Westside

Hit up the LHS to check out the new Cats. They only had SVH and Cat Pros on display, but thankfully they did have 9x4 in stock in the back. No 7x4 so I couldn’t compare the two. Tried on the 9x4 and it seemed well made compared to my Cat Pros. More interestingly, they had the 3D tongue on display which I was stoked to check out. The lattice structure was soft/squishy like a Tacks X helmet, but the t-guard portion was substantially stiffer/hard. Would really like to try them out, but I’d be concerned about durability. On the display tongue the velcro bit was glued on and already peeling.

Interesting the vent hole on the bottom looks more finished like what CCM/Bauer do vs the other True skates where it looks like someone just drilled a hole in the shell and left it unfinished 9x4 left, arc SMU right

The plastic components were on lower end skates. Higher end skates (and replacements) have metal components. The FT6 Pro started using a larger dial which was previously on pro stock skates. You can find replacement parts to upgrade the plastic version to the metal version: https://www.kkskate.com/products/ccm-xs-holder-replacement-parts The top image is what I think is the most common dial with metal components. The bottom is the larger FT6/pro stock dial.

Haven’t used Powerfly holders, but have no complaints about the regular XS holders. Never had an Edge holder break when I used them but would always get the clicking sound like the steel was loose. I am not a fan of the updated/pro stock XS holder simply because the larger dial cracked on me and CCM doesn’t offer a replacement. But the smaller dials they’ve been using have never broke on me and replacements are easily available

I know they reinforced the tendon guard with the newest Catalyst line so maybe that'll address the issue. Like Kris said, I've also owned 4 different True skates and have not had a single issue with the tendon guard rivet. I have had 2 shells crack and have had to replace about a dozen rivets amongst them, but that's it. Have 3 other guys on my team with SVH/TF9 and I'm not aware of a single issue with tendon guards on their skates. A good amount of players in my Friday league wear various True models and I've never seen one of them skate with a broken tendon guard. I'm not saying the problems don't happen because I've read enough stories that they do, but it seems crazy that your little pocket of players seem to have the issue constantly. Curious why the nut/bolt repair didn't work for you? That's something that should be easy enough to check tightness if it's loose and you can easily throw a spare nut/bolt into your bag in case it sheers off while playing.

That is seriously helpful, thank you. Also seriously f-ed up True is not being transparent about this. Whoever handles True’s IG account also informed me the shells are the same. And if the 7x4 shells are not full carbon fiber like the TF9, Cat9, or Hzrdus9, that means there is a 40% markup on price for this generation of skate vs the equivalent previous gen. I agree the 7x4 does seem to be the value play, but I really dislike how none of True’s materials clarify any of this. It’s like they’re trying to deceive the customer. Not taking into account the steel or insoles, what’s the benefit of full carbon shell on the 9x4 vs trace amounts of fiberglass carbon on the 7x4? A few less grams of weight with less durability?

Is it though? Ice Warehouse's photos show 9x4 and 7x4 skates with what looks to be the same carbon shell design and the description lists the same for both models: "True Shell Technology with NeuroFit+ A proprietary co-molded shell construction with an internal shaping layer wraps around the foot for a custom-like fit and feel for maximum comfort and performance." "Material Carbon Fiber" The 5x4 and 3x4 both state '1-piece poly fusion' which sounds more like a composite similar to what was previously used on TF7, Cat7, and Hzrdus7. If the 7x4 is now what was previously considered the '9' model (TF9, Cat9, Hzrdus9), then pricing makes more sense; a $50 increase from previous gen model. It's just confusing as hell since that's not how their naming convention has been for the last 4 years and 3 generations of skates. And if that is the case, I would think that's stupid for retailers too. 9x4 is just different steel and insoles?! The two models just add an additional sku into inventory rather than allow customers to purchase steel/insoles separately like Bauer/CCM. https://www.icewarehouse.com/True_Catalyst_9X4/descpage-T9X4S.html https://www.icewarehouse.com/True_Catalyst_7X4/descpage-T7X4S.html

If the insoles and steel are the only differences between the 7 and 9, I'd agree. The Genetix insoles are terrible IMO and I'd swap holders regardless so the steel doesn't matter to me. Like you, not a fan of the blue either, but at least it's not as garish as the Cat9 yellow.

Agreed. That would be great. I understand why they don’t from an inventory perspective, and that’s what they offer at the custom level, but still it would be nice. While I’ve been skating on FT6 Pros exclusively for the last few months, I plan on going back to my Trues. If I can get ahold of a pair of FT6 tongues I’d like to sew on Velcro so I can use them on the Trues

Honestly, I didn't even look at the 7. In the past the 7 was a downgrade in terms of shell, liner, and tongue. So all three of those items are now the same between the 9 and 7? Only differences are steel, insole, and coloring? If steel and insoles are the only differences, True sells both items ala cart for $65 (insoles) and a $70 upcharge from standard to DLC steel. The price difference between the 7 and 9 is $280 so that still doesn't make sense to me.

So True officially announced the Catalyst 9x4 skates a few days ago, but I’m left scratching my head. The previous Cats as well as the Hzrdus line cost $760 USD for the top of the line model. Pro customs for those models cost $1,050 while SVH customs cost $1,200. Are the 9x4 the off the shelf skate or a custom skate because True’s website is listing them at $1,080; a 40% increase over the outgoing model. That’s insane!! https://www.truetempersports.com/en-us/hockey/catalyst-9x4-senior-player-hockey-skates.html# I initially tried out the TF9s because of the low entry point. Same goes for the Cat9s which were plagued with durability issues. I haven’t heard much about the Hzrdus line in terms of durability, but also don’t know a single person with those skates compared to previous models. I get increasing prices from one generation to the next, but 40%?!? What am I missing?

Appreciate it, thank you. With the XF Pro no longer having a replaceable tongue, I figured the writing was on the wall that they were doing away with them

What I was afraid of. Are you aware of any other means of getting a pair? Short of buying skates

Specifically referring to the FT6 Pro tongues. I, personally, have never seen them available online or in stores

Bringing this back from the dead. Anyone know if the ability to buy tongues has changed? I’m going to guess no since they’re not listed anywhere, but I’m hoping someone *cough*vegashockey*cough* may have a connect