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Vet88

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Everything posted by Vet88

  1. If your toes are close to brushing the toe cap in Rbks then you need size 6 Alkali.
  2. If you wear an 8.5 skate in current Bauer / Mission / CCM / Rbk / Tour then a 9 Alkali should fit the same, length wise.
  3. Did you stay in the same size as to the ca9's? Just checking there isn't a tweak in the sizing length with the new design etc.
  4. 2 pencils? Wow, how on earth do you skate in them without flopping all over the place? You need to go down between 1 to 2 sizes, it will depend on the brand you buy. Honestly, a skate that fits you properly for length will have a huge impact on your skating ability. Top end Alkali are extremely moldable so width isn't the issue (although I don't know about bottom end models). If I recall correctly the new range has had the toe box redesigned to give a little more width, one of my pet peeves from the original line. They had medium volume in the first release, Justin can add any comment here if this year's release has added any more depth.
  5. Laces out, tongue pulled out, toes feathering the toe cap. If you can fit a pencil down the back your heel the boot is too big by around 1 size. Ideally you want 1mm - 2mm of space between the back of your heel and the boot, and if the boot is new you really want almost no space because your foot will settle into the heel by 1mm - 2mm as the boot breaks in.
  6. Pre Bauer mission sizing is a slightly different from Alkali sizing. I had Mission Boss and Boss blacks and in them I was a 7, in alkali i'm a 6.5. The alkali is a perfect fit whereas the Mission skates were about a 1/4 of a size to big. Imho the reference to a dress shoe size is so wrong. Everyone I have ever come across has a different fit for a dress shoe, and this is not taking into account how different manufacturers of dress shoes size their shoes differently! Yet a skate needs to fit well for you to get the best performance out of it but manufacturers will not post the actual length of a foot as a reference guide. I understand some of the reason for this, to support retail shops, but it is still frustrating for those that want to purchase online for whatever reason. The pencil test remains the best option for you testing how the skates fit you for length, only you can do this and see if the skates are the correct length.
  7. Only ccm inline skate I have worn was a vector 10 in a size 6. I wear a 6.5 in Alkali.
  8. If you are a 9.5 in tours I would say you will need a 10 in Alkali. However it does depend on how you fit in your Tours, if your toe is brushing the toe cap then you are a 10 in Alkali, if you have some space then you might get away with a 9.5. Unless you are swimming in them you definitely will not fit into a 9.
  9. I don't think this will work for you. The Makos that I have had fit 1/2 to 1 size down than other skates. For example, guy fits size 9 Easton skates (S10, S17, RS), Mako size 9 are nearly 1 size to large for him. Another guy fits Bauer TotalOne, NXG size 9 1/2 really tight, size 10 just a fraction to big, size 9 Makos fit him perfectly. So if you are in a size 3 1/2 Bauer one95 then I'd say you need to be around a size 3 in a Mako. If they don't make this size then you are out of luck, thick socks don't make up for a centimeter or so of extra length.
  10. From a Step CSR: Our radius is a neutral 10 foot.
  11. It all depends on how the Missions fit you, how much space do you have down the back of the heel? For width the alkali moulds to your foot. I would say you would get a 10.5 but if your missions have some room you might get away with a 10. Alkali generally fit 1/2 a size up from the Boss SE and onward range.
  12. Either previously in this topic or in another thread, someone has converted CA7/9 to HiLo's. You only need to do a very minor file to the mounting holes to get the frame to fit. If you use an ice boot you are going to have to drill new mounting holes.
  13. I've skated in both (still use G3's), the pitch in the boots are too different for just a steel to overcome. You would have to get the steel reprofiled if you want the G3's to feel similar to the 11ks. If you like how the G3's feel then it would be better to get the 11ks shimmed.
  14. I've got CA9's and RX60's and the frame holes do line up as far as i can tell. I measured the distances between each hole along and across the frame and they appear to all be the same. Alkali do not recess any wheels into the boot so you won't have to modify the rx60 boot for the wheels to fit.
