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Stewie

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Posts posted by Stewie

  2. Posted · Report reply

    1 hour ago, xstartxtodayx said:

    So far so good.  

    Coming from an older Easton backpack (which was really just a normal hockey bag but with shoulder straps) this one has much more room to it.  The build quality seems really good, the zippers are all really heavy duty but not the smoothest so while they feel really strong they are a bit of a chore to open/close at times, I'd rather have this than zippers that are easy to open/close but feel like they'll fail at any moment (which was the case with my old Easton).  The skate pockets fit my size 7.5 skates pretty well but I can't imagine they'd work well for people with large skates.  There's plenty of room in the three other pockets, I use the one larger one for tape/wax and scissors, one small one for powerfeet inserts and a screwdriver, and the other for extra laces and misc. bolts/j clips/etc.  Coming from a bag with just a mesh pouch for stuff I almost feel like I have too much storage now lol.  The main compartment is large which is awesome, tons of room to put everything in, the one downside was it had a pretty strong chemical smell when I got it which lasted about 2 weeks, luckily I keep everything in the garage otherwise this wouldn't have stayed inside the house.  The shoulder straps work well but I have 2 gripes... first, I wish they were a few inches longer since with a hoodie, or even a coat, it can be tough to get the second arm in at times even when extended out as far as they can go, a few more inches on the adjustable straps would be awesome.  And second, the shoulder straps are connected at the top in like a semi circle that can dig into your neck/shoulders, I wish they made the straps more separate and maybe slightly wider... I'm not a huge guy by any means but it almost feels like they designed this for a kid with how the straps are.  Oh and the water bottle holders, these are something I didn't really care about but I've found them useful, I stick my normal sized gatorade water bottle in one and then my small pre-game drink in the other, so far so good, if they rip I'll just go back to putting the gatorade bottle inside the bag (I don't fill it up til I get to the rink so it's empty) and carrying the pre-game drink.

    So overall I'm really happy with the bag, for the price it's definitely worth it (I got mine from the company through sidelineswap when they ran a 10% off sale, it worked out to be almost $10 cheaper than direct from their site after shipping and taxes).

    Thanks for the feedback! Your comment about the shoulder straps is my number one concern with the bag, definitely looks like the area around the neck could be awkward and uncomfortable, but perhaps I’ll still give it a try, maybe I’ll just hang it up in the barn to air out a few weeks. 

    • Like 1

  3. Posted · Report reply

    On 9/6/2022 at 5:06 PM, xstartxtodayx said:

    ok I took the chance and ordered a bag, came to about $85 after tax.  It sounds like size wise it'll be similar to what I have now just shaped slightly differently (my skate pocket is at one end and this had individual pockets on each side).  I'll return and let everyone know after I get it and try it out.

    Any input? My roller bag has further deteriorated so I started considering these again.

  4. Posted · Report reply

    11 hours ago, 218hockey said:

    Well just about every backpack has two of those bottle holders. And that mesh style will rip. Maybe not right away but eventually.

    My warrior has 0 bottle holders and is never in stock, and when it is it looks like it will be 40$ more than I purchased mine at, and I have a labeda one with a bottle pouch that was awesome, but that too ripped. I’m also skeptical on the long term holding ability of these mesh ones, but I usually just carry biosteel cartons so maybe it’ll hold up to that ok. 

  6. Posted · Report reply

    Yeah, who is to say that the switch to the 7 isn’t just to diversify raw materials to help keep up with production and shortages. They could have already been working on the 7 and faced shortages of the raws to manufacture the 6 in the next batch so just decided to switch over and start manufacturing the 7. 

  8. Posted · Report reply

    2 hours ago, stick9 said:

    Yup yup. 67 flex intermediate sticks were way too flexy and never felt right. 75 flex seniors stick felt way too stiff after cutting. Being able to get a senior in a 70 flex was perfect. Switching to the proper flex and a pattern that better suited my playing style and ability was one of the better things I have done. 

    I would say, certain parts of the US. The stick market in the north east is brutal right now. Right now, I couldn't walk into a shop and buy a stick. I tried online and there is nothing available in my specs. Luckily I picked up a second FT3 when they went on clearance. 

    In all honesty, a two year lifecycle is a little short....three seems about right to me. If you can plan it right you can release a new twig every year, 

    Yeah I’m seeing the same thing here in Detroit area, hard to find any clearance sticks in any reasonable quantities. Peranis doesn’t even have their yearly big sale event in a rink anymore, partially due to Covid I’m sure, but they also just don’t seem to have as much stuff to clear whenever I go in there. Having hundreds of sticks to clear out seems like maybe too many were ordered for the market, but I’d love to be there for that kind of inventory!!!
     

    another thing people aren’t putting into the equation is the impact that raw material shortages have had. I think several manufacturers probably had much shorter production runs than they originally intended, and by the time Raws are received for the next batch, probably some R and D work to capitalize for the next set. 
     

    all in all, I’m sure the big companies would love to just keep the manufacturing lines and processes the same for years, and not have to pay for new RD and marketing plans for each new release, but it’s the Consumer that drives sales and it’s the consumers that have created the problem. The vast majority of consumers are always wanting the newest cutting edge products, if you say “we’re going to sell you the same stick for the next 5 years” you’re not going to sell many sticks, plain and simple. Trust me I would also love if the EK15 never went away, CCM still had the original RBZ gear line out, and the Reebok 11k/7k helmet was still available, but that’s just not how the world around me works, so I’ve had to adjust

  9. Posted · Report reply

    To be honest, this isn’t a manufacturer problem, but more a consumer problem. Manufacturers have to use buzz words to sell the new products, but very few consumers are happy with just using the same product year in and year out, and sales end up lagging. It’s across all industries really, hockey isnt unique here. 

