jcp2

I recommend an older Ford Crown Vic with the Police Interceptor package. Safe, fun, reliable, cheap, easy to insure. Not so great on gas, but better than most SUVs. Plus people tend to scoot out of your way when you're in the left hand lane. Lots of room for hockey stuff in the trunk.

Kor Shift 1 Background - 5'8 155 Introduction - My prior skate are Graf 705's, which were the most comfortable skates I've ever had, until I got the Kors. Fit - After molding them (thanks, JR), these skates fit really well. No break in time, no blisters, no foot pain. I could keep them on all day if I had to. Once they were molded, I didn't need to really tighten up the skate in the forefoot and instep area to get really good heel lock. In fact, they are so stiff that when I first tied them, I did them up too tight in the ankle area and ended up feeling like I was wearing a ski boot. The only tricky part was figuring out the right amount of tightness (or looseness) in the ankle area so I could get good flex in my stride. Switching to waxed laces really helped in this regard. 9/10 because of this tricky part, otherwise 10/10. Blade/Holder - The Pitch 3 holder is really nice. Because the blade is so long and flat, I had the tips trimmed away to get a decent length for the working radius. Currently at an 11' radius, and planning to go to 9' if it doesn't work out. I've tried the neutral pitch and the +1, and the +1 works out best for me. I'm a bit hesitant to try the -1 pitch, but someday I will. 10/10 Weight - These are the lightest skates I've ever owned, but I know my other skates are not considered light. I liked the feel of them when I first tried them out, but now that I'm used to them, the novelty has worn off. I am skating better, but I'm not sure it's because of the weight or the fit. 9/10 because others have said there are lighter skates out there, 10/10 for me. Protection - Really stiff boot. I've taken quite a few shots off of them and haven't really felt anything besides the initial thud. 10/10 Durability - The boots look great. There are a few puck and skate marks on the holder, but the composite and uppers still look new. 10/10 Conclusion - I got my skates off eBay brand new because the prior owners bought the wrong size, but I was willing to pay full price if I had to. The boots fit great after molding and the holders are versatile even after having the blade profiled. I would recommend switching to wax laces and experimenting a few times with lace tightness so that you can achieve good ankle lock, while still maintaining ankle flex. Overall 10/10 once those kinks were worked out. Update 12/20/2009: The skates still fit and feel great. On close examination, there is significant cosmetic asymmetry between the right and left skates where the uppers join the lower outsole. It was probably always there, but I really noticed it when I had to make repairs (see below). Both tendon guards are starting to flop at their base. I've also had one of the bolts on the toe of the holder loosen up; it turns out that it rusted out at the T-nut. I replaced it with a longer bolt but I can feel the replacement with my toe in the footbed if I try. No issues skating. The main structural problem that has occurred is cracking of the composite lower outsole where it joins with the toecap at the front of the skate. Little bits come off slowly, much like the toe of a composite stick blade. I've made a temporary patch with epoxy, but don't have high hopes. I've also taken to leaving the top eyelet undone, with no issues with support. I was lucky enough to find another new pair in my size and purchased those. After a couple of skate bakes, they feel just as good. I'm looking forward to another couple of years in this new pair. Updated verdict: 10/10 for fit, performance, and protection, 7/10 for durability. I only play one or two times a week in a lower level non-contact league and didn't expect the composite outsole to start eroding away within 2 years (1 and a little bit, technically, as the problems started in late spring/early summer).

Thanks for the info. Also, thanks for the help with the other stuff.

K2 is an American company based in Vashon, Washington. They make snowboards, skis, skates, and bikes. Their factory for inline skates is in South Korea. K2 Skates Is the name KOR derived from the abbreviation for South Korea in international speed skating competition?

May as well make it a 2007 and show it early. This is getting boring...and quick. Kor suing K2 Maybe this is why they delayed release of the skates.

No picture, but I have a pair of old Easton Ultralight boots with the Bauer Rocker Chassis on it. The wheel setup mimics my ice skate profile, and I just use them to fool around on the street in front of my house. They let me get in a quick "sticks and pucks (ball)" session without planning my whole day around the local rink schedule.

Never mind, I just found the answer in my Inbox from before (duh!)

How do I order your products in Michigan? Do I contact my LHS to order for me or is there already a shop that carries them around here (I'm near Ann Arbor)?