Bauer Gear Guru

[jjtt99 0]

Hi guys. I'm sure many of you also received this message, but I found it interesting that Bauer is asking their email subscribers to send them questions about their equipment so they can post responses on their website.

Obviously, they won't give the answers as straight up as Mod (afterall they are manufacturers so I'm sure they'll edit and filter accordingly) but I'm interested to see what they come up with nontheless.

Send your questions to:

gearguru@bauernike.com

Cheers,

JJ

EDIT: Just a typo fix.

[Chadd 916]

Don't worry, they see the opinions here too.

[hockechamp14 0]

I'm about to send him the following list:

Why is the 8000 helmet so ugly?

Why did my XX skates break so fast?

Why did you stop making the supreme 5000 gloves?

Why should I buy the SDP gloves rather than an old pair of 5000's?

Why didn't the thigh caps on your pants protect me from a straight on thigh to thigh impact to the point where I almost broke my leg?

Why did you never release the Vapor 10 pant to retail?

[tyler9 0]

I'm about to send him the following list:

Why is the 8000 helmet so ugly?

Why did my XX skates break so fast?

Why did you stop making the supreme 5000 gloves?

Why should I buy the SDP gloves rather than an old pair of 5000's?

Why didn't the thigh caps on your pants protect me from a straight on thigh to thigh impact to the point where I almost broke my leg?

Why did you never release the Vapor 10 pant to retail?

First of all, why is the 8000 so ugly isn't really a great question when they are looking for product opinions. Looksa re personal preference. Second of all the vapor 10 pants were released retail i have two pairs.

[hockechamp14 0]

I'm about to send him the following list:

Why is the 8000 helmet so ugly?

Why did my XX skates break so fast?

Why did you stop making the supreme 5000 gloves?

Why should I buy the SDP gloves rather than an old pair of 5000's?

Why didn't the thigh caps on your pants protect me from a straight on thigh to thigh impact to the point where I almost broke my leg?

Why did you never release the Vapor 10 pant to retail?

First of all, why is the 8000 so ugly isn't really a great question when they are looking for product opinions. Looksa re personal preference. Second of all the vapor 10 pants were released retail i have two pairs.

It was more that I've trusted bauer for years, then all of a sudden this season, it seems like the company is going down the crapper.

At least thier sticks are good.

[cobrAA 0]

IMO...Bauer get A LOT ALOT better....i never trusted Bauer(i'm playing hockey since 7-8 yr),never bought a Bauer product...now with their new supreme line(modified by Nike)

i have their 7000 Shin pad(Custom for Play it again sport)

i have the 6000 pant

i have their Vapor XX

and was considering buying a Vapor XV(tapered shaft)

Beside the skate and helmet...everything fit me now...before this new line of supreme...nothing from bauer was fitting me!

[blues_91 0]

I agree man. Bauer has been awesome. The 8090 skates, vapur xx/xxx gloves and their sticks have been awesome. Although the helmet is UGLY it's been the most comfortable bucket Ive had.

[Jbone 0]

I'm about to send him the following list:

Why is the 8000 helmet so ugly?

Why did my XX skates break so fast?

Why did you stop making the supreme 5000 gloves?

Why should I buy the SDP gloves rather than an old pair of 5000's?

Why didn't the thigh caps on your pants protect me from a straight on thigh to thigh impact to the point where I almost broke my leg?

Why did you never release the Vapor 10 pant to retail?

I see Bauer isn't your favorite company.

[jimmy 194]

I'm about to send him the following list:

Why is the 8000 helmet so ugly?

Why did my XX skates break so fast?

Why did you stop making the supreme 5000 gloves?

Why should I buy the SDP gloves rather than an old pair of 5000's?

Why didn't the thigh caps on your pants protect me from a straight on thigh to thigh impact to the point where I almost broke my leg?

Why did you never release the Vapor 10 pant to retail?

I see Bauer isn't your favorite company.

