helmet91

My sons love the Bauer Re-Akt 85. You can adjust the sizing four ways... Maybe give that a try. Pretty sure it's been recently discontinued so you might be able to find a deal.

Thanks for the info on the PRO1616... I guess we'll see if he notices.

After reading this thread and a few others out there on the Google Machine, I ordered two customs PSHS. My spoiled twins have had a handful of custom Bauer sticks over the last few seasons; one of the boys loves the P106 curve, which is impossible to find anywhere other than with customs. The other kid likes a P92. Here's the builds: Red Line - Senior Right handed 70 flex Rounded square, mid-kick - gloss with ribbed corners PRO1616 (supposedly similar to P106), retail textured Red Line Premium Graphic in LA (silver) colorway 2nd build is similar, differences are: Right PRO92 Grip, no texture Ottawa colorway Now to wait the 100+ days! Should get them in time for captain's skates with tryouts at the end of October (high school hockey). Definitely excited to see if they like them - if so we'll probably just throw together an order for 5+. Sidenote" one of the boys went through a retail Tracer in less than a month - less than three hours on the ice and the damn thing gave up the ghost. Currently waiting to hear back from the retailer in Germany to see what they say after providing all the requested details/photos for the warranty claim.

Awesome. Good luck!

My 14 year olds are skating on this profile in their sz 7 Machs with whatever the new Ti runners are called. This is the first time they've used something other than the stock Bauer profile. It was suggested by the proprietor of an independent shop outside Washington, DC (not sure if I can share the name?) that I used to play beer league with years ago. We had a pretty good email exchange about the boys' size (70" 130lbs), play style (D), stride (long powerful), and so on. SCS-1 was his recommendation. I wish I could quantify it better for you, but they seem to love the profile. They definitely look really smooth on the ice and their transitions forward to backwards as well as their control in crossovers looks extremely smooth and fluid.

They are definitely much more robust than the normal retail offerings... I'll have to snap some pics in the next day or two and figure out how to post them on here.

Wow, these Pro Series shoulders are fantastic. The pictures and description don't do them justice at all. I ordered from that Czech site and got a pretty good discount - definitely something you don't see in N America on new gear. Anyway, the shoulder caps and bicep extensions are really nice and not bulky. The sternum and spine guards aren't flimsy foam and the adjustable (or removable) rib protection is fantastic. My boys wore them to practice Friday night and in their game yesterday. They love the pads. These are great for a shot blocking, physical defenseman. I would highly recommend them. I'll probably grab the elbows the next time I see a sale. Great job, Bauer.

That's pretty much exactly why we're considering going the Pro Series route...

The XF Pro shoulders, along with the Machs, just seem really thin to me. For being the top end pad, they sure don't seem like they offer a lot of protection. Hence me looking for more options.

My U15 sons have grown out of their current shoulder pads (Supreme GS) and have begrudgingly admitted that it's time to move on. We're having quite the time figuring out what's next. Being in the Netherlands, it's tough to go to one spot and have a good selection of higher end pads to compare/contrast and try-on. We honestly haven't been very impressed with the Mach or XF Pro... the Hyperlites seem okay? I know lightweight is the way forward (right?) but these pads don't seem to offer much protection? My sons play D and love blocking shots. The SMU Matrix look like junk (the boys have the shins and they're great) and I haven't been able to find anything from Warrior in person. Anyway... I came across these Bauer Pro shoulder pads on a German/Czech site that I've ordered from in the past. I've never seen them before. I'm familiar with the Pro gloves, but had never seen the pads before. What's the story on these?? https://uk.bauer.com/products/bauer-pro-series-shoulder-pads-senior?srsltid=AfmBOoqQbIi_efkQAUyFIREEIaQsSjlrj5l4SmqJ9Le6kLlITIRFRtC5

Not to be that guy... but why not just grab an extra set of blades? - No surprises for your kid between Sparx sharpened blades from home and the shop while you're on the road - No waiting at the shop on a business tournament weekend -No possibility of the shop being closed for _______ reason

I picked up some Bauer Supreme Matrix shins for my U15 defensive pair (my twin sons)... They love blocking shots and have said they don't feel a thing with these. The coverage is pretty extensive but they don't seem extra bulky. Pretty sure the price can't be beat either.

My 2010s have been in a Matrix for just over a year now... they've said this is their favorite skate ever. They had the 2S Pro before, but it seems the Fit1 in 5.5 (intermediate) has been perfect for them. We threw in some Curex soles because their arch is VERY high.

I've been over here four years... granted I'm not in an ice hockey hotbed, but the only time I've seen Graf skates was the rental skate selection at an outdoor rink in the Duesseldorf Christmas Market. The vast majority of skates/gear I see in this area (BeNeLux) would be Bauer with CCM bringing up the rear. I see German kids with Warrior here and there (thanks Draisaitl?) but not very often. Even all the old beer league guys are wearing newer offerings from Bauer and a few CCM... I never see Graf. Pretty disappointing. We were even down in Zuerich a few summers ago at a camp (Ivanov... LOL) and none of the kids were wearing Graf. /anecdotal evidence

I always wanted a pair of Grafs back in the 90s - Brian Leetch (my favorite player) wore them. LOL I don't skate/play nearly as much these days (too busy running my kids around all over the place for their practices/games/tournaments/camps), but my CCM Ultra Tacks (2018?) are killing me whenever I'm out on the ice. Maybe I need to take a road trip down to Switzerland...