Dangles83

Selling a brand new pair of Bauer Vapor 2X Pro 8D. The boot is not for me. Had the skates sent to me profiled to a 9’ radius and 1/2” hollow.$715 + ship

All items do not include shipping costs. Will listen to offers, but please no lowballs. STICKS All RH/GRIP/85 True A5.2 SBP MC $165 SOLD NEW True XC9 ACF MC $175 NEW True A5.2 MC $100 PREOWNED Warrior QRL W88 (used for 5-6 games) - in very good shape other than cosmetic blemishes $115 SOLD Warrior QR1 W01 Lupul $80 SOLD NEW 2 x Pro Stock CCM Tacks (75 Flex - feels stiffer) similar to P42/PM9/E4/W01 $100 each SOLD PANTS New Washington Capitals 2013 Winter Classic (Red) Warrior Hustler MIC $300 Medium SOLD BAGS Game-used Jets Heritage Bag $300 SOLD New Little Caesars/Red Wings Warrior Bag $275 SOLD GLOVES NEW 13" Eagle Aero Pro Retro Kings $200 NEW 13.5" Warrior AX1 Retro Kings $175 SOLD NEW 14" Warrior AX1 Custom Oregon Ducks (Green/Yellow/White) $200 SOLD USED 13" Warrior Bonafide Gold/White/Black $65 SOLD Game-used 14" CCM Retro Kings Dustin Brown $150 SOLD Game-used 13.5"ish Warrior AX1 Oilers 3rds Taylor Hall $275 - new palms

Warrior VIP Program First and foremost I would like to thank everyone at Warrior Hockey, especially those involved with the program. I am truly grateful and honored to be part of such a highly-coveted team. Warrior has really broke the mold once again and developed a very special program. A program that illustrates how important it is to them to recognize the individuals who support them day in and day out, both on and off the ice. Membership selections are made without social popularity or skill-level bias; Warrior sincerely cares about all of their customers. In addition to creating an environment of open communication, shared experiences, and a generous reward system, Warrior continually illustrates transparency, respect for the feedback in which they receive, and engages with their VIPs on a personal-level. As if that wasn't enough, I have been lucky to make connections with many people who, without the avenues created by this program, I would never have met. So THANKS again to Warrior Hockey and my fellow VIPs; this is such a special group and something that I do not take for granted. I hope that I can continue my membership in this program, and do my part to return the favor, to a company that has delivered value to me and my teammates throughout the years. And with that, let's get to the actual review! The Warrior Alpha QX is a completely new stick lineup and thus has been engineered from the ground-up. There was much time spent on research and development of the QX and it revolves around five focal points of technology: Sabre Taper, True 1 Phantom Feel, Minimus Carbon, Ergo Shaft Shape, and Protex Performance Grip. I have been using the stick heavily for over a month now and want to provide my insight on the tech and my experiences with the Alpha QX. Sabre Taper The primary focus of Warrior's patented taper design is to maintain stability throughout the blade when releasing your shot. In my experience with many competitor sticks, when loading up to take a shot, the blade tends to open up a bit. Although this may not seem like that big of an issue, compromise at such critical point in your release, greatly hampers the speed and accuracy of your shot. You can tell that Warrior really researched and honed in on the shaft and hosel technology in the Alpha QX. The mid-low flex point of the stick definitely allows you to snap-off your release much quicker while maintaining your accuracy. In my opinion, the ability to release a quick and accurate shot is crucial, as many times it prevents the goaltender from being able to establish his position. I personally noticed a huge difference in both snapshots and slapshots. The "pop" was exceptional as the puck jumps off the blade and follows your line of sight. Warrior really hit the target with the Sabre Taper; it's not a gimmick, it's legit. True 1 Phantom Feel The Alpha QX is extremely light and well-balanced. There are some other sticks on the market that are also very light, but finding the right balance is an artform. The Alpha QX is approximately 410 grams (senior model), but when holding it in your hands, it actually feels a bit lighter. That perception is a product of Warrior's focus on the balance of the stick, specifically towards the hosel and blade. A well-balanced stick really enhances puck-feel and this is an area that is extremely important to my game. With the Alpha QX, whether I'm skating through the neutral zone, making hard pivots, or deking, I never feel the need to look down at the puck. The stick is also very receptive at receiving hard, crisp passes. I have experienced a wide variety of blades in my time, ranging from too soft, to too "pingy", but the Alpha QX has a very natural feel combined with exceptional blade durability. Minimus Carbon Strength and durability is something that Warrior has continued to work on over the years and they have really developed a strong carbon-weave technology that greatly improves the overall strength of the stick without compromising weight. As I mentioned above, I have been using this stick heavily for a while now and it has taken quite a beating, especially through the playoff rounds. In addition to the shaft, since I am a center, the blade has also been put through the ringer. I can honestly say that through all the slashes, hacks, etc. that the stick's integrity has not been compromised at all; it plays the same today as it did on day one and that speaks volumes. We all know that sticks today are very expensive and there's nothing more frustrating than having your stick break shortly after purchasing it. My Alpha QX may show cosmestic blemishes, but the structural integrity is solid and I feel confident that this stick will last a while. Ergo Shaft Shape The shaft of the Alpha QX mimics that of a dog bone with it's slightly-concave side walls. Personally I am not a fan of the traditional box shaft shapes, so this works really well for me. I find it very comfortable to hold and provides a natural feel. Shaft shape is another area that may seem insignificant, but for me, it's important for a stick to feel like an extension of my arms. The dog bone shaft was quite a nice treat for me! Protex Performance Grip Complimenting the ergo shaft shape, I really love the textured corners that the Protex Performance Grip provides. It's that tactile feel that gives you the comfort and secure grip needed to have confidence when stickhandling and preparing to release your shot. These finer details really go a long way in adding to the stick's overall performance on the ice. OVERALL I would highly recommend the Alpha QX stick, it's a stick that performs as advertised and holds up to the punishment of the game. There a models for each level of play, so be sure to check out the full stick lineup. Speed, accuracy, comfort, and stability - Warrior really provides the foundation needed to help your game!

