Lange Ice Skates

A major player in hockey skates during the 1970's were Lange, Lange skates were an outgrowth of their plastic ski boots that had foam liners. The Garcia Company bought out Lange in the early 70s but continued development and marketing of Lange throughout the 70s and early 80s. Phil Esposito endorsed and used Lange skates. They went out of favour due to their weight, and frankly, looks, but for a lot of players, looks weren't everything they were very comfortable to wear and offered more protection than traditional skates.

Although there are no more Lange hockey skates, the Lange brand continues on (although I don't know if someone just bought the name and trademark, or Garcia or their successor still makes them). Lange figure skates are very popular with beginning skaters and ice rinks for use as rental skates. Its also worth mentioning that Micron were inspired by the Lange design for their early moulded boots