AIREAYE

Oh yeah you're both absolutely right. Often times people don't know the differences and nuances which is to be expected. And Stryker's 90%/most of the time is true too. I just don't want to say that we can automatically give them the perfect product because no one can in any industry; it's all recommendation. As an example I had a guy in between SR and INT in terms of length and he elected to try an INT stick (Vapor XXV), and two SR sticks (77 flex X4.0 for $80 and an 85 flex S17 for slightly more); all were in his price range. After some explanation and shots, we went with the S17.

What's not to get? Maybe they're in between flexes/lengths, maybe they want to try different kickpoints/curves. You can't tell a customer what's best for them, you can only recommend based on some guidelines. IMO the only time I know that people are there to fool around is if there's a bunch of kids all with any combo of top-end stick and all talking excitedly with each other lol

That's beautiful lol, a few Gretzky and Ovechkin figurine ornaments (they actually sell those at Hallmark here) would complete it!

I guess they got sucked into the marketing...hopefully the M11 fits everyone because that's the #1 thing I don't understand about team orders; how a single helmet can fit every kid.

I'd love to grab a pair of those guys in a Medium, did you get them off ebay?

Do you guys work on commission? That could be the reason why the others sold items that are MORE than what the customer needs; there's more incentive to.

5'10" 135 lbs Size : M Background : Coming from an old pair of Hespeler GX700s (probably a mid-end pad, something I picked up for cheap when I was doing my first round of gear buying 4 years ago) with absolutely HUGE shoulder caps, I decided this summer to upgrade to something with a bit more protection and lower-profile caps. Although I’m not playing contact hockey, I decided to go for a top-end pad anyways as being a thinner dude, I’ve been winded a few times when I crashed into the boards. The shoulder caps on the Hespelers made me look somewhat disproportioned too. The U+ Pros are an evolution from CCMs old top-end Vector 10 pad, which (from what I’ve seen) saw use in the NHL; a testament to its quality and qualifications. The shoulder designs on the U+ Pro are unlike any other pad, featuring clavicle guards that cover the cap and angle down into the clavicle area. The caps themselves are also form fitted down, giving it a low-profile. There isn’t too much difference between the two, but never having tried the V10, I can’t really comment on the fit. Fit/Comfort : 9.5/10 A disclaimer I should include here is that I fit perfectly (and should technically have purchased) into a size small, but decided to go up to a medium in order to have more spinal coverage since my Tacklas lack a spinal guard and I take some abuse when I’m in front of the net. One aspect of fit that CCM changed in the Pro is the torso portion of the pad, which upon trying it on, immediately felt more anatomical as it hugs the body very well. Coverage is excellent as the shoulder caps and clavicle guard manage to cover the upper chest/armpit area without sacrificing mobility. The rib pads, removable belly guard and spine also provide excellent coverage. The plastic inserts in the bicep guards and the shoulder cap are all malleable, so it was a simple matter of bending them in a little bit to form better to my body; an added bonus in terms of comfort and protection. Overall the pad just feels RIGHT, with nearly everything conforming well to my chest and shoulders. Protection : 9/10 Simply put, this pad offers