AnthonyJTa

Same happened to me.... one PH location scanned me into a size 7, fit 3. I had poor experiences with the Ultrasonic and Hyperlite and had to battle to return them (even though their return policy allows it within 30 days). I went to their Bauer Experience shop and scanned for a 7.5, fit 2 - which feel a lot better.

So I took a super long break, probably haven't skated in well over 10 years... so I guess I should update. I decided to get back into it when my step daughter started playing - and treat myself to new stuff after my son was born. Helmet: Bauer Hyperlite (black) Shoulder Pads: Some super-old Sherwood Classics Elbow Pads: CCM Jetspeed FT485 Shin Pads: CCM Jetspeed FT485 Pants: Bauer Supreme 3S Gloves: Bauer Vapor 2X Pro Skates: Bauer Mach Sticks: Bauer Nexus Geo, and Bauer Vapor 3X Pro - both L, 87 flex, P92

Right?! I'm getting my road bike ready for the weekend!

Height: 5' 11" Weight: 204lbs Foot Size: 9-9.5 sneaker/shoe, depending on brand Foot Shape: Forefoot on the wider side of normal, I would say. Low arch Level and use: 2-3 times per week. Mostly pickup hockey, and public skate sessions. Previous Skates: RBK 8K (No Pump), RBK 9K Pump, Nike/Bauer Flexlite 18, Mission AGX Background: After a really, really long hiatus trying to lose the rest of the weight I gained over the years; I decided to get back on the ice this winter. Pre hiatus, I weighted 310-315 pounds so when I slipped on my Mission AGX, I said "Uh oh...". As I should have expected (it did with sneakers and dress shoes), the entire shape/size of my foot has changed as result of about 100 pounds lost. My foot was swimming in my Mission 8E, literally moving side to side -so I decided to go look around at a new pair. Fit: I put on my Vapor XXXX skate socks, and went out to look. The previous year's CCM U+Pro caught my eye, my brother owns them and has had nothing but good things to say about them, AND they were on clearance for about $200. The only negative I recalled was the tongue was brutal, and I didn't like it at all. Thinking in the "past", as opposed to the "now"; I passed right by the Bauers... I've never been able to get this hoof in a Bauer skate comfortably. (although I probably could now!) I picked up the '11 CCM U+CL, and the U+12 and felt minimal difference in weight, (and I had read on an e-tailer the weight of the CL is 870.3 grams vs. the U+12 at 873.2 grams both in size 9D) I looked at the sales guy and said "There's a $200 price jump between these 2 skates, you've got 5 minutes to sell me....". Asking simple questions like how many times a week I planned on skating, and why type of play; he passed me the U+12 and stated the differences were minimal for me, stiffer boot, better outsole and slightly lighter (although he disputed the 3 gram difference). I asked him for a 7.5D (I used to wear a 7.5E RBK boot) and it was too big. I looked up at him puzzled... he grabbed the 7D and I was in heaven. In all of my time playing, I've never tried on skates without aching, cramping, toes falling asleep- I even used to break out in sweats (although I was super-fat). The forefoot fit perfectly, the heel on the right skate was perfect; although the left was a little roomy. Damn my anatomy for not being perfectly symmetrical. Tying the left skate down a tad tighter helped the slipping without discomfort. After finding my glass slipper, I was left with the difficult decision; to bake or not to bake. I planned on skating that night and was concerned by old skates were way too big, so I opted not too. After spending 20+ minutes in them and experiencing no discomfort or pain, I knew while it may help; it wasn't a necessity. 10/10 (for me, at least) Blade/holder: While I haven't used the E-Pro in a while (I fell in love with the Mission Pitch 3), I never had any complaints about it other than what a little blue Loctite couldn't fix. It's good the blades are easy to switch as I will probably be shipping them off for sharpening/radius, etc. I do plan on swapping out for the solid steel as opposed to scalloped, as the solid always felt better in my opinion. 10/10 Weight/protection: My Mission AGX felt like cement boots in comparison to these. As an e-tailer posts the weight as 873.2 grams for a size 9D, I'm not sure if that is the manufacturer claimed weight, or if they weighed them in-house. I'm not concerned and I haven't busted out the scale. For someone carrying additional weight for years, I really don't sweat the small stuff. I won't be skating in elongated sessions or practices like most kids so I wouldn't even notice a difference in grams over a longer period of time; but I'm still scoring this one higher because the light weight was a nice addition to the fit in comparison to my previous skates. I've only skated in them once, and managed to not take any shots off the boot; so I can't chime in on protection. 8/10 Durability: I have only skated in these once, and have had them baked about 2 days later. So I will hold off on commenting on durability until a later post. Intangibles: During my hiatus I've also learned not to sweat the small stuff.. intangibles in my opinion are things like aesthetics, place of manufacturing, etc. I'm not concerned with the overall look of the skate, as it appears we're getting away from the "space boot" skates of previous years and settling back down to normalcy. A former fat guy who's gotten over fear of spandex to ride a road bike certainly grasp the concept of functionality over style. The only thing I found puzzling was the price leap... U+CL was $599, U+12 was $399, then the lower models after appear to drop by $100. Makes a consumer wonder if the U+CL could have been priced at $499, or is the U+12 more skate for less money? 9/10 Conclusion: Overall, I'm extremely impressed with the out of the box comfort on this skate. Like I mentioned earlier, I've never...never been able to pull a skate out of the box and experience comfort without baking, punching, shims, etc. A lot of it is due to the change in my body type, but I do think some of it is the quality of this skate. For a guy on a budget, spec-wise this appears to be a great deal. Getting a product comparable to top of the line, with a $200 price difference is key for us everyday homers. Overall 9/10

