Whats a good skate for a wide footed beginner?

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I am very new to the boards, and apologise for wasting peoples time.

I am a beginnerish skater, 6'3'' and wear a size 13 shoe. I have wide feet and am looking for a pair of skates that are good for wide feet.

I am not looking to pay through the nose because, as I said, I am a beginner.

Any help would be appreciated

Go raibh maith agat.

[hunter4oz 0]

depending on exaclty how wide your feet really are, you could fit into alot of different skates. basically every company makes almost every skate in a EE width that is extra wide. this goes for skates low end, to the newest, state of the art skate in that companies line. the only way you will know 100% for sure, is if you go to your LHS (local hockey shop) and try some different skates on. dont be afraid to ask to try on anything that catches your eye, or anything that is comfy. you usually dont want a lot of room in your skate so i would also suggest going with a size 11 or 12 if you can. this way, you will be able to move more freely feeling the the skate is a part of your foot, other than having a sloppy fitting skate that will reduce support.

hope thisi helps

[Bulldog101 0]

CCMs usually run in wider sizes

[jjtt99 0]

Send me a personal message with your email so I can forward a Word document I compiled that you'll find helpful. Some of the content comes from Modsquad's very own JR, who's a skate expert. Other parts come from others I've found accross the web.

The subjects covered are skate fitting in general and what brands fit what kind of foot. There is also good info about stiffness.

It's too long to post here, so again, PM me with your email address and I'd be happy to send it to you.

Cheers,

JJ

[NuggyBuggy 0]

Send me a personal message with your email so I can forward a Word document I compiled that you'll find helpful.  Some of the content comes from Modsquad's very own JR, who's a skate expert.  Other parts come from others I've found accross the web.

The subjects covered are skate fitting in general and what brands fit what kind of foot.  There is also good info about stiffness.

It's too long to post here, so again, PM me with your email address and I'd be happy to send it to you.

Cheers,

JJ

This sounds like something that would be great as an FAQ or a sticky ?

[jjtt99 0]

I have permisson from the content authors to post it on my team's website, but I'm not the webmaster and the guy who is is out of the country working so I don't have it up, unfortunately.

I don't want to oversell this document either, it's just a compilation of information that was very helpful to me. As mentioned, some of the contect comes from JR, who we all agree knows his stuff. Other info comes from "PuckMugger" at epinions who has received mixed opinions here, but I think some of his sizing and stiffness information is worthy of consideration.

PM me with an email address if you'd like it as I do have permission to distribute it.

Cheers,

JJ

[Chadd 916]

The best option is to actually try on the skates and not make up your mind what's going to fit before you actually try them. I've had people who claim to have a wide foot and people who claim to have a narrow foot, both fit the exact same skate.

[Cavs019 710]

Off the top of my head, Bauer 2090's, Nike V-series, but as Chadd said, trying the skates on is your best bet.

[hockechamp14 0]

make sure that unless you can't afford it, that you don't let 50 or less dollars stand in front of buying a skate that fits well, and an affordable one. You'll be glad you spent the extra money rather than having to sell the other pair on ebay or something because you can't stand them.

[jimmy 194]

The best option is to actually try on the skates and not make up your mind what's going to fit before you actually try them. I've had people who claim to have a wide foot and people who claim to have a narrow foot, both fit the exact same skate.

You are absolutely correct. Try the skates on! Guidelines are just points to start from.

[Jason Harris 31]

I don't want to oversell this document either, it's just a compilation of information that was very helpful to me.  As mentioned, some of the contect comes from JR, who we all agree knows his stuff.  Other info comes from "PuckMugger" at epinions who has received mixed opinions here, but I think some of his sizing and stiffness information is worthy of consideration.

By the way, Puckmugger used to be a manager at a LHS. He sent me an email a couple of weeks ago about the book he's writing, Hockey For Weekend Warriors. It's coming out August 15th and he said people can preorder at his website: Puckmugger.

Apparently, he's controversial, but I think he's a good guy. :)

[Chadd 916]

Anyone who can rate a product just by looking at it is a better man than I am.

[Jason Harris 31]

Chadd, I don't know whether he's had instances of reviewing products without taking them on the ice. I know he has used and is still using my products on the ice, since he sends me an occasional update.

What I find important is he's sincere in his opinions. It's quite obvious when talking to him that he loves the sport and he's just trying to help beginners get started in the sport.

[Chadd 916]

Chadd, I don't know whether he's had instances of reviewing products without taking them on the ice.  I know he has used and is still using my products on the ice, since he sends me an occasional update.

What I find important is he's sincere in his opinions. It's quite obvious when talking to him that he loves the sport and he's just trying to help beginners get started in the sport.

