Alicia

Reebok (that was RBK’s name before they became so cool) made a number of products in the eighties that utilized a small built in pump. The most notable of these were tennis and basketball shoes. Essentially, the pump was a device that inflated the tongue of the shoes allowing for a tighter fit. It was perhaps more helpful to individuals who had a hard time lacing their shoes, but they were big sellers. Admittedly I picked up a pair for tennis and promptly wore them out in two matches. They were a little too high ticket for my tastes.

But what does this have to do with hockey, right? Well, before RBK purchased Maska and acquired CCM hockey, they partnered with them. During the heyday of “The Pump” CCM built a skate with RBK’s pump system in the tongue. It wasn’t a terribly effective melding of technology. Most of the players who had or have a pair of these informed me that various failures put the pump out of commission well before the rest of the skate died.

One negative that some skaters have voiced with the e-blade is a lower sense of connection with the ice. The Pro Lite was designed to give the skater feedback through the ball of the foot and heel. However, with outsoles becoming stiffer and stiffer, it seems to me that this was becoming something of a moot point. The durability of the e-blade is a great deal more important factor than any perceived sacrifice in feel.

I tried them on at the local hockey shop and did find them very comfortable but also had my guard up on how durable these skates might be. Does anyone have any complaints as of yet?