start_today

Ugh. Tested positive this morning. I don’t leave the house except for hockey and grocery shopping and walking the dogs. I always wear a mask when out, and keep one on (correctly!) all the time I’m in the rink and when playing, and only take it off to drink water. Even when you are careful things can still happen, and we can’t control other people’s decisions/actions. Bummer. Stay safe, be smart.

I just saw a Reddit thread where someone asked about RX3 vs 3.1, and someone from STX posted this: “STXHockey·316d Hey! Thanks for the love. Here's the thing. Both pads are great. It all depends on your preference and what experience you are looking for. The RX3 is our elite level pad. It includes the best foams and materials to make for a lightweight feel, while maintaining an elite level of protection. The RX3.1 is for someone who may not care as much about a slight weight difference. Different foams and materials make the pad a bit heavier, but still allow for maximum mobility and protection.”

For elbows, what size do y’all wear in STX compared to other brands? I float between M & L depending on the design.

I usually wear contacts with no problem, but had to wear glasses last weekend because of an eye issue. Mask was fine around the house, but like you said, fogged real bad on the bench to the point where I took off the glasses. I couldn’t find a way to situate them to decrease fog.

Has anyone used the Surgeon 3.1 or 3.2 level protective? In my life, I feel like the tier one or two down from the top usually serves me best. It’s hard for me to differentiate them on the STX page because it’s mostly jargon.

It doesn’t matter if we all hate it though, right? It’s directed at teenagers, and all the better if a bunch of out cranky adults are annoyed by kids today and their garish skates.

Why a two piece? Are you actively looking to try a two piece stick, or just looking for less expensive option for messing around? You can probably find a midrange stick on close-out or used for less than a shaft and blade.

Tapered or standard? People went nuts trying to find the tapered version. It was an SMU or European order or something.

that’s definitely how it’s designed to fit. To me, the level of breathability for any mask is an individual calculated risk. Outside of some sort of ventilator, you can’t have a mask with both great air exchange and maximum coverage/protection. Re “getting comfortable”: To me, the fact that it is thick and in front of my mouth and nose, means that it’s hopefully collecting droplets that leave me. And, because the air is coming in/out from those sides, it’s hopefully minimizing the air that I’m breathing directly from someone else.

The nuts in that holder that attach the steel are notorious for coming loose. Add some blue locktite and you should be fine. I’d poke around and see if you can find a replacement set, just in case you do lose one. I had two different skates with that holder, and even re-tightening before the game they still got loose, until I put on the locktite.

They did. You’re looking for Step runners that fit the Epro holder. Might be harder to find since they haven’t made those holders in a bit, but also might be cheaper.

What’s your goal with putting the insole under your foot bed and possibly experimenting with pitch? Do you not like the current stance and think you’d feel better with some forward pitch, or do you just want to experiment and try something new to see what works? Before messing with pitch of the steel, you could find someone to put a shin under the back tower, which would change your pitch, that way you aren’t messing with your steel, and it’s easy to go right back to where you started. Or, a lot of people on here have had success with multiple radii profiles (double, triple, quad). Which depending on the profile, can feel like there’s more forward lean, because of the smaller radius towards the front, particularly with an quad radius.

@sticktime , what profile do you have on your blades now?

I know it’s still super new, but curious how shops feel about Pro Sharp launching this brand new product after they’ve already bought the quad and zuperior templates and still trying to get customers sold on those. Seems like they are making a jump from a technology with proven success that a lot of people can/have benefit from (current profiling options) to “this one goes to 11!” type marketing that we see on sticks where you’re not really getting anything new/better, just a bunch of jargon and price increase.

Every time I use my CCM mask, I have to “peak” the metal nose piece so it’s not sitting flat across my nose, but it’s fine once I’m playing.

@the_game have you used them before or know anyone who has? Tricon did a poor job on both my and my wife skates. Too much bite, inconsistent between edges, and she feels like they messed up her profile. (Maybe the guy had one bad day, I dunno. But it’s enough I wouldn’t go back.)

What’s nice about the CCM mask that attaches to your cage is that is create space by your cheeks, so it’s easier to breath but still creates that physical barrier. The fact that the visor one attaches to the helmet near your ears and to your chin strap, makes me assume that it will perform and function like a normal mask with ear loops. In the photos it’s just as close to the face as a normal mask. Plus, you’d have to undo both snaps on the helmet to drink. Those CCM masks are THICK material. I can’t imagine skating/playing with it directly against my mouth and nose. —- With the normal cage mask, I accidentally put in on backwards/inside out for two games, and I like it better because the internal seem and Velcro is now on the outside.

Any recommendations for a shop with FBV in the greater Boston area? Love Zwickers, but they don’t do FBV. Was making the drive to No Icing, but they moved and it’s too far. Anyone ever been to Tricon in Lexington?

@jrchecker8, did you ever get an answer/result about your skate sizing and the apparent mismatch between the production label and size listed on the tongue?

Where in the Midwest are you, do you have access to other stores? The fact that your Trues have come back with separate issues each time makes me wonder how good the fitting process is from the shop. Sounds like they are nice people and willing to work with you, but perhaps aren’t very skilled at custom fitting and measuring True skates. If they can’t measure you correctly for Trues, they probably aren’t going to do any better for Bauers. If the shop and True are willing to do full refund, might be better to back out and find a new place who is better at fitting.

I feel like any of the big modern toe curves would give you insane MLB pitcher type movement with a ball. How do you stop a slap shot with a four foot break?

The back of those Eastons looks so much like early Mission in-line skates.

This is what makes me unsure about skates you have to bake to try on at all. Everything close feels good when it’s warm and soft and molding to your foot. But, a half size up or down is more noticeable when the materials are cooled and hardened, and it goes back to feeling like a skate and not like a soft sneaker.

What’s going on with the blade on the Ballistik? Was that design on the blade, or something you added? that whole pic is such an awesome snapshot of sticks that were popular at a specific time. For a while everyone really fetishized the one95 and CNT, would be interesting if one could somehow compare them to modern offerings. But it’s all so subjective it would be a wash.