Back in November 2011, Easton made a huge stride in game-changing engineering for their skate department with the purchase of MLX Skate Technology. The MLX skates have been around for a while now, and we’ve seen many pro’s use their innovative design that targets the optimum skating stride. MLX founder Dave Cruikshank with his 16 years of speed-skating experience and research was brought on board with Easton as the Chief of Speed in the newly created Easton Speed Institute. The Speed Institute was designed to develop a new approach on making skates that optimize speed and to create the ideal “skater’s skate” like never before.  In 2013, we’ll be seeing the first-born baby of the Easton Speed Institute, it’s name, the Easton Mako skate. It’s purpose, to provide a player with the optimal skating stride utilizing strategies seen in speed-skating for over two decades.

The Easton Mako skate employs a radical approach that they call the “Art of Speed” to make a player faster and more efficient.  The general idea of this skate is to veer away from the traditional stiff boot that limits movement by providing a new sense of freedom achieving an optimized natural stride. If you look into the running shoe industry we are currently seeing a similar transformation. Nike is headlining this push with their FreeRun shoe that provides support in only the necessary areas so that the uninhibited natural stride may be achieved.

The most noticeable MLX-related mechanic that has been incorporated into the Mako skate is the Extendon™ guard. At the peak in the stride where a player’s leg is fully extended, a traditionally stiff tendon guard will prevent completion of a full stride by inhibiting the toe snap extension.  The pivoting Extendon™ tendon guard was created to be completely unrestrictive during the toe snap process as well as aiding in a speedy recovery to the original position, promoting improved stride frequency.

The next aggressive strategy towards the perfect stride in the Mako skate will be the Asymmetrical boot. The outer parts of each quarter package are elevated higher on the ankle area than the inner parts of the quarter package.  The raised portions of the quarter packages on the outsides of the boots provide extra support when cutting or cornering, while the lower portions on the inside of the boots allow for full rotation and extension in the toe snap process. This asymmetrical pattern of the boot was designed to allow speed and power to be generated through cornering in any direction.

The boot is a hybrid construction with a thermoformable tongue that eliminates any negative space within the boot. The materials Easton used throughout the boot and tongue turn to “mush” after 16 minutes of baking, providing for the ultimate personal fit even though they come quite comfortable out of the box. Another example of how they eliminated negative space is the continuing of the tongue all the way into the toe cap. This provides a great snug fit and decreases negative space as well as lost energy.  Besides the toe, the mid-foot and heel area have a snug comfortable fit that is not the least bit overwhelming. The upper ankle area is not nearly as stiff like the other high-end skates. Easton did this due to the feedback of professional players that claim they either have their skates made without the top two eyelets or they simply refrain from lacing up that high in order to achieve a loose upper fit that allows for a full stride. With that being said, Easton designed the Mako skate to operate freely in the upper-ankle area by using a deep v-cut in front of the tendon guard and by not extending the eyelets too high in that area.

The front portion of the outsole is engineered differently from what is seen in other high-end skates.  Unlike every other skate that has some degree of concavity where the balls of the feet and toes rest on, the Easton Mako will feature a completely flat platform.  This even surface allows you to exert the maximum energy transfer possible through every stride as well as an improved feel of the ice. The brand new CXN holder’s position has an aggressive blade pitch that capitalizes on the newfound range of motion to enable the player to really get over the front of the skate producing a powerful thrust time and time again.

Look for the Easton Mako skate to have a limited release in early 2013 at Ice Warehouse.

A lot of roller hockey skates these days are mimicking ice hockey style boots and Mission decided that it was time to take a stand! Using roller hockey specific technology, Mission created the Inhaler series to cater specifically to the needs of the roller hockey player.

Mission continues their tradition of a nearly whited out top of the line skate with the Inhaler AC1. These skates turn heads with a flashy white/grey boot design and white/black/blue chassis accented by baby blue/white Rink Rat Split wheels. All of the new features and technology make the AC1 the lightest skate that Mission has to offer.