  15. It all depends on yr foot shape, balance and how you skate. My right foot little toe gets a blister, left foot is fine. Team mates have no issues. I know a couple of pros at Narch who always tape up a toe or two because of blisters. All of these folk are either in CA9's or RPD's . At the end of the day some get blisters and some don't. It may be a pita to have to tape a toe up but that shouldn't put you off what is a very good skate.
  16. I've done a number of EQ50's, both retail and pro stock. They are just like se16's to convert. Works really well.
  17. Yeah, it started like this for me also. Thought it would go away if I just skated a little less, if I protected my feet a little more etc etc. After a while as soon as you start skating it starts to hurt after a few minutes on the rink and then it's permanent every time you pull your skates on. Goodness knows what would happen if I didn't skate for a month or so, I don't have time to find out. If you are only in them once or twice a week you may get away with it but I'm in them every day for hours at a time, sigh..... I should own shares in a medical tape company.
  18. I've tried that but can't find anything suitable to hold the gel pad in place. Ideally one could slip it under boot liner and glue / stitch it there but access to that part of the boot is really difficult unless you take the tongue out (more cost). I'm going to try some "Gel Bunion Shield Toe Protector" and some "Re-usable Adhesive Protective Gel Dot Pads" to see which works best.
  19. I love this boot but this is the biggest problem, imho they got something badly wrong here with the join between the toe cap and the boot. Oh for something like impact gel across the seam. I tape my feet up with cotton wool and or a strip of impact gel. You can also get bunion or corn gel protectors that slide on over the toe and cover the area of the foot that contacts the seam. Other than this there is no answer as the problem does not go away.
  20. My son has 6D RX60's and they are 1/2 a size to small for me for length. I had to go 6.5 CA9's to get a perfect fit in length (25.5cm foot length, toes feathering toe box with about 1mm spare between back of heel and boot). I transitioned from 10k's (tri d-lite setup) and it took a couple of weeks but after that it's like I've been on them all my life and would be hard pressed to go back to any kind of hi lo setup now. And another player I know has size 11 RX60's which are 1/2 a size to big for him, he is currently in 10.5 CA9's which fit him well for length.
  21. Height wise I didn't notice any difference in skating. I debated about changing my stick length but in the end stuck with what I had and everything settled in after a couple of weeks.
  22. Rbks have lots of volume so make sure you get the length right when sizing your foot in comparison to an alkali. With your rbks, take the laces out and pull the tongue right out. Foot in boot, toes feathering the toe cap, how much gap do you have between the back of your heel and the boot? If it is 1mm - 2mm, you will get a 1/2 size up ie size 8 rbk = size 8.5 alkali. If it is 5mm (pencil test example) then you could get size 8 alkali. My previous skate was Rbk 10k's so I'm pretty sure I'm right with this.
  23. Hey Justin, can you tell us what these skates are, pre release CA9's? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alkali-Inline-Hockey-Skates-Size-11US-w-80mm-Labeda-wheels-/180989688139?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a23d3794b
  24. Alkali CA9 size 6.5 – 10 months old, I'm in them on average 15 hours a week so that's around 600 hours of usage so far.. Reviewer intro/specs/previous skates used: 5’11” 185lbs, ok skater. Narrow heel and forefoot, slight pronation both feet. Alkali CA9, Reebok 10k, Bauer RX60, Reebok 9k (Crimsion shadow), Mission Boss SE, CCM V10, Mission Boss. Fit: Narrow heel, widish forefoot, med volume. Formability of the skates is one of the big drawcards, after one or two bakes these skates should fit any foot shape out there. Chassis/Wheels/Bearings: Magnesium alloy chassis running 80mm White Addiction wheels, Swiss bearings. Chassis is strong and durable, been hit / kicked plenty of pucks and no issues. 10/10 Wheels have great grip out of the box but durability was very poor, chunked them out on a plastic tiled sports court after 3 weeks of use. 2 other players in my area also have CA9's and suffered the same problems so it's not just me or a bad wheel batch, wished they put harder wheels like orange addictions on. 3/10 Bearings are fast and durable and still going. I clean them regularly and have measured them against Swiss ceramics and they perform close to these. 10/10 Weight/Protection: weight is slightly heavier than other top end skates, not by much but noticable when holding one against an RX60 or APXR. Protection is mid range, have taken pucks against the toe and sides and some of them really hurt. If protection is what you are after you would get some APXR's, otherwise the protection is similar to other top end skates. 