Update III After several games in the FT1s, I have made it official by selling my Vapor 1X skates! That was a HUGE statement for me as I have always been a Vapor guy and loved my 1X skates, but the FT1 fit is just that much better. Fit For me this is where the skate shines. Understanding that everyone's foot is different, the tapered fit of the FT1 is unparalleled. Although I have mentioned it before, it is worth restating that the heel-lock of the boot is exceptional. CCM did a great job with the reduction of negative space. Being able to wear a single pair of socks and no additional lace-bite protection has been great! I really love the fit of the skate and all minor break-in cramps have since subsided. Sole Still loving the CCM custom soles that I am using. In my opinion, they provide a bit more comfort and add to the 2nd skin feel of the boot, which to me is very important. I still feel that the factory sole leaves a lot to be desired and quite frankly seem like an afterthought; perhaps they wanted people to purchase the custom soles. In any event, I would definitely suggest giving custom soles a try. Performance The FT1s perform very well on the ice. The heel-lock and lack of negative space definitely aid to the overall performance of the skates. The turns are sharp, the stops and restarts are powerful, and the strides are smooth. As with any skate, they are not a panacea, you have to have proper skating techniques, but the FT1s coupled with good technique, really lead to a performant skate. I am extremely happy with the skates! Overall opinion (to date) I never really buy into the marketing jargon, but I can tell you that the fit and feel of the skates are fantastic. The FT1s really hit on all cylinders. At this point, the only negative comments are the carbon copy of the Vapor aesthetics (although if I recall correctly, I do believe they were created by the same person) and the weight of the skates. They aren't heavy, but they are definitely heavier than my 1x skates; would have loved them to be a bit lighter. Other than those small digs, I love these things! As I mentioned above, I sold my 1x skates, so these are officially my go to skates and they have been excellent!

Update II (after my first game in the new FT1 skates) Fit The skates felt GREAT out there on the ice. The heel was not sore at all, which was a huge plus! My left foot had a mild cramp when I would come to the bench, but I would guess that this was because they are still brand new. There was no pain whatsoever while skating. The lack of negative space and heel-lock are exceptional in the FT1 skates; they really provide a unified feel on the ice. I normally had to wear 2 pairs of socks, one thick and one thin over top to really "fill-out" my Vapors; there was just a bit too much volume for me. I also had to use a padded shim on the top of the toe box to reduce the volume. I am happy to report that those days are over!! One pair of socks and my feet fit in the boot nice and snug. Tongue Another huge success! As I mentioned before, I always wore a gel sleeve to prevent lace bite, but I skated last night without them and there was no pressure in that area whatsoever! The FT1 have a dedicated, hardened, lace bite protection zone that does a phenomenal job. It may sound small, but being able to eliminate one pair of socks and my lace bite sleeves is a huge bonus! Sole So, after some feel tests, I decided to remove the standard sole and use the custom CCM (M) skate soles. They also felt great; I was honestly quite surprised. To be honest, I'm not sure I buy into all the performance bullet points of the custom soles, but in my opinion, they just add to the comfort and snug fit of the skate. Performance I am not ready to comment on this yet as I would like to get a few more skates in; stay tuned. Overall opinion (so far) These are the best skates I have played in to date. I never thought I would say that after the Vapors, but to me, these have the comfort of the Vapors, with much less negative space. Your foot feels one with the skate. I am not trying to hype these skates up, they are straight up excellent! It took me literally about one minute to get used to them on the ice; I was actually quite surprised. I did like the Bauer trigger system as it allowed me to carry an extra pair of steel in the event of breakage during a game, so I will miss that technology,

Same thing happened to me and my teammate; luckily I was within warranty...the design definitely failed.