Inhaler AC1 Specifications:

• Quarter Package: Ultra-light reinforced nylon tech mesh with S.I.C.K. Quarter Ventilation
• Liner: Brushed nylon with INDY FOAM ankle pocket inserts
• Tongue: Perforated 2-piece white felt; TRUE VENTED TONGUE with VEX foam lacebite insert
• Mission INHALER footbed
• Outsole: Aluminized glass composite
• NEW Magnesium HI-LO 76/80mm
• Wheels: Rink Rat Hornet Split XXX Grip 76A
• Bearing: HI-LO Swiss LE 608
• Width: D/EE
• Sr. Sizes: 6-12 (full and half)

Inhaler Technology

Mission’s Inhaler technology is “the dawn of a new ice age for roller.” How you may ask? S.I.C.K ventilation. This revolutionary new technology keeps the foot cool by a ventilation system that actually sucks cool air in through the toe cap and tongue. As the vents draw the cool air in, the vented quarter package construction blows the hot air from inside the boot to create an air flow that keeps your feet both cool and dry.

The Inhaler Technology will be available on the Inhaler AC1, Inhaler AC2, Inhaler AC3 and the Inhaler AC4. Although, the AC1 is the only model to feature the True Vented Tongue.

Availability

These skates will be available September 15, 2012 at InlineWarehouse.com & IceWarehouse.com

New for the 2011/2012 hockey season is Alkali Hockey, a roller specific brand, aim specifically at designing, manufacturing, marketing and selling roller hockey targeted products. For their debut line up of gear they are focusing on the essentials including skates, sticks, roller hockey pants, gloves, girdles, padded vests, and bags. And from the look of things we reviewed, Alkali Hockey went all out in making sure every level of hockey player was getting a great product.

Cofounded by roller hockey legend Joe Cook and designer Justin Hoffman in early 2011, together they bring over 20+ years of roller hockey industry knowledge to the table. Using what they call “Lithium Science” in the design and construction of all their products, they aim to bring the most advanced materials and construction techniques to maximum the energy yield by each and every player.

Skates

The biggest release from Alkali Hockey this year will undoubtably be their skate line. Alkali started from the ground up when developing their skates, to come come up with a truly unique and sleek design. Their top of the line performer is the CA9 skate, which is one of the meanest looking skates we’ve seen in awhile.

Alkali CA9 skate

Starting with the boot in the CA9, Alkali went with high quality EPP foam with Surlyn quarters for top of the line support and performance. Another great part of the design is the Carbon Fiber reinforced tendon guard that is stiff all the way up the back of the skate but at the top the guard is able to flex which is extra important for making turns in roller hockey. A 9mm pro spec tongue with extra ventilation provides superior fit. Excellent heel locking is utilized by strategic memory foam ankle pads and an anti-microbial microfiber liner provides excellent moisture wicking capabilities which is quickly becoming a major concern regarding the harmful nature of bacteria growth. Moving to the outsole of the skate, Alkali uses what they call the MPT (Maximum Power Transfer) carbon fiber outsole. This full carbon outsole is designed for direct energy transfer from your feet, into the chassis and down onto the ground for maximum stride.

Below your feet, Alkali went with their own magnesium alloy chassis that rolls on an all 80mm wheel set up. Now many companies have an all 80mm frame, Alkali is the first to come to the market with all 80mm magnesium chassis. Gripping the sport court and providing the speed will be Labeda Addiction XXX Grip wheels with ultra smooth Swiss 608 sized bearings. Hopefully we all know by now that the Labeda Addicitons are the fastest and grippiest wheel on the market so it was no brainer that Alkali would bring these amazing wheels out on their top of the line skate.

Rounding out the rest of the Alkali skates line up are the CA7, CA5, and the more budget minded CA3 skate.

Sticks

For their debut stick line, Alkali has unveiled the CA9 as their top of the line stick. Using their Lithium Science construction, Alkali went us a lightweight 3K carbon fiber weave for durability without sacrificing weight. Standard shaft dimensions are present with a slight double concave but nothing too large. A smooth finish always for easy hand transitions and fast stick handling. Moving down the shaft the CA9, along with the other sticks in the line up, features a low kick point for maximum loading on wrist and snap shots. A nice addition to the stick is reinforced anti-slash protection to increase longevity. Alkali added a vibration dampening core to the core made of 3K carbon as well for superior stick handling.

Alkali CA9 stick

The rest of their stick line will be made up of the CA5 and the CA3. The CA3 will be aimed at players looking to play both indoor and outdoor hockey and comes with an ABS blade for maximum durability.

Pants

Another special focus of Alkali Hockey is their unique line of pants. Borrowing technology from the garment and sports apparel industry, Alkali went all out on making the best roller pants available.

