Sniper9

If you're gonna be spending money on machs or any top end retail pants for that matter and are looking for good protection, you should strongly consider getting pro stock pants like the bauer nexus or ccm hp45. They will be generally cheaper than retail and way better quality and protection. If you have to get retail, I would steer away form Bauer. Their retail protective is really lacking, even their top end models.

Vh/true used to have the sole of the skate completely custom so it matched the arch of your foot exactly. With this, you only needed a stock foam foot bed for some cushion and that was it. The introduction of the genetix insole kills the feel of your edges and are ridiculously thick. I'm assuming true skates no longer customize the sole of the shell for whatever reasons. I'm assuming it's just easier to create a shell that has a stock base and possibly makes it easier and more consistent to mount the holders on. If the insoles work for you, then great. For me, I've been using bauer speedplates for years and it's the only insole I'll use bc it heat molds to the exact shape of your arches. The genetix insoles placed my foot so far up In the boot I was getting pinching in areas I never had before. Once I put my speedplates back in (and even stock Bauer insoles), all the issues went away.

You can keep them inside during the bake but it doesn't reduce the softness and thickness. They're terrible insoles imo. I don't know why true would use such thick insoles that deaden the feel of your edges.

Just picked a pair up too. I got a pair in small (48). I'm 5'10 160 lbs with a 32-33" waist (measured). My clothing pant size is 30-31. These have pro level protection and shell for a fraction of the price of other top end brands. The fit is snug around the hips and waist with just enough volume in the legs for good mobility. I'll skate in them tonight so I'll see how they feel on the ice and in full gear. It is a bit odd having pants with an external belt since I've had internal belts forever. I keep thinking it's not "tight" enough even though it's very snug and isn't going to fall off my hips. With an external belt you don't get the same "locked in" cinching feel as you do with an internal belt.

Ya they're good ppl.

I might check these out at the hockey shop in Langley in the near future, which by the price I'm assuming you got you're from as well?

Then you should be able to get something like this at a drug store or dollar store or make one yourself with a similar flat piece of foam?

Isnt this just a piece of foam and a liner with no arch support etc.

I like the Bauer ones. I've used them and howies only though. I like the Bauer's bc they don't have the slick polyester nylon feel and the kevlar material goes well below the ankle. The material also adds good grip with the lock fit liner in my Bauer skates. I found the howies a bit slick when wet

I'm using the dlc. They're very nice and jrz is essentially the same as step. Same factory. But if you've never used dlc before just stick with the jrz stainless. Still very good quality steel. The dlc coating is nice but not worth the extra price imo. I only get the dlc bc I've been using dlc coated since step black steel and when I don't use dlc everything doesn't feel like they bite enough or glide smooth enough 🤪 Keep your stock Bauer's as a backup just in case. And tbh Bauer steel isn't great but they're not TERRIBLE. Lots of pros actually use Bauer TI and stainless. But with that said, pros have sharpening at their disposal whenever and also multiple blades easily available so edge retention may not be as important to them in terms of saving time and money on frequent sharpenings.

I use jrz. I've used fly ti too and had no issues with durability. But with that said I'm using it on the edge holders so not sure if the combination of fly ti and fly holder causes more breakage for whatever reason.

I don't see how a cobbler can't do it....they probably didn't want to. You're honestly wasting a lot of time and potentially money just not doing it yourself. Get the adhesive Velcro and stick it on if you don't want to sew. Or use a permanent flexible glue like e6000.

My guess is partly due to differentiating between the fly and edge steel. To those keen on hockey gear we know that to look for but to the avg person, they can easily get the wrong steel. Just a guess amongst other reasons.

Did you try superfeet comfort or just the performance. The comfort doesn't seem to have as much of a high heel and arch. You can also try the thinnest superfeet that's available for shoes.

You don't need a sewing machine. unless you don't know how to hand sew at all, it's pretty simple to replace. Either way lots of places sell Velcro. You can get adhesive backed or not. If you can't sew just get the adhesive industrial grade Velcro but there's no guarantees the adhesive will hold forever. You can always use e6000 glue as well. Personally, I'd use a speedy stitcher type awl