althoma1

1. Mako II 2. Mako M7 3. KOR Shift 1 4. OG Mako 5. CCM 652 Tacks with the pump

I agree that the 3/4 Fire feels a little more "floaty" than the 90/50 FBV I usually use. I actually liked that as I prefer a shallow hollow with just enough bite, but I can definitely see it being too shallow for lighter skaters or those who prefer more bite.

I usually use a 90/50 FBV and tried the 3/4 Fire ring at a Modsquad event. The Fire ring felt like it had a bit less bite, but I actually liked that as I like the 90/50 better after I have skated on it a game or two (which means I should probably go with a shallower FBV cut, but 90/50 is the shallowest one readily available around here). If he wants the same bite as the 90/50 then maybe try the 5/8 FIRE, but if he doesn't mind having a little less bite then try the 3/4 FIRE.

I totally agree with stocking up on skates that fit well...well, anything that I really like I stock up on. Mako II skates, STX Surgeon gloves, 2012 Warrior Projekt elbow pads, Warrior Projekt girdles, Easton E700 helmets (wish I would've stocked up on the Verbero Shield shoulder pads before they disappeared - my one pair is in great shape, but nothing lasts forever). New isn't always better if it doesn't fit and feel as good, plus it helps that the price is usually more palatable on discontinued items. I'm glad I stocked up on the Mako's as nothing on the retail market I've tried on since feels like it would fit my feet as well and new custom True skates would cost about 3x as much as I paid for the extra pairs of Makos - since Trues are currently custom only it's hard to find gently used pairs or pro returns that would be the right size and there are no clearance deals. If I was in the OP's position I would scour the net for M7's, M8's and Mako II's in my size, but I know they're hard to find in new or near new condition in most sizes. If that search failed then I'd start looking for new or barely used True skates in my size (preferably locally so I could try them on) and then if that failed I would cry, pry open my wallet and fork over the coin for True customs. After using speed skate inspired one piece skates like KOR and Makos for so many years I can't see moving away from that style of skate.

I was reffing a men's league game last night and saw someone in a FL500 and that thing is massive. I definitely favour comfort and fit over looks when it comes to helmets as I've worn what many consider to be pretty ugly helmets like the Mission Carbster, Cascade M11, Easton E700 and briefly the Alpha Pro before going back to E700s. Out of those, the only one that probably stands out almost as much as the FL500 is the Carbster and even that didn't protrude in the back as much as the FL500. I do remember trying on the RE-AKT 200 in the store and thinking it was also huge and bulky. On the ice, looking at player wearing a helmet, I don't think I've ever seen anything that looks as planetary as the FL500 though. It'll be interesting to see how the new True helmet fits and adjusts when it comes out. It's always good to have more options and if it is more protective for those it fits well then that's great.

No more info then what's in the thread I linked to and what I heard at a modsquad event. There's also this old FB post: https://www.facebook.com/SkateTech29/posts/ultrastop-shot-blockers-on-these-bauer-1s-skates-one-of-the-most-popular-shot-bl/914215945392519/

The True website gives the impression that the two options are "firm" and "soft" for the inline wheels. I assumed that'd be for high end Sport Court wheels. It's really for indoor and outdoor wheels? If so, they should explicitly state that. You'd also have to deep pockets to consider a custom skate for outdoor use.

I have only felt them at Modsquad events; so hopefully someone who has owned both can chime in. I believe the QRE is a bit lighter, but also addresses some durability issues some people had with the Dynasty.

https://mipsprotection.com/news-room/worlds-first-hockey-helmet-with-mips-brain-protection-system-announceds/ That article says it's called the Dynamic 9 Pro, uses the MIPS brain protection system and is set to launch in November 2019. I read somewhere else that the launch was moved up to October 2019, but either way, it looks like it's a fall launch.

