Some skaters have tried to switch from the MapleZ Gold to the EVO blade line. Many were able to do so, but a handful of skaters found the transition to be difficult. At this time, MapleZ Golds are no longer in production. Rest assured, Skate-Tec has their skaters covered through the creation of the Skate-Tec Nagano. Designed by the designer and founder of Maple, this blade features all the same concepts and construction as the MapleZ Gold, with a shiny new finish!
The tube profile of the Nagano is comparable to that of the M-Wave Flex. This means they behave in a similar way, and are especially suited for lighter skaters.
The height of the Nagano is similar to previous Maple shorttrack blades. It is 8mm lower than the standard M-Wave.
By default the Nagano can be tuned to a lower cup height.
The top of the Nagano is curved from the tip to the back. The curved tip distributes the stuffness to where it is needed most; in the middle. Having a curved top makes the tube hold its form better, while keeping enough flex for control.