I am a small person(4"8 female) and have a hard time getting high-performance skates. Right now I'm in a pair of true tf7 size 2.5. That is the smallest size that they sell. I would like a half size or maybe even a size down. My foot does not fit well in other skates, and I don't want to spend 1,000 dollars on true customs. This is also an issue with CCM protective gear. They don't have any of their highest-end protective in a junior small. I can only really buy Bauer protective. Some things that have worked really well for me are the Warrior alpha dx elbow pads they don't slip at all and are super comfy. I also always have to wear a girdle because I can adjust It to the right size. Big hockey combines are always talking about how the game is for everyone, so they need to act on their words and make high-end gear for all sized players so I can perform at the same level as the bigger players. I should be able to wear high end gear just like everyone else.

For Tommy: talking about tongues and protection, have you ever considered wearing your shinguards over your tongue? I played many years with my shin guard behind the tongue and several years ago changed it to the front and I found it way more protective and it didn’t interfere with my forward flex or comfort like I thought it would.

Yup. There’s NOTHING else CCM can possibly do to make their skates and sticks better. The ASV is literally the exact same boot as the FT4. They’ll change the tongue or the toe cap every year and slap a new graphic on it. They can’t do anything else

I went from a ccm ft2 skate to a true skate this year and oddly I felt so much quicker turning and with my edge work. The trues are so comfortable.

Would love to see a similar video for helmets. Those really have changed in the past few years, with much more emphasis on preventing concussions rather than just preventing your head from splitting open like a melon. My first buckets from 20+ years ago just consisted of foam rubber glued to the inside of a plastic shell. Now it’s different types of foam on floating liners and multiple fit adjustment points.

55 years old, played roller hockey for about 2 years before serious accident 25 years ago. My son started playing roller hockey at age 8, eight years ago so I bought skates to practice with him. Soon after, I was asked to coach. 2 years passed and my son started playing ice hockey at age 10. I was asked to coach so I bought ice skates. Having just come off a year of not walking from ruptured Achilles surgery, I wanted skates that would provide protection and most importantly to me at that time, comfort. I bought CCM Ultra Tacks. They fit like a glove and I loved them. Fast forward to 2018 while playing roller hockey with my son and others, I just couldn’t keep up and discovered it was due to a bleed from a cancerous tumor. Hockey saved my life. It’s the only thing that made me realize that I wasn’t myself. Dedicated myself to coaching and now decided to play ice hockey. This entire back story is just for reference… I never played hockey as a kid. I put on hockey skates for the first time when I was 30 years old. I am at best, a lower level C player but when I switched into my son’s outgrown skates, WOW! WHAT A DIFFERENCE. I was now wearing Bauer 1X skates. I went from moving on the ice like a rec coach to someone who could actually resembled a hockey player. Introduce the addition of new and different runners. Went from LS4’s which I couldn’t keep sharp to LS Pulse Ti and it was like magic. I was making cuts that I never thought possible and I mean instantly. I feel like the runners forced me into a backwards turn on one leg that I never would have attempted. Come to find that the profile may have had lots to do with it. These and all my (and my son’s) runners and backup runner profiles are Quad Zero. Obviously, everyone’s feet are gonna be different but the advancement in materials and technology have such a profound effect on performance (at least with less experienced players). It’s too bad that everyone who want to try on different skates isn’t able to “test drive” them and their accessories. It’s understandable as to why but it’s a tough pill to swallow with the costs of these goods and being stuck with what you choose to buy. I think it’s great that you put so much time, money, and effort into educating all of us with your comparisons and reviews. The only thing that I would like added to your channel would be to have players of different skill levels joining your team. As I mentioned, I am a lower level player and playing with quality equipment that may or may not be too much (quality) for me makes big differences in my game. Question is though, do players with greater skill see as much of a difference in performance with higher quality products. Case in point, I just broke my “go-to” stick, especially if I’m tired (I’m always tired) for late games. 65 flex CCM Super Tacks 2.0. I’m left with a 77 flex FlyLite. I love the stick but when tired, I struggle. When fresh, I can rip it. Considered buying a CCM TRIGGER 6 Pro as I’ve heard great things about it but for $300 plus per stick, my wife will kill me and then what if it doesn’t work for me. It’s a tough call for most all of us. Sorry for the loooong post and many many thanks to you guys.