what you would expect from a top-end pad; nothing more and nothing less. The way the shoulder caps/clavicle guard for around your shoulders and the pad itself to your torso respectively is the main focus that CCM put into this product. If a pad is better formed to one’s body, the less negative space there is, and upon impact, the force will be absorbed and dispersed in the pad and not towards your body. The main feature is the use of EPP (think high end helmet) foams in the spine and sternum instead of clunky plastic inserts and with this pad on, I felt little whenever I’d take a crosscheck in the back or even fall down backwards. The only drawback I found was that the rib wrap wasn’t as protective as other pads on the market. Perhaps CCM could’ve put some high density foams in there instead of the mid that’s in now. However, the amount of coverage they provide makes up for this little flaw. As a side note, I would still say that the rib wrap is better than the X:60 or T1 Overall, for a player playing non-contact, these guys more than do the job. Mobility : 10/10 The low profile caps and the excellent way these pads fit really emphasize the mobility of these guys. The stretch materials around the sternum and spine, in addition to the bicep guards are definitely appreciated. For top end protection, the U+ Pros offer near-perfect mobility. Weight : 10/10 Weight (provided that its not excessive) should not be an issue concerning shoulder pads, as they are so close to your centre of gravity. With the EPP protection though, these pads are very light. Though perhaps not as light as the X:60 or TotalOne, they’re definitely better than the 11K or Easton offerings. Durability : 10/10 Granted, even though I have not spent a huge amount of time in these pads, there are absolutely no issues. They still look new. Intangibles : 9/10 CCM didn’t change their liner in the Pro, opting to stay with the old Vector Dry material. While I’m not going to say that it’s ineffective, comparing it to other liners out there (Silver Shield, ThermoCore+ etc.) definitely leaves something to be desired. The pads dry quickly, but retain a bit of moisture after a game, even when I wore UnderArmour. I would recommend taking these out of the bag to air dry (everything should actually). No issues regarding odor, but again, I haven’t been using these guys for a long time. While other pads have adjustable bicep guards (able to change height/length for coverage with elbow pads) often featuring Velcro straps, the U+ Pro technically does not. Instead, their bicep pads are attached to the shoulder via a stretch material, which, if fitted properly, shifts very well with the arm and can very well completely cover the gap between elbow pad and shoulder pad. With my elbow pads, I have no issues with overlap, even though I opted for a bigger size. However, the lack of the adjustment might be an issue for others. I’ve seen many NHL players use these pads this season (with mods or not, doesn’t matter) and the fact that it can compete alongside the likes of RBK/Jofa definitely makes me more satisfied with my purchase. Overall : 9.5/10 Perhaps the best shoulder pad I have ever tried on (hence the purchase), as I really appreciate the slick profile, the comfortable fit and range of mobility. However, please make sure you opt for your correct size so that it stays flush to your body where protection is at its max, especially if you play contact. I can’t wait to see what the CL pad offers; hopefully CCM continues to make its mark in protective and from what I’ve heard about the CL; they could very well ascend to the very top soon.

