Miller55

I was under the impression that the pp28 would be pretty similar to p28/w28 etc. The face is much more open than pm9 in my experience.

Yeah I figured I'd probably just end up back at 88. I might consider a few custom rekker m90s though. That's probably a few months away for me. Thanks!

I didn't see much, but could be I missed something in the search. I only saw a few warriors. Right, 85ish, round shaft is my preference, not particular about shaft shape, but prefer round if I have a choice. I guess Sherwood doesn't make the pp9 or pp96 anymore? Does Sherwood still do customs or am I living in the past? What are the most closed blade patterns available nowadays that are coming found?

If I recall, there was a Sherwood curve that was really nice, I think it was 09. Haven't seen it on any online site, called my LHS they mentioned potentially custom ordering Sherwood or warrior 01 for this curve. Anyone have any experience with custom sticks? Sounds expensive

I'm a long time E4 Cammaleri guy. Still have some stock, few stealth RS, CX and a v9e, since I went to p88 or equivalent for a while. Was just poking around online and I didn't see much available in a similar pattern, such as the warrior 01 which I've used and the CCM 14 I believe. I looked around and all I could really find were Bauer pm9. I wear Bauer skates but I've never liked their sticks for some reason. Some places said that True had a mc2 pattern that's similar, but I didn't find it anywhere. Just curious if I might be out of luck with this, or if there are still options for a mid/heel curve with a closed face. Thank

What kind of fit is it? Supposed to be snug. My forearms are very long do I need a large for length, but a medium fits nicer, just not enough coverage. I usually end up with a longer medium or a slimmer large. I'm not in the market really, but I'm curious. Thanks

Did you preorder at the $99 price point? I ordered at 139 and I didn't receive any contact yet. Nevermind, just saw the email in my spam box. Same thing, August week 33. Whenever that is.

Right. You're definitely paying for the warranty. It's hard to really predict what will happen. Pro returns might cut into TF9 sales, but TF9 will probably cut into custom sales too. TF7s will probably dominate the market for younger players who are still growing. I have a friend who has purchased multiple pairs of used Trues from parents of teens who used True customs for less than a month before growing out of them. Those parents are going to love the TF7s In essence, True is cutting somewhat into their own sales, but I don't think it will make much of a difference since they will also take some of the retail market from CCM and Bauer. Plus, I would imagine that even if the TF9 takes from customs, their margin is probably better on the TF9 anyway, and it might even decrease wait time for customs

Anybody have any experience with STX protective? Looks fine, doesn't seem special. Prices are standard, wondering if they're better than they feel

It's possible, but I doubt it honestly. A large portion of the second have market is pro returns, which are many times the same price as TF7s. I just got brand new pro returns for 400 total. In the US, TF7s will go for 330+tax. In NY that will end up being more than 350. I think True is just going to take a larger chunk of the market now

Wow, keep up the good fight guys. Glad you're doing better. This is heavy stuff. Before covid I was planning to play my first 30+ league this spring, and this gives a whole different perspective of what some of the guys in that league may be dealing with. Definitely appreciate my health and look at it differently from reading this.

The cheapest are like 180 Canadian I think. Depends how custom basically. You used to be able to do more even, but since the Vaughan buyout the options are more limited. You can still probably drop a few hundred bucks if you go all out. Not sure how much warriors are these days. I like leather palms and they don't offer palm options anymore to my knowledge. It's really just custom colors with warrior now.

Agree. At that price it's custom eagles for me. I read a few things about the fit on the 2x pro gloves but if anyone has a pair I'd like to hear first hand (no pun intended).

Haha everything in time. My point is that even without a bake they were comfortable enough to do the dishes in. (My wife was so happy she didn't even make a snide comment about me buying another pair of skates 😉)

Yeah they only came like 2 hours before I posted that last night. I just washed the dishes wearing them so obviously didn't bake them yet.

I'll just say it... How many of us have anything in our heads that's worth $500 to protect? C'mon, an old jofa should be sufficient. (I'm kidding, just relax)

Are you taking about the Bauers or true?

Yeah, nothing wrong with spending the money if you have it. I've got 3 little kids. If you're looking for comfort, sprungs have been a game changer for me. The suspension absorbs a ton of the impact. Even skating on shredded sidewalk I had almost no chatter at all.

That would depend on the skate, how tight you crank the laces and the quarter package on the skate. What I can say if that I've experienced severe pain in the arches and cramping on the bottom of my feet and it was from skates that were too long or too narrow in the wrong spot or a combination (not my own skates, but borrowed skates a few times for roller hockey and it was brutal. Size 13 boats that I had to crank down to stay on my feet. I ended up curling my toes just to have some grip and not feel like I was sliding everywhere, and that's where the cramping started). In essence, skates that don't fit well need to be tightened too much and that can cause a million different problems depending on your foot and the boot and which areas are not a good fit. Maybe post a picture of your feet. Sounds creepy, but I'm sure a lot of us here would be able to give you better info from actually seeing your feet

It is definitely possible that the pain is cramping from tending up your foot. This could definitely be the result of skates that are too long. If they are also too narrow you will get the arch pain as well, and the combination could be brutal.

I should hope they're good, they're double the price. If I played anything competitive on an outdoor rink I'd probably try them, but for pickup I can't see spending that money. Glad you like them though

Yes. They are fine in terms of comfort, but that doesn't mean there cannot be a more comfortable skate. Your analogy is not great imo. Everyone knows that there is 110% and even more to give. Try on a 2s pro and try on a True boot. The fit that you get when a boot is super malleable is a very different feeling from a boot that fits well. Bauer do not mold very well. The baking helps take a bit of an edge of the break in, but it doesn't completely negate it. I ended up buying a pair of True pro returns recently and they are unreal. I'm honestly blown away. For a boot to be this comfortable without losing any stiffness is something that I haven't experienced in over 20 years of using high end skates. I had no issues wearing them without even baking them. I cannot say such a thing about another skate. There are definitely points on the boot that I can tell will change when I bake them because my feet are far from identical to rors, but they are still more comfortable than my old one100s that were like slippers by the time I retired them. The as3 is definitely a premium skate. It's the as1. In my mind at least, the TF9 is supposed to be on par with the as3 pro. I think the TF7s are already in the class of a skate like the as3 or the 3s pro. I haven't actually seen them yet, but this is my assumption.

Easton are the most whippy? Depends what models. I found TPS, mission (rip) and STX to be the most whippy. True and warrior are pretty on point and Bauer and ccm to be stiffer. Haven't used Sherwood in many years.

ThatThis is a great topic. It's ultimately preference and technique, but over time you find what works for you. The main thing is not to fall into the mental trap of thinking that these details make or break a player. I'm 6"1' and I used a junior shaft through hs. I weighed about 140lbs when I graduated and I did fine with 65 flex junior shafts. I play d and my arms are crazy long and I liked it. I also slouch somewhat and skate very low and wide. I have a Jr blade from Base that's a 4 lie in an int shaft that I can still use ok. At this point I weigh around 200 so I stepped up to sr just for the flex. There's no hard and fast rule

I know quite a lot of players who went custom because they just figured they would fit better and be more comfortable. The logic is essentially that if you're already buying top tier skates, why get retail when custom is the same price? From my observations talking with players I know, most felt like custom is just always going to be better and if it doesn't cost any thing more why wouldn't you take it. Again, for guys who don't buy top of the line skates it's a different story, but if you're paying 950 might as well get a cushy custom skate and feel like a boss. The only exception are a couple guys who weren't into the feel. I second your hope.