jpeaslee

I ordered some custom Alphas at the end of November, 6 weeks later theses guys showed up. The mesh on the figures and cuff roll almost looks dark grey (which I actually would have preferred) in certain lights, which I think looks pretty slick. The emblem is my initials and number (80 or 8). I do like the cuff on these a lot better than the retail gloves, but I liked the stretch gussets better on the retails. They feel a bit tighter and smaller, I'm hoping breaking them in will loosen them up a little.

I did the same thing. I think I paid like 35 or 40 bucks for it. Killer bag for that price. I love being able to walk through doors easily with it. I get ribbed a little for it being a "backpack" bag, but then half the geezers on my team have wheelie bags so... I'm a big dude too (6'2" 260), but even with virtually all XL sized gear, I can make it fit. Now, I do stuff my elbows into my shins, into my pants, but it works out fine and make sure I don't forget anything. I always take my gear out to dry it after every use anyway. I put my skates in the main compartment and use the end compartment for towels, tool kit, etc. Even the large (though it's still only a 32") fits into the trunk in my BRZ (which was the real reason for getting a new bag in the first place). It's a small trunk, but the kicker is how low and small the opening is. I'm thinking about picking up another one of the easton bags while they're on sale for my roller gear, but I'm afraid I'll bring the wrong back to the wrong rink. The one thing I have had happen is a lot of the zipper pulls (the string part) come off. I just made some paracord zipper pulls that are a little bigger and easier to pull anyway.

Any updates Keith?

You just got an alkali pants customer, probably for a long time. Most xl pants are a 45" which is understandable, but also a bit long for me. Thanks Justin!

Anyone have any of the pants in XL? I need to find out what the overall length is on them.

Definitely check out the sprung thread. Its a long read, but the info you gain from it is insanely helpful. To sum it up, with the sprung chassis, you get the benefit of 4 80mm wheels with regards to speed but you have unmatched maneuverability which is supposed to be the most ice like feel of any inline skate (i'm only an inline guy). I instantly adjusted to the changed and haven't even contemplated ever going back. Now instead of looking at the latest inline skates I'm looking at Ice skates because I KNOW I'm instantly ditching the stock chassis and putting on some sprungs. Another added benefit is the durability and replaceability (don't think thats an actual word, but...). At 6'2" 250lbs, and a wild skater, I've destroyed many an inline chassis. With traditional inline chassis, as soon as you go too fast into a board or whatever else, you're out at least one chassis, maybe two. With sprung, on the odd chance you actually break one, they're much more replaceable, and MUCH MUCH more economical (as well as easily) to fix. And while at some point it does get slightly annoying to explain what exactly is attached to the bottom of your skates, its easily balanced out by the performance as well as joy of spreading the mojo of the sprungs. Speed, maneuverability, and overall GREAT feel of the sprungs is second to none. They're awesome :)

I can say there is a definite difference holding an aluminum chassis in one hand and a mag in the other. I can't tell you how that calculates on the rink. I went from an aluminum chassis to sprungs, and then skated on a set of mags for a pick up game and then converted back to the sprungs. I was much more focused on my actual skating rather than how much my skates weighed. But I can say that they are crazy light.

How do they skate? Ultimately, that's really all that matters.