AIREAYE

I hope it wasn't rusty steel.

The way the guard is designed though, it HAS to be flexible. If it were stiffer, I would imagine that there would be durability issues since the connection is so narrow. But that's some interesting insight; thanks!

Those were way before my time so I'm curious, what is/was so unique about them?

For this industry, one has to push out the marketing and reinforce/grow the brand image. People rely on perception and word-of-mouth recommendations. Aside from the obvious promotional aspect, price definitely plays a role as well. As the Star article mentioned, guerilla marketing is another method to get their product out there. Easton understands that they have a very small skate market share and that most people perceive their product to be inferior (The Great Skate Debacles of the Previous Decade, by : everyone I know), but in no way are they new entrants to the market, the product is. So, among other things I'm sure, they needed to sit down and come up with something big to get back in it. Enter the Mako, which, in my opinion, is the most innovative skate launch from the major players thus far. It turns the traditional perception of a hockey skate boot on its head, while capitalizing (or attempting to capitalize, at this point) on proven technologies (heat mouldability, general mobility, composite boot construction etc.). This is big, this is ambitious and Easton knows it. So why price at $799? I think that you guys nailed the perception aspect of it, so I'll try to stir up some debate by floating some thoughts out for the experts to read (and hopefully correct if need be). Easton would've had to examine sales data from their competitors, especially, in my opinion from the Reebok 20K, which, if you guys remember, we had another small discussion about its pricing. The 20K was priced similarly, along the lines of Bauer's top products where the 11K was priced lower. I think it would be useful if a comparison between the two prices, change in retail market share and brand image was compiled. Curious to see what the RBZ skate will be priced at. If Easton had put out another ski-boot stiff composite skate instead (think APX, T1), I do not think that they would've priced that at $799 because the market already has more established brands offering similar product at that pricepoint. Having a boot like the Mako there is interesting because it is almost a completely new concept; product differentiation. Overall, I would imagine that (so don't quote me obviously) Easton had two distinct options: a low risk/low potential return/low price option and a risky/high price option. Pricing at a bracket below other top-ends might result in slightly more sales when thinking of price vs demand, as well as perhaps growing the brand image positively at a steady rate (don't know how one would measure that). The ambitious pricing has its implications already mentioned by previous posters. As we can see, Easton believes that they can be sucessful with this launch (TGIF); they're going big.

I get what you're saying, so the side panels are stiff but they're sort of...hinged (?) based around the heel.

Thanks! Did you double stitch?

In addition to the attitude that once baked, they could be considered 'used' by customers, thus a potential sale lost. Put my foot into a Mako yesterday without lacing for a few seconds. Same feelings as the rest of you. Major concerns for me was the lack of depth...everywhere, especially the forefoot where getting laces into the eyelets seemed difficult Extremely flexible tendon is nice performance-wise, but a major concern for durability. Time will tell. Very surprised by how soft the boot was, another major concern for me.

That looks amazing! I was wondering if you could perhaps post a picture of the area where you made the stitches. That Speedy Stitcher is a great tool. Looking forward to reading any feedback from you, Krev, especially since you were a Stealth user too iirc.

I would say wait, unless you want to take the risk of going into a 15". I find that the CLs in 13" have slightly shorter fingers than most other gloves in this size. Does anyone have the U+12 gloves in your size and color? I would look at those if you need gloves immediately.

Were they comfortable?

Gotcha

Thanks JR. Skates - - Don't know if this is a typo or not, but it seems that this year's iteration of the 20K features an upgrade in the quarters, with Pro Armor V replacing Pro Armor IV on last year's - The 17K occupies a pricepoint that bridges the rather large gap between the 18K's $700 (CDN) and 16K's $400 (CDN), makes sense Sticks - - 12K replaces 3K Resistance which continues to features what appears to be a Crossover blade - Did they remove the A.i7 from the lineup? That has always been a tough pricepoint to sell at. - With Perron and Hedman 'sharing' the P40 designation, does that mean that we will see sticks with both names? Or will Perron take over for more recent production runs? Helmets - - 4K is gone; what a shame. - 3K now occupies bottom pricepoint, still with Fit clips but a new PE liner Gloves - JR, did they remove the 9000 only? Or the entire 4 Roll line? Pants - Great feature in the pant line; a contination of the 1" length adjustment zipper into the next pricepoint down, the 16K. The catalogue is confusing in that the features table shows that only the 20K, 18K and 16K have the zipper, while above, it says that the 14K has it as well. Anyone confirm? Protective - This is huge. Can't wait to see them.

Helmets - Did CCM scrap the V04? That sold pretty well around here; that leaves Bauer (2100) and Easton (E300) to occupy that bottom helmet pricepoint. The nomenclature could be a little confusing; V10 is now 'VECT' (HTVECT), the V08 remains as HTV08 well as the 06 as HT06. Gloves - The CS 400 looks quite promising, featuring 'traditional' top-end protection in multi-density foams + plastic inserts, same as the U+12. Interesting use of a Nash Rima III palm (what IS Rima III? Supposedly the next iteration of the U+12's Rima II?) reinforced with Kevlar for durability. Has anyone used a kevlar reinforcement in palms before?

To clarify, the 20K and 17K, when released, will not have the new holder? The catalogue says that both feature the new holder. Likewise, the 20K in this catalogue is listed to have the Hyper-Glide polished runner while the 17K is listed to have the Speed blade runner. Will they have these runners upon release?

Mhmm, a lot of us fall under a unique segment populated with many opinion leaders to which companies rely on to pass along information, such as yourself. Heh I learned that in marketing; great course. Thanks for the insight.

I wonder how they got the figure of 7%...sample data? Higher level geometry? Simple angles?

Something in there doesn't seem to belong...

I think they're Elite's relatively new Oval laces. If so, then I highly recommend them if you want alightly more grip than traditional wax with a larger suface area. Great laces!

He's posting this as a sweet spot moment.

If anything, it shows that good food can be found in the most unexpected of places. There is a HockeyMonkey and a Pure Hockey over there as well.

You're welcome. :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy_BcVg4A5Q

Thanks for the update! Eagerly awaiting the day when I'm able to order those PS Calgary Flames third colorway gloves. Not fond of paying $200+ for a pair on ebay...

The M3 II feels as light and balanced as a a CL, or 11K! Hoooolyy mako-naw! Haven't picked up an M5 II yet but it's supposed to be the same weight more or less as the original Mako.

Although everyone is hyped up about the top end Mako stick, I would just like to draw some much deserved attention to the pricepoint Mako M1 II and M2 II. Although I have not weighed them individually, they are perhaps the lightest and most balanced sticks at their respective ($70, $100) pricepoints. Absolutely phenomenol first impression.

Makes sense. We have one last pair of those 5000s left and they are indeed uppers and padded lowers last I checked. The buttons give it away.