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Hello FNG here with a first post. I recently decided to pick up some skates so I could skate with my son who decided to play hockey for the first time this year. I started out just wanting to buy a reasonably priced pair of skates which has now turned into me obsessing over getting the skates perfect for me. I have super flat wide feet and the only thing that works for me is the Bauer vapor fit 3. I originally didn't want to spend as much as I did but settled on a 3x as it was the least expensive model I could get in fit 3. The boot itself fits like a glove with zero pressure points and no slop. I couldn't be happier with the skates but the stock footbed leaves a lot to be desired. I do get a decent amount of discomfort/fatigue on the bottom of my foot but nothing like the excruciating pain I had with some stake models that were clearly just wrong for me. I believe part of the problem is the stock foot bed is so narrow through the middle of the foot and arch area. I believe Bauer literally slaps the same footbed in an 8 fit 1 and 8 fit 3. doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Anyhow I decided to give the superfeet carbon a try. I don't like the way the comfort models lift the heel. I sized them up to accommodate my super wide heel and had them trimmed. They felt great in the store but when I got on the ice and skated a few times it was apparent that they had WAY to much arch in them. I did really like the way they stabilized my heel and could tell it helped in that regard but it simply moved the discomfort from the center of my foot to a much more intense pain on the inside of my feet where a persons arch would be if they have one. When I say I have flat feet everything but the last 1/2" the inside center of my foot lays flat on the ground when I step. I can barely get a pencil to slide in 1/2" under my arch. I returned the carbon under the 60 day guarantee and the guy at the hockey shop recommended that I try the black superfeet which are not marketed specifically to hockey. He said they are designed with a much lower arch and have a wider heel. Does anyone have any experience with the 2 models? I'm afraid that they will still have too much arch support.

SF Black does have a smaller arch and lower profile than the SF Carbons by a little. They also flex a bit more than the carbons. Worth a try with SF's money back guarantee policy. SF Black btw is marketed for dress shoes and shoes of low volume.

I’ll look into it, thanks!

That's what I'm doing. FT4pro regular was just a little too wide. I figured the 100ks would be the same, but it doesn't appear to be that way. I have tapered FT4pros coming friday. We'll see if there is a difference. Giving the credit card a work out for sure.

I hate that in store stock is so terrible right now. I can't even try the skates I want. Literally have to buy a bunch online and return. Good thing PayPal offers return shipping reimbursement.

Their protocol is online. I have seen arguments against their protocols (on here in the past) that were directly refuted by their published methodology, so I would advise you investigate yourself and make up your own mind. It's also something most people don't know exist, so it's probably more of an academic discussion anyway.

I have found a lot of conflicting information on how VT scores are calculated. I appreciate the work VT does, but I dont think their score is a factual representation of protection. Aslo ,we all know the helmet that best protects you is the one that fits you best and the liner of the Tacks X is far more accommodating as compared to other helmets with more traditional foams and design. Agreed. Most will choose what feels, and fits best. If it also passses the mirror test that is an added bonus. I only have a few parents/customers that will reference the VT scores.

Super Tacks X has the worst score on the VT lab’s impact testing.

And honestly, that’s fine. People like to rag on parents buying their kids expensive stuff but not sure where this equipment police mentality comes from. I mean, this is a board full of people obsessing over the minutiae of equipment, and plenty of people playing with equipment they don’t need or can’t come close to wringing the potential from. Whatever makes people happy, it’s just a game.

No. We ordered some samples so I will know very soon. They look interesting. They do not.