February 17, 2010
Test Team: Bauer X:60 Stick
Test Team Member: Alex MacDonald
Teams: Mission Arizona Pee Wee Red, Tour Outcasts & Casey's Crushers
Product: Bauer X:60 Stick
OVERVIEW: The first time I picked up the X:60, I knew I was going to like it. The weight was perfect; it was one of the lightest sticks I've ever used. I liked the look, too. The balance and feel were also amazing. I'd heard some amazing things about this stick from my friends, so my expectations were really high and I was hoping the results would hold true during my test period.
FIRST USE: The first time I used my X:60 was at Polar Ice-Peoria and I could tell I was really going to like it because it felt like I'd been using it forever. The flex was a little stiff compared to what I'm used to, but the extra power on the shot was great. That and the overall feel of the stick were phenomenal. I think my stickhandling improved, too. I also liked the Staal curve; it allowed me to pick a spot and hit it perfectly (I've never used a Staal curve before, but it was something I wanted to try). The X:60 definitely had a positive affect on my game.
DURABILITY: For the five weeks I used my X:60, it held up perfectly. It didn't break, and it didn't look like it was going to anytime soon. There weren't any cracks or blemishes that were visible, either, and the blade held up just fine; in fact, it held up better than any other stick I've used. I wouldn't recommend using the X:60 on an outdoor roller rink because it'll probably mess up the blade. If you were to use it outdoors, though, I'd recommend taping it repeatedly.
PERFORMANCE: This is an excellent stick and started feeling better and better over time. One of the things I really liked about the X:60 was how light it is. I'd say my shot improved tremendously after using this stick, and my puckhandling has probably gotten better, too. Bauer says this stick has "Intelli-Sense Shot Technology," which means it knows what kind of shot you're taking. I don't know if it really does or not; all I can say is that my shot felt great the first time I used it. It's important to feel comfortable and have confidence in your stick, and the X:60 delivered.
SUMMARY: Overall, the X:60 is one of the best sticks I've ever used. It has very few flaws and I've definitely improved a lot of areas of my game during my test period with it. I'd recommend buying the X:60 over any other stick in the same price range because I've used sticks that cost around the same and I didn't like them as much. For anyone who's having a hard time finding a good stick, the X:60 is for you.
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