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Funny as I'm looking at this thread and came to the realization that I got exactly one skate in on the steel, in 2021 - last time I skated. Two total hip replacements later (had the last one in March), may get back on the ice maybe next year? I actually took the LSE set up to SkateScribe when we were up there for SummerJam last year, and so they're profiled. Will let y'all know when it happens. Sorry that I haven't been involved much lately - that's a story for another day - but I do appreciate the ones holding down the fort while I wasn't. Not sure how much I contribute going forward, but we'll see how it goes.

Here's my latest. Same skates as I'm using for ice, and with the heel riser, they're the same pitch as the I2 holders. Makes for an easy transition between the two.

2026 assuming the 6 means the year number like the 9x4 lineup 2024). Imo, the 9x4 look better and unless you're set on the new holders, id get the 9x4 on sale. True is offering the 30 day fit guarantee again as well now.

If you were a 9 in Bauer you should be a 9 in true. I'd try a 9 wide before going to a 10 wide. Why did you jump from a 9 to a 10? Also you said catalyst pro, so does that mean they are pro stocks? If so, then they were made for another players feet so certain areas could be adjusted accordingly. True skates have quite a lot of padding in the heel pocket unlike other brands. So that area does break in and get thinner after baking and after some ice time, and will create a couple mm if additional length once settled.

Good to know. I just ordered the new holders and steel. Look forward to taking them for a test drive. Will place a photo when they have been installed.

The cutouts in these is minimal compared to what Bauer tried on a couple of occasions with the triangles on the vapor 8? And also the slots on the one90? Also Bauer steel is/was not great particularly back then.

Only thing to be cognizant about with the catalyst 9 and cat pros is the heel / shell cracking prematurely. They allegedly fixed this issue with the hzrdus 9 and 9x4s though

I’m sure all the ongoing macroeconomic issues aren’t helping. Is that a sufficiently apolitical way to say that so neither side can get mad at me? 🙄

In my experience they've always had supply issues with the baselayer stuff. They also seem to have a very small window of sales before items hit the clearance racks

We're just using the term anatomical because that's the lingo Bauer uses for their toecap vs their old style and shape. For most people, they don't have duck feet so this new shape where the area of the toecap that's around the big toe and second toe it slightly longer than the rest as it slightly angles down /is shorter matches the majority of foot shapes better. Obviously it isn't one size fits all.

Yes, exactly because of the changes in toe length. The height of the toe box has never been a problem.

I've been using these stick now for a few years. Not the VF but the PSHS Original back in the day RED LINE and currently the OG BLUE and VS. skating twice a week without ever having any issue with any cracks or broken blades. A few went soft as expected later on and I broke one at the center of the shaft, but honestly was testing to see just how much it could take. And it was a lot. I would guess his issue was a one off and I'm sorry to hear about that as I'm a HUGE FAN of these sticks. As for you, I would highly recommend the OG BLUE. Don't let the price fool you. These sticks are awesome!

Same size from Bauer to True, even with the difference in toe cap shape? Bauer's most recent toe caps have all been more anatomical than True's. True's are more symmetrical. That's what kills it for me. If True's toe caps had the same floor plan as Bauer's, I could do a 9 in True no problem. That would probably be better even, considering the roomy, disconnected feel I got from my Catalysts no matter what I threw at the problem. With each step towards a more anatomically shaped toe cap, I've dropped a half size in Bauer: 10D in Vapors in the 90's toe cap (Vapors 8 - XXX), 9.5D in the XXXX generation toe caps that were more anatomical, and 9-F1 in the 2X Pro that were even more anatomical. Hockey Tutorial says they've made further adjustments to the toe cap on the FlyLite, but I haven't handled them in person yet to see if it makes any difference for me. In my 9.5R Catalyst 7s my toes were as pressed against the toe cap as they could be without restricting motion or causing discomfort.

I did not bake them in fear of not being able to return them if they didn't fit. Thank you for the advice. I will give this a try and report back with my experience. Thanks again.

This is extremely impressive!

Inside out and outside in are the same lacing pattern, just reverse order. It’s a little different as far as where the lace gets “locked” (which is basically where the facing pinches it against the tongue) but other than that it’s the same. Legends abound about it alleviating lace bite but there is not reason it would apply pressure across the instep differently.