shoot_the_goalie

Tried my UA mask with my helmet (w/ cage) the other night. It was comfortable, didn't interfere physically or optically, didn't have to adjust the helmet, easy to move out of the way to drink...very pleased. I much prefer the mask staying on my face when I lift the cage. Do note...imho, the UA mask fits a touch small.

I got my UA mask today, and I gotta say, it's very comfortable and allows better breathing/ventilation than many masks I've worn thus far. Also very moisture/sweat resistant. Much pricier than some other options though.

They do sell a version for players who wear half-visors if you can find it in stock.

Glad to hear that on the UA mask, as that's the one I ordered. Thanks!

Ice Warehouse just put on their site a whole bunch of masks, now from CCM, Bauer, Under Armor, & Shock Doctor. Not sure which one to buy. Anyone have experience with these? Like PNW said, I'm not too concerned with on ice, but more sitting on the bench next to other players. Looking for it to be easy to drink (Shock Doctor looks promising), and if it's preferable to have the mask on the head or attached to the cage. Thanks

I would love to hear from anyone who knows more about the CCM mask. Was thinking of purchasing.

Sorry. Just realized I posted this in the wrong forum. Admins...please move as needed. Thanks.

Finally got my Marsblade 01s today. Nice boot, good fit (though I probably could go down a half size smaller for a perfect fit), bakes well, and good quality. I changed out the front wheels to the smaller diameter ones that come with the skates, and set the rocker pretty loose (advanced level). Wow...what a learning curve, lol. With the rocker really loose, I felt like I was trying to learn to skate again. Wobbling around, fell down 2 times doing transitions, etc. It's no joke when people say you need to get used to them. Since the initial try, I tightened the rocker a little bit, so it still has a lot of play, but a bit more stable and now I think I found my sweet spot. Do they feel like ice skates? No. But I will say they are MUCH more versatile than your standard chassis inlines. Where I saw the most significant difference between the 01 and your traditional inlines was on turns ("edge" work). You can carve turns much smoother and tighter; it's a noticeable difference. Wish they came stock with harder wheels, as I can already see wear from my first session with these. But pretty pleased with these so far.

How does the FT3 compare to the AS2? Specifically the kick point and stiffness/feel of the blade?

You know, I thought breathing through a mask would be tough when doing vigorous exercise, but I biked 18 miles today wearing one of those blue surgical masks and it wasn't bad at all, except that the sides of the masks got sweaty. Breathing wasn't really an issue. If anything, wearing a mask probably helped cause of car exhaust, etc. I also have a thin fabric gaiter, which I haven't tried yet. I bet it would be even easier to breathe through that, but I imagine it's not as protective.

As others said, flex doesn't necessarily translate into one shooting harder/faster. It's more about how much effort (or less) that you need to get off similar shots. I can shoot just as hard with a 100 flex stick as I can with an 80 flex stick, but I need to focus more on technique with the 100 flex. Not to mention, my hands/wrists appreciate the 80 flex a lot more.

I have a question for Sparx Hockey on behalf of those who have the ES100 and don't plan to upgrade in the near future. I assume that the grinding rings are unchanged, and that the new Sparx uses the same spec grinding rings as the old Sparx. However, I did notice on the Sparx site that the air filter for the ES100 is not the same as the air filter on the newer unit. How long will Sparx offer last gen accessories for purchase? Simply put, how long does Sparx intend to support ES100 users? Thanks.

I use both. Only noticeable difference on the AS2 Pro to me is that the blade feels a bit stiffer, which I prefer. Otherwise, they feel very similar.

Good improvements imho, and looks like they're targeting the home user even more now. Still seems like the last version of the Sparx prior to this is still the more robust machine though, since it's sorta unchanged from the commercial Sparx. I wonder what the durability of the new Sparx vs the old Sparx is.

Looks like the major change is the height of the unit. Looks much more lower profile.

Tacks, Ultra Tacks, AS1, and AS2 blades have held up fine for me...though I haven't used the AS2 that long due to the COVID pause. I never used one, but I have heard that the 1st gen SuperTacks had blade issues. Also, I used to tape the toe of my blades, but now I don't, and blades have usual normal wear and tear. Nothing accelerated imho.

Tacks, Ultra Tacks, AS1, and AS2 blades have held up fine for me...though I haven't used the AS2 that long due to the COVID pause. I never used one, but I have heard that the 1st gen SuperTacks had blade issues. Also, I used to tape the toe of my blades, but now I don't, and blades have usual normal wear and tear. Nothing accelerated imho.

I can't speak for Warrior, since I rarely use them. I find True sticks to be the mid point for flex rating. (I don't have the scientific equipment to verify this, so just using this as a base point...). Only speaking for mid-kicks as well. WHIPPY: Easton<<True<<CCM<Bauer<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Easton Aluminum<<<rebar (heh) : STIFF

Does anyone know if you can custom order an older stick line from CCM? I'm assuming for the general populace, no? (I'd imagine it would be hard, due to different machines, materials, and also marketing).

I'm a CCM stick convert ever since the Ultra Tacks came out. Used Bauer before that, mostly the Nexus line, sometimes Supreme. (I'm a mid-kick type of guy). Honestly, I think both brands are fine along with any of the top manufacturers. I just usually can find CCM sticks on clearance a bit more easier than Bauer. I guess there's also wishful thinking that CCM will go back to the the Ultra Tacks characteristics someday (just disguised with a different paint job). Ultra Tacks was my favorite stick of all time to this point. Such an effortless stick with such a smooth kick point.

I've seen this SO many times. Kids refusing to wear any skate but Bauer, cause all the other kids are wearing Bauer. It's gotten a little better in recent years though, now that CCM has improved their skate lines and marketing.

I said POWERFEET not Superfeet. Big difference. Powerfeet are the thick pads that go on the top of the toe box and help to reduce negative space above the toes. It also helps your toes from sliding around. Can make a touch long skate feel better. Also, did you bake with the Superfeet in the 3S? Or did you bake with stock insole/Speedplates. Superfeet will lift your arches, and cause your whole foot to "shorten" in length a touch. If you baked with stock insoles/Speedplates and they felt good, but then you put in Superfeet, they're going to possibly feel a touch longer and give you more room in the toebox.

You could always try putting some Powerfeet or something similar in the skates to see if that helps any. Just put them in (don't remove the adhesive backing) and see if they help cut down movement. However, if the skates are too big, they're too big and Powerfeet won't make a significant difference.

This would be a great idea. Maybe the scan costs like $20, but if you purchase a retail or custom boot from True, the $20 goes toward the purchase.

I never used my tendon guards as leverage to take my skates off. Always handled my skates with great care, and my rivets popped off twice on both skates. I agree with SkateWorksPNW that a flared rivet would do the trick, but that's not how they came from True (and sadly the LHS who repaired them). I think a bolt system is better and happy to see True changing to that. Easier to take on and off for the average user I would think. For me, once I rigged my tendons to a bolt system, they've been solid ever since.