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I have a pair of medium HP31 that I really like. They are a traditional “boxy” fit. Not tapered. Honestly, more protection than I need or have ever had, but I don’t notice the weight or heat (if there is any of either to notice). I remember weighing them when I got them, and they weighed the same as the L warrior DT2 pants I had. I wear them with the zipper open to add the extra length. I’m 6’2”, 185, 32” waist. Before this, I’ve always worn L pants with the waist cinched super tight. It’s more comfortable having the better fitting waist.

When VH was doing the tracing method, they were much less known, essentially a niche product, I imagine most people who bought them knew what they were getting into and understood the realities of custom skates, what they can and can’t do. Now, with all the advertising and displays in stores, way more people have access without as much context for how custom skates are made and the processes involved. I assume True are getting a lot of people who expect “I’m paying a lot for these and they are custom skates. They will fit and feel like sneakers and everything will be 100% perfect out of the box and all of my hockey issues will be solved.” And none of that is true. Even custom skates need a tweak here and there. People expect them to be a panacea for all of their issues, and that can’t be the case with something as complicated as skates, so you’re going to see people whining and complaining without taking meaningful steps to make adjustments.

Is that reddit post from someone in particular that we should pay attention to? Not trying to sound snarky, but there are enough up and down votes in this thread from users that we know In my experience, reddit boards are full of HOTHOT takes where everything is either the absolute best or the absolute worst and very little nuance, or just straight up poor information.

One problem is that you are thinking that less stiff skates are “down-spec’ed” and that being less stiff somehow equates to less quality.

For those of us who don’t know the finer workings of True skates, what exactly is wrong? Thats where the tongue connects to the skate, right? Did the stitching rip, or is the material physically broken? What needs to be cemented and restitched?

I recently picked up a pair of medium hp31. I believe those are in the same line as the hp30 & 35s. 31s might specifically be for CHL or other similar leagues. I’m 6’2”, with 32” waist in most dress pants. M with the extension zipper fit fine. It sometimes feels tight around my stomach, but good on my hips. I’m not sure about the double belt and 2 piece pant. It’s a lifestyle I’m not familiar with, but I’m getting used to it, as long as I’m not consciously thinking about it, they do the job. They have a traditional boxy fit. I put my pants on after skates with no problems at all. I don’t know the exact weight, but I’d say 3ish pounds. When I weighed them, they were the exact same weight as my large Covert DT2 pants. These few like they run a little warm, but it’s also been kinda hot since I got them, so it might just be me adjusting to summer hockey.

What do you all like better about the U shaped opening? I feel like the straight opening zipper is easier to access the cavity of the bag, and I don’t have to actually zippier it closed, as the top of the bag holds everything in. Also, I’d worry that the bend of the U creates more places for the zipper to catch or break. That might not actually be logical.

I never would have thought about it if someone else handnt pointed it out, but light colored bags are better for finding stuff. Black and navy bag interiors are great at hiding stray socks and jocks. I’ll never buy a bag with a dark interior again. That being said, that silver Easton bag is...noticeable. If you ever get a flat tire on the way home, you can definitely put that out and people will see you in the dark.

Why isn’t every blade max height? Is it just something people never thought about?

I’m 6’1”, 185, 32-33ish inch waist. I’ve worn in large Easton’s and now large Warrior DT2s. I always have to cinch the waist super tight. Same as you, I feel like M+1 would be ideal, but I always give up looking and just buy an L. It all depends on where your height is too... my hip to knee might be longer than yours.

Plus, I imagine Step or other aftermarket steel are extra inexpensive for ls2s, since it’s outmoded tech. Ditch the fusion, which is reguarded by pretty much everyone as the worst possible steel choice.

There was a long unwieldy custom Bauer thread for a long time, when they were the main custom game in town. Theres a long unwieldy Mako thread. A long unwieldy Base thread. There was a long unwieldy Sprung thead in the roller section. We have typically been served well by keeping specific info about a product in one thread. If I’m new to a product, I’d rather have it all in one place, than have to fumble through a million small threads with 4 posts. If the product cycle weren’t so quick now, you'd see long threads on sticks and skates. Products disappear too quickly to build up more involved threads and discussion.

My wife and I drive from Boston 45 minutes up to No Icing once a month, because they are the only place that does a reliable FBV. That plus a fancy espresso from Benson’s, it’s not a bad trip.

Haha, I’m definitely waiting for the post that says “True tracking system said my skates were delivered two weeks ago, but they just arrived today and are silver instead of black.”

Sprung, Kor, Miken, Mako Skates... Maybe Sparx and True/VH should be paying us NOT to make long involved threads dedicated to their product...

Harrow was a lacrosse company who moved into DTC hockey sales, and now may or may not still exist in the hockey world. A group of people on here, myself included, were really into them for a few years. STX is more established than Harrow was and has an NHL presence. Harrow supplied a lot of college teams, but never caught on.

When the Mako II skates were new, they came with whatever wrench you needed to remove the steel. If you need one, you could post in equipment sales forums asking to buy one Do you have the CXN holders (holders that came with Makos) now, or considering buying some?

...you can't both compliment STX on "great pricing" for being direct to consumer, and then turn around and say "missed opportunity" for not selling in stores as having stores review them. You can't have both. Gotta pick one.

Apologies for being a negative Nelly, If those were pics of a retail boot, I think the general consensus would be that you need an entirely different model. What did they change between the first pair and the second pair you had made? Did either True or of the shop ask to see your feet in the boots before they remade them? To me, seems like the onus should be on the "experts" (them) to help diagnose the problem, before remaking custom skates. But, being that they have already made a second pair of boots, I wonder if they would do a third pair to address this?

What helmet is this?

I feel you're paying $160 for a garbage stick (twice), you're doing it wrong. Especially if you're able to wait two months to have it in hand. Put in some time on sites that sell used and pro stock equipment, look at the big name online retailers, and close out at your LHS. Current generation midtier sticks from True and Warrior are straight up outstanding for their price.

How many grams are Teslas and Apples? Can I get them in white with a huge tongue flop? I'm not worried so much about fit, but I don't want them to look dusty next to my Vapor Adv.

Ever since I read multiple people complaining about it, and then saw it in person, I can't believe people aren't making an even bigger deal out of it. If this were Graf, people would be killing them for it, but I suspect since its Bauer they are getting a pass.

Can you talk a little about how long you had your original skates, and how many hours you put on them before they broke? Im REALLY intrigued by these skates, but a failed rivet in a tendon guard leading to new skates is eyebrow raising. This thread seems full of people mentioning construction and quality issues, but people kind of bend over backwards to excuse them. I cant tell if the skates are THAT GOOD, or if there's cognitive/emotional bias where people want to like the expensive skates they bought, so they overlook the flaws.

Buy whatevever you want that makes you happy. I think for a lot of people the illusion that "I'm getting an ultra high end Bauer prototype graphicless stick that was never released because it is too durable and shoots too hard," is more powerful than the truth that there are multiple high-end sticks on every internet retailer webpage right now in a variety of curves and flexes for about $120.