IW Hockey Blog

CCM U+ CL Ice Hockey Skate

CCM has re-amped and redesigned the U+ skates for the up coming season. Just in time for the holidays CCM will be releasing the new CCM U+ CL ice hockey skates.  One of the changes CCM has implemented is the fit of the U+ Crazy Light skates. CCM has increased the overall step in comfort of the skates by adding foams in the ankle and heel for a tighter heel pocket. Along with giving the forefoot a more relaxed fit. CCM has also added some embossments in the quarter panels to help enhance the step in comfort.  Before the higher level CCM skates were know for being very straight and vertical in the quarters, so these changes should really help improve that initial step-in comfort.

CCM has continued to use the U foam through out the quarter package, and added U foam in a couple of new places on the skate to give an improved 360 degree fit.  CCM has added the U foam in the tongue along with in the footbed, allowing for more custom molding in those areas.

This year CCM is also introducing the exhaust system made up by the tongue, footbed and outsole to function together as one  ”moisture exhaust system”.  This system will help keep the foot and boot dryer, improving the fit and keeping the skate light even late in the 3rd period.

CCM is also manufacturing the U+ CL skates in Canada, which should help ensure some great quality.  All and all looks like CCM has made some nice improvements to taking the U+ skates to the next level.

Coming this October Bauer will be releasing limited edition (LE) models of the Supreme ONE100 and ONE60 ice skates.  The LE Supreme skates will feature a cool black on black look, complete with custom Black Tuuk holders.  The Supreme ONE 100 LE skate will also feature a retro tan colored Clarino liner.  All other specs on both models will be identical to the current models.

Bauer Supreme ONE100 LE Ice Skate

The Bauer Supreme LE ice skates will be available for pre-order at IceWarehouse.com early September.

Mission Hockey, the top selling manufacturer of roller hockey skates is about to launch its new 2011 line, the Axiom.   Since 1996 when Mission first launched the Proto series skates as the first true roller hockey specific skates, Mission has continued to build faster, lighter and more comfortable pure roller hockey skates.  And the new Axiom skate line carries on that tradition with a bold new look.

Mission Axiom T9 Roller Hockey Skate

Taking a look at the premier Axiom Skate, the Mission Axiom T9, will offer all the performance and comfort an advanced player will ever need.  For performance the T9 features Mission patented Hi-Lo wheel set-up, a combination of 76mm and 80mm wheels that excel in the corners and on the breakaway.  Mounted on the lightest frame available, the Mission Hi-Lo Magnesium.  Combined with the new Mission Swiss Limited Edition bearings and Rink Rat’s new Hornet Split wheels, this is sure to be one of the fastest set-ups out on the rink.  To control all this speed Mission has upgraded their Texallium outsole to offer a solid, durable platform.

Going inside the boot to take a look at the comfort, Mission has upgraded the liner to a new “Mission Haze” liner that offers great moisture wicking and a cool look.  The liner’s quick drying properties are accelerated by Mission’s new vented, felt tongue.  To increase the air -flow it has a nice 2-piece, contouring felt tongue that has holes through it.  As well, Mission has improved the overall fit of the skate with new, suppler ankle foam pads and slightly wider toe box.

Overall, the new 2011 Mission Axiom skate line will offer suppler liners and a wider, more accommodating toe box.  And of course a new look with very detailed, tattoo-like graphics.  Staying true to roller hockey, the Axiom skate line will offer great ventilation, durable extruded frames and side abrasion guards.

The 2011 Mission Axiom T9 roller skate will be available for pre-sale at InlineWarehouse.com mid August.

Tour will be launching two new high-end roller hockey skate models this summer, the Thor EX1 and Thor ZX9.  Both skates are based off the popular Tour Code Tabu skate.  According to Chad Seibel, Director of Hockey at Tour, Tour has made slight, but impactful changes to the internal structure of the boot.  Tour fine-tuned the layering and stitching of the quarter panels in order to enhance their ability to wrap and contour the foot, all while decreasing the weight of the skate.

The top-end model, the Thor EX1 skate, will come with the new Labeda Addiction Micro Hub wheels, making it one of the lightest roller hockey skates available.  The Tour Thor EX1 skate will retail for around $550.

The Thor ZX-9 roller hockey skate will come with the new Labeda Dynasty III Micro Hub wheels and retail for around $450.

A full review of both skates will be posted on InlineWarehouse.com come late June, 2010.

Tour Thor ZX9 Roller Hockey Skate

Easton EQ5 Ice Hockey Skate

Easton has developed a new skate for 2010 called Synergy EQ5. This skate will offer a completely new design and fit from Easton’s current line. The EQ5 skate is labeled as the powerful and comfortable skate within Easton’s top skates.

The Synergy EQ5 is built with Easton’s new Hybrid Fusion technology. This technology allows Easton to laminate a supportive, composite outer upper with formable, inner foam. Easton has used an EPP base for its lightweight and supportive properties, and a PU outer coating for great durability. The resulting upper offers such a solid feel that the skate doesn’t require any added plastic stiffeners. This allows the EQ5 to have what Easton refers to as a Global Flex. Meaning the upper flexes uniformly, not focused, therefore there is less breakdown of the uppers. As well, without plastic inserts, the EQ5 remains competitively lightweight while delivering pro-level support.