Every 5 years there is a drastic change. After that it's minimal. My top line 2015 Bauer supreme skates held well, till the new ones last year.

Have been waiting patiently for your next video - this was quality content as usual. Would love to hear more equipment reviews they're the best in the business. Seeing a lot of Warrior alpha LX pro sticks in the NHL playoffs right now - I think there'd be a lot of interest in a review for that top spec stick.

Would love to see the thermoformability of the Easton Mako II skates incorporated somehow into today's modern retail skates. Today's CCM and Bauer skates are good, but none have been able to achieve as good of a wrap or as little negative space as the Makos. I've heard mixed reviews on True's retail skates when it comes to having the same feel as the Easton Makos. Haven't tried em out personally.

It's funny that the CCM Externo that you show as the old skate at 1:04 is the skate (E-60 actually) that I recently replaced with True customs. It only took 15 years of pain to make the jump. I had a little sticker shock on the Trues since the clearance E-60s only cost me $100.

My first skates were Bauer Turbos. I then upgraded big to Super Tacks (I think they were the 652's). That was back in the late 80's early 90's. I currently wear Bauer Nexus 8000. At the time I got them they were the top of the line in the Nexus line. They were the first Nexus skate to have the curve composite. When I went to these skates I saw a huge difference in the turning and agility due to the increased height of the blade/runner. I believe they were 4mm taller than my Easton 75S's. Also, one of the biggest difference I have notice is comfort. My feet use to kill me during games. Now they hardly ever hurt. But from my Bauer Turbos to Bauer Nexus 8000. Huge difference.

I had a pair of ccm ft1 which when converting from Bauer was a dream… however the tongue offered little protection, the eyelets broke very quick, and sole part of the one piece boot went soft after about 40-50 games compared to the rest of the boot. They didn’t have holders that allowed you to swap out blades quick either and in general a low quality steel. Everything I found that could be better has been improved in the newer models of jet speeds

I had a pair of Easton EQ20s that I got years back. I only had them on a handle of times before I had to quit due to personal reasons. Seven years later I decided that it was time for me to get back to it and really hated that I quit for that long. I had them on for another handful of times before both holders had collapsed under my weight. They were still practically new. So in my experience, I think the most important thing about skates is if the holders can withstand the players weight.

The biggest benefit I have experienced personally is adding Bladetech steel to my older skates. I also like the newer eyelet design which allows for more ankle flex on the Bauer Hyperlites. To manufacturers: Please go back to more traditional graphics on the skates, or offer more Special/Black Editions of your skates. Also, build the uppers with the idea of wearing shinguards outside the tongue more in mind. I used to wear inside the tongue and therefore shorter shins. I now wear them outside which allows for longer shins (i.e. more protection). But, the lower corner edges dig into the inside of the upper boot and chafe/tear the lining. This would be entirely avoidable with better design.

Agree Chris. Great video. Seeing all the “old” skate tech like the insert for the tongue for Bauer looks like it’s from ancient times at this point lol. Looks so bush league! The new tongues from ccm and Bauer are so much better

I'm using Bauer x600 with ls5 steels and the only Thing I'm missing is better puck protection. Apart from this, these skates are good enough for beer league's even when you skate 6-8 hours per week.

Welcome back guys! Great video

Lifetime player here. Especially in the last few years I've seen them do everything they can to remove negative space and to reduce the weight. The asymmetrical low profile toe caps was a startling change for me. I never realized how much I was engaging my toes into my control until after I tried a pair and it made a world of difference. I don't think I can go back.