edit: just realized I posted this in the wrong section, as I was using this as a template.. my bad. Check out the actual review when it's posted http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/59240-ccm-u-pro-shoulder-pads/ 5'10" 135 lbs Size : M Background : Coming from an old pair of Hespeler GX700s (probably a mid-end pad, something I picked up for cheap when I was doing my first round of gear buying 4 years ago) with absolutely HUGE shoulder caps, I decided this summer to upgrade to something with a bit more protection and lower-profile caps. Although I’m not playing contact hockey, I decided to go for a top-end pad anyways as being a thinner dude, I’ve been winded a few times when I crashed into the boards. The shoulder caps on the Hespelers made me look somewhat disproportioned too. The U+ Pros are an evolution from CCMs old top-end Vector 10 pad, which (from what I’ve seen) saw use in the NHL; a testament to its quality and qualifications. The shoulder designs on the U+ Pro are unlike any other pad, featuring clavicle guards that cover the cap and angle down into the clavicle area. The caps themselves are also form fitted down, giving it a low-profile. There isn’t too much difference between the two, but never having tried the V10, I can’t really comment on the fit. Fit/Comfort : 9.5/10 A disclaimer I should include here is that I fit perfectly (and should technically have purchased) into a size small, but decided to go up to a medium in order to have more spinal coverage since my Tacklas lack a spinal guard and I take some abuse when I’m in front of the net. One aspect of fit that CCM changed in the Pro is the torso portion of the pad, which upon trying it on, immediately felt more anatomical as it hugs the body very well. Coverage is excellent as the shoulder caps and clavicle guard manage to cover the upper chest/armpit area without sacrificing mobility. The rib pads, removable belly guard and spine also provide excellent coverage. The plastic inserts in the bicep guards and the shoulder cap are all malleable, so it was a simple matter of bending them in a little bit to form better to my body; an added bonus in terms of comfort and protection. Overall the pad just feels RIGHT, with nearly everything conforming well to my chest and shoulders. Protection : 9/10 Simply put, this pad offers what you would expect from a top-end pad; nothing more and nothing less. The way the shoulder caps/clavicle guard for around your shoulders and the pad itself to your torso respectively is the main focus that CCM put into this product. If a pad is better formed to one’s body, the less negative space there is, and upon impact, the force will be absorbed and dispersed in the pad and not towards your body. The main feature is the use of EPP (think high end helmet) foams in the spine and sternum instead of clunky plastic inserts and with this pad on, I felt little whenever I’d take a crosscheck in the back or even fall down backwards. The only drawback I found was that the rib wrap wasn’t as protective as other pads on the market. Perhaps CCM could’ve put some high density foams in there instead of the mid that’s in now. However, the amount of coverage they provide makes up for this little flaw. Overall, for a player playing non-contact, these guys more than do the job. Mobility : 10/10 The low profile caps and the excellent way these pads fit really emphasize the mobility of these guys. The stretch materials around the sternum and spine, in addition to the bicep guards are definitely appreciated. For top end protection, the U+ Pros offer near-perfect mobility. Weight : 10/10 Weight (provided that its not excessive) should not be an issue concerning shoulder pads, as they are so close to your centre of gravity. With the EPP protection though, these pads are very light. Though perhaps not as light as the X:60 or TotalOne, they’re definitely better than the 11K or Easton offerings. Durability : 10/10 Granted, even though I have not spent a huge amount of time in these pads, there are absolutely no issues. They still look new. Intangibles : 9/10 CCM didn’t change their liner in the Pro, opting to stay with the old Vector Dry material. While I’m not going to say that it’s ineffective, comparing it to other liners out there (Silver Shield, ThermoCore+ etc.) definitely leaves something to be desired. The pads dry quickly, but retain a bit of moisture after a game, even when I wore UnderArmour. I would recommend taking these out of the bag to air dry (everything should actually). No issues regarding odor, but again, I haven’t been using these guys for a long time. While other pads have adjustable bicep guards (able to change height/length for coverage with elbow pads) often featuring Velcro straps, the U+ Pro technically does not. Instead, their bicep pads are attached to the shoulder via a stretch material, which, if fitted properly, shifts very well with the arm and can very well completely cover the gap between elbow pad and shoulder pad. With my elbow pads, I have no issues with overlap, even though I opted for a bigger size. However, the lack of the adjustment might be an issue for others. I’ve seen many NHL players use these pads this season (with mods or not, doesn’t matter) and the fact that it can compete alongside the likes of RBK/Jofa definitely makes me more satisfied with my purchase. Overall : 9.5/10 Perhaps the best shoulder pad I have ever tried on (hence the purchase), as I really appreciate the slick profile, the comfortable fit and range of mobility. However, please make sure you opt for your correct size so that it stays flush to your body where protection is at its max, especially if you play contact. I can’t wait to see what the CL pad offers; hopefully CCM continues to make its mark in protective and from what I’ve heard about the CL; they could very well ascend to the top soon.

