2013 Bauer Products

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

No.

Liner and tongue are tweaked however, so that could increase volume a bit.

Tongue is a three-piece design; thinner felt in the bottom half (that's what I mean by increased volume), with a new lace bite protector and thicker felt on top.

[Hockeypunk24 0]

How does the APX2 compare to the APX? Have they adressed the issue that many switched from the X60 to the Supreme because the APX was too stiff?

I was under the impression those who liked X60's just went to X7.0's?

[markush 12]

I was under the impression those who liked X60's just went to X7.0's?

At first yes - but with the release of the Total One NXG (which is a generation ahead to the X7.0) many changed.

Now I'd hoped that Bauer addressed the feedback of players / customers and adapted / tweaked the fit of the boot.

I currently doubt respectively don't know if the updated liner and tongue along with a molding process will solve this.

[bekster 0]

will the lower model vapor skates also have the curve material or is it like current vapors: curve in APX, traditional materials in X:7.0, X6.0,...? and new holder only on APX2?

[Lapierre#1 0]

So I guess they won't be releasing any nexus gear this year such as pants or gloves???

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

will the lower model vapor skates also have the curve material or is it like current vapors: curve in APX, traditional materials in X:7.0, X6.0,...? and new holder only on APX2?

There is an entire line. Curv will be on the top two models, just like Supreme has with the NXG and ONE.9.

New holder goes all the way down to the $200 price point.

Lapierre#1 - not going into that as of right now.

[jimmy 194]

Great concept. Really sucks that blackedge and step will not be available. Couldn't they make the top of the blade a slightly different shape that still fits into the holder correctly?

I think you'll see aftermarket steel in due time.

[dsjunior1388 81]

The top geometry of the steel is patented by Bauer, therefore there won't be any third-party steel. It isn't the same as Tuuk LS.

That being said, I really like it. I played with the holder the past few days in Vegas (Blackstone had it in their booth; they are part of the project.)

And contrary to those spreading rumors, the rivet pattern is the same.

Did they not patent the same thing in the C+ and the LS/LS2 etc?

[AIREAYE 248]

Yes, but you also have a lot smaller competition compared to other sports, which means getting into to the game would cost a lot less as far as getting you brand name out there. Plus because of innovation you could quickly wipe out the competition with something new and innovative, so it's a double edge sword.

For someone to come in they would have to grab a big chunk of the market share or even replace one of the big three. I think Mission at one point had a strong presence, but cave in and sold everything off. When mission came in, it created a lot of good and healthy competition.

Innovation is fine and all, but that isn't mainly what leads to success for a newer company into the market. Hockey is still a very traditional industry; an 'old boys club'. There are plenty of companies who have/are putting out product that would make most of us lament the lack of such in common retail today, but it takes a lot of time and effort to gain exposure and to position oneself against the trusted and recognized brands.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

I don't know.

Obviously there are third-party manufacturers. However, in this case, I was told that "We patented the shape, therefore, the ONLY steel you can get is Bauer steel."

Doesn't get any more cut and dry than that.

Did they not patent the same thing in the C+ and the LS/LS2 etc?

[Chadd 916]

As for UA, they haven't come up with anything innovative at all. Their marketing is what has sold everything for them.

They are a case study in marketing effectiveness. They never promote product specifics, it's always about the lifestyle.

[AIREAYE 248]

But that's the thing Rubo, you can't measure and quantify improved performance in a way that every consumer can see. The perception of performance is skewed. Kids want what their friends have, parents hear a couple stories about poor durability on a stick and they don't want to buy their children that brand. A random smaller company could make the 'best stick ever', but does that guarantee them success? Absolutely not; not if they don't focus on marketing themselves. Segmentation, targeting and positioning. Your viewpoint in my opinion, is a good example of marketing myopia, first presented to great acclaim in 1960 by T. Levitt; a focus in the product and the tech as opposed to the consumer/marketing.

However, I also think your point is taking a very scientific approach with "If I come up with a skate and stick that increases 5% of user’s performance which can be measured, every single loyal (insert brand) client will switch over in a nanosecond" in which case, with that assumption alone and everything else being equal, I would agree.