Those are legitimate questions. I also really want to know why the Vapor XX skates don't last more than a year and what they are going to do to fix it. It's one thing to claim having the lightest skate, but when it doesn't hold up, that needs to be explained.

I also want to know why they discontinue models after only one year on the market? I'm actually considering not carrying a lot of Bauer equipment because I can't trust them to stand by a model for more than 1 year. Do they really think I'm going to stock a lot of their skates, knowing they'll probably discontinue the models, leaving me hanging with worthless closeouts at the end of the year.

[sherwood21 0]

I agree man. Bauer has been awesome. The 8090 skates, vapur xx/xxx gloves and their sticks have been awesome. Although the helmet is UGLY it's been the most comfortable bucket Ive had.

I agree with you 100%. I think the XV/XX/XXX gloves have all been good, XX skates were good to me, XX stick was good to me, my 8000 shins and 8000 shouldies have been amazing, my helmet (5000) has performed as always. With the exception of Skates, for now, and sticks, I'm a BNH machine.

BTW I would ask them why they don't mainstream release the 77 flex XV shaft..

[JGraz15 53]

I'm actually considering not carrying a lot of Bauer equipment because I can't trust them to stand by a model for more than 1 year.  Do they really think I'm going to stock a lot of their skates, knowing they'll probably discontinue the models, leaving me hanging with worthless closeouts at the end of the year.

I wouldn't say that Bauer skates have any shorter shelf life than other skates...

CCM changes their lines about every two years (both Tacks and Externo --> Vector...as does Mission. Easton has completely changed their skate line almost every year.

I would estimate the shelf life of skates to be 2-3 seasons now, with the exception of the Graf 7 series

What skates in your opinion have longer shelf life?

[asdfa 0]

Graz said it well.

there are way too many companies in the hockey business for companies to be able to sell the same skate more than 3 years in a row, because there will always be some other company trying to get the upper hand by creating some new revolutionary technology.

[Chadd 916]

Graz said it well.

there are way too many companies in the hockey business for companies to be able to sell the same skate more than 3 years in a row, because there will always be some other company trying to get the upper hand by creating some new revolutionary technology.

Or at least saying they have some new revolutionary technology.

[jbyun04 7]

why are your Nike Quest V12 and V10 wood sticks only available in Europe?

[jimmy 194]

Graz said it well.

there are way too many companies in the hockey business for companies to be able to sell the same skate more than 3 years in a row, because there will always be some other company trying to get the upper hand by creating some new revolutionary technology.

Or at least saying they have some new revolutionary technology.

right on. Simply changing the exterior look and renumbering a model doesn't make it revolutionary, nor really improved.

BTW, I think the Supreme models are very well built and hold up very well.

[Sticks of Fury 0]

Shouldn't hockey gear especially skate prices become cheaper now with all the new companies joining in the hockey equipment market. Shouldn't a skate company have a price war. :D :D Seems like only Mission is trying to lure customers with their buy skates and recieve stick deal. Unless I am mistaken. I am sure there is one more company which had a stick promotion too.

[Jim A 4]

For me, considering I'm not on the ultralight bandwagon, skates have been 250-250 for years, hell i remember paying 200 for Daoust 301's..so I'd say in that regard that skate prices and most gear as well have stayed the same is ok by me..

Also, I don't see why people expect their XX or equivalent to last for seasons, that's not how its designed..you don't see people training in racing flats or spikes in track and field...hell Nike makes a shoe called the Mayfly that has about 60 miles in it...then its supposed to be recycled...just because a skate is expensive, doesn't mean it has long term durability

[jimmy 194]

For me, considering I'm not on the ultralight bandwagon, skates have been 250-250 for years, hell i remember paying 200 for Daoust 301's..so I'd say in that regard that skate prices and most gear as well have stayed the same is ok by me..

