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So I’ve been skating on Bauer Vapor x500’s for the last few years. They are starting to get a bit worn out, cut up, etc. I got these before Bauer introduced their foot scanner. Fast forward to a few months back and I had my foot scanned at Pure Hockey. Ironically it recommended a 7EE Vapor (which is the size and width I have) or Fit 2. On Tuesday I was in PH again with my family, wife wanted to get her foot scanned and possibly new skates. This is when I saw the CCM JetSpeed FT485, I wanted to try it on even though I thought I was dead-set on a newer pair of Vapors. After putting on a 7.5 “Regular” FT485 I immediately noticed my foot sat deeper into the boot compared to the Vapor. I did the pencil test, and this reinforced that it was deeper, and it cleared my foot all the way up and down the boot. When doing the test on the Vapor it rubbed the top of my foot around the 4th or 5th eyelet area. This explains why I always had trouble getting my Vapors laced up just right without too much pressure in that area. I’ve learned to cope, but once in awhile I’ll get them too tight and my foot will tingle. :/ Not sure why I never did the pencil test back when I bought my Vapors?!? Anyhow, I purchased the FT485’s, (7.5 Regular) and a pair of SuperFeet (I have a low arch and it was a definite hot-spot, the SF alleviated the hot-spot). Had them baked and was on my way. Went to a public skate yesterday and couldn’t get over how bad my pinky toes were hurting. I skates for about 1.5 hours on them. I’m thinking I need to get a 7.5 “Wide”. Unfortunately Pure Hockey didn’t have them in stock at the shop or online. I’ll have to order online from Ice Warehouse or Hockey Monkey. I have two questions after that novel I just wrote. 1- Will the FT485 “Wide” provide more room in the pinky toe area than the “Regular”? Is it like an EE? 2- Does the JetSpeed FT485 actually sit lower than the Vapor? Thanks!

Under 9%, pfffft. Try 10.25% in my hometown of Long Beach, CA. 😞

I actually pay at Lakewood Ice (Number 2 on your list) and depending on if you pay the team fee, or individual fee the cost per game can vary, but your figures are very close. In fact, I think sub fees this season are $40 per game.

Disregard, I overlooked the part of where you said you wanted something malleable.

+1 for Skate Fenders. After inadvertently blocking a slap shot with the outside of my foot, fracturing my 5th metatarsal I picked up a pair of Skate Fenders. They have been great for the last 4 years or so.

Not annoying at all! I'm a long time casual Beer Leaguer and enjoy learning as well, thanks for posting questions that many of us also are thinking about.

Would you guys go with something with a shot-blocker or without? I reckon it’s all personal preference, but can one really have too much protection?

Terrible.

Would you guys say a decent pair of used Pro-Stock gloves from SLS would be better than a new retail pair? I've been examining palms closely, trying to find the least haggard ones. My Bauer Nexus are 7 years old, well beyond time to replace. And I want to go with something more snug, which CCM should I be looking at? (either a Vapor or Supreme type of fit is fine)

Back in 1991 my Bauer Supreme 2000's were the zenith of skates for me. I wore them from my two seasons Midgets (when this pic was taken), through two seasons of Juniors, and into Beer League. That gel in the ankle, along with the soft leather liner (I think it was soft leather) was amazing!

Any new videos of yours lately?

Great feedback fellas. I think I'll rotate tonight in my game.

I have two of the exact same sticks that I bring to my beer league games (CCM JetSpeed FT3 Grip). I was wondering if you guys that also have two of the same sticks ever alternate between them? Or do you just use one until it breaks, or maybe starts to wear out after awhile? Or do you swap them out every other game? Etc. When I had two different sticks (Bauer and Warrior), I'd switch them out from time to time during the game to see if it helps me if I'm having a less than good game. But now that I have the exact same sticks, I have yet to do that.

Maybe Shoe-Goo or E6000? Something that has a little bit of flexibility seems like it would do the trick.

I've noticed this with my older Bauer Vapor APX2, I was still able to get decent shots off, but trying to receive a hard pass was like dropping a puck through a wet bag. As others have stated, I'm sure its just what happens as sticks age. I finally couldn't take it anymore and purchased two CCM JetSpeed FT3 Grip sticks about 2 months ago. The difference has been night in day when receiving hard passes and the likes.