I really doubt someone would bounce their head off the ice just to try to sell a call even in the Stanley Cup Finals. I would expect someone embellishing to through themselves back, but break their fall with their arms so that they don't hit their head on the ice. This is Marchand embellishing: and here's embellishment by Kessler: With both of these dives you can see that the players go down easily, but not recklessly. They're not risking injury as it's a controlled dive where they brace themselves with at least one arm. Accari would have to have no regard for his own health and safety to go back that hard and land directly on his head. I'm saying this as a Habs fan who wants the Bruins to lose; the Bruins aren't angels (especially Marchand), but I'm not seeing the Accari play as a dive at all and while I don't ref anywhere near the NHL level, I do ref a lot of competitive hockey

I'm a Habs fan and have no love for the Bruins, but that definitely looked like a trip in both real time and via replay. It's a fast game and the low officials view was probably partially obscured by Carlo when the trip occurred. Perhaps the official thought Bozak was playing the puck and made incidental contact while doing so; that's the most reasonable explanation I can think of for the non-call. While I'm rooting for St. Louis to win, I'd prefer they did so without controversial non-calls like that. There's not much that can be done about it now, but hopefully there are no missed impact calls in the next game(s).

My understanding is that it means the butt end should be covered by tape or a grip like Tacki Mac ect. With that said, if you have the end cap glued in, I don't think you'll be given a hard time about it; especially in beer league.

It may or may not be enforced in men's league, but Hockey Canada rule 3.3 e) states: The end of the shaft must be covered to protect against injury. In the case of hollowed shaft sticks, the end of the shaft must have a protective cap as well as being covered to protect against injury. Nice stick though!

I doesn't look like I'll be able to make it this year, but having been several times in the past, the registration fee covers the ice time and whatever rental costs are required for the manufacturers display/demo area as well as custom jerseys, socks and a puck. There are also usually give-aways from the manufacturers such as hats, bags, skate towels ect. and there have been draws for larger prizes at some past events. Picking the reps brains, seeing the new gear and getting to try some of it out is all great. The game itself is a very relaxed fun pickup game with a wide variety of skill levels as IPV6 mentioned. The dinners are a separate cost. I don't know what's being done this year, but for past events there was a BBQ/party on Friday at the host hotel with a reasonable fee to cover the costs of the food and then a dinner at a restaurant on the Saturday (usually followed by hanging out at the host hotel). These events are optional, but recommended as you get to meet fellow members with a shared common passion for the sport and equipment and hang out. It's flexible, if you can't make it to the dinner on Sat, but want to meet at the hotel after then that usually works. I've always enjoyed the BBQ and hotel hangouts with the other members; there are a lot of laughs and interesting discussions.

My old bag had the U Shape opening (but did get holes in the bottom of the external end skate pockets after about 4 years) and it was a little easier getting things in and out, but it's not a huge difference. The Alkali looks like a great deal at $25, but you'd have to make sure you had good skate guards and would probably have to use toiletry bags for other accessories as Joey suggested. Verbero made a Tarpaulin bag with a zipper that goes around the top, has mesh vents, skate pockets and side and top storage pockets. I have no experience with the bag so can't say how well it's made, but Tron bough Verbero last year and has been clearing out old inventory. Right now it's full price at $79 on the Tron site and $99 on the Verbero site, but if you keep your eye on both the Verbero and Tron sites (and maybe sign up for their electronic mailing lists): you'll probably be able to grab it for less than $50 if you're patient: https://hockeytron.com/collections/bags/products/verbero-hockey-equipment-bag

One could hope it's old Alkali stock that was produced before Tron bought them out. There's no guarantee with that, but they look like the old Alkali bags from before the buy out.

True, if they're sewn poorly and have crappy zippers it doesn't matter that they're tarpaulin. I do have an Alkali back pack bag that I bought for roller on sale, but haven't used it much since the RBK Pro carry bag is working just fine. So I can't speak to the long term durability of the Alkali bags directly, but can say that it seems like those are well built and the zippers are of high quality (based on handling it). I know other roller players who have used Alkali bags for years and are very happy with the durability (I've seen them and they've held up very well). So the Alkali for $25 may be worth considering if the lack of skate pockets aren't an issue. I have no experience with Firstar bags at all; so can't say if they're well made or not.