Haha, I believe so. I don't remember if I told them that the X:60s weren't the most durable, but they were looking for stuff on sale and luckily for us... It's in Canadian dollars

Another quick tidbit about discounts: I had a family come in with the kid's APX stick, which had just a small chip in the hosel. Very very common, as it's purely cosmetic right? The dad vented a bit to me about it however haha that he paid $300 for a stick only to have a little chip come off it. I told him that nothing was invulnerable and that it was quite common...amusing to see his reaction though So they wanted to go for a new stick and luckily, we had the previous cycle's Vapor sticks (X:20 - X:60) all on sale for 20% off the sticker price. After going through Rapidshot, he finally decided on the X:60. The dad then asked me if we could do any better on the price and I politely told him that the X:60 was ALREADY on clearance for $250 and he was getting ANOTHER 20% off of that! It was all good in the end though, but I thought it was pretty amusing

I don't like it when people add this little bit to their posts, something along the lines of "I think I'm wrong but...". Not a big deal at all, but if you make a guess and state it as such, you don't need to apologize for asking a question, just ask it and stand by it. I've never seen any store around here charge to use Rapidshot or any similar setup (though for sure, any place that has such a setup has thought about it, us included). The discount thing should be a given when to comes to 'test' or 'floor' models (not sure, but I think cars are an example) though usually the shop has enough stock such that selling a display model wouldn't be an issue.

We used to have them, but most people would rather grab their flex, curve, hand and model before trying out the demo ones. The problem still exists of us having to take our time for that though. Personally, I don't mind it if the store's quiet and someone wants to give it a whirl; I'd much prefer having a conversation than standing around anyhow, but when it gets busy...

I don't have as much experience as you raganblink, but from my own; I can say that I've sold more sticks WITH the setup than without; you're right of course, sticks have always been sold before trying, but Rapidshot definitely helps imo. I understand that it could potentially bring in more customers, but then again, we've always had it so there's nothing to compare it to. We're not an 'LHS' so to speak, more a part of a big box chain with a big store, so that decision isn't really up to us haha. We also use white pucks, so that helps a bit. I haven't seen one customer refuse a purchase because of a few scuffs or scratches... -knock on wood-

Our customers are usually very nice about wait times, which is awesome. Too bad it's not the same everywhere though I'd imagine at pro shops in rinks where you work Darkstar, people would probably have less patience since there are games always going on. Just curious, how large is your proshop? Most of the ones in the rinks around here only stock some memorabilia, accessories and a few sticks/odd protective.

Haha, in that case, do your absolute best to erase their doubts

Our Rapidshot setup is NOT a playground. It's for those interested in buying sticks to try them out before purchase. Customers are lucky enough that we have it setup in the first place, but they feel entitled enough to call me out on our store policy to use it? Get out please. Technically speaking customers are not allowed in Rapidshot without employee supervision and without us unlocking the door first, one at a time. Yet some people deem it acceptable to pick the lock and go in there themselves with all of their Peewee buddies to take slappers with our top-end sticks. Last week, a group of people (I swear there were like 10 people back there, a party!) congregated by Rapidshot and were basically breaking every rule regarding it. When I kindly tell the dad of some of the boys that they're only allowed in one at a time and that they couldn't shoot anymore pucks (they had their rounds before I got there haha), he gave me attitude, saying that he could supervise them and that one boy only got to shoot 10 pucks while his brother got to shoot 20. I was sorely tempted to tell them that the kiddie gym was across the road. Having to supervise playtime is a big waste of an associate's time and takes them off the floor for other customers, I really want to have some fee to get in if you're only playing, as was the case a few years ago...and a better lock too

Could you compare this level of mouldability to the CCM U Foams? Those skates get really soft when heated and your comparisons as to the width adjustment are pretty similar. Saw your videos on IW, very impressive and good luck!