Also, I don't see why people expect their XX or equivalent to last for seasons, that's not how its designed..you don't see people training in racing flats or spikes in track and field...hell Nike makes a shoe called the Mayfly that has about 60 miles in it...then its supposed to be recycled...just because a skate is expensive, doesn't mean it has long term durability

That's the problem. Folks haven't accepted the idea that skates are throw-aways after 1-2 yrs. Especially adults who's last pair of skates they had for 15 plus years. We try to explain that lighness sacrifies durability, but the flashy marketing by the companies fools them.

[Chadd 916]

For me, considering I'm not on the ultralight bandwagon, skates have been 250-250 for years, hell i remember paying 200 for Daoust 301's..so I'd say in that regard that skate prices and most gear as well have stayed the same is ok by me..

Also, I don't see why people expect their XX or equivalent to last for seasons, that's not how its designed..you don't see people training in racing flats or spikes in track and field...hell Nike makes a shoe called the Mayfly that has about 60 miles in it...then its supposed to be recycled...just because a skate is expensive, doesn't mean it has long term durability

That's the problem. Folks haven't accepted the idea that skates are throw-aways after 1-2 yrs. Especially adults who's last pair of skates they had for 15 plus years. We try to explain that lighness sacrifies durability, but the flashy marketing by the companies fools them.

They expect everything they had in their old skates plus the reduced weight.

[Jim A 4]

my own experiences with the lightweights is that its more the younger player who has durability issues with it..the guys who have come out of some older stuff..its more like a slipper anyways..and soft as one to boot...plus most of the older guys are moving into 8090, newer Tacks and Supremes..depending on what they were on anyways...i didn't put many old school guys into Vapor's, Tacks or Synergy's...and if I did..it was more the Vapor XV than anything..

[jjtt99 0]

Us older farts know the value of a dollar and also realize that taking 5 grams off your skate doesn't make a big difference when you're old, fat, out-of-shape and playing in division 5 of a beer league :lol:

I always thought that's what Bauer Classic Gold and Silver skates were for, but seeing how so many are for sale at clearance prices I trust that big idea was a bust. Should I ask the Guru that?

JJ

[jimmy 194]

Us older farts know the value of a dollar and also realize that taking 5 grams off your skate doesn't make a big difference when you're old, fat, out-of-shape and playing in division 5 of a beer league :lol:

I always thought that's what Bauer Classic Gold and Silver skates were for, but seeing how so many are for sale at clearance prices I trust that big idea was a bust. Should I ask the Guru that?

JJ

it's not that us old guys realize the value of a dollar, it's that our wives would laugh at us if we asked them for $400 for a pair of skates. It's the"Marriage Penalty". You young guys don't know how good you have it! Heck, I own a hockey store and I'm skating in 8 yo skates and my pants are schredded and barely held together by a thread!

[Jim A 4]

well..that's when you just keep them in the bag for a while..and then when asked "Are those new?" you can say that you've had them "for a while" the women do this to us all the time!!

the Classic Gold and Silver are/were great skates ..

[jjtt99 0]

So maybe the question for the Gear Guru is how can I get new gear without the wife freaking out??

:D

JJ

[cobrAA 0]

Shouldn't hockey gear especially skate prices become cheaper now with all the new companies joining in the hockey equipment market. Shouldn't a skate company have a price war. :D :D Seems like only Mission is trying to lure customers with their buy skates and recieve stick deal. Unless I am mistaken. I am sure there is one more company which had a stick promotion too.

well...CCM has to promotion(buy Vector pro,7 zg120,zg130) and get a 110 or 120

and this winter with the Vector 110 you get a free vector glove...

As for the price...i think Mission and Nike have the best value price(i mean 550CND for a high-end isnt that bad...and the S500 are 450-500CND and the L7 550cnd not that bad in my opinions)

compared to the 700-800CND+Tax XXX,Synergy and the zg130 at 630CND...

anywayz 2 year ago i bought the 1152 tack at 350 CND closeout price...this year i'm thinking about the Flexlite V-10 or the L5...i would never go more than 350CND for a pair of skate....and i'm 15yr old