it's kinda strange. The website i ordered them from, had them pictured with the red plastic around, but my skates had a black plastic edge around the outsole. When i first opened the box, i thought they had sent me XXX's instead of XIX's. I didn't know they were available with the black plastic.. I'm really glad i bought the vapors, they fit perfectly right out of the box. No need to bake them.. Same with mine (avator) i bought mine from kempshockey in NY and had them shipped to me over here in the u.k. About the red plastic I got ahold of bauer and they said it was a running production change they made. I think they look better without the red. Best skate ive ever owned