chocks86

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. The fit issue I'm not too worried about yet because Chippa and Buzz are right, with a proper baking I am sure there will be a big difference and I will be happy with them fit wise. I do think I will have them look at the carbon fiber issue though. Should I try to contact True directly or go through Hockey Monkey?

Well, I was a able to pick up my skates at Hockey Monkey today. Walking into the store I was as excited as could be. Walking out was a different story. I have to say I am a little underwhelmed so far with my skates. We unboxed them and everything looked great, so I laced up both skates and they placed them in the oven. Unfortunately I would not get the full benefits of them being baked because when they came out of the oven and I attempted to put them on my foot, I found the tongues to be too fastened too short. Not a True error, and not really a big deal but I did have to unlace a skate that did just come out of a 200 degree oven and reset the tongue. When that was done I was able to finally put them on my feet. When I began to lace up the skates, I found the laces to be about 10 inches too short. I was unable to lace the skates all the way up, had to leave two eyelets undone and was still barely able to tie them. So while I struggled with on skate to be able to get enough lace to tie them, the other was cooling off, off my foot on the floor. I was really not happy. I was told later by a employee at the store who was working in a different area that he has seen the laces issue multiple times lately. I wish I would have been told about that earlier before we put them in the oven. Anyway, I swapped out the laces and decided that it be best that I come back tomorrow and do a rebake, as I didn't want to bake them back to back and have any potential issues with the boot melting or breaking down. So I made it home and was looking over my skates and was becoming more displeased with the situation. The fit of the skates right now doesn't blow me away, but I will take it with a grain of salt as I haven't been able to skate on them yet and have only been able to wear them sitting on my couch. To be honest, one skate feels sloppy, like there is too much negative space and my heel doesn't lock in as much as I would like, but like I said, I was not able to get the full benefits of baking them and things might change after a rebake. I also notice some, I guess quality issues with the skates. On my left skate, on the rear of the boot right under the tendon guard, the carbon fiber looks all kinds of messed up. Also, on the tendon guard itself, I guess you could call it a bolt or rivet "cap" looks partly melted and different then every other picture of the skates that I have seen. I am sure these are just cosmetic issues and won't have an effect on performance but for the money these cost, I kind of expected a little better. I also have some random glue spots, but that doesn't bother me as much. The one that does bother me the most is the carbon fiber issue, because it just looks bad compared to the other skate, which is normal and how it should look. So, I am going to go back tomorrow and have them rebaked and hopefully I will be happy with the fit. I will also have the manager take I a few pictures of the issues and send them to True customer service and see what they say. I have attached a few pictures to show you guys what I have been rambling on about. Let me know if I am being unreasonable about any of this. Sorry for the long post guys and girls. For those of you who read it, I appreciate your time.

I might be mistaken, but I am pretty sure he is talking about the VH logo on the side of the original skate.

So, between Step Blacksteel and Step V-steel, which one would everybody suggest? Are there any benefits off the V-steel over Blacksteel or is it just really a matter of personal preference?

Don't think I have seen True Skates with CCM holders yet. I hadn't thought about them as an option until you mentioned them.

Update as of January 2018: Helmet: Easton E600 Visor: Oakley V903 Shoulder pads: Bauer Vapor X100 Elbow: CCM Tacks 6092 Gloves: Warrior Covert QRL3 14" Pants: Warrior Covert QRL Shins: Bauer Vapor X 7.0 Skates: Bauer Nexus N9000; waiting on True Pro Custom Skates (ordered 01/02/18) Sticks: Warrior Alpha QX3 W03 85 flex; Warrior Covert QRL4 W03 85 flex Shirt: Warrior Covert SS Fitted Perforated Bag: CCM RBZ (black) Stick Bag: Bauer (black)

So, I got them ordered at Hockeymonkey today. Added the T-guard black tongue plus number embroidery which brought the total price to 999.99 USD. Process was really easy and quick. Was told it would be around 45 days, maybe a little sooner until they are shipped to the store to be picked up. Just playing the waiting game now, and I hate that game.

