Kor Shift 1 to Gear Carbon vs. Shift 2

[theboydarin 0]

I've been skating the last 4 years in a pair of Kor Shift 1's and I LOVE them but they are on their last legs. I had bought a pair of the Gear Carbon's (supposed clones of the Shift 2) a few years ago on the cheap with the hope they'd replace my Shift 1's. However, they feel, well, awkward. They are deeper than my shift 1's, which i don't mind having a high instep, but they feel like cement blocks even though they weight the same.

I have two main related problems:

1. It feels like i'm falling backwards. I use a +1 on the Pitch holders and I'm still leaning way to far back.
   
2. Unable to get forward flex. I loved the low cut on the Shift 1's. Even unlacing the first two eyelets doesn't give me enough forward flex in the Gears.
   

I've put yellow superfeet insoles in and it's helped the comfort but not the awkward/off balance feeling.

Here's my question: Should I pick up a pair of actual Shift 2's? Or will they feel drastically different from the Shift 1's as well?

[Andoy 5]

I went from shift 1s to shift 2s and there was a noticeable difference. Yes they are deeper than shift 1s and the tongue feels different as well

[theboydarin 0]

I went from shift 1s to shift 2s and there was a noticeable difference. Yes they are deeper than shift 1s and the tongue feels different as well

Did you feel a difference in pitch as well?

[althoma1 575]

I have used both the Shift 1's and 2's and yes the Shift 2's are deeper, wider and higher cut and you do feel like you're a bit more on your heels. I used the neutral setting on the Pitch Holders with the Shift 1's, but use the +1 setting with the Shift 2's. You could always get heel lifts added to the Shift 2's if you want more forward lean.

If you want the Shift 1 fit and can't find any Shift 1's in your size then another skate you could look for is the Torspo Surge 221. Torspo used the Shift 1 molds for that skate - I have a pair for roller and they fit just like the Shift 1's, but don't have the built in footbeds and the tendon guard is stiffer. They also come with different holders (I've never used the Torspos on ice as I picked mine up as part of a package with the Sprung Chassis for roller).

[theboydarin 0]

I have used both the Shift 1's and 2's and yes the Shift 2's are deeper, wider and higher cut and you do feel like you're a bit more on your heels. I used the neutral setting on the Pitch Holders with the Shift 1's, but use the +1 setting with the Shift 2's. You could always get heel lifts added to the Shift 2's if you want more forward lean.

I've been thinking about getting internal heel lifts. Has anyone tried these something like these? http://www.amazon.com/Warwick-Enterprises-Adjust-Heel-Medium/dp/B004JMG3C4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1329526238&sr=8-2

If you want the Shift 1 fit and can't find any Shift 1's in your size then another skate you could look for is the Torspo Surge 221. Torspo used the Shift 1 molds for that skate - I have a pair for roller and they fit just like the Shift 1's, but don't have the built in footbeds and the tendon guard is stiffer. They also come with different holders (I've never used the Torspos on ice as I picked mine up as part of a package with the Sprung Chassis for roller).

What's the size translation to the Torspos? I wear a size 8 in Kor.

[althoma1 575]

What's the size translation to the Torspos? I wear a size 8 in Kor.

The same mold was used - the sizing is exactly the same. If you're 8 in KORs then you're 8 in the Surge 221's.

[Chadd 916]

The same mold was used - the sizing is exactly the same. If you're 8 in KORs then you're 8 in the Surge 221's.

Same mold was used but Torspo did not reject as many skates as Kor did. There have been some pretty big differences in weights between the right and left skates of certain pairs from what I have heard.

[althoma1 575]

Same mold was used but Torspo did not reject as many skates as Kor did. There have been some pretty big differences in weights between the right and left skates of certain pairs from what I have heard.

The steel is also likely better on the KORs too (haven't used the Torspo steel, but it'd be hard to beat the Pitch steel) so KORs would be the best choice, but if he really wants the KOR fit and can't find KORs in his size then the Torpos are one option. At the price they usually go for now (sub $100) they're worth a shot. The Torspos I have feel about the same, but now that you've mentioned it I may weigh them tomorrow just to see.

[Aggie 9]

I've used all three. Shift 1 is my favorite by far. Did not like the Gear carbons and the Shift 2 was too stiff at the top for me. The Shift 2's ankle padding is not as comfortable, even after baking. I feel that my Flexlites are more similar to the Shift 1 than the Shift 2.

