Westside

No, it’s not unique to hockey players. Same in the photography world with cameras and lenses (this camera can shoot at ISO 1,000,000,000,000!!), football is similar with helmets and shoulder pads, running is the same with more cushioning or less cushioning being the best thing to reduce pain and increase your PRs, etc, etc. One thing I will agree with is quality of gear even over the last 5 or so years. I feel like the Bauer APX and 1X lines were great, but from the 1X lite to today’s 3x, the quality and materials of protective pads and gloves has gone down dramatically. Same goes for Warrior with the QR1/QRL to whatever the hell number the QR gloves are at now. Even the latest Alpha LX elbows are a downgrade from the DX they’re replacing. Sadly people do fall for the hype because it’s newer, so it must be better.

Well if you reduced the vehicle’s unsprung weight by 35% (which is what Bauer claims the weight savings over traditional steel is), you would see a pretty dramatic difference in performance (whether that’s speed, handling, or efficiency). High performance sports cars do this all the time whether it’s using lighter weight forged wheels, carbon ceramic brakes, or replacing traditional metals with carbon fiber. Pretty sure airplanes, cars, and plenty of other demanding vehicles that use lighter weight aluminum aren’t ‘weak as hell’ or don’t simply ‘fold over’. It’s not like a runner is going to be made from a beer can. I’m not on the hype train of the carbon runners, but you’re digging yourself into a hole by saying some pretty stupid/easily disproved things. Stop while you’re ahead

Following up on this post, I got a practically free pro stock PPTK girdle so I figured I'd do a quick comparison of it and the PP90. I prefer the kidney protection of the PP90 and how it better conforms to that part of the girdle. There is also a tiny bit of padding on the rear leg. I like the waist buckle of the PPTK more than the slide lock on the PP90, but that's easy enough to change if I wanted to. The stretch material on the thighs seem higher quality on the PP90 compared to the PPTK. The PPTK has the zippered extension whereas the PP90 does not (which I won't use regardless). The PPTK also has the velcro tabs on the inside to attach it to the girdle itself, but I don't see myself using them. In terms of fit, I felt they both fit nearly identical. When laying the two shells on top of each other, the PP90 is maybe 0.5" wider in circumference with the leg opening. Not substantial enough to give me a skinny jeans feeling with the PPTK, especially given how much stretch material is on both of these shells making them very mobile. Here are photos of each shell in size medium on a medium Super Tacks girdle. PP90 PPTK New season starts up this week and I plan on wearing the PPTK as my go-to shell vs the PP10 I was wearing since changing to a girdle

100% agree on this. The original 1X were great! I tried the 1x lite for one game and found they were not hear as good as the original. Saw the 2x pro at the LHS and they look even worse than the 1x lites

Overall material/construction looks exactly like the one I got from Pro Stock Hockey a few years back. Only difference is the sleeves all face the same direction. I understand having them flipped so they don't scratch each other, but also seems like an easy way for the steel to fall out if you don't open it flat. There is no plastic inserts. When the case is empty, it's pliable. You can fit the True steel if you want, but you'd have to compromise the amount you carry or how you put it in.

Thanks for the additional information guys. Wish it were easier to find shells to try on in person as I’d be curious to experience the slimmer legs of the Tacks specific girdle, but I suppose I’ll stick with the PP90 for availability and a bit more kidney protection

Hi guys, having just got into a super tacks girdle, I was looking at new shells. Is there a reason to go with the PPTK shell over the PP90? Seems like the kidney protection is different on both of them but I’m not sure if one molds to the girdle better than other or whatever. I don’t believe the PP90 has a zipper extension which I don’t care about. Are there any other differences I’m missing and why choose one over the other?

Funny, I have the same problems. I’ve used superfeet insoles for a few years now with Bauer skates and put a ‘tape tab’ on the side of the insole to make it easier to pull out. On the True TF9’s it’s a major PITA to put the insert back in without undoing half the laces. Hearing stories over the years of people popping and rusting rivets I'm trying to be as diligent as can be

I typically rotate sticks each game, but not during the same game

Didn’t think about it like that, but I guess. I always use white laces on ice skates and haven’t had black holders since the 90’s. For whatever reason I’ve always used black laces on inline skates. Makes it easy to see which skate is which at a quick glance if they’re in a bag/closet

Thanks to PBH, I got a new set of wheels dialed in and ready to test out. Was so impressed with the TF9s for roller that I decided to pick up a second pair for ice

Use Tacki Mac instead of tape. Problem solved

I’ve done two pairs and it was the same with both. Just keep at it

Acetone, a rag, and a LOT of elbow grease. For whatever reason the paint is on there real good and you have to scrub like hell to get it off. I forget if it was the silver or the blue that came off easier, but definitely one of the colors does. I did use black angelus paint for the smallest sections near the toe cap and tendon guard where I couldn’t get my fingers into the crevice where the two parts meet. Left the True logo silver on the outside of each boot just so it’s easier to determine which boot is which at a quick glance.

When I first got my TF9’s i went down a half size from my Bauer size and I could barely squeeze my foot into them pre-bake. I was definitely worried they would be way too small. Baked them and they opened up and they fit absolutely perfect. With Trues, I think if the skate has room or fits like you’re used to pre-bake, it’s going to be too big for you post-bake

Compared to the FT4 or Bauer Hyperlites, the 100Ks are easily the best ‘traditional’ looking skate on the market

I have both fixed cuffs from the factory and from CPR

Haha! Fair enough although I already have modified shortened cuffs on my gloves

What do you think of them? Initial impressions for me are that these things are absolute tanks and offer superb protection! Mobility is fantastic as is comfort. I can't get them to slide at all which is amazing. Downside is they're about 1/2" too long on the forearm which impedes full range of movement with my gloves. So as much as I like them it looks like I'll be returning them

Oh yeah, 100%. Just wondering if everyone else is experiencing the same wear on their chassis

R1 owners.... How's the wear on your chassis? This is my backup chassis that I've only used a handful of times. It's obviously all superficial at this point, but I'm curious to see how other users are holding up. There's a noticeable amount of wear on the plastic portion of the chassis as well

Wow, that is a beautiful looking setup!

Man, THIS!! I was just wrapping my head around quad profiling and now there’s the ellipse. At $50-ish a pop, it is not cheap and I simply ruin my steel if I keep trying out new things. What would be great is if there was a rental program that allowed people to rent different profiles to test them out. More upfront cost for the profiler, but I’d imagine happier customers at the end of the day.

Did not realize the DX was on clearance, thanks for the tip! Have been wanting to check them out for a few years. Does anyone know if $99 is the lowest price out there?

The new Ribcores are one piece and share the same fit system as Jetspeeds (and the next gen Tacks). Basically the same concept as what Bauer launched last year