Westside

Just let it rest my guy. Geez. We get it. Trues don’t fit you. Onto the next topic…

Not the Cat Pros but I picked up a pair of Cat 9s and feel the same. Narrower and less overall volume for sure compared to the TF. Like you, I swapped the felt tongues in right off the bat and moved them up an inch or so higher compared to where they were positioned in the TFs. Toe cap still has a lot less volume even after the tongue adjustment. The other difference I can’t quite explain is the hardness of the midsole. I was using the same superfeet I had in my TF, but the Cats felt like I was standing on hard concrete for lack of a better explanation. Real strange feeling I’ve never had in another pair of skates before. Going to swap the stock insoles for my next skate to see if the additional padding makes an impact

Are you talking about clothing-wise? For me, it all depends on the weather, but always starts with layers. Out in CA, it doesn’t really get that cold in the mountains so I just wear pants with some stretch for the bottom, an undershirt, hoodie, and jersey for layers up top, wool socks on my feet, and if it’s really cold a beanie on my head. When I was growing up in the Midwest, I’d wear thermals top/bottom and maybe a second layer of socks, plus a scarf or gaiter for my neck/mouth. I’d also throw some hand warmers in my pockets for when my hands got cold. At some point my feet would inevitably get cold so I’d take my skates off and use the hand warmers on my feet, but in general I heat up quickly so it’s better to be able to take layers off rather than overheat and soak your clothes. If you’re talking gear-wise… skates/gloves/stick (obv), and if I’m playing a game, shins and possibly a helmet. A lot of the surfaces I play on are deeper lakes which are black so I have orange and white pucks which are easier to see vs a standard black puck. I also never go on a lake without a hand drill and ice picks. Gotta be safe and too many people die every year because they didn’t take necessary safety precautions before enjoying the ice.

Interesting. So it dries as a rubbery/grippy material? Not sticky like glue?

I’ve been using a pacific rink varsity bag for the last 4 or 5 years. It’s held up great! I didn’t need all the bells and whistles of the player bag, and honestly found the dividers to be more of a pain to use. I sewed some PR skate sleeves into the varsity bag and it has been absolutely perfect for me

The 4500 is definitely the most comfortable helmet I’ve ever worn until I picked up a Tacks X. Of course, a 4500 costs well under $100 and even a discounted price stock X costs double

Why not the rubber sock paint stuff? I’ve added this to base layers in the past https://www.amazon.com/Viva-Decor-Black-Liquid-fabric/dp/B004XGXOEQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=rubber+sock+paint&qid=1671914940&sr=8-1

I’m not a CCM expert so someone else can chime in, but custom skates give you the ability to swap out tongues, different liners, etc. Swapping steel is the easiest thing to do. Bauer has the carbon runners, not sure what you’re referring to unless it’s the fact these aren’t black steel. If these specific skates fit your feet properly, I don’t see the issue

I, personally, always wait until the next day. I’ve never been in so much of a rush that I’ve needed skates that day and either couldn’t wait or didn’t have a backup pair to use

Bumping up an oooold thread. Does anyone know where to find the knurled version of the knob? The knob on my XS holders has gotten a bit gashed up and I should probably replace it. Figured I’d see if the knurled version is available since new holders will come with it. I’m aware the other style is available if I need it https://www.icewarehouse.com/CCM_SpeedBlade_XS_Holder_Adjustment_Screw_Kit/descpage-CSHRP.html

CCM has been posting photos/stories about these skates for the last day or so. I dig em! https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl_Xvi3OFUv/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

That’s right. Totally forgot about that Looks good! I have essentially the same setup (with felt tongues) with TF9s and really like them.

Did you put the same size XS holder on your Cats? Curious if the new Shift Max holes like up with Bauer/CCM holders so less holes need to be drilled

If you already have the O1s and don’t play roller hockey, why get the R1s?

I picked up these replacement tongues for my ice TF9’s (kept the standard tongue on my rollers). Got free embroidery for my number too. Not sure if that’s still offered as I got them back during the height of Covid https://www.hockeyvancouver.ca/products/true-t-guard-felt-replacement-skate-tongues?variant=37173945172117

Most kids today aspire to be a ‘youtuber’! Not a lawyer, doctor, engineer, etc. Just a pretty much worthless influencer. Given the potential opportunity for money I get it, but it’s a sad state for our future https://thesmallbusinessblog.net/why-do-children-want-to-become-youtubers-when-they-grow-up/#Key_Stats

I specifically asked about that and they stated that base layers will go on sale for Black Friday, but not socks

Marketing got to me too. Picked up a pair of the anti-cut skate socks and tested them out last week. I didn't notice the padding or anything and I mean that in the best way possible. The cut resistant portion was very snug, but could still fit around my calves. Biggest problem, for me at least, is that I really dislike socks this tall. The cut resistant material also holds onto heat so my legs were much warmer than usual. I reached out to the Aycane team and apparently they're in development on a mid-shin sock which would be right up my alley

Yeah, I’m not the person that said my skates cracked after a week. That person simple asked if anyone else has experienced True carbon cracking. These skates are about a year old

Could have swore I posted it here but I guess not. My ice pair of TF9s got a crack in the heel, but it must have been from taking a puck to them. Been skating like this for a month or two and it doesn’t seem to be getting any worse

Catalyst customs are now like Bauer/CCM where it’s a standard boot with adjusted foams. The SVH is like the traditional True customs with the boot built around your foot. Pretty sure that’s how I understood it

Huh. So the XS holder is getting a new release knob thing? If it’s bigger does that mean there’s a slightly tweaked holder to accommodate it?

I love my Bauer 1x shin pads. Like the 1S, they're made of Curv Composite and have this hinge at the ankle. Bauer ditched both in what I an only assume are cost cutting measures

I wouldn't mind a *small* CCM logo on the side of the boot, but wow, that looks fantastic! Wish boots would go back to more subtle looks vs the flash that every company has been putting out the last few seasons

This applies to more than just skates and not just Bauer. Both Bauer and Warrior seem to be cheapening their offerings for the last 4-5 years. An example would be the APX2/1X glove got downgraded in the 1x lite and that continued into the hyper lite glove. Warrior's latest LX elbow pad is a substantial step down from their DX elbow pad the year before. Same applies to the quality of their gloves since the QR1