Massive ankle pad softness I have surgical reconstructed feet and was told I'd never walk again but us hockey players are tough I still play

CCM U+CL Bauer Vapor x100 LE CCM Supertacks 2016 Bauer Vapor 2x Pro CCM feels more comfortable and the jump between U+CL to Supertacks is ridiculous. Vapors feel more reactive and feel like i can be more aggressive in them but comfort isn't the same as the Supertacks. The x100 felt a lot more comfortable than the 2x Pro so I agree with what you said about newer skates doesn't mean better. Looking on upgrading to ASV Pro this year because i just want comfortable skates now 🤣

I have a question that I've struggled to find an answer for. Is there a difference between intermediate and senior equipment? I fully understand there's typically a size difference, and the difference in sticks can be massive. But what about protective gear? I'm a short guy - 5'6, 175lbs, 32 years old. I'm about to purchase Bauer Supreme Ultrasonic elbow pads. I could purchase the senior small, or the intermediate large, and there's about a $30 price difference between the two. I've done my measurements and know that I'd fit into both. What to do?

I had a pair of Bauer Vapor skates from 11 years ago and 2 years ago I bought another pair of Bauer Vapor skates. I would say the biggest difference for me that I noticed is the comfort, it fits my feet right away without break in, the lightweight material and just overall ease of use right out of the box.

I feel like gear was at its peak 6 or so years ago. Manufacturers have gone downhill in a number of areas primarily to save costs. For example, Bauer 1X shins had curv composite material, a flexible portion at the lower part of the ankle, and were super durable. Look at every version since; plastic and one piece. The same could be said for every Bauer glove since the 1X now that they no longer have Poron and are cheapening out just to make the lighter (2S gloves are an exception). Another example is Warrior with the DX elbows compared to cheapening of the LX. Or the QR1/QRL gloves compared to any Covert offering now. CCM had a winner with CL shoulder pads and have been downhill ever since (FT4 pros are okay, but not as good as the CLs). With skates, I wish companies would go back to more subdued graphics like the 2017 Bauer Vapor lineup, the all black prototype Hyperlite, even the original Jetspeed. I cannot stand the loud graphics of the FT4 or Hyperlite. 100Ks are about as subdued as you can find now. Perfect skate already existed; Easton Makos. Lol!

Would love to add a “steel toe” like insert as a tongue. Have a taken a bunch of shots off they were no big deal, have taken ONE shot off the tongue and it absolutely wrecked me for a few shifts until my foot worked out the pain. I don’t want skate guards I just want something over the tongue.

Durability is a big thing for me and it seems like stiff and durability are becoming mutually exclusive.

You should do more equipment reviews there amazing

Thanks for the informative video HT. It's the age old question. Materials have changed drastically. Our off-ice pucks are designed to remain flat, and resist flipping, flopping, rolling and bouncing. Designed For Excellence! Give us a look!

Dream skate would be: Marsblade i2 holders, 1 piece boots with ribcore's flexibility, reduced toe box, good protective tongues with different inserts for stiffnes and to eliminate lace bite, comfort edge and durable tendon guads... Maybe pump from reebok skates and lace locks... Around 250-300 EUR. I can't see it happening...😫

tendon guards always seem to split after a season.

I would suggest either gloves as next or helmet ( with visors vs cage) .

I hope you do the new AS-V pro gear

If you are looking for a good skate look at the back of the tendon, if it is really detailed and has depth the skate is top of the line.

as skates im still using my ft2 pros, as soon as they brake im gna be buying ft4 pros absolutely loving the jetspeed line for sticks im a bauer guy using the hyperlite, most likely the best stick ive ever used

Blade techs are great bought mine from a guy in romford does profiling aswell really good

William Nylander's blacked out Hyper Lite skates are clean

I would ask the manufacturer to add jet packs on my skates but idk how much that would cost

Yea. I’m trying to find and XL helmet and they discontinued them. I wear a size 8 hat they seriously need to make more XL Helmets and 2XL helmets to fit people that have big heads

I’d love to see a brand pull off a lacing system like the BOA system, found on ski boots & some performance basketball shoes. It really is a great, quick, way to eat a uniform lockdown fit versus traditional lacing. I assume no one has yet to crack (pun not intended) how to do it while withstanding normal wear & tear. Obviously baking would be another issue.