Will most certainly do...I'm still doing a lot of indoor trainer miles, etc. I'm hoping to do some road cycling crit races next spring, and tons of charity rides.

I did.. I currently fluctuate between 203-208 pounds. Hoping by spring time I'll break 200. (I've never weighed less than 200 in adulthood!) It's tough, and tedious.. you just have to set smaller goals. I started out trying Weight Watchers for Men online, and just said "Eh, I can figure this out". I downloaded a nutrition tracker for my phone, and logged everything I ate. I eliminated soda, and calorie dense drinks (with the exception of protein shakes) like coffee drinks chock full of cream and sugars (i.e. frapuccinos, etc), packed small salads with every lunch, and replaced chips and pretzels with fresh raw fruits and veggies. And I make it a point to break away from my desk at work everyday to get in a nice 30 minute walk; and trips to the gym 3-4 days per week. Once I dropped that first 20 pounds, I took up running by using the "Couch to 5K" program, did lots of road races (5K, 10K) until a buddy of mine got me into road cycling. This past spring I started doing group rides with a local shop racing team and they've been kickin' my butt. I'm hoping next spring I can learn a little more on the road and do some criterium races. So I figured along with the long boring days on the indoor trainer on my bike, I'd mix in skating again.

I went great! I was a novice/intermediate when I stopped, so I wasn't that much of a great player; but my legs felt amazing and I never got winded (thank the running, and 4x wk road cycling for both of those). New skates felt awesome, didn't need to fuss with laces, readjust, anything.....I don't think I've ever skated as much, or as hard in my entire life. I just woke up and my legs feel fine, not a bit of soreness.

Well guys, I've been gone a while... but tonight a newer, leaner (110 pounds!!) AnthonyJTa takes the ice for the first time in almost 2 years. I had to tighten my helmet screws, snug up all of the belts and straps on my pants, and get this... buy new skates. I was in an 8E when I weighted 314 pounds, I'm in a 7D; I have an arch again, and my foot is nowhere near as wide. I think this deserves a post in the sweet spot. Wish me luck!

The use of the phrase "Say Word?!" def. belongs in the sweet spot thread... My employer was supposed to lose our state contract on 12/31/10, so I moved to a new company..... spent 2 months there and hated it. My previous employer then got an 18 month extension, so they asked me to come back + and additional $2K/yr. Pretty nice if you ask me...

Just curious... wht other skates have you previously worn? After a super-long hiatus (running/cycling, and not being morbidly obese) I'm thinking of skating again this winter. However, with an 85 pound weight loss, my Missions don't fit anymore! I saw your pic of these earlier today, then looked at them price-wise and I'm curious to hear how they are long-term/after some ice time.

Makes sense... but when you stink at the game like I do- the ACR and AK are your crutch. haha

When I hit 70 the 2nd time around I almost went Prestige again, then realized the long painful process and how many weapons I still haven't used like light machine guns, etc. I've been contemplating trading the Elite for a PS3

You less you end up in a lobby with "that guy" the climbs all the way up to the top with an ACR.

Purehockey.com all the retail locations have the Flexlite Pro

Yes, but the stick JR is referring too literally had him laughing hysterically into his headset... It was hilarious. I wish I got to see the kill cam, because he called it out in the pre-game lobby.