Worn cowlings

[Jaxis]

I have a problem I really need some help with. I've been playing goal for about 4 months and have all new equipment. My skates are the Tour Redline 5000s and already have holes in the toes of the cowlings. I suppose it's from the way I get up. I don't use the toe straps/ties on the pads so there's nothing between the floor and the cowling. They've become paper thin and the toe of the boot is exposed. It's been getting worse and feel my options are limited. Buy new ice cowlings at about 60-70 bucks each, have them cut and fitted on the roller boot. (Will someone please tell my why there's ice cowlings but no roller cowlings for goalie roller skates?) Or I can buy a pair of used skates, ice or roller and have those cowlings put on my skates. I'm looking for some tips on this one as many goalies I discuss this with have never seen skate cowlings wear down so fast.

[NedofRock]

Ive never heard of this even happen...nevermind so quick.

What are you playing on?? Sandpaper?

[whalercane]

Well, I have been dealing with a well documented case of cowling breakdown myself, but it's actually an all-around warping situation, not one of wear-through like you're describing.

I actually had my skates sent back to Tour and because my problem was so screwy, they replaced my Redline cowling with the Carbon GX cowling which they admitted to me STILL didn't fix the problem and they don't know what else to suggest- they think I just got a "lemon pair" and had I acted quicker, I could have done a warranty swap but their warranty policy is 120 days.

So, here's what I'd need to know:

1) Did you buy the skates less than 120 days ago?
2) Could you post some pics of this wear issue you're talking about?

-Ryan

[goalie33fan]

Cowlings will cost you more than 70 bux each just to let you know.

[c0nquistad0rian]

Jeez, while the Tour Roller Goalie Skates seem to have gotten some good reviews, the cowlings just don't seem to be holding up.

[NedofRock]

Never played in anything other than Bauer goalie skates.

One pair of them

They are still holding up fantastically well 8 years later.

I do need new bearings though.

[whalercane]

Originally Posted by c0nquistad0rian

Jeez, while the Tour Roller Goalie Skates seem to have gotten some good reviews, the cowlings just don't seem to be holding up.

Just as a side note, following up on this point for anyone who owns Tour goal skates (Redlines or the Carbon GX): the cowlings will typically wear "differently" than an ice boot cowling because the Tour skate cowlings are actually thinner than ice boot cowlings. I'd assume this is to keep the weight of the skate nice and light (which they unquestionably are) because you don't need the same level of boot protection against a 2.5 or 3oz plastic puck as you do against a 5 or 6oz rubber puck.

However, what Tour seems to have overlooked is that while you may not need ice-hockey-level skate protection for roller hockey (which is STILL an arguable point in itself) roller goalies do nonetheless put quite a beating on their skates, even if said beating doesn't come by way of vulcanized rubber puck impact. I've got no experience with the higher level Carbon GX boot (I think it looks good and I wouldn't mind giving it a try, personally) but I have heard more than one story of the cowlings on them cracking from straight-on shots...

Oh, as another aside- the rep I've dealt with at Tour said that aside of the different colors of the two cowlings (Redline= white, Carbon GX= blue), they are made of the same material and thickness.

As goalie33 says above, it's probably gonna cost you more than $70 to put new cowlings on your Redlines but if you're happy with the Redline boot, it would be WELL WORTH the investment to throw a set of ice cowlings on them, I would say.

*Sorry to have gone on a bit of a tangent- back to the point of the thread: so Jaxis, can we expect pics of these cowlings at some point?

-Ryan

[Jaxis]

Actually, I purchased them on November 23, so that makes today 117 days. I hope I uploaded the two pictures I took, it's my first time posting here. I play outdoor on concrete as well as the sport court mats.

[whalercane]

Originally Posted by Jaxis

Actually, I purchased them on November 23, so that makes today 117 days. I hope I uploaded the two pictures I took, it's my first time posting here. I play outdoor on concrete as well as the sport court mats.

Hmm, within the warranty period or not, getting those swapped out might be a tough sell

They look like you took them into battle on a mine-field in Iraq moreso than played hockey in them. Actually, you can even see on the instep area of the cowling how the cowling itself has begun caving into the side of your big toe, at least on the left skate.

Now, should a skate or skate cowling break down in under 4 months from regular wear and tear? I would say def not. However, if I'm the skate manufacturer, I would say: Your skates look to have been used mostly on concrete and four months of pounding and grinding on concrete would not be considered normal wear and tear.

If I were you, I'd suggest sending them back to Tour (with documentation that you purchased them less than 4 months ago) and just hope for the best.

Sorry man- don't know what else to suggest in this case...

-Ryan

[whalercane]

Hey, how in the frig did you manage to keep those rotten Labeda Closer wheels to last through the beating the rest of the skates have endured!!!?!?!?!

Seriously, cause those wheels break down in the blink of an eye, normally.

[c0nquistad0rian]

Originally Posted by whalercane

Hmm, within the warranty period or not, getting those swapped out might be a tough sell

They look like you took them into battle on a mine-field in Iraq moreso than played hockey in them. Actually, you can even see on the instep area of the cowling how the cowling itself has begun caving into the side of your big toe, at least on the left skate.

Now, should a skate or skate cowling break down in under 4 months from regular wear and tear? I would say def not. However, if I'm the skate manufacturer, I would say: Your skates look to have been used mostly on concrete and four months of pounding and grinding on concrete would not be considered normal wear and tear.

If I were you, I'd suggest sending them back to Tour (with documentation that you purchased them less than 4 months ago) and just hope for the best.

Sorry man- don't know what else to suggest in this case...

-Ryan

They're making Roller Hockey skates. I haven't done it in years myself, but I don't exactly think that a concrete surface is outside the realm of possibility and should still be considered normal usage.

Send them back to Tour.

[whalercane]

Originally Posted by c0nquistad0rian

They're making Roller Hockey skates. I haven't done it in years myself, but I don't exactly think that a concrete surface is outside the realm of possibility and should still be considered normal usage.

Send them back to Tour.

I'm not saying I disagree with you, just that the manufacturer might try and pull that trump card on him...

Either way though, yes- definitely send them back to Tour because you won't know what kind of answer to expect until they've had a look at them...

[Jaxis]

I just called Tour and have authorization # to send back for inspection. Hope they replace them and I'll learn to get up w/o scrapinh the toes so much. Thanks everyone for your assistance!

[Masked_Warrior]

Well, the concrete kind of explains that. I have had my carbons since late august and they look perfect, but then again I dont play on concrete.

[Damion]

If your pads have a toe cap or toe buckle that is attached with screws or bolts the excess length of said screws and bolts will prematurely wear any cowling at an accelerated rate.

It looks to me as though the wear you are experienceing is at least partly caused by this but I am not sure.