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

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.