. His team needs all he can give and more. I don't doubt he could fly in any skate. Prior to his NHL days he successfully rocked RibCors, RBZs, and Tacks. For whatever reason, JetSpeed is where he sticks. Maybe it was the Goldilocks combination for him, and fussing with it just compromises his flow. Best performance flow in the world? Let it be. It looks like he tried one-piece ASiVs in preseason practices, but once the regular season rolled around, it looks like he was in his old JetSpeeds dressed as ASiVs. If you look back at the pictures you can see the same boot pattern as he usually wears--that short, almost LEGOish blocky look of JetSpeed boots--as well as a visible separate outsole, foxing, and distinct JetSpeed toe cap. He's tried original JetSpeeds skinned to appear current in previous generations, but he's never stuck with anything else for more than a few weeks. Around All-Star Weekend last year he did wear a one-piece ASiVish pair, but he switched back shortly after the All-Star Game. Back to your original question, I haven't followed the particulars of Bauer and CCM skate evolution over the last ten years so closely, but both brands have tended back towards less stiff, especially in the facing, as they seemed to conclude they went too far with stiffness (maybe the boots were simply lasting too long?) My thought was maybe it was in attempt to head off Scott Van Horne boots. Each time Bauer and CCM softened up a bit to provide more forward flex, they stole back some players who had gone over to SVH/True boots. Hyperlites (very Makoish) have gotten a lot of former Bauer wearers back, including Berniers, Wright, and Bedard.

Honestly, I bet it's more mental than anything else. Seems like every time he tries something new once he has an off night, it's right back to his old stuff. Guys like than can fly in just about any skate.

Skates don’t improve year after year like that. What you’re picturing sounds like linear improvement. That’s the message that marketing departments try to sell, but it’s not that clear what an improvement actually is when you think about it. Sure, there are changes from year to year, and the messaging from the company’s marketing campaigns will always and only ever be positive about these, but there’s not objective measure to quantify “improvement.” Some improvements are actually missteps, which is usually clearest after in-depth reviews following actual product use start coming in. Once in a while there can be big jumps in product quality, from the Bauer Supreme 8090 to the one90 for instance. But there were still plenty of players who longed for the 8090 after it was gone. Similarly, lots of players who loved Vapors up to the X60 didn’t like CURV Vapors like the APX. Bauer accomodated that for a while, but those days are numbered. So even in cases when it seems as clear as possible that a product “improved” you’ll never get everyone to agree to jump to the new model ship: improvement is very individual and imprecise.

I tried the Odor Eater Foot Powder. It is corn starch-based. On a dry application with bare hands it seems fine but my gut feeling is with a sweaty wet glove palm the powder would react to the moisture and ball up in small balls of powder. It seems a bit thicker and slightly stickier than baby powder.

Have you tried the chalk gymnast's use.... What about the stuff pitchers use??? I'm sure there are tons of alternatives. Trial and error.

I picked up a pair of these a couple of months ago (thanks to targeted ads that got me 🤬) and honestly I'm beyond happy with them. They're on thge thinner side but do have some extra material in certain areas and also offer some compression, they also offer a cut resistant version if that's something that interests you. I was skeptical but seeing how Peter Forsberg was involved I decided to give it a try (he's got a pretty good track record with products, even if his other major product is hideous and I'd never wear them... Crocs). https://aycane.com/en-us/collections/socks/products/powerlight-socks

Here's a video that will help you understand what flex is. The short of it is the flex rating is a property of the material that the stick is made from. That doesn't change. What changes when you cut the stick is the amount of leverage you have to flex the stick. It's like taking a chopstick and breaking it in half. The wood of the chopstick didn't change, but smaller pieces are more difficult to break with your hands because you don't have as much leverage.