First off, a HUGE thank you to JR and CCM Hockey for giving me the opportunity to review the FT1 skates! CCM Jetspeed FT1 - 8.5D Quick Bio Height: 6'0 Weight: 165 lbs. Position: C Shoe Size: 10 Skates (current to past): Bauer Vapor 1X (8.5D), Bauer Vapor APX2, Easton Mako, Bauer Vapor APX, Bauer Vapor x:60, Bauer Vapor XXXX, Bauer Vapor XXX, CCM Tacks. Initial Thoughts I just received the skates and still need to get them baked and profiled, but wanted to give you my initial thoughts out of the box. My comparisons will be based off the Vapor series as I am most familiar with that line of skate. Aesthetics The FT1 are a nice looking skate, but as most of you have probably noticed by now, they basically look identical to a Vapor skate. It would have been nice to see CCM do something a different aesthetically here, so that was a bit disappointing (but not a surprise obviously). Initial Fit In my opinion they are a lot more of a tapered fit as compared to the Vapors; especially in the heel. The toe box also has a lot less negative space as compared to the Vapors, which I definitely like. The skates are fairly comfortable out of the box, but I do have a slight concern with the tightness of the heel-lock. Again, these have not been baked or used yet, so perhaps it will be fine, but there is definitely some pressure there and I will be focusing on that area for sure. Tongue I have always had a problem with lace-bite and always wear my CCM lace-bite sleeves, but the FT1 tongues has a dedicated area to protect against this, so that makes me very happy. I may finally be able to skate without using foot-sleeves; this is a huge plus! Sole One weak point of the skates is the standard FT1 sole; seems a bit cheap and does not really fill-out the base of footbed. My worry here is that it may start to degrade after a few games/sweat, but we shall see over time. CCM does have additional soles, but to be honest, I don't think they will work for me based on my arches and the tapered fit of the skates. To put it into perspective, the Bauer speed plates hurt my feet and I ditched them after 2 games. I will continue my review after I get them baked, profiled and after they see their first action.

I just keep boxes from purchases. Also, you could fashion one out of a normal box. Also, you could just wrap stick in thin bubble wrap and then use a trash bag and packing tape to protect stick.

Got mine after I read about them here and used them last night. Definitely a good product, love how it removes the negative space that I have in my larger 1x toe box. Big fan! Also, Rob is super nice and cares about his product.

I'm still disappointed about the P42, going back to original Tacks...not everyone uses the crazy Kreps pattern.

Do you know if Tacks are the follow-up to the Reebok 20K shins or is that Ribcor?

I was told Stamkos/E4/Modano

Curious as to the thoughts of the RBZ shins vs 20K. I understand that they are 2 different models, but I'd like to know how the protection is in comparison. I love my 20K as far as the protection is concerned (no issues blocking shots), but the strapping system is poor and I would like a lighter pad.

At least 24 hours...

I talked to RBK, forwarded them the LTR along with a few others regarding the 20K strapping system, they passed it onto the product manager and a few days later said that the issue will be addressed. It is a "running change" that should be addressed within a few months.

The hot air in the store is so much better than at home...As long as you follow the temp/time you're fine.

Baked mine like an apple pie as usual, came out delicious...I mean perfect (10 min/skate)

Don't fret, after baking, whole new world...I could barely get my foot in prior to baking

On a Bauer foot scale, I am right at the 9 mark (if not a hair shy), but yet the Bauer 8.5 fits me perfectly lengthwise. In the APX and X:60 I thought I had a bit too much volume in the toe box (not lengthwise). The Mako is best of both worlds for me as the toes feather the toe cap and the reduction of negative space is fantastic - if you have a more voluminous foot, this may be an issue. Hope that helps.

10 sneaker, 8.5 APX, 8.5 mako fits perfectly after baking.

I have to agree with your concern - I am definitely worried about protection and durability. For example, my APX quarter panels are beasts, I am worried that a shot to the foot would cause a lot more pain in the Mako. Also, will the boot be durable - as you said, time will tell. Anyone take any shots of the skate yet?

Just an update, I put my Makos on when I got home with proper hockey socks and the fit was great. It's still funny how hard it is to get your foot even in the boot prior to baking, but once the foot is in; it was a great fit for me. I am coming from an 8.5D APX (8.5D Mako).

That's very helpful, thank you. Glad to hear that molding is that responsive! They are quite a shallow boot, and that's a bit odd because I'm not used to it...having said that, I am thinking that will only aid in the overall feel of the skate.

I hear ya...I am just curious if the fit issues are really issues just because they have not been molded to my foot yet. My APX are great, but I feel that there is just a bit too much negative space in the boot, whereas there is none in the Mako. If baking the Mako, truly wraps and allows foot to shape the boot a bit, these may be great.

The 8.5D fit my foot length fine, but they feel crazy narrow, to the point where they are pushing on my in-step. I am a size 10 shoe and coming from an 8.5D APX. Would baking provide more comfort in this area? Has anyone had the skate apply pressure to the insides of their foot and had this relieved after baking? Wondering if baking will cause skate to mold/wrap around that area better. Such a tough call as I can't tell before actually baking...