OrrSmith
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Posts posted by OrrSmith
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I had a retail sales guy tell me that the Pro Carbon insole would be too stiff for my 13 and 10 year old sons and advised to stay with the yellow insoles for them. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with fitting Pro Carbon insoles on younger players?
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I inquired about their PeakSpeed Skates Friday afternoon at Graf headquarters and got a reply to expect them in a couple of weeks. Where does that product get sold now?
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There was just something about the feel of CXNs I wasn't a big fan of. Plus I travel a lot and carry extra steel with me and the availability of Edge runners just made life easier.
There was just something about the feel of CXNs I wasn't a big fan of. Plus I travel a lot and carry extra steel with me and the availability of Edge runners just made life easier.
Where are your heel lifts built in?
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Just received my new VH skates. Rob was a miracle worker once again and accommodated me immensely with regards to the qualms I had with my previous pair. I didn't think VH Skates could fit better, but here they are:
Specs:
- Junior Size Priced Skate, new toecap
- Enhanced Tendon Guard
- New Enhanced Tongue
- LS Edge Holder, LS3 Runners (Profiled to 11' +1 Forward Pitch)
- 1/8" Heel Lift built into skate
Modifications:
- Built off of a smaller last than my actual skate size. The wrap of my first pair of VH Skates were incredible, but completely hampered my forward flex no matter how much I heated and bent the top 3 eyelets outward. Rob suggested building the skate off a smaller foot last, thereby reducing the volume at the ankle and giving me more forward flex (I likened it to how Bauer built their boot ankles in that the wrap came from laces more than material), while maintaining that gorgeous wrap around the rest of my feet.
- The smaller last also slimmed up the areas around my midfoot and arch and felt much snugger and more wrapped, a lot like my old Mako skates.
- The enhanced tongue was chosen to compensate for the lacebite that could arise from my preferred ankle wrap, as well as giving me a "diving board" tongue that snaps back into place after I've flexed into it.
- I asked for no logo nor embroidery to give the skate a more minimalistic look.
These feel even better than my old pair. Rob was even kind enough to source light blue laces for me when I asked. It's the little things in life. ;)
Just received my new VH skates. Rob was a miracle worker once again and accommodated me immensely with regards to the qualms I had with my previous pair. I didn't think VH Skates could fit better, but here they are:
Specs:
- Junior Size Priced Skate, new toecap
- Enhanced Tendon Guard
- New Enhanced Tongue
- LS Edge Holder, LS3 Runners (Profiled to 11' +1 Forward Pitch)
- 1/8" Heel Lift built into skate
Modifications:
- Built off of a smaller last than my actual skate size. The wrap of my first pair of VH Skates were incredible, but completely hampered my forward flex no matter how much I heated and bent the top 3 eyelets outward. Rob suggested building the skate off a smaller foot last, thereby reducing the volume at the ankle and giving me more forward flex (I likened it to how Bauer built their boot ankles in that the wrap came from laces more than material), while maintaining that gorgeous wrap around the rest of my feet.
- The smaller last also slimmed up the areas around my midfoot and arch and felt much snugger and more wrapped, a lot like my old Mako skates.
- The enhanced tongue was chosen to compensate for the lacebite that could arise from my preferred ankle wrap, as well as giving me a "diving board" tongue that snaps back into place after I've flexed into it.
- I asked for no logo nor embroidery to give the skate a more minimalistic look.
These feel even better than my old pair. Rob was even kind enough to source light blue laces for me when I asked. It's the little things in life. ;)
Rather than a built in heel lift, why not go with the CXN holder with Step v-steel? Not a criticism just a question.
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Right! OrrSmith, don't chose the boot for pitch. Think of the pitch on the boot as it comes off the shelf as though it were a "suggested serving" like you see on a cereal box or something. You can eat it with those things if you like, but if you want to go a different direction, that's entirely possible. Essentially: pick the boot for what fits your son's feet best.