    • Like 1

  10. Posted · Report reply

    1 hour ago, althoma1 said:

    I just saw a FB post from STX that they are having a US only tent sale on all hockey equipment starting this Thursday. 

    I am not sure if this means that they are just clearing out remaining inventory before exiting hockey or if they are making room for new products. 

    They have a “tent” sale every year I believe. They did already have one a few months ago however so that could be worrying, but I guess now may be a good time for me to get a 4th pair of their elbow pads 🙂 .  And a few other items. 

    • Like 1

  11. Posted · Report reply

    There’s definitely some things I am skeptical on with it, but feel like I have enough curiosity to spend the 80 on it. 
     

    currently I use a labeda backpack for roller, but the water bottle pouch is all torn up and I hate wheeled backpack bags as the internal frame is a bit annoying to me. For ice in using the warrior bag that doesn’t have the wheels, but It also doesn’t have a water bottle holder and I can’t seem to find the non wheeled ones in stock anywhere. 

    looks like maybe these have two water bottle holders which is perfect because I usually bring a premixed biosteel carton for the bench, and some high quality H2O for after the game

  13. Posted · Report reply

    anecdotal evidence, i have the FT4 shoulder pads, took a slide into the boards, and ended up with an AC sprain. Ive taken similar board impact with my RBZ and never have had an issue, in fact this was my first ever hockey injury that had cost me to miss significant time, luckily only about 3 weeks. 

  15. Posted · Report reply

    On 9/10/2021 at 3:38 PM, marka said:

    Howdy,

    I have the MSH one.  Its well made but I can't imagine it will fit Shift steel (struggled with CXN Mako stuff) and its not rigid.  With how easy it is to bend a loose runner, I definitely don't want them banging around in my bag without a rigid holder.

    Mark

    Probably too late to be of any value to you, but shift steel does fit in them. Originally Howies told me that one pair would fit, but you can fit two pair of you stagger them a little, and facing them edges out.. Working on a solution to make it more secure while doing this. It’s definitely not a nice as the MSH ones for sure, but will fit the steel. 

  18. Posted · Report reply

    Shoulders for me the RBZ/cl line has always been the balance of weight and protection I desire, just wish they had a high end pad components wise with a bit less of the protective elements to save even more weight. 
     

    as far as girdles I have two different ones from the tacks line and like them both. Bought a jet speed girdle off here and trying to decide if I want to keep it or flip it, depending on if I like the fit well enough. 

    • Thanks 1

  20. Posted · Edited by Stewie · Report reply

    2 hours ago, penguinpelts said:

    Thanks for the replies everyone, and wow, I wasn't expecting to see so much love for STX. The only downside now is the little hockey store here in the South only carrying the big brands, and maybe having to do the whole purchase/return route until I find a pair I like.

    And to those suggesting the tailor route to fix the velco, I was thinking about that as well, but some of the foam on my current pads is starting to crack and puff out, so it's time for a new pair in general. Of all the gear I think the elbow pads are the things that I've never been happy with and just tolerated without getting too attached to.

    STX is only direct To consumer anyways so you will not find in store. They are happy to accommodate returns and on elite line products you even get 14 days to demo and wear. To be honest I haven’t much been a fan of their shoulders or shins, but love the elbows (rx3 surgeon). I returned both the shoulders and shins after purchasing but have since tried a few sticks and own 2 pairs of the elbows. Their original surgeon stick remains my favorite inline hockey stick of all time 

    • Like 2

  21. Posted · Report reply

    I’ve used the CCM RBZ line, but a few years ago switched to STX Surgeon. They are lightweight, mobile, and a fairly similar fit to the RBZ for me. The sleeve can be an issue for some, but it isn’t one for me as I prefer short sleeve athletic shirts when I play. Haven’t checked the most recent CCM line, but I could always switch back if the pads are more close to their earlier RBZ lines. 
     

    one benefit of STX is low risk if they still offer their 14 day (I think?) trial 

  23. Posted · Report reply

    3 hours ago, iammerson said:

    I feel like this was being advertised along the same line as Custom skates. Disappointing if there are no scans required for this helmet. Don’t see how you can justify the price without that level of customization.

    The CCM site for it still shows a guy getting scanned with a tablet, but yeah, it doesn’t look like there’s a custom portion to it from what I can see, looks like you can just preorder it. 

  24. Posted · Edited by Stewie · Report reply

    2 hours ago, stick9 said:

    I'd be ok with that price if it were say, limited quantity or a custom made liner to help fit your head better. But a regular old bucket...aw hell no.

     

    I agree. The initial video etc seemed to insinuate it was a custom scan, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Really takes away that advantage of 3D printing. I’ll probably just order another 3DS (which probably would’ve been a better name for this helmet) 

    Working in the 3D printing field I wanted to be more in to it than I am, maybe eventually my curiosity will get the best of me 

    • Like 1
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