13" Black Background: My first pair of hockey gloves were the Easton Stealth S5 (2006 edition) which featured a very bulky and wide fit, completely different from my next pair of S17s and the current Talons. Coming from the top-of-the-line S17s, I knew that my preferred type of fit would be anatomical, and with the release of the Talon, Eagle’s most recent foray into anatomically-fitting gloves, I simply had to see why people adore Eagle gloves. Fit: 8/10 Although the Talons were definitely anatomically-fitting gloves, the main problem I had with them was the position of the finger breaks. The Talons have slightly longer fingers than other 13" gloves, but I think that that feature is a disadvantage in terms of how one's fingers and knuckles flex. The breaks in the Talons, especially on the pinkie finger did not match up with how my fingers flexed and this both restricted dexterity and even caused some discomfort in the joints. However, this is ultimately a minor problem as come game time, you won’t always be moving your fingers as much. The thumb pocket was quite narrow and tight-fitting, exactly what you would want when it comes to anatomically-fitting gloves. Overall, the Talons definitely ‘fits’ into the anatomical category and is what you would expect. Weight: 10/10 The most insignificant factor in my opinion, the Talons with their nylon shell are definitely up there in terms of weight regardless. The hydrophobic properties of the MSH2 palm also play a part in keeping the glove lightweight throughout any game. Comfort: 6.5/10 -> 8/10 As a whole, I find this glove to be pretty comfortable, especially with the supple MSH2 palm and soft foam liners in the fingers. However a big issue I had with these guys is that the silver hydrophobic liner on the backhand of the glove was quite thick, making putting your hand in and out of the glove a hindrance because you would always have to push the liner down. Also when removing your hand after sweating a bit, the liner would often come out with it as it sticks. However after breaking them in a bit, this issue is less apparent, but definitely something to consider. The main issue about these gloves would be the ventilation. The lack of any perforation in the palm/gussets (really wished that Eagle would have put mesh or even stretch instead of solid MSH2) combined with the thickness of the back liner prevents a lot of the heat from escaping and air from flowing. There were a few occasions mid-game that I needed to take these gloves off because they were too stuffy. Then again there are people who like some warmth; I’ll probably be grateful for this when I’m playing pond haha. EDIT : after breaking these in, the comfort issue has been addressed with the back liner and thus an upgrade in score. However, I've also noticed that the backliner holds a lot of moisture after games (though air drying solves this issue every time, a testament to the method more so than to the gear) and I hope Eagle addresses this issue in the future. Mobility: 7.5/10 Not bad. For a player who doesn’t dangle or pull off any significant stickhandling moves, the range of mobility on these gloves is satisfactory. However just by wearing them and rolling my wrists around, I can see why some might consider the cuff a little too restrictive. The foam cuff extensions don’t bloom outwards and are a tad thick. Protection: 7/10 The protection on these guys are definitely what you would expect out of a $130 price point glove: featuring mid/high density foams all over with plastic inserts on the surface. However the plastic inserts are quite thin and quite flimsy and are even MISSING on the cuff extensions of my left-handed glove! I haven’t had a chance to compare different pairs, but even still; this is a pretty disappointing oversight by quality control. For those playing younger rep hockey or men’s league, these gloves would do the job in terms of protection, but for those playing higher level contact hockey, there are better options out there. Durability: 8/10 -> 6.5/10 -> 4.5/10 Having used these gloves for only a couple of months, I was slightly disappointed to find numerous areas where stitching came loose. Although purely a surface issue that won’t affect the overall integrity of the glove, I expected more from Eagle. EDIT : The inner silver back liner is done. The soft foams inside have completely disintegrated, clumping and loosening so that parts of the liner have no foam in between the fabric anymore. This occured only in my left glove, the same glove where the plastic insert was missing from the cuff. Although I'm putting this under durability, I believe this could be simply very poor quality control as my right glove is fine. Very dissapointing, can't wait for the RS because I need new gloves already. EDIT 2 : The seam in between the first finger segment and the second on my index finger of the left glove has ripped out and I have no idea how it happened. With a little force, I can rip off the nylon and expose the foams. The surface plastic inserts are not glued/secured solidly in place, allowing for shifting underneath the nylon. Although literally a surface issue at the moment, I fear that in time, rips and blemishes will be common as the insert rubs against the nylon above/around it. Overall: 7.5/10 -> 7/10 -> 6.5/10 Although they do not stand out in any category, Eagle has put forth a respectable passable product into the market. Hopefully they will be able to continue to build and improve upon this glove and offer something as significant as the PPF in the future. This pair is not worth the $130-$140 pricetag and doesn't offer the same level of protection or durability as others in its price range. Although a great glove for beer league and recreational hockey, one should never confuse this glove with something top-of-the-line.

LOOOL it's true! What does bogan mean anyways?

