VH Footwear/TRUE by Scott Van Horne

[IPv6Freely 2100]

18 hours ago, Sniper9 said:

I've seen quite a bit of issues with their goalie gear too. But maybe that stuff is kind of standard across all major brands 

Weird.

[Hills 717]

On 3/2/2025 at 2:26 AM, Sniper9 said:

I've seen quite a bit of issues with their goalie gear too. But maybe that stuff is kind of standard across all major brands 

True PX lines of goalie gear is the top of the industry in quality, only Brian's comes close to it and even then True's performance aspect is a notch above.

[number_22 3]

Looks like the option for white trim and toe cap could return at some point…

Edited March 19 by number_22

[IPv6Freely 2100]

Did that stop being an option for player skates at some point? 

[number_22 3]

6 hours ago, IPv6Freely said:

Did that stop being an option for player skates at some point? 

About five years ago, yes.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

1 hour ago, number_22 said:

About five years ago, yes.

Interesting. The goalie skates still have them as an option. 

[Sniper9 537]

1 hour ago, IPv6Freely said:

Interesting. The goalie skates still have them as an option. 

I always thought it was a goalie only option that was advertised and the players that had it just asked for it to be done for player skates since essentially the only difference in the goalie two piece and player skates is the tendon guard/Lundy loop and holders. 

Edited March 19 by Sniper9

[Westside 250]

Saw this video the other day and apparently True will be dropping the blacked out versions along with these white out versions of the 9x4. I’ve been asking True to offer this for years for roller. Still don’t get why they wouldn’t make white toe caps an option as goalies can do it. I’ll definitely be buying when they become available and putting Marsblades on them  

 

I was never a fan of the colored facing on the old VH skates, but when you add the toe cap I think the louder skate suits roller perfectly. Adding the tendon guard and the rear panel is even better 

Edited March 19 by Westside

[Westside 250]

On 1/12/2025 at 4:57 PM, Westside said:

I'm a sucker for 3D printed stuff and have a number of items made from 3D printers. When True leaked, then announced, their 3D printed tongues, I was intrigued. Unfortunately, the one time I got to see them in person at a Pure Hockey the velcro patch was already coming off and they were breaking down. And while there have been a bunch of photos posted online, there seemingly hasn't been any feedback, let alone long term feedback to see if they're any good. During holiday shopping for the family I broke down and decided to pick up a pair for myself. Took about 6 weeks to arrive, during which time I proceeded to dislocate my shoulder and get tennis elbow for the first time in the opposite arm so I've been taking time off to try and heal.

Finally took the tongues out for a skate this weekend during Stick and Puck. First initial reaction was that they take up a lot of volume in the boot. I positioned them roughly where the felt t-guard tongues I typically use are, but when I laced up my skates I had almost zero extra lace slack to tie a knot. 

Stepped onto the ice and *whoooosh* I could immediately feel the cold air flow through the tongues. These are definitely not something I'd want to use on the ODR! Flexibility and comfort of the tongue itself felt great. Zero complaints. I don't suffer from lace bit to begin with and that stayed true with these so far as well. As the session went on, I noticed more pressure on the ball of my foot, likely caused by how much more volume was being taken up and how my laces were tied further smashing my foot into my insole. 

Got off the ice at the end of the session and my socks were SOAKED. I'm not sure if it was from sweat or ice shavings getting into the boot. Could be that the felt tongue usually absorbs more of the sweat? I'm not sure, but it was a surprise given how much ventilation I was feeling. 

After getting home I repositioned the tongue up a little higher which will hopefully eliminate the pressure on the ball of my foot. I also put on longer laces that should allow me to tie the lower part of the boot slightly looser while still giving me enough lace up top to tie up all the eyelets. 

Overall, first impressions were extremely positive even though I needed to make tweaks. I still wish I was able to find an FT6 Pro tongue to modify for True boots because that, to me, is the best tongue I've ever used. Either way, I'll try and remember to post feedback once the setup is dialed in as well as longer term feedback with how it holds up. Hope some of you find this helpful

 

 

An update on the 3D printed True tongues. Unfortunately, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the velcro patch began to pull away from the tongue. I reached out to True who sent me updated replacements that are now fully stitched, which should eliminate any issues going forward. I started using modified (shortened) 9x4 tongues on the ice skates and have put the new 3D printed tongues on my TF9 inline skates. Will try and test them out in 2 weeks when I'm back in town and able to play. 

Here's how the new tongue and old tongues compare. The only difference is the stitched section. 

[Sniper9 537]

10 hours ago, Westside said:

 

An update on the 3D printed True tongues. Unfortunately, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the velcro patch began to pull away from the tongue. I reached out to True who sent me updated replacements that are now fully stitched, which should eliminate any issues going forward. I started using modified (shortened) 9x4 tongues on the ice skates and have put the new 3D printed tongues on my TF9 inline skates. Will try and test them out in 2 weeks when I'm back in town and able to play. 

Here's how the new tongue and old tongues compare. The only difference is the stitched section. 

Nice, I'm glad they sent you the updated ones.  I wonder how well the stitching will hold up and if the 3d lattice structure can withstand the thread or if it'll eventually cut through. Only time will tell I guess. Unless you constantly take your tongues off it shouldn't really encounter much stress anyway. 

[Westside 250]

10 hours ago, Sniper9 said:

Nice, I'm glad they sent you the updated ones.  I wonder how well the stitching will hold up and if the 3d lattice structure can withstand the thread or if it'll eventually cut through. Only time will tell I guess. Unless you constantly take your tongues off it shouldn't really encounter much stress anyway. 

The Velcro panel is solid material so that’s what the thread is anchored to. The lattice structure on the bottom doesn’t do much there, but well see what happens 

[shoot_the_goalie 281]

Is there a real tangible benefit from the 3D printed tongues?  I'm due for a new set of tongues, and not sure if it's worth the cost vs. the traditional ones.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

Comfort and airflow have been the two I've seen people talking about so far. My next pair will have them for sure. 

[Westside 250]

I’d agree. Air flow is probably the biggest, but like with CCM’s Tacks X helmet, the 3D printed lattice structure conforms to your foot the way traditional felt or memory foams can’t which also helps in the comfort department.

 

Are they worth double the price of standard tongues? Uh… 

[malcb33 99]

I'm guessing you would need to rebake your skates if you add the 3D tongues? They seem fairly thick, but I assume they compress down.

[Westside 250]

Probably depends on how you have your boot setup, but I had to rebake mine, yes. The added volume put too much pressure on the top of my foot based on how they were previously baked/laced. Even with the amount they compress, it’s still a lot more volume