Alkali CA9 pant

Taking a look at their top of the line pant, the CA9, the first thing you notice is the extra large Lycra gusset. Alkali says this provide up to a 16 way stretch allowing you to obtain your maximum stride. Paired with the ventilated, stretchable Platinum-Flex body fabric, the CA9 pants move every way you want them too. Up a the waist is their Sure-Fit adjustable waist band with Flex Back waistband. The Sure-Fit system is made up of high quality rubber pull tabs on each side of the waist and by pulling on them and velcroing them in place, proper fit is achieved.

Moving down to the knee, Alkali used dual layer 1680D ballistic knee panels for superior durability and has lighter mesh ventilation on the back for breathability. Another unique design Alkali used was using fully sublimated graphics on their whole line of pants. With sublimated graphics, they are built right in the fabric and wont rub or peel off when you fall.

The rest of their pant line consists of the CA7, CA5 and the CA3.

The Alkali skates, sticks, pants and bags will be in stock Dec. 1, 2011 with pre sales up now!!. All Alkali products will be available at www.inlinewarehouse.com and www.icewarehouse.com

This Fall Bauer will be releasing the Bauer Vapor X 7.0 LE Hockey skate…which in my humble opinion will be nastiest looking skate on the marketing this holiday season.

Bauer Vapor X7.0 LE Ice Hockey Skate

The Bauer X7.0 LE Skates will have the exact same design and features as the standard Bauer 7.0 ice skate. Which is basically the same skate as the Bauer Vapor X60 skate. Due to the huge success of the X60 ice skates Bauer wanted to ensure they had a skate in their line for those players that fell in love with the X60 and just want to replace that skates. So they kept the exact same design and applied the updated X-rib construction to basically offer the same skate again for the 2011/2012 season.  The Vapor X 7.0 skate features the ultra light weight tech mesh quarter material, and dense durable liner featured on the X60 skate.

The Bauer Vapor X 7.0 ice skate will be available for pre-sale 9/06/2011 at IceWarehouse.com.

(p.s. spoiler alert the X 7.0 LE ice skate will match the Bauer Supreme TotalOne LE 2 stick perfectly!)

Are you looking for a skate with some limited style that’s “Clean and Mean”? If you are, the NEW Mission Axiom T.10 Revolt might be the one for you. For fall 2011, InlineWarehouse.com will offer this Limited Edition roller model, built off the success of the Black T9. Some slight changes were made to materials, but the main changes are cosmetic for the T10.

The first thing that popped out on the T10 when I scoped it was the large sublimated “Revolt” tag written in cursive. Definitely adds some unique style to the quarter that Mission is known for. You can also find the Revolt tag on the top of the tongue, so defenders will recognize the beast that’s coming at them. Rainbow chrome is also featured on the tongue, in a similar way to the T9. This rainbow chrome is also used on areas of the quarter where the T9 doesn’t.

The Mission Axiom T.10 Revolt- Available for pre-order at InlineWarehouse.com on 8/1/11.

The liner of the T10 is the same brushed nylon with indy foam as seen on the T9, but with a limited edition Revolt pattern of course. The yellow laces on the T.10 have metal tips and a mission lace tag. Even Ovechkin would be jealous! Mission slapped on a limited white Magnesium frame, and  limited yellow RinkRat Hornet wheels to the bottom of the Revolt. Now it looks like white lightning when you skate!

Mission T.10 Revolt skates at Narch Finals 2011

Besides the limited white, yellow, and chrome color combo, Mission also revamped the tongue. Roller hockey skates are known to get hotter than ice hockey skates during play. Mission recognized this, and made the T.10 tongue extra ventilated. On the outside layer, Mission has a mesh cover directly over the Vex Foam lace bite protection. The Vex foam is not only protective, it’s perforated for breathability! It’s also segmented in 2 pieces so the tongue wraps around your leg better. The inside of the felt tongue has many holes as well, so you’re getting unobstructed airflow to your leg. The air travels through the outer mesh, through the perforated VexFoam, and then through the holes in the felt. Clean, Mean, and of course cool.

Pick up the Mission T.10 Revolts at InlineWarehouse.com for $649.99.

Pre order begins on 8/1.