I agree that good skate covers should alleviate the need to separate skate pockets, but for some illogical reason I still like having the skate pockets. I put everything else in the big opening of a pro style bag, but like the slight organization of the skate pockets and a few side mesh pockets for laces and shower sandals. With that said, you're also right about the more stuff on the bag, the more likely it is to fail. Wheel bags tend to have the bottom rub on the ground and wear out in that area. Bags with external skate pockets have seams rip or zippers fail ect. One high quality bag with good zippers and a strong material like tarpaulin, canvas or high end nylon should last for years. I'm sure the Mammoth made in America bag is a high quality bag, but in my experience there are some overseas bags that hold up well that are much cheaper alternatives (Warrior Pro and RBK Pro are two that have held up for me, but I did have other bags over the years that had zipper and external pocket failures)

Hockeytron has a couple very cheap clearance Tarpaulin pro style bags in black that may be of interest to you: This Firstar for $19 (orig. $80) that has internal mesh skate pockets, but no mesh vents: https://hockeytron.com/collections/bags/products/firstar-tpb-12-hockey-equipment-bag?variant=15405896564813 This $25 Alkali (orig. $60) with no mesh vents, but I'm not sure if it has skate pockets: https://hockeytron.com/collections/bags/products/alkali-rpd-max-senior-hockey-equipment-bag

I actually like the silver, but after digging a little deeper, it seems that bag may not have internal skate pockets Skate pockets are nice to have IMHO. If I were you, I'd probably just go for the $54 Dolomite bag. They mesh on my Warrior Pro bag has held up just fine for both the vents and the internal pockets. In the internal pockets I put in and take out sandals, tape, and laces, but don't over stuff them. In the skate pockets I put in and pull out my 8EE Mako skates with soakers on without issue. I think the Warrior Pro bags are durable as long as you don't over stuff them or drag them across asphalt or something..

This Easton Pro style bag is on clearance at Hockey Monkey. It has a U shape opening (which is preferable to a straight zipper. It makes it easier to find things in your bag), is made of Tarpaulin like the Warrior, but doesn't have the mesh vents (which may help with durability). If I were in the US and was shopping for a new bag, it'd definitely be on my short list at $40: https://www.hockeymonkey.com/catalog/product/view/id/191022 It used to be $90 like the Warrior Pro, but is likely being cleared out for such a low price because Easton hockey was bought and basically shelved by Bauer a couple years ago so they're just clearing out old stock. They only have it in shiny silver, but if that doesn't bother you; it looks like a solid buy; especially at that price. Edit: just read the QA and it looks like it may not have internal skate pockets. That'd be a deal breaker for me as I do like to have skate pockets.

It's the same thing, but with different branding and colours. The Dolomite themed bag was likely released when Warrior released their special edition Dolomite and Mac Daddy retro sticks and is now being cleared out. Getting the Dolomite bag for $54 is definitely a better deal than paying almost double for the standard branding/colour scheme.

Yes, they definitely don't have to be hockey specific mats. Some small dollar store mats would do the job fine. I actually haven't had to buy a mat in a while since I've gotten a few free at different events (Modsquad events, Officials summer clinics, leagues I ref for ect.). The point is, it's definitely not worth shelling out big $ for a bag with a built in mat. If someone likes the style, assumed durability and other features then they should go for it, but the built in mat shouldn't be a deciding factor.

A cheap skate mat will save your feet from melted snow. Any of these $10 mats should do the job and there are more options out there: https://hockeysupremacy.com/en/hockeysupremacy-com-skate-mat.html https://www.prohockeylife.com//products/pro-hockey-life-skate-mat?variant=39945562244&gclid=CjwKCAjwzPXlBRAjEiwAj_XTEalLE3h_LC_Q11ct762to1qAR_61QPJsPnlXTku-V36bERQCZBnv1BoCtC4QAvD_BwE#fo_c=1554&fo_k=615adddce4903b1312ff9c06c65e0845&fo_s=gplaca https://www.hockeymonkey.com/catalog/product/view/id/156759 The Warrior Pro bags (and some other Pro style bags) do have two inner end skate pockets as well as three divided mesh pockets on the sides where you can put laces, sandals, tape ect.