Micron (skate company)

Micron produced ice hockey equipment in the 1980s and were based in Canada.

They were probably best known for their 'Mega' range of Ice skates and most notably the Micron Mega 10-90, Micron Mega 10-70 and Micron Mega 10-50.

They were a pioneer of their unique 'Power Clip' technology that claimed to give increased power to the skater. The 'Power Clip' was a white plastic square attached to the sole of the boot on the inside of the foot and had the first three (for small-medium sizes) or four (for large sizes) lace holes of the boot in it.

The design of the boots made the skater lean forward slightly when skating which meant they were ideal skates for balancing weight when skating backwards. This proved popular with ice hockey players that played defence. Another popular skate of this time was the Daoust 501, which also had a lean forward footbed, although to a lesser degree than the 10-90s.

Micron was eventually purchased by Bauer Hockey in 1994.

The 10-50 versions were the mid range junior skates (sizes 1-5) and 10-70s were the mid range adult skates (sizes 6 and up). They were comparable to the Daoust 301 or the Bauer 200/300 series and used similar construction materials. While the 10-90 was the top of the line, it came in two completely different configurations: Street & Pro. Within the Pro version there were two configurations; an early/initial version and a later modified second/final version. The early version of the 10-90 PRO (red stripe) was distinguished by a "white" chevron on the ankle/quarter area. On the final modified version the chevron was black and there was a small notch added to the lace hole area between the 3rd and 4th eyelet to improve front to rear ankle movement. Also added was a much improved tongue. The final version with the black chevron ankle package is condsidered the superior version.

The Mega 10-90 came in two versions: The retail store "street" version and the specialty store "Pro" version, distinguished by the Red Stripe down the side of the skate boot. The Pro versions were priced at $350–$400 in the early 1990s, came with a pro level rear quarter package and a pro extra thick tongue. The Pro version was available with either the one piece ICM holder (lower price option) and carbon steel blade combo or the TUUK holder that provided the option of using V2 stainless blades (highest price option) or standard stainless blades. The V2 blades, which were only available for two years in the early 1990s were about half the thickness of a standard blade and very similar to that used by Olympic speed skaters. At the front or toe end (1-1.5") of the blade the steel was regular thickness. which provided a unique "kick" when changing direction or starting from a dead stop. Due to high cost (and high selling price) to produce these blades and the poor acceptance at the pro level they were eventually discontinued. The Micron Mega 10-90 Pro version also had a unique inner boot with soft lambskin leather and memory-gel ankle padding. The 10-90's were available in a wide range of widths as they catered to the high-end player who wanted an exact fit. They were particularly designed for taller, heavier skaters.

Micron Mega 10-90 skates were used at various points by such high-profile NHL players as Mario Lemieux, Ray Bourque, Cam Neely, Pavel Bure and Bernie Nicholls.

The Mega 10-90 Pro version skates remain sought after for play and by collectors even 15 years after being discontinued. Nike bought out Bauer-Canstar in the late 1990s. The replacement skate for the 10-90 was the Canstar-Bauer Mega Air 90. (The term mega was dropped the following year). Bauer did not use the "last" or basic footbead of the original Micron Mega 10-90 in the production of the Bauer Mega Air 90 or the Bauer Air 90.