From what I think I remember you posting in other threads, he was ok with the Mako, but now the boots are too shallow for his feet. If he wants to go back to Supremes because he prefers the more traditional feeling of that kind of boot compared to the Mako, then go with those. If he actually prefers the feeling (and by "feeling" I mean the ride/skating-experience) of the Mako and just wishes they were deeper, then VH might be a more satisfactory solution. Since they're tailored rather than ready-to-wear, it's possible to have a similar feeling boot with the right volume.
It's really no problem to swap holders or install heel lifts, change the pitch of the steel, and so on.
Right! OrrSmith, don't chose the boot for pitch. Think of the pitch on the boot as it comes off the shelf as though it were a "suggested serving" like you see on a cereal box or something. You can eat it with those things if you like, but if you want to go a different direction, that's entirely possible. Essentially: pick the boot for what fits your son's feet best.
From what I think I remember you posting in other threads, he was ok with the Mako, but now the boots are too shallow for his feet. If he wants to go back to Supremes because he prefers the more traditional feeling of that kind of boot compared to the Mako, then go with those. If he actually prefers the feeling (and by "feeling" I mean the ride/skating-experience) of the Mako and just wishes they were deeper, then VH might be a more satisfactory solution. Since they're tailored rather than ready-to-wear, it's possible to have a similar feeling boot with the right volume.
It's really no problem to swap holders or install heel lifts, change the pitch of the steel, and so on.
For sure pick the right fit. My son had Supreme's for four seasons prior to the past two with Mako's and we had 1/8" shims under his Supreme skates but I found that they loosened a bit and it was like he pushed off and there was two movements in his stride. I was thinking of CXN holders on Supreme skates as an option because the shim's didn't seem to work great for him in the past or VH skates with CXN holders.
When I switched from Mako to VH I had mine made with CXN holders. The pitch feels identical to the Mako (in my opinion). However, I did have to go to a shallower hollow due to the more responsive boot (Scott Van Horne says a lot of the Jets had to do the same).
Thanks for the info. My son is finding that his Mako's aren't responsive enough on his first three strides so it is nice to hear that the VH skates are better in that area. Also nice to know that the CXN holders feel similar on the VH skates.
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I am offering an in-house rebate on old VH's when buying a new pair of VH's. (when purchased originally through the Toronto Fit Center's)It's a personal thing and has nothing to do with VH. However they applauded the idea as there is little wear on the smaller pairs. Of course for people that have large discrepancies in there feet it will be a little bit of an issue. Hopefully that wont be to many. So next spring I will have about 20 pairs of used VH JR skates for sale !!
One of my sons wants to move out of the Mako skate and is considering going back to Bauer Supreme which is a good fit for him other than the lack of pitch. Would the VH skate be a better option especially if we threw on a CXN holder to keep the pitch similar?
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I'm thinking the expansion into the junior market, and junior pricing for custom skates is a solid move for VH.
It really opens up options for younger players, or adult men and women with smaller feet looking for customs or a better fitting skate.
Compared to the top of the line non-custom skates from other brands, most people I've spoken with say it's almost a no-brainer to get the VH customs if they're already making the financial commitment to the top of the line, off-the-shelf boot.
VH is making a junior skate with a price point comparable to the top CCM and Bauer junior skates?
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The New Re-Akt 100's aren't out yet where we are at and I was wondering if waiting for them was worth while or not.
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You didn't need the catalogue to read that...
HI JR,
I am trying to find a helmet that fits similar to the 9900. Both my two younger sons need helmets and fit 9900 helmets perfectly but I haven't been able to find another helmet that replaces it. I did read somewhere on this topic that the new Re-Akt 100 fits similar to the 9900. Is this accurate?
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I did a little in home research on the pitch issue with the Makos. I have 3 sons in hockey who have used many different brands of skates and individually have a similar fit but a different pitch that they perform better in. In measuring the difference in holder height between the heel and toe, I found the Mako CXN holder had a difference of 3/4". The Reebok and Graf skates had a difference of 5/8" and the Bauer LS2 and the holder on the S17 skates had a difference of 1/2". My oldest son who is having issues with his Mako skates, has always performed better in 1/2"(with a 8.5/9.5 profile) to a 5/8" difference in the holders of his past skates. My middle son who also has Makos, so far doesn't seem to have any issues with the Mako pitch but he can't skate on a 1/2" difference holder like a LS2 or a S17 holder so he has either had a heel lift to get him to the 5/8" difference or just worn skates that had a 5/8" difference in the holders.
