Jbear

Let me pose this...I'd really like to try a Cat Pro, but like I said...nothing local. Do I abandon that idea or is there a way to go custom 100% online? I like the idea of greater forward flexion.

Salient points.

True...no pun intended. This brand frustrates me no end...nowhere for me to try them or get fitted. I have to do it all online. TF9 is so cheap used it's low risk. The Cat Pro is a bigger investment.

Awesome idea!

First...True...if you're listening...you'd sell a ton more skates if sizing wasn't such a mystery! Ok...I'm thinking about used Cat Pros...7.5D/reg AS3 Pro and 2xPro...what size? I'll be taking a chance but...I'm trying to be smart about it.

It's a seam where the attachment point exists...not the actual rivets. The upper part never bothered me, but that is shapable. You can only move the side of the cap outward a small amount...not enough on my case.

The AS3 Pro doesn't have the issue. The 100k Pro does. I can't say about the FT4 Pro but it has the same two rivet attachment point on each side of the cap, so...it's possible the issue exists.

Super Tacks...AS1 or AS-V Pro. Supreme 1s or 2s Pro. I use Bauer 1s and I replaced the caps with my old Cooper SB94 caps...I hate big shoulder caps. I love the light weight and the sternum, spine, and biceps protection is top notch. They also play cooler and that is great. In your situation...the caps will help. If I wasn't going to mod them...I think the Tacks are amazing! Too expensive to go cutting pieces off though.

What is sizing like for the Cat Pro? If I'm a 7.5 D/Reg. AS3 Pro...would I be looking to try a 7 CatP?

Are the Catalyst Pro skates available to us? I'm also curious about flex profiles among these Trues.

Tak n' kitos Bro😎

Options with regard to kp, balance, shaft shape, blade behavior...that sorta stuff. Don't get me wrong...it's a first world problem for sure. As a D-man...being able to jam that square toe against the boards...noice👍🏒🥅🇨🇦😎And for whatever reason...my shots are more accurate and I can sauce for days with this pattern. I can certainly do what I do with something else...hell...I often do, but I just do everything more naturally with the Lids.

Yeah...nope...no shafts. Guess short of a change in the market philosophy...I'm sticking with the LX Pro...which fortunately...I LOVE!

I was using the available curves and not loving any of them. Like the 29/92 for general purposes...like the 28 for snappers and clearing my zone...88 does nothing for my style. Then I came across a used LX Pro W02...it's like coming home! I used to use a Lidstrom/ Leetch and I amazed at how much better I am able to do just about everything. So...I do really dig the LX Pro (it's replaced the AS4 Pro as my favorite), but... A) Hockey Monkey is the only place I can find it in a W02. How long will they have them...who knows? I bought two...so far. B) Can't find any other twig with this pattern.. even the ones that list them as being made (True HC5 for example). So...anybody know where the secret stash is? I can always go Prostocksticks.com I suppose. But...I like options and I ain't got many 🤬🤣

Well...my 100k Pro seller just bagged🤬, so...the search continues👍🏒🥅🇨🇦😎.

So...update after a week of camp. Very comfortable, baked but no punch needed (nice surprise). Fits well but not quite as form fitting as the AS3 PROs on the bottom (to be expected...two-piece boot) and the heel isn't as locked in. Using Superfeet Carbon Pros, Blacksteel, and Adrenaline Powerfoot. I had no problem going from the Tacks to the 70Ks and back throughout the week. Usually one pair in the morning session and the other after lunch. Great flexion and very stable laterally...great combination. All in all...really happy with the decision. Latest experiment...found a pair of 100K Pros on SidelineSwap. Size 8...I'm a 7.5, but hopefully it will alleviate the toe cap issue on my left foot cuz I LOVE the way 100ks ride! Tune in for results!

CCM HG97 is my favorite. I'd say pro stock 2nPro is right there too, but the palms on the retail gloves are waaaaay to thick. They'll last forever but...can't feel the stick like that.

I can't stand molded eyelets, but I know guys that love 'em. When I had 2xPros, first thing I did was take a rat-tail file and bore out the eyelets.

I'll just say this about that. I skate a lot and I'm a scientist, so...pretty inquisitive. I have skated each period of a game with three different pairs of skates. I've also skated with two different types of skates at the same time. I find it easy to do, but...others may have a different experience. I will say that my steel is all the same profile and roh. Having inconsistently in that regard might be problematic.

Wow! Thank all...lots to read here. I'm thinking TF9 but would be open to others as well.

Nowhere for me to try them around here. I'm willing to grab used on SidelineSwap but no clue how to size. People I ask are all over the map. Some say size down a half...some a whole...others say same as Bauer/CCM. I wear an 11 hiking boot/running shoe. I wear 7.5 D/regular in CCM and 7.5 D/fit 2 in Bauer. I just want to try Trues. I always have kids asking me for skate advice...as a coach...I'd like to be able to speak with some knowledge about this. I also like trying stuff, so...there's that on top. Any sage advice?

Still haven't skated in them, but I did bake last night. These may be the first carbon fiber skate that I don't have to punch for my long-ago-broken-and-permanently-misshapen ankle. Every other one exhibited some degree of discomfort just sitting with them on for 10 or so minutes. I've had these on for about an hour...nuthin'! Only the ice will tell the true story...probably Wednesday, as I don't feature using them for the first time in Tuesday's game.

Yeah...I hear that🤣. I cringe when I see some bender in super-stiff skates and they're essentially running on ice cuz they can't flex the boot. I suppose that's the downside of having sooooo many choices. You really have to be willing to educate yourself in order to take advantage.

No...on my to-try list along with True TF9 (or whatever they supplant it with), and Graf's pro skate. Problem is only CCM and Bauer are available locally. A couple years ago when I was coming back to the sport, it was between the AS1 and 2SPro (those fit my foot best in each brand). The Tacks felt soooo much better...like part of my feet. The way I chose...blindfolded. Had my wife lace 'em up in the shop. Left them on for 15-20 minutes...stood...flexed (forward, backwards, and inside and outside edges), up on my toes...back on my heels. Now they have an artificial surface that you can try them on, but...not sure that is too helpful if you can't bake first. I've had many kids show me their new kicks and I ask why they chose that skate..."They look sick." "It's the fastest." How do they feel compared to skate X? "I didn't try anything else." or "Not as good but those were ugly."

Exactly what I mean...someone else may jump into the those same skates and feel differently cuz they may have different skating mechanics. Anyway...I'm not trying to be argumentative at all. I'd like folks to be aware that it's all about how the gear feels to you...only. I see a lot of folks (teammates and kids I coach) buy the wrong equipment (for them) because they go off of the marketing and anesthetics. That's all. Now I'm wanting to try Machs🤣.