Mission Fuel 120 AG

[JR Boucicaut 3795]

Foot spec - Wide forefoot, wide heel, small arch

Last skate worn - Custom NBH ONE90, Easton Stealth S15

Previous Mission boots worn - Fuel 110, Mission S500, Pure Fly

I have been a Mission boot wearer for the better part of 7 years. I have always had success with them, but there was a blip in that success last year. The Fuel 110 did not work for me in any way, shape, or form. And today, I can say that that's okay, because it's BACK. And that's all I care about!

Fit -

These skates are custom in fit only - 12EEA on the right foot, and 11.75EEA on the left.

I've always been a big proponent of the SuppleFit (now AgilityFit) concept. For those unfamiliar, the AgilityFit is stiff in the forefoot, while the ankles are softer. The ankles are scalloped as well, allowing a fit that is closer to the foot than conventional skates It is a different concept than virtually all skates out there. That being said, fitting in this skate was a cinch as I had been wearing different variations of it for so long.

Mission's boot depth has always been good for me, so no problems there. One thing that I have always done to their boots is a bake, then a skate, then another bake. The second bake seems to alleviate whatever issues I have with the skate the first time.

The only downfall to the fit is the tongue. Going to a soft, felt tongue was a big turn-off for me. I liked the shape and the material of the previous model (S500/Pure Fly). It had a soft Clarino liner and the tongue itself was hard. What keeps on happening with the current 120 tongue is that when I lace up, the tongue gives in where the laces are, and I get a bit of lace bite on the top of my foot.

As stated in the S15 thread, I was having problems with this skate in terms of arch pain. I had my custom Superfeet insoles and the first few times in this skate, it was very hard dealing with the pain. Then I skated my S15s with the stock Easton insoles and my pain was gone. Rather than just use Easton soles on both skates, I decided to build some internal heel lifts for the 120s and riveted them in. Now I am able to use my insoles on the 120s and have my heel elevated, taking the pain away from my arch.

It was not hard breaking these skates in, especially since the ankles are very supple.

9/10 (-1 for tongue)

Blade/Holder -

PITCH3. Best holder in the business. Don't kill it.

10/10

Weight-

The AGs have always been at a healthy weight. May turn off those who are obsessed by weight, but fit rules supreme.

8.5/10

Protection -

Definitely not a shot-blocker's skate. Being closer to the foot means pucks will hurt a whole lot more.

5/10 (same I gave S500)

Durability -

The problems that plagued the S500 (tendon guard) is non-existent in this skate. The entire skate is comprised of a leather-like material, but it doesn't get cut as easily as one would think.

9/10

Conclusion -

I'm just glad that the fit and skating characteristics of the SuppleFit line is back. The skates have a nice look (still think there should be a composite hit somewhere on the skate, as they are internal now) It is definitely a skate that one should try in store (obviously, granted it works for their shape) because the concept behind it is a very good one. A ton of people swear by S500s and were a bit turned off by the 110AG. I can assure you, you'll be happy with these.

9.5/10

Shout-Outs - Thanks goes to Geoff for making me the skates. I had finally met him at the Toronto show and he was more than accommodating to me when it came to skating these.