Picked up the 65S the other day, and for a $100 pricepoint stick, I was quite impressed. Great competition with the 4.0 and Ai5 imo; quite light and very aesthetically sharp. Although it was the only other stick mentioned in the catalog, I believe the rest of the line will be released later on; 85S below the RS?

I'm curious...how did you make that comparison? I have a pair of 652s and they are absolutely amazing.

Background : A new hockey lace product released by Elite Hockey, the Oval are the newest skate lace featuring a round or 'oval' profile. Available in both waxed and non-waxed, the Oval laces features thicker dimensions that maintain shape and prevents slippage. Having used traditional waxed laces all my life, I figured that I'd try this new product as well; trying to see if it makes any difference. Performance : 10/10 Simply put, this lace was designed to be kept in place on your skate, keeping the level of tightness the same throughout the game and Elite definitely delivered in this department. The thicker dimensions of the lace, combined with the wax (and there was an ample amount of it) held it's position like no other product before it and the fact that it stays in its position is a bonus for those who partake in longer skating sessions who do not have the time/patience to retie their laces. I've gone 3+ hours of straight shinny without them losing any support/slippage. As a result of this, the skate boot maintains its support around your leg much better as well and for longer. Durability : 8.5/10 The only problem I have with these laces is that they tend to twist and compress in areas of higher usage (for me, the 1st - 3rd eyelets from the top), which, over time, would definitely result in a disproportionally thinner skate lace, thus losing it's stability property. Although I have not yet experienced this, the possibility of these laces thinning out also adds to the possibility of experiencing lace-bite as a result of the same amount of pressure applied to a smaller area. This potential problem exists for all laces and the Ovals appear to be no exception. Other than that, absolutely no problems, be it broken aglets or feathering of the laces themselves. Solid. Intangibles : The wax version (which I've been using) are the most waxed laces I have ever encountered; much more grippier than Elite's traditional waxed offerings. This is an attribute desired by some while dislike by others; personal preference essentially. They\re not the prettiest laces out there, and that's some feedback that I've heard, but really, no one cares about how your skate laces look haha. Elite only offers these guys in 3 colors at the moment : black, white and yellow Conclusion: A superb product. I'm not going to go back to regular laces after this :)

Those shins are amazing, I'm using a pair of the 652 Tacks and they are absolute tanks! Great to see that they're (presumably...Canes sale?) pro-stock.