The problem with the Easton Mako CXN holders going to 3/4" difference is that they are pushing the pitch too far past where most skaters are used to being. If they had another holder at 1/2" to 5/8" difference as well then they could cover off skaters like my oldest son as well. The stability of the skater to win battles in the corners etc. is just as important as their skating ability and I think that that is where the CXN holder will strike out unless they can offer that 1/2" to 5/8" difference in a holder.
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I beg to differ. Plenty of steel to remove the pitch on the steel, no difference than say to add pitch to a Bauer. I've done this to quite a few Mako's.
When I spoke with the Mako designer, I questioned him on the pitch on the steel and commented that it should be neutral and then let the player decide if more is needed, especially there is pitch built into the holder. He was a firm believer that aggressive pitch would make a better skater.
Skate manufacturers cannot even get their radius, pitch and pivot points to match on 9 out of 10 out of the box skate pairs. Steel is mass produced by subcontractors, and is all over the place in regards to matching the so-called factory radius. If they labeled them, the labeling would be incorrect. Fine tuning and balancing is best left to a radius professional who can match it to the skaters style and needs. I suggest you visit your shop and simply have them put the radius you want on them and reverse the pitch. Even if you put LS2 holders on them, there is no guaranty what pitch you will end up with and then they may not feel forward enough. Either way you are likely going to need a profile, it's short money so why not.
What profile would you put on them?
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I beg to differ. Plenty of steel to remove the pitch on the steel, no difference than say to add pitch to a Bauer. I've done this to quite a few Mako's.
When I spoke with the Mako designer, I questioned him on the pitch on the steel and commented that it should be neutral and then let the player decide if more is needed, especially there is pitch built into the holder. He was a firm believer that aggressive pitch would make a better skater.
Skate manufacturers cannot even get their radius, pitch and pivot points to match on 9 out of 10 out of the box skate pairs. Steel is mass produced by subcontractors, and is all over the place in regards to matching the so-called factory radius. If they labeled them, the labeling would be incorrect. Fine tuning and balancing is best left to a radius professional who can match it to the skaters style and needs. I suggest you visit your shop and simply have them put the radius you want on them and reverse the pitch. Even if you put LS2 holders on them, there is no guaranty what pitch you will end up with and then they may not feel forward enough. Either way you are likely going to need a profile, it's short money so why not.
What profile are you putting on the steel to remove some pitch? Do you know what the intended pitch angle is supposed to be for a stock Mako? Bauer is around 3 and Graf is around 5 I think. My Son plays defence so needs to use his toe a little more than a forward.
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A profile would be a lot cheaper and faster than new holders.
If Easton are going to put an aggressive pitch on the holder, then they should leave the steel at a neutral position. There are two problems with the profile idea. 1. There isn't a lot of steel to start with because they already come profiled. 2.It would become a trial and error situation because I don't know what the ideal pitch angle would be for my son with these skates or what profile to ask for to get there. He skated well in S17's two years ago and in 11k's last year. We put a 9/10 profile on the S17's and didn't profile the Reebok 11K's. I think skate manufacturers should label the pitch angle on their skates like lie and flex on sticks. Easton should come out with another less aggressive holder that we can custom order to eliminate the extra hassle after the purchase.
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My older son(13) has been in Makos for about 6 weeks now and I am having some concerns. At the start it looked like the greatest invention since sliced bread but now I think there needs to be less pitch in the holder. I have noticed that when ever he pivots quickly it looks like he has to catch himself from falling and when he has to transition from backwards to forward the same thing. Also, it seems like he has to work hard to get some speed up the ice. Playing defence, he never loses races to a loose puck but is now. He also doesn't seem to have enough stability when taking or giving hits. He likes the boot but I have heard that some guys are scrapping the holder for a Lightspeed 2 for most of the reasons above. Thoughts anyone? Should I really have to spend more money to make $800 skates work properly.
NEW SUPERFEET 'CARBON PRO HOCKEY'
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They are flat footed but currently don't wear any special insoles.