Bauer will continue to offer inline skates for the upcoming season, and their top end Vapor APXR doesn’t disappoint. Bauer inline skates have been getting better year after year and they have a great line up for Fall 2011. Keeping with the roller hockey tradition, the APXR skate definitely has some flash. Bright orange accents can be found on the boot, chassis, wheels and laces. What’s the hype all about? The APXR has some of the most advanced materials and construction ever used on a roller hockey skate. Here’s a break down of the APXR:

The APXR Boot:

When I grabbed the APX I almost hit myself in the face because it’s so light. The  The APX has an almost identical build as the APX ice boot, and the 3D Alive Composite allows the skate to be light and very stiff. This makes the APXR a deadly combination for increased responsiveness and performance. The X-Rib in the heel area provides structural support and stability for the foot. This support translates to faster acceleration and tighter turns. Bauer slapped an aluminized glass composite outsole onto the bottom of the boot which is also super light and rigid.

With such a stiff skate, extra details to comfort are necessary. The APXR features a Hydra Max 2 liner. This 2 piece liner is one part moisture wicking and one part abrasion-resistant. When combined together, the 2 parts add up to one superior liner that keeps you dry and locks your heel in tight. The Form Fit 2 Tongue is a thick felt tongue with lace bite channel and HD metatarsal guard.

The Magnesium Hi-Lo Vanguard Chassis:

• Magnesium Alloy

  • Ultra light and rigid

• 2-76mm (front) 2-80mm wheels (back)

  • Hi-Lo wheel set up

  • Ideal combination of speed and control

• 2-piece square axle

Labeda Addiction Wheels:

Labeda’s most advanced wheel to date. The Labeda Addicition wheel offers a new concept in wheel making.  The Addiction wheel is an indoor wheel designed for tile surfaces (ie Sport Court), but it has an outer urethane hardness between 83-86A! That’s right, an indoor wheel with an outer hardness harder than most outdoor wheels.  So you know the durability and the speed is going to be incredible with these wheels and they should be at this price.  The question is though, how’s the grip?  Well, that’s where Labeda’s top secret urethane combinations and inner core design take over and deliver unbelieved grip.  These Addiction hockey wheels grip better than some of the softest wheels on the market!  The Labeda Addiction wheel offers unsurpassed, all-around speed and grip.

Where do you get the newest Bauer Skates?

InlineWarehouse.com of course!

Easton EQ50 Ice Hockey Skate

The Easton Synergy EQ skate line features a completely different construction and fit compared to the Easton Stealth skate line. The EQ skate line has put the main focus on fit and performance. The EQ50 ice hockey skates feature a hybrid design to combine highly moldable materials in the bulk of the quarter for exceptional mold-ability with key embedded composite zones to offer great response and stability.

Easton first came up with the overall philosophy and design of the EQ50 skate in the EQ5, although the skate did not quite match up to Easton’s standards so they went back to the drawing board and re-designed the skate which turned into the EQ50.  Some of the key improvements from the EQ5 to the EQ50 include:

• Drastically improved fit especially in the heel pocket
• Improved materials in the quarter panel (now using Fusion Foam 2.0) offers improved mold-ability
• Extended flex tendon embedded zone improves overall stability
• Added embedded zone in the heel cup or heel anchor to ensure all the energy is transfer down into the runner, along with longer lasting performance
• Finally of course a much better overall look

Easton EQ50 skates offer the perfect balance between explosive carbon composite and highly moldable fusion foam 2.0

The EQ50 features four key composite embedded zones including, the side-wing, heel anchor, flex tendon and outsole. The side-wing and full composite outsole allow you to really load up the skate and get a great response and power from each stride. The embedded zones in the flex tendon and heel anchor offer great stability.  The added embedded zone in the heel also helps prevent a pre-mature breakdown of the heel anchor.

Carbon composite tendon guard and heel anchor offers a stable & response feel

Now on the other side of the story is fit. The Easton Synergy line is designed to be a very accommodating boot and to be able to be molded to fit a variety of feet. Which is great news for anyone that has wanted to get into a pair of Easton’s but just could seem to fit into the Stealth line.

cut away look at the materials used in the quarter panel

Personally, I have a narrower foot and because of that never really fit well into the Stealth skates. I had a chance to get these on and right out of the box the fit felt great. Still a little wide for me in the forefoot but great in the heel. This was especially nice to see since the EQ5 had a really big heel pocket that I was unsure if it would be able to prevent heel lift for me.  Upon baking the skates the fit got even better, I could really feel them tighten up and hung around the foot. After I baked the skates I was surprised that it seemed as if they narrowed up even in the forefoot.

Trying on the EQ50 skates for the first time

The Easton EQ50 ice hockey skates are available now along with the rest of the Easton EQ line now at IceWarehouse.com

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.