The Mission Soldier Black is a moderately priced inline hockey skate for experienced players. Unlike cheaper models that cut corners on construction and features, the Soldier Black is equipped with enough perks to make it a great intermediate to advanced level skate. Looking to upgrade to a more fast and dependable skate? This could be the pair of blades for you.
Ironically enough, the Mission Soldier Black is actually white and blue. I am a huge fan of the styling on this model. It is simple, sleek, and generally very cool looking. The comfort level of the boot has also been upgraded from lower-end skates. The tongue is nicely padded to prevent lace-bite and the ankles are given lots of extra cushion. The boot is constructed of rigid material that will hold up nicely over time. While the Soldier Black is not the lightest skate on the market, it is certainly light enough to give you great speed and performance. The chassis are also upgraded over models like the CSX or DSX, being much lighter and stronger than cheaper models.
The wheels that come standard on the Soldier Black are outstanding. The super-soft Rink Rat Hot Shot XXX are designed for indoor courts and provide maximum grip. The vanguard Hi-Lo setup is utilized, meaning your wheels will be 76-76-80-80 (in mm). Larger wheels in the back of the skate allow for faster backward skating and more balance. Those used to outdoor wheels will find the grip on these hot shot wheels to be amazing, especially on sport court surfaces.
The Mission Soldier Black comes standard with Mission ABEC-9 bearings, one of the highest-quality bearings on the market. They are a huge upgrade over cheaper skates in the Mission line which are generally equipped with ABEC-5 or 7 bearings. If you are upgrading from cheaper skates you will no doubt notice that the Soldier skates have a very smooth ride thanks to these great bearings.
The Soldier retails for around $200, but you can generally find a deal if you search long enough. In fact, I found the 2009 model on sale for $130 shipped. Mission does offer other more expensive high-end skates like the Boss. These skates are made of lighter materials and have some more padding. However, for my money the Soldier is the best value skate on the market. It is certainly a professional level skate that does not break the bank. Looking to take your game to the next level? Try out the Mission Soldier Black.