New bags for Seagrams Gin? ^

I had the same skates, I wanted to love them but sold them after about 3 years. I had to get them punched multiple times (not unheard of I suppose) and they started giving me bunions on my big toe where the boot met the toe cap area. It hurt just to walk in them. 😞 The forward lean took some time to adjust to (came from Bauers), and then went back to Bauers and found myself much happier. Also had to readjust to the lack of forward lean, but I found myself much more comfortable overall.

I too recently purchased two FT3 P90tm "grip" in the 65 flex, been LOVING them for all the reasons listed above!

Do you have any shop t-shirts for sale? I poked around the website but didn't see anything. I'd love to support the shop and buy one to wear here in SoCal!

Got to use my new CCM JETSPEED FT3 GRIP P90TM in my game on Saturday night and it felt great! I trimmed 1.5" off the end so it matched the length of my Bauer Vapor APX2. The new stick had much more pop/snap than my 5 year old Bauer Vapor APX2, duh! My shots and passes felt good, as did receiving passes. I had a handful of shots from the point. One of which I sailed over the net, d'oh. I even scored a goal, I had a great look from the point and let a snap shot rip about 3" off the ice, it went in between three sets of legs, the third being the goalie. 🙂 I have another game tonight, can't wait to use it again! I'm hoping I can find some time to do a stick time though where I can really take my time and try a variety of shots/passes, etc. with it. Thanks again to all whom recommended it!

Last night I placed my order for the FT3, P90TM, 65 flex. Thanks again guys. I won't have a chance to use it until my next game, which is this Saturday night. I'll report back here with how it went!

Thanks again everyone. After cutting down at 70 flex Sr, I feel like it might be too stiff since I'll be cutting it to around 56"-57". (I could be wrong about the stiffness though). I was leaning towards the 65 Flex, P90TM, and not having to cut it.

Thank you guys. Out of the 3 curves offered for the FT3, P28, P29 and P88, is there one that you would recommend? I know its all subjective, but I'm trying to gather as much advice as I can. I'm not really one for dipsy-doodling and toe-drags, but I do like making the long stretch pass out of the zone when they present themselves and have gone coast to coast a few times, but the older I get, the less I like doing it.

Hi guys, I apologize if this might be a redundant topic, but I didn't see an all encompassing Stick Advice thread. About me, I play beer league twice a week, intermediate "bronze" level and play defense. With skates, I'm 5'10. I haven't purchased a stick in nearly 4 years or so. I currently use an Intermediate Bauer Vapor APX2, P14, 67flex, my back-up stick is a Senior Warrior Covert DT1 LT, Yakupov, 85 flex (probably closer to 100 flex though since I cut about 2.5" or so). Both of these were acquired on a heavy discount from my buddy that worked at HockeyMonkey, as they were demo sticks. I do love how light the APX2 is, and the fact that it is non-grip, and has a very smooth/round feel to it is another plus. However, I feel like the blade is pretty weak/noodley and the toe is starting to chip and separate (I do cover the toe with tape). I am able to get great shots off with it, but where I struggle is receiving hard passes. I do know how to receive passes, but sometimes I'm not able to allow that bit of give in a game situation as the puck first hits the blade and it seems like I botch a clean reception more than I'd like to. I'm sure my technique can be better but I'm also wondering if the stick is just done due to age and use? I rarely use the Warrior stick, I'll mess around with it here and there, but always find myself preferring the APX2. If I'm lucky, I will get to fire off 3-5 shots from the point during our games...just depends how good we are playing, or how bad the other team is. All that being said I'm looking to pick up something new. From what I read, a "mid-kick" is great for getting power on clappers, and a "low-kick" is great for quick shots more down low, in close...I think? I do like the feel of the shot with the APX2, but I'm open to your suggestions. I also like that I don't have to cut an Intermediate stick, so the flex stated, is the flex I get. When I have purchased Sr. sticks in the past, I ended up buying a 75 flex, and cut it down nearly three inches, putting it near or at the 100 flex range...which I find is too stiff for me. Do you have any suggestions at what I should maybe look at getting? I'm comfortable spending between $100-$150 and so far I have been looking at a CCM RibCore and another Bauer Vapor.

I'm also in So Cal. I'm not too sure about a good solution to your first question, but for your second one maybe you can call up a few local rinks and see if they are taking donations? Might be harder to donate stuff due do the Covid stuff, maybe?