After disappearing from this board for a few months then lurking around for another month, decided I'd come back and hit this board up with a review of my new toy.
RBK Talon Goalie Skates - $329.99CDN + tax + shipping (Hockeygeeks)
Only pair they had in stock was size 7.5D, and just so happens it fits me, so I decided to make my wallet cry and take a stab at these.
Background:
I came from a pair of Bauer Reactor 3000 skates (purchased used). The skate's blade was thinning at the front and end to the point where the skate shop could almost sharpen the plastic holding the runner in. Another issue with my old skate was sometimes it felt like it was squeezing my right foot too tightly and giving my foot a cramping sensation.
First Impressions:
When I first got the skates, the first thing I really noticed was how nice it looked =D Just kidding. When I put on my skates the first time in my house, I found that the boot was quite stiff, especially the flap that covers the top side of your foot (basically where the laces criss-cross, just a bit down from the ankle). I disregarded as nothing more than it being new, because I tend to just get used to discomforts in gear and turn them into comforts. As with some of the problems 5K uses have had, when I walked around, I could hear a small click on the washer at the back of the runner support. Upon closer inspection I felt that it would not hinder it's performance and merely an small error in construction.
The first time I took it out on the ice, the pain that the flap I mentioned earlier really bugged me, so I put my skates on considerably loose, and pushed the pump button to the max and hoped it would get me through. Now, it doesn't bother me at all and I tie my skates very tightly and use the pump.
Also, when I first went to skate and stop with it, it felt very awkward. The blade felt quite a bit sharper than a fresh sharpening on my Bauers, and it felt like the skates were more "straight". I think someone mentioned that the boot of the Bauers are on an angle or some sort, and that's why I had trouble adjusting. Same goes with doing my backside pushes/recoveries. I had to rediscover the current angling of my skates in order to maximize my pushes. The adjustment period didn't take too long though, by the 3rd period I didn't really notice anything different on my feet besides a bit of pain.
Protection:
One of my main concerns when I first got the skate in my hands was that the cowling was very low, and the boot did not really compensate for that lack of protection. When I started playing with them on though, this concern was pretty much moot; I don't play a Brodeur-like style. I'm pure butterfly, so pucks would only hit the toe or the low side of the boot (where there is the small rise in the cowling). I've been hit in the toe with the puck hard a few times, and in the steel runner during warm-up when I don't bother to b-fly on every shot, and I did not feel a thing. THe runner/cowling seems to absorb shock quite well, so pucks that just hit the runner won't send shocking vibrations to my toes either.
Comfort:
I touched on this factor a bit in my first impressions, but onto the rest of the boot. The sides that support the ankle are very well built, it feels like some kind of spongy material that doesn't grind against your ankle, and it does an awesome job of wicking away moisture. I've never had the inside of the boot get wet yet. With my Bauers, my feet would be constantly cold because moisture just stays inside the boot and when I'm standing around it has time to cool. The pump is a nice addition too. I thought it would be a gimmick at first, but it's a good solution for between-period fixes if you feel your skates got a bit loose. Finally, I love the two little lace locks on the skates. They hold the laces so well, so I never have to worry about my skates loosening during a game. It's always awesome to play a whole game without the feeling of your skates constantly changing.
Performance:
It took me a while to get used to the different feel of the skate and angling of the boot, but once I got it pat down, my movements are much more crisp and precise. I can reach further distances with my T-pushes, and my backside recoveries/slides feel more explosive. Another huge performance factor is that the runner maintains the edge very well. I love playing in sharp skates, and with my Bauers I would be sharpening them once every ice session. With my RBK's, I feel no difference in the edge after 3 ice sessions, although I sharpen it after that many times out just for superstition
Conclusion:
I was a bit apprehensive at first aftering receiving the skates and wearing them around the house, but after I got used to them, I feel like that the skates have really helped in cutting down movement time and making my movements more precise. It was definitely a good buy for the price, considering it was $50 less than the RBK 5K and supposed to be similar/same in design.
Now for pics
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Linear Mode