[DarkStar50 679]

Even Bain Capital wouldn't get near the hockey industry. Easton and RBK are clawing away as hard as they can at Bauer and what great results do they have to show for it? Bauer will only get hurt if they hurt themselves. The new products and their price points will decide that.

[Jason 65]

They made it a different shape on purpose. I think it's a joke. I hate how in this case, competition has had a negative effect on what the consumer ends up with. Bauer steel sucks.

[DarkStar50 679]

Invest in current inventory and you won't have a problem.

[DarkStar50 679]

Won't you agree most NHL players know very little about their skates, even their ROH? Technology and innovation are a bit lost on an NHL player. Give him a pair of skates and he is ready to go. This is an industry with a small number of players in North America compared to so many other sports. The costs for the players, travel or beer league, are a lot. Travel parents have X amount of money already invested in their player and beer leaguers don't spend money on gear until they absolutely have to. The hockey demagraphic is not that great in the real world setting of bringing new players into the sport. It costs too much. Wait until you see the prices of new hockey gear for 2013!! Don't say you were not warned.

[Chadd 916]

The hockey demagraphic is not that great in the real world setting of bringing new players into the sport. It costs too much. Wait until you see the prices of new hockey gear for 2013!! Don't say you were not warned.

There are two ways to make more money; get more customers or soak the ones you already have.

[AIREAYE 248]

I don't think the profit is there for skates. If a new player comes in with a new top-end skate like you say, where will they get the distribution (and through distribution, recognition?) when big box retailers require a full product line to even be considered and smaller independents are shrinking down to lines/brands that sell well. That's even before considering consumers. Why should a hockey parent or beer-leaguer consider a fancy pro skate from an unknown company when their kids/themselves play recreationally? And for those that do, why would they consider investing (let's say and in SR models)) $600+ on a new top end skate from said unknown company when Bauer or Reebok is available as well?

[chippa13 1844]

Totally disagree with you, in a performance driven industry there is no brand loyalty. If I come up with a skate and stick that increases 5% of user’s performance which can be measured, every single loyal (insert brand) client will switch over in a nanosecond. That's why it’s a lot easier to succeed and also fail in any innovation driven industry. The fact that most of the stuff is made in china now only helps any new player to come into the game, sicne there is no more home made sentimental value angle that they can use for marketing they traditional names.

I disagree with this. Most beer leaguers have zero idea of innovation or the like. Guys are in Bauer because they've always been in Bauer, CCM because they always used CCM.....etc, etc..........

[t6lock 24]

was there anymore info on the IMS helmets? looking for a new bucket (7500 is on my radar) but wondering if a release is close enough for me to wait...

[jsykes 35]

All of these will be for spring release.

[chippa13 1844]

If factory direct worked in the hockey world then MLX and Base would have been huge major players by now. Instead, MLX was eaten up by Easton and Base remains a fringe player. If you don't have distribution and you aren't in retail stores then you can't be a major player in a mostly touch first then buy industry.

[DarkStar50 679]

Use prisons as a source of labor!!!?? Sounds like a great Coen brothers movie. "Oh Brother Where Art Thou Skates."

What happens when the prisoners get paroled, die, executed, beaten up? "I'm sorry John cannot work today. He got shived in the shower by Elvis."

[interpathway 9]

Rubo, on 22 October 2012 - 12:48 AM, said:

Totally disagree with you, in a performance driven industry there is no brand loyalty. If I come up with a skate and stick that increases 5% of user’s performance which can be measured, every single loyal (insert brand) client will switch over in a nanosecond.

I find this hard to believe given recent history. One piece sticks come around the turn of the millenium, offer far beyond a 5% increase in performance advatage, and ten years later we still have average Joes using wood sticks, professionals in two-piece set-ups, etc. Many players still prefer cotton hockey socks over the lighter, better breathing Reebok Edge socks. Producing a finer product does not equate sales. Ask the former MLX brand, Hell, ask Miken about their trials and tribulations with the ZL.

Your generalization (every single loyal client will switch) ignores the past decade of hockey equipment growth. Some prefer to stick with the status quo, and there's no arguing that point.

[DarkStar50 679]

Yes it is always a good idea to put steel blades and needles for sewing in the hands of convicts.