I've read a lot of his reviews and he does a good job of reading the catalog or spec sheet and looking over the product. Most of his reviews have no mention of actual use of the product. Many of the ones that do, he mentions borrowing a stick for a shift or two or what soemone else may have mentioned when they used it. Add in his bias against particular brands, seemingly preventing him from being objective in any way, and I wouldn't trust much of what he says. Hell, his Graf glove review spent as much time talking about Eagle gloves as it did the Grafs.

I also disagree quite a bit with many of his observations. Using the Graf glove review again as an example, they are not large gloves, yet he claims they fit big. I used them for nearly a year but my fingers were poking through the end of the gussets the entire time. A very good friend of mine is still using his pair, but he normally wears 13" gloves and the graf 700s fit him perfectly.

Everyone has different people they learn from, I just find calling his writings "reviews" to be disingenuous.

[Jason Harris 31]

Now that was sincere review! :lol:

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

When Jjtt99 approached me about using what I wrote, he contacted both of us. I then talked to Puckmugger about joining the site - he wasn't interested because he gets paid to write on epinions. We run this site out of our own pockets - that's the difference. If I got paid $1 for everyone I had helped on here over the years, I'd be rich.

[hockechamp14 0]

I've read a lot of his reviews and he does a good job of reading the catalog or spec sheet and looking over the product. Most of his reviews have no mention of actual use of the product. Many of the ones that do, he mentions borrowing a stick for a shift or two or what soemone else may have mentioned when they used it. Add in his bias against particular brands, seemingly preventing him from being objective in any way, and I wouldn't trust much of what he says. Hell, his Graf glove review spent as much time talking about Eagle gloves as it did the Grafs.

That's the problem I have. It's hard to listen to a guy reviewing a bauer product while at the same time dissing CCM's marketing "lies," while he doesn't even touch easton. The other thing is that at my level, it's hard to listen to a guy who plays beer league or doesn't even really use a stick long enough to adjust to it.

[puckmugger 0]

Add in his bias against particular brands, seemingly preventing him from being objective in any way, and I wouldn't trust much of what he says.

Hmm,

I don't know if I would call giving a bad review where it is due bias. Do we have a Vapor fan here perhaps? I just call them as I see them and when a product has a bad track record for returns, I give it a bad review.

Yes, I've given the evil Nike/Bauer empire a good number of poor reviews, but only when they deserve them. I've given them quite a few good reviews as well. As far as whether you agree or not is up to you. I'm not going to spend a bunch of effort defending myself here since it will likely degenerate into an ugly flame war and frankly you are quite entitled to your opinion as I am to mine.

Like Jason mentioned, my goal is simply to offer the best advice that I can give to prospective buyers and newcomers to the sport. I'm surprised that my reviews have been controversial, heck, I'm surprised they've even been noticed here.

Best,

Scott

P.S. JR, I haven't spent alot of time here because I don't have time for both endevours. The $20 or $30 a month I make from writing on epinions is hardly enough to make anyone rich.

[Chadd 916]

We've noticed as there is usually something worth refuting. Mis information is worse than no info.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Understood - but I pay that amount every month just to keep this site up. :)

[jjtt99 0]

Well, back to the original post from all-smoke-and-no-pancake, I hope you have a better sense about what to look for when buying skates.

As you can see we have no shortage of opinions here, of which, any wise man will suggest you take in many sources of information, then form your own opinion based on what you've learned.

Mods: It may be time to lock this puppy.

In the meantime may I direct everyone's attention to the enjoyable "Bag Invaders" thread found in General Discussions? Most entertaining:

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/index.php?showtopic=12144

JJ

[Jason Harris 31]

Actually, Scott, I'm quite impressed you walked into that firing line.

As I said, I've met Scott and he's a good guy. Having spoken or written to him and others on this board, I'm quite confident that if involved parties were to meet under different circumstances they would have hours of enjoyable conversations discussing hockey. However, I think a certain bias may have been built into the equation.

Hopefully, Scott will visit us in the future and you'll see what I mean when I say he's sincere. :)

PS Sorry, JJ, I added to the thread before I read your post! :o

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

I don't have any problems - I asked him to join for a reason...

[puckmugger 0]

Thanks JR,

I truly appreciated the invite and it was a lack of time rather than a lack of interest that has caused my very limited participation thus far.

Scott

[Sticks of Fury 0]

Thanks JR,

I truly appreciated the invite and it was a lack of time rather than a lack of interest that has caused my very limited participation thus far.

Scott

Welcome aboard!

I think I have read almost all your epinions on skates. B)

Hope you can get some more reviews on skates especially the new CCM Tacks line.