8/10 Durability: This is one area where the boot excels above all other skates I have had. Wet from sweat for about 5 hours every day for the last 10 months, eyelets still solid, tongue hasn't fallen apart, outside and inside still all in good condition, stitching holding together very well. The shiny outer layer on the boot has a couple of cracks / splits in it but that's to be expected from pucks, falls, scrapes along the boards. I am really hard on my skates having killed my last pair (Rbk 10k's) inside of 3 months so for these to still be going strong after 10 months of really hard use is a testament to their build quality. 10/10 Looks: No issues here and they receive a lot of compliments. 10/10 Comfort: Whilst the fit and modability is excellent, with high use there are some definite niggles that come with these skates. Tongue - Not great, after a few weeks use I had to resort to a lace bite pad to keep skating in them. Toe box - Myself, along with a host of other players I know from pro to starter, get blisters on their little toes. I wish they would line the toe box with something like impact gel or make it a fraction wider. Also on the inside of the boot where the end of the toe box sits behind the skate liner, a hard ridge develops as the skate liner begins to compress after a lot of use. Tape and cotton wool keep me going but it is a hassle. Flex Zone - Between the 2nd and 3rd eyelet is a flex zone. Just behind the flex zone, mine decided to crease inwards after 6 months of use creating a 1/4 inch long ridge on the inside of the boot that gave me wicked tendon inflammation around the ankle. When it happened, the next day I couldn't even do the skate up on my foot. Heating the area, popping the ridge out and then punching the area was easy enough but it's something I always check now after every skate. Despite the niggles, the fit and comfort is still very good. 8/10 Conclusion: Whilst the all 80 setup took a little while to get used to, once you get there they are a very very good skate that have, so far, stood the test time. Because of the wheels and tongue I would give these an overall 8/10, as the RPD looks to have addressed some of these issues I can't see any reason why future versions of this skate wouldn't get a 10/10 (and I will definitely be buying them again). Additional comment - These are one of the "wettest" skates I have ever used. I thought they were constantly wet because they were not drying properly during winter but we are now into our summer season and they are still soaking wet after each game / practice and take a long time to dry out. The moisture wicking / absorption capability of the boot seems weird, the laces get ultra wet, to the point that when you undo them they "spray" water as they are pulled thru the eyelets. Admittedly it is after 2 - 3 hours of skating in them but other skates I have owned never got this bad. At first I thought it was just me because I do sweat a lot but talking to other CA9 owners, they have the same problem. I have resorted to putting soakers (chamois cloth cut to shape) under my footbeds so they absorb excess moisture before it leaks out the boot and onto the wheels,
  25. If you can't get used to a 76 - 80 setup then I'd say you will really struggle with an all 80 setup. I came from RX60's and Rbk 10k's and even though the Alkali is aggressively pitched, I still found I was in a very different skating stance - definitely pitched further back onto my heels. Gritted my teeth, trained hard and after 2 weeks or so I had adjusted and now don't think about it at all. The ability for the Alkali boot to form fit to your foot is a big plus. Also if you have narrow ankles / heels then these are definitely the boot for you. As to build quality, despite a couple of niggles these are the best boots in terms of build that I have put on and I speak from having used them for over 2 hours every day for the last 6 months or so. Given I destroyed my Rbk 10k's inside of 3 months, this is a testimony to the Alkali boots (CA9's). I don't know of anyone who makes a 72 - 80 setup anymore so if you want to retain this you are going to have to put a frame onto a boot, regardless. I don't see how this would be any different to people who have put Sprung frames onto inline boots and I don't see why it would not work equally as well for an Alkali boot. As to the pitch of the boot, I measured it against a T10, RX60 and 10k and the difference is not that great so if you have put your frame on a Mission boot successfully then I don't see any reason why it would not go onto an alkali boot. If you don't want to use an inline boot then consider an ice boot, something like a Graf would be a good choice as you can buy the specific boot that fits your foot shape.and I know of a few people who have converted Graf boots to inline without any long term issues.
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