After a full calendar year in these skates and countless games and sessions in them, I feel that a comprehensive review can finally be written. 5'10" , 135 lbs Skating 1-3 times a week Background: I had come from a pair of size 8D Mission AmpFlys and those guys lasted me for a quite a while. Learning to skate in a traditionally built mid-level skate really helped pave my path to the level I am at now. In the Missions, I often felt pressure and discomfort on the sides of my foot, indicating that they were too narrow. Simple wear and tear and inability to replace the ground-down steel were definitely signs that I had to consider another pair. At the time of the purchase, I had little to no knowledge of skate fitting and only had a price range of about $300 to spend. With that; I tried on a few pairs, including the (then) newly released Supreme One70 and Vapor X:30/40. Needless to say, neither skate offered a comfortable fit, with heel lock being a big issue. Then came the S15s (then luckily, on sale for $300). Fit: 9.5/10 Initially drawn to these guys because they were a (once) top-end skate on sale, I found that they were near-perfect fitting right out of the box. I had tried the size 8.5R (D) at first, but felt a bit of discomfort near my pinkie toe. Moving to a size 8.5W (Wide) was the natural choice and the size I ended up going with. The S15s felt amazing right out of the box: solid heel-lock for my bony ankles and narrow heel, perfect width for my wider forefoot and no depth issues. No other options could compare at the time, even the Synergy models I felt did not provide as solid a heel-lock and as wide a fit, while the ankle padding in both Bauer skates did not provide a comfortable feel and heel-lock. The Stealth boot also offers a deeper fit than other lines, which surprisingly tapers down to a shorter toecap. It also has a higher cut boot than the Synergy skates, a feature which was important for me as I desired as much lateral support as possible. That being said, The fit of the S15s (and the rest of the Stealth line) is exactly as my feet were: a narrow/regular ankle with a wider forefoot. The padding, which Easton had labelled their 'Stealth Padlock' is very prominent, especially in the areas above and below the ankle bone, creating that featured pocket. Those with 'fatter' ankles may find the padding putting too much pressure in that area. Like a previous poster mentioned, I will only give a perfect score to a fully customized skate. Steel/Holder: 7.5/10 My pair of S15s were 2nd generation (more on that in the Durability section), thus featuring the newer scalloped Elite Stainless Steel as opposed to the LPS2 that came from it's initial launch and the standard Razor Bladz II holder. The Elite steel holds an edge well and thus far have not encountered any issues with them. However the Razor Bladz II holder on my right skate is slightly warped above the middle of it, exposing a bit more of the runner in between. I don't know the real cause behind this, be it an impact or having them incorrectly mounted on the sharpening jig, but apparently warping isn't a rare occurrence with the Razor Bladz II holders. While at the moment, this hasn't impacted performance, it remains to be seen if it compromises the durability of either the steel or the holder. Weight: 10/10 Easton advertised these guys to be the lightest performance skates ever made, size-for-size. Weighing in at sub-700 g, no current skate, 4 years later, could compete. Made possible due to the Carbon/Texalium boot construction, the weight difference between these guys and the older leather-construction AmpFlys are definitely noticeable and appreciated. Protection: 8/10 The stiff boot provides enough protection for my level of play. Having taken a few shots and hard passes off the foot, I can say that while they aren't the most protective skate out there, they definitely do the job. The pre-moulded EPE foam tongue protects well against lacebite as well. The only problem I have is the toecap, especially after a couple of collisions against the boards where my toecap took most of the contact and my toes were hammered against it as a result. Perhaps a change to a rubber toecap (which they did with the S17) would help with impact dispersion as opposed with the thinner carbon-based cap on the S15s. Durability: 8.5/10 Here is where nearly everyone who initially purchased a pair of S15s encountered spectacular problems. Easton made a patchwork effort with the 2nd generation release of S15s (which I have) which features double stitching and additional material in key areas of the boot (the panel containing the S15 graphic for example) as well as replacing the Texalium material in the smaller 'windows' and switching out the steel.. Before the change, the S15s were plagued with durability issues ranging from the infamously documented complete disintegration of the toecap-boot area (see the S15 thread for pics), loose stitching and the breaking off of the black panel features of the boot. I believe that while Easton had definitely improved upon this in the 2nd generation offering, a few issues lingered with my experience. To be clear, I take good care of my skates and do not punish them performance-wise. After skating anywhere from once to thrice a week (more often once) for a full year, the only durability issues I encountered was minor chipping/wearing down of the forefoot area where the boot meets the toe; more cosmetic than structural. Intangibles: Definitely not the best looking skate out there, but the Texalium weave on the boot still looks pretty sharp in my opinion Originally I was skeptical about the level of comfort and protection regarding the molded EPE foam tongue on the S15s, preferring the more traditional felt. However the thinner tongue proved to be quite practical since I prefer to tuck them under my shin pads Very good moisture wicking properties, enhanced by the Dry Flow channel underneath Overall: 8.5/10 It's important to take good care of these skates, especially if durability is a concern. At the moment of posting, the S15s should either be sold out or on clearance pricing everywhere and for around that $300 price range; it definitely beats other performance skates in terms of value; though only if you fit in them.

Starsfan, you've just GOT to keep fighting through this. There's no easy solution, but if you keep pushing and keep pushing, there's something better coming along the other side. Stay with therapy, make connections to other people, TALK about it. C'mon dude, we're all pulling for you; just gotta keep going. I know it's hard over an online forum to convey this, but I mean every word dude. KEEP GOING !