Westside

But now they’re EVERYWHERE. Every retailer seems to offer new or used pro stock sticks and the term is definitely more mainstream than it was 10+ years ago. Then there’s my SEO comment about how generic ‘pro stock hockey sticks’ is if you simply typed it in google. Results inevitably return every single manufacturer’s pro stock sticks out there. If you’re a business and you’re trying to maximize online marketing spend, you would want better name recognition for your product so it doesn’t populate competitive results

Agreed. I thought Geppetto was going to change it to ‘Pro Reserve’ when they relaunched the other year. Feels like a missed opportunity. PSHS has always been too clunky with PSH and is even worse with the increased popularity of pro stock sticks in general. I have to imagine his SEO is terrible since the current brand name is basically a generic search term

New PSHS Onyx stick coming? Hybrid like the VF, but different? Also strange the post doesn’t have PSHS tagged? https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaV-VoAzBLe/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Well when spending a grand on skates that extra $3 for laces makes an impact 🙄

Backhand breaks remind me of the Bauer Machs

Saw this YouTube short and squeezing the ankle opening looks a lot closer to the softness of my 5x4 rather than the 9x4 https://youtube.com/shorts/j_Hs6Y7Fcng?si=V-RNOfanq3akiiuf

I agree that we’ve been brainwashed and I’m not saying carbon is the best option. As someone who owns both the 9x4 and the 5x4, the difference in stiffness is substantial. Not to say True can’t stiffen up the shell somehow, but does that mean their SVH customs will also transition to poly fusion? If not, the perception will remain that carbon is superior for their boots. If they do transition everything I hope they have some great marketing to explain why the shift is superior

Interesting. The downside is since True came out with retail skates, the plastic/polyfusion shells have always been the lower tier skate. ie TF7, Cat5/7, etc

I agree that the shell looks like printed carbon fiber vs actual carbon fiber. The liner does look like their standard hydrofoam. Check out the pic here (2nd to last): https://www.purehockey.com/product/true-catalyst-nitro-ice-hockey-skates-senior/itm/70603-41/?mtx_id=466158&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23278049189&gbraid=0AAAAADzbbUfI6HQ4xvk66PuVPV9dka_o2&gclid=CjwKCAjwgO7RBhBKEiwAZNP85geZMns9Kk78H_3bBRLKB7-HzcG9dVSQDZs3VePJxqxW64NuPVUeBRoChvMQAvD_BwE

These are hands down the stiffest skates I’ve used. Can barely squeeze the ankle opening with one hand compared to other top of the line skates. But I still have great forward flexion without dropping eyelets or skipping the second eyelet like I’ve done with other skates. Not sure how much is actually due to the tongue or if it’s because the boot is cut lower. I agree and find it funny that the tongue and stiffness was the topic of conversation among influencers on the preproduction skates and now it’s all about comfort and lack of stitching

That’s what she said. sorry , couldn’t help it

I have never used Powerfeet inserts, and while I put the Alpha Pro on one foot and True’s 9x4 on the other, there is a bit more room at the top of the toe box of the Warrior, but it’s nothing like Bauer or CCM toe caps from 7-10 years ago. That said, I did pick up these foam pads from Amazon and now the room is much closer to each other. We’ll see how durable they are and I’d imagine if you wanted even LESS space, you could double them up. Or if you’d prefer something thicker like I think Powerfeet inserts are, here’s another option. For $9 you’d have the ability to create inserts for 10 pairs of skates. Originally I purchased them to put a strip at the tip of the toe box because there is no padding at all there and I’d like a little something for when I inevitably get hit with a puck. Unfortunately I can’t contort my bigger hands to get a strip along the toe box so the top Powerfeet wanna be insert will have to do

While I agree with you, sadly, we’re in the minority. People just want to be fed information which is why the average consumer will hear ‘explosive speed’, and think ‘that’s what I want so I need to buy those skates!’

I don’t hate the black and gold colors for protective. Curious to try out the shins if they offer similar protection compared to Tacks but are more streamlined

1/2 was not enough bite?! Eesh. I was at 3/4 and felt like I was getting just a little too much bite (felt like 5/8). Goes to show how personal hollow preferences are