So, I am about to place an order for skates sometime in the next week. My question for those of you who have them is, what are the available options to me ie, things like tongue thickness and color, type of liner, etc. and what would you recommend? I know a lot of these things are matter of preference but I would like to be a little bit more knowledgeable about my options when I walk into the store. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

What you described about the heel lifting off the footbed slightly is a heel lock issue. That means that possibly the heel of the skate is slightly too wide on that foot. Try the True insoles and if that doesn't make a difference, try what Vet 88 suggested, which you will probably have better luck with.

I had bought the inserts several months ago and never got around to trying them out until practice tonight. I had been having problems with heel lock in one of my skates lately even after wearing Stable 26 socks for over a year. I couldn't add a bigger Stable 26 pad in the sock because it became painful. Unfortunately I have a high instep, so the Bauer Nexus were the only skate that I could get enough depth in but that also comes with a wider heel. Anyway, I figured I had the Powerfoot inserts sitting around in my bag and had needed to change my skate laces, so I decided to put the inserts in my skates while doing so. Put my skates on at practice and at first my toes felt a little cramped but that quickly went away when I stepped on the ice. They might not have been designed to do so, but the inserts definitely helped give me better heel lock in my skates. Add that to making the toe box more comfortable and I could notice my skating improved right away, and I am a happy camper. I plan on ordering True custom skates at the beginning of the year, and I will definitely be ordering Powerfoot inserts for them.

Man, all these pictures are making me really jealous. I have been planning on ordering a pair, but my wife told me I need to wait until after Christmas. Guess I might be getting money as a gift from someone to make it a reality. Can't wait. Have fun with them, they look amazing.

To each his own sir. Besides it's not really a matter of what they look like but how they feel and perform. Enjoy them.

I would of stuck with black. I have not seen any color other than black look good on the skate so far.

Approximately $64.00 U.S. with tax.

Wow, that was a successful trip for the True Rep.

LOL

I stand corrected sir. You are right, it is sublimation. Just couldn't find the right word.

Dallas Police team pants shells finally came in. The quality feels decent, but I kind of wish for the money we paid for them that the logo, stars, and lettering would have been embroidered instead of sublimated. I might look into getting a company to make me one at a later time, but for right now these will do nicely, and they will probably hold up pretty well.

Well, I used the Alpha QX3 on Sunday during practice and I scored two goals during our team scrimmage, lol. Which surprised myself and everyone eIse because I'm definitely not known for my shot or goal scoring. I think I still need more ice time to give an informed review and compare it to the Cover QRL4 I was using, but so far I like it a lot.

Update as of November 2017: Helmet: Easton E600 Visor: Oakley V903 Shoulder pads: Bauer Vapor X100 Elbow: CCM Tacks 6092 Gloves: Warrior Covert QRL3 14" Pants: Warrior Covert QRL Shins: Bauer Vapor X 7.0 Skates: Bauer Nexus N9000 Sticks: Warrior Alpha QX3 W03 85 flex; Warrior Covert QRL4 W03 85 flex Shirt: Warrior Covert Fitted Perforated Bag: CCM RBZ (black) Stick Bag: Bauer (black)

So I had an online credit at Hockeymonkey that I received back in March for some returned Easton protective equipment that didn't fit quite right. Since then I couldn't really decide what to use the credit for as I was pretty happy with all my current gear. I have been using the Warrior QRL4 for around 8 months or so and have enjoyed them quite well but I have been hearing raving reviews of the Alpha QX here and elsewhere, so I decided to pick up a QX3 W03 85 flex. Haven't used it yet but will this Sunday at practice. Pretty sure I will love it. It's a gorgeous looking stick as is almost always the case from Warrior.

Sir, I think it's time for you to step back, take a break and a deep breath. It is really not a bright idea to come on to a forum as a brand new person and start ruffling feathers, making claims that you know everything, are an expert, and others are wrong. It will not be well received. Your tone and personnel attacks to some are definitely not needed and will likely not be tolerated. I'm not a moderator on here, but just take this as a friendly advice and a fair warning, or your time here might be short.

At the Dallas Strong Police vs. Fire benefit game last Saturday.

Can any one tell me where the closest True fit center is to the Dallas / Fort Worth area? I'm seriously considering ordering the skates and I would really like to have them for use before a Police / Fire Tournament in Vegas in October. I figure that once they are ordered in would take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks to get to me, which means I would need to get scanned and have them ordered with in the next month to month and a half.

That's also a good point. I definitely did have trouble finding LS3 steel in my size just recently.