[prenny207 1]

mmm, that's why i loaded up on Shift 1's. 2 pairs in circulation now, and 2 pairs sitting in boxes on the shelf in waiting. I don't plan on buying skates for quite a few years. Now, if anyone has any 272 Pitch steel they're lookin to move, i'm interested. Though the 2 pairs in the box do have Tuuk holders....

[theboydarin 0]

I've used all three. Shift 1 is my favorite by far. Did not like the Gear carbons and the Shift 2 was too stiff at the top for me. The Shift 2's ankle padding is not as comfortable, even after baking. I feel that my Flexlites are more similar to the Shift 1 than the Shift 2.

Which Flexlites?

[Aggie 9]

I have the old Nike flexlite 10 and the V series in the past. I just like skates that are softer at the top, which the Kor shift 1 and Flexlites have been for me.

[#13 0]

Have you any idea what size I would need for the Shift 2s if I have Surge 221s in a size 8? I've seen some cheap Shift 2s and are thinking of giving them a go but the last time I bought skates online I got the wrong size.

[fatwabbit 93]

You'll have to go up about 1/2 size from 221's to Shift 2s.

The shift 2's have any internal neoprene layer. Not very thick, but noticeable if you were feathering the top caps in the 221 and tried to get the shift 2 in the same size.

For me I was a 9 in the 221 feathering the top cap, and went with a 9.5 in the shift 2 and decided to remove the neoprene layer in the shift 2

[althoma1 575]

I actually use exactly the same size in Kor Shift 1, Shift 2, and Torspo 221's. Yes, the toes feel a little closer to the cap in the Shift 2's when they're brand new, but after baking and break in mine feel great. If you're 8 in Surge 221's I'd recommend size 8 in the Shift 2 - if necessary you can remove the neoprene liner like fatwabbit, but I'd bake them and try to break them in a bit before making that call.

[#13 0]

Thanks for that fatwabbit ^ ! I need to get it right this time. My current really old Bauer ice skates are size 8 and so are my 221s but I bought some Tour EX1s recently (for inline) online sized 8.5 and they were at least a size too big :( I'll look out for some Shift 2s sized 8.5 then as they sound pretty good for the money. Have you had a good experience with them?

Replied just before I saw your post Althoma1 - if I end up going for a size 8 then and they end up being a bit too snug, should baking them in create a bit more room?

[althoma1 575]

KOR skates are meant to be baked - you should bake them even if you don't need room. If you need the baking instructions PM me with your email and I'll send them to you.

[hunterphfr 12]

I have extremely off sized feet. The Shift 1 & 2s are the only off the shelf skates I have owned since I was 12 that didn't cause severe pain. The fit after baking was (I hate to say this) better than even my custom fit TotalOnes. Don't get me wrong both pairs of Kors have been in the bottom of the hockey closet since My T1s came in. If you find a pair of Shift 2s in your size keep looking, I don't think you'll get the same 4 years out of a pair of shift 2s. I think the Shift 1s were a far better skate than the Shift2s. The eyelets in my Shift 2s have been disintegrating 1 by 1, some of the stitching is shot, the glue holding the upper to the carbon boot gave out (fixed it with epoxy) and I don't think they perform quite as well as the Shift 1s.

I wear the same size in 1 and 2.

[Andoy 5]

I have extremely off sized feet. The Shift 1 & 2s are the only off the shelf skates I have owned since I was 12 that didn't cause severe pain. The fit after baking was (I hate to say this) better than even my custom fit TotalOnes. Don't get me wrong both pairs of Kors have been in the bottom of the hockey closet since My T1s came in. If you find a pair of Shift 2s in your size keep looking, I don't think you'll get the same 4 years out of a pair of shift 2s. I think the Shift 1s were a far better skate than the Shift2s. The eyelets in my Shift 2s have been disintegrating 1 by 1, some of the stitching is shot, the glue holding the upper to the carbon boot gave out (fixed it with epoxy) and I don't think they perform quite as well as the Shift 1s.

I wear the same size in 1 and 2.

+1. I too preferred the shift 1 compared to the shift 2. I am also having issues with the eyelets with my shift 2s as they seem to be rusting out very badly. I always air out my skates after games and have never had this problem with my other skates.

[Ron 0]

I went from a 7.5 Torspo to a 8 Shift 2 due to the neoprene toe. If I had to do it again, I'd look for a 7.5 Shift 2. I've had the Shift 2's for 1.5 seasons and they are ok. The boot overall is still in pretty good shape but the tendon guard is getting quite soft where it attaches to the boot. I like the Torspo fit more personally, and I only had the mid-end Surge 100 model. The holder on the Torspo is quite beefy but heavy, I find the steel as good as the Mission Pitch steel.