Hey Chris. I've been playing almost 50 years. The biggest changes in skates for me has been weight , comfort and protection. I think this is an improvement That skaters of every level require and approve of. The rest doesn't affect most of us. We're not elite players. I know this is for a different video, however I don't like the elastic and Velcro straps on shoulder and elbow pads. I have had to replace my pads not because they wore out because of the straps. I miss the snaps we used to have

Gloves did peak a few years ago, less glove breaks now, cheaper liners cheaper palms and worse single or double density foams packages instead of triple. Bauer has eliminated smart foams aswell.

For inline: Stiffness and weight coming from Top of the line Vapor’s. I still believe the original 1X was greater than the 1X 17” and 2x pro. Lighter, 37.5, more comfortable for me….etc Bauer keeps cutting costs and removing features. For Ice it stiffness and weight isn’t anywhere near as much of a factor.

I don’t think any manufacturer have improved on the tuuk ls2 holders or Bauer APX… However, my hyperlites have the best tongue I’ve ever had in a pair of skates

Commenting as I watch, just based on the title. I'll tell you why it hasn't peaked: every time a stick explodes on a player mid shot, or when a skate blade falls out mid play we get a clear illustration at how crappy the equipment still is and how much further we need to go lol

Please let us know what grind does Tommy use?

Tbh I like just a regular heat molded CCM Ribcor 86k

Damn Chris you getting ripped!

My bauer vapor 3x the top end ones from 2005 lasted me 12 years and I played 4 times a lol

One thing I guarantee is the price of equipment hasn’t peaked. This year‘s flex mega 5000 stick for $300 is next year’s flex mega 6000 stick for $325, the only difference being the graphic saying 6000 instead of 5000.

I can NOT find a better glove than the CCM vr10 that I had about 9 years ago. Noting fit like them. The materials were beautiful and functional. So sad I tossed them instead of re-palming them :/

I was actually thinking about that iPhone analogy after just reading the headline. I think the missed point is sure there is a large jump over a greater amount of time but even over the same amount of time advancements have slowed. A better example the difference between an iPhone 1 to an iPhone 2 vs the 12 pro max to the 13 pro max which is almost unrecognizable. Hockey equipment has slowed tremendously and they are compensating with gimmicky tech. 5 sided shafts, holes in blades etc. look at the 2Xpro vs the hyperlite skates. The selling point is a flexible eyelets and flexable 2 piece outsole? How do eyelets flex when attached to an extremely stiff boot? How does an outsole flex when attached to an extremely stiff boot? Are we going for stuff for less energy transfer loss or flex? Doesn’t make sense at all. Luckily hockey players are stupid enough to buy into this garbage as if an eyelet flexing .5mm will result in faster skating, tighter turns or really any difference at all. If Bauer really stands by this tech than how about a slow mow action shot of the sole flexing, or the eyelets collapsing.

Seriously? People are saying development has peaked? Only if hockey has peaked...

Most of the so called improvements from Bauer are just marketing gimmicks. That’s not to say the skates aren’t improving, but only a bit between models. For example, the idea that some compressible strips in the tongue can give your stride more power is nonsense. If like me your feet don’t fit Bauer skates, no amount of new improved features will help. My feet do fit off the shelf True skates, thanks to the amazing thermoformability, and the improvement in my skating has been dramatic.

Bauer skates have not advanced since the TotalOne supreme skates from 2010. The edge holder is the only real difference. The TotalOne's even look better than the current skates.

I hope it has, that means it can get cheaper now.

I go from 2.9 to hyperlite and the Steel was amasing and the skates just feel Way nettet and i Got faster

I loved the video and I hope to see more🥅🏒✨✨✨

Looks like the ribcor 100k