As for the out of the box fit, the EQ5 offers Easton’s Ideal-Fit System. This system encompasses the foot with anatomically molded foams. Easton went with molded foams to greatly increase the initial comfort of the skate, and to accommodate foot types that just didn’t fit properly in the stealth series. The width of the skate is on the wide side so it’s very accommodating. And without plastic stiffeners, the EQ5 is easily heat moldable to offer that tight, custom fit or just accommodate a unique foot shape. For the tongue, Easton has gone with a traditional felt tongue that has molded HD foam insert for protection.

The Synergy EQ5 will be complete with Easton’s innovative DryFlow outsole. DryFlow outsoles feature vents, which release moisture and excess heat. This allows the skate to remain dryer which will help keep the skate lighter late in the game. As well, removing excess moisture will increase the lifetime of the skate. Connected to the outsole is Easton’s Razor-Bladz2 holder with an Elite Runner.

The Easton Synergy EQ5 skate is built for the advanced level skater that’s looking for a medium to wide overall fit, similar to a Reebok or Bauer Supreme fit. The EQ5 is built to have above average mold ability, like a CCM U+ skate.

The Easton Synergy EQ5 skate is expected to be available in April, but it will be available for pre-sale in March at IceWarhouse.com. The Suggested Retail price is $549.99. sr/$299.99 jr.

New Reebok 11K Ice Hockey Skate

Reebok has just came out with their new top of the line skate, the Reebok 11K ice hockey skate. Many have probably seen glimpses of the 11k on the likes of Datsyuk, and Crosby. 

Reebok has made several changes to the 2010 11K, however the overall design has stayed very similar to the previous years 9K skate. Reebok has introduced a new quarter panel material for the 11K skate called Pro Armour IV.  This is a combination of materials designed to offer a lightweight, durable, abrasion resistant outer, and great responsive flex.  I weighed the 11K, here at our warehouse at 856 grams for one 9D skate.  Definitely one of the lighter skates on the market, weighing in pretty close to last years 9K.

Reebok has also redesigned The Pump™ on this years skate line.  The Pump™ still features the same performance but now with a sleeker look.  The actual pump and release do not stick out as much and are easier to access.  Reebok has continued to use the Lace Lock feature to add to the customized fit.

The 11K skate also features a new hybrid tongue.  This is a combination of foam and traditional white felt.  The hybrid tongue offers a great pre-molded fit, along with a lace bite guard that allows for forward flex.  Reebok has also given the 11K ice skate a new liner using a combination of Clarino and Nash leather, offering moisture wicking and a locked in feel.  The Nash leather is down the back of the skate, helping increase durability as well.

The 11K skate is not as stiff as some of the competitors top of the line skates, but it offers a nice wrap around the ankle, and the combination of the lace lock and Pump you can lock it down pretty good.  According to Reebok the skate will also be available in a new width.  It will be a D in the forefoot and narrow in the heel, offering a different fit.  Having a slightly narrow foot I’m interested in checking out this new size.

Bauer recently showed us the 2010 Supreme TotalOne ice skate.  And as the name states this skate offers the total package:  A customizable fit and flex with lightweight, performance improving technology.

Bauer Supreme TotalOne Skate

The uppers of the TotalOne skate offer Bauer’s ALIVE composite material.  As seen on the current ONE95 skate, ALIVE uppers are completely thermoformable, allowing the TotalOne to offer a true custom 360-degree fit.  Fitted with the right size, the ALIVE uppers will form ideally around a medium to wide foot providing a custom fit that will reduce negative space in the boot, improving the player’s fit and ultimately performance on the ice.

Bauer Supreme TotalOne Tongue Inserts

The TotalOne will also allow the player to customize the flex of the boot.  Bauer’s new Reflex tongue is a thin, molded foam tongue with a white felt backing that has a pocket on the face to insert a stiffener.  The skate will come with 3 different insert sets, to allow the player to choose the correct stiffener to meet their skating and comfort needs.  The stiffeners are made out of Bauer’s ALIVE material which will allow the tongue to act like a springboard:  As the player flexes forward, the skate responds and lets the player spring back.

The Supreme TotalOne skate will also sport Bauer’s new Tuuk LS Fusion Runner.  The Fusion runner will feature high grade Aluminum on the top section of the runner and Stainless steel on the bottom.    Replacing part of the stainless steel runner with lighter weight Aluminum reduces the overall weight of the runner when compared to anything else on the ice by 27%.  And yes, Bauer will sell the LS Fusion runners separately so players can upgrade their current Bauer skates that have the Tuuk Lightspeed holders.  The LS Fusion will be available in May, but this weight saving technology will come with a lofty MSRP of $199.99/set.

Out of all the hockey companies, Bauer is known for spending the most money in R&D and it really shows in the TotalOne skate.  However, I think my favorite feature of the TotalOne is probably the most low tech, inexpensive piece on the boot.  Bauer has wrapped the top edges of the boot with a soft leather-like material.    This alleviates abrasion high on the ankle during the break-in process of the boot.    A feature once only available on custom pro boots is now part of the TotalOne’s custom fit package.

The Bauer Supreme TotalOne skate is expected to be available in limited quantities April.  You  may pre-order a pair at IceWarehouse.com. The TotalOne will sell for $799.99.