Reebok 5k Pumps

[nick_123 0]

Hi guys. I am interested in getting the Rbk 5k Pump Ice Hockey Skates. But I am weary of buying these skates because...

a. Rbk is new to the hockey world

b. I know for a fact that that Rbk "Robo Helmet" is waaaay overpriced due to it not having any features that reflect such a price tag. How do I know these skates aren't also overpriced?

c. I can get a nice pair of what I know will be excellent graf skates for $240 instead

d. The pump-how long will it last before it deflates?

I couldn't find any reviews on these any Rbk skates at all on the internet. So I am hoping that you guys can provide me some help in my decision of whether to buy them or not. :)

[jimmy 194]

Hi guys. I am interested in getting the Rbk 5k Pump Ice Hockey Skates. But I am weary of buying these skates because...

a. Rbk is new to the hockey world

b. I know for a fact that that Rbk "Robo Helmet" is waaaay overpriced due to it not having any features that reflect such a price tag. How do I know these skates aren't also overpriced?

c. I can get a nice pair of what I know will be excellent graf skates for $240 instead

d. The pump-how long will it last before it deflates?

I couldn't find any reviews on these any Rbk skates at all on the internet. So I am hoping that you guys can provide me some help in my decision of whether to buy them or not. :)

Couple of things. The 5k's have only been out for a couple of weeks so durability is not exactly known, but consider a few things. RBK is not new to the hockey industry, they bought an existing company and long established manufacturing plants. Their skate are made by CM and the 5k is essentially the 4k with a bag. The 4k is a proven skate this past season, zero problems with it at all. Also, the air bag technology is advanced. The orig CCM skates of the early 90's with the RBK pump have held up well over time. The technology has improved big time so no reason to believe the air bag will not work as advertised. I inspected an old CCM pump skate the other day and the bag worked great and no tears in the material surrounding it. Funny thing, I have a Promasque goal helmet with EXPOSED airbag and no leaks after 5 yrs. I wouldn't worry about the bag deflating.

[HeatleyJr. 0]

i would have to say that it is extremely under priced. i thought for sure it would be a lot more expensive. as soon as we got them in i tried them on and i actually liked he feel of them better then the 9ks. i think that is because the 9ks are way to tiff.

[duch 0]

I'd go for the Grafs. The pump is a gimmick to get you to switch to RBK and how much do you think it'll improve your game on the ice? I venture to guess not overly substantially. Grafs are great skates and have very little in the way of quality issues. Stick with whats tried and true.

[dustedvinyl 0]

i would have to say that it is extremely under priced. i thought for sure it would be a lot more expensive. as soon as we got them in i tried them on and i actually liked he feel of them better then the 9ks. i think that is because the 9ks are way to tiff.

I'd have to agree with you on the price point... I thought they would be more expensive. Had a chance to try them on (not skate) this past week. I use Vector Pro's and was pleasantly surprised how well the skates fit and were made... I'm not ditching my skates for them but they're definitely something I'd consider if I was in the market for new skates.

[DeI 18 0]

I got a pair for Xmas, and I really like them a lot. I'm still breaking them in as I didn't get them baked, because i didn't know how it would affect the pumps, but other than that, I love 'em.

[Miike 1]

I'd go for the Grafs. The pump is a gimmick to get you to switch to RBK and how much do you think it'll improve your game on the ice? I venture to guess not overly substantially. Grafs are great skates and have very little in the way of quality issues. Stick with whats tried and true.

and how much do you think Grafs will improve your game on the ice? The pump is just a feature for a better fitting skate. Its not there to improve your game....

[Gongshow11 1]

compared to the 9ks and other skates at the same level, these are as heavy as a set of dumbbells

[jimmy 194]

I got a pair for Xmas, and I really like them a lot. I'm still breaking them in as I didn't get them baked, because i didn't know how it would affect the pumps, but other than that, I love 'em.

Go get them baked. Just don't inflate the pump while fitting.

[jimmy 194]

I'd go for the Grafs. The pump is a gimmick to get you to switch to RBK and how much do you think it'll improve your game on the ice? I venture to guess not overly substantially. Grafs are great skates and have very little in the way of quality issues. Stick with whats tried and true.

I have to disagree, Graf has a lot of problems with steel, holders and quality. The steel especially. I have a piece of steel that is bent so bad, it can't be straightened, even though I counter bent it big time.

[forsberg91 0]

I have the 5k Pumps and they are amazing. I tried both the 5k and the 9k on and the 9k just felt too stiff. The 5k isn't too stiff nor is it not stiff enough. It is perfect. The performance on them is great. I have never had a top of the line skate so I don't really know how it compares to say a Vapor XXX or Synergy 1300c. I feel that i can turn in them a lot better as well. I can really dive into turns and they feel great when doing so.

Imo, you should go for them. Extremely inexpensive but a great skate. The pump feature adds to it alot. There is less padding around the ankle, so the pump is essential when skating in these, but I love the truly "custom fit" which I feel I get when wearing these.

[thenizzle 0]

I have to disagree, Graf has a lot of problems with steel, holders and quality. The steel especially. I have a piece of steel that is bent so bad, it can't be straightened, even though I counter bent it big time.

yes grafs qc nowadays is in the dungeons i totally agree

[thenizzle 0]

I got a pair for Xmas, and I really like them a lot.  I'm still breaking them in as I didn't get them baked, because i didn't know how it would affect the pumps, but other than that, I love 'em.

Go get them baked. Just don't inflate the pump while fitting.

so if i were to get 9ks, i would not pump them at all, get them baked, again just treating this like a normal skate, and then once ive baked them i mess with the pumpage?

[jimmy 194]

I got a pair for Xmas, and I really like them a lot.  I'm still breaking them in as I didn't get them baked, because i didn't know how it would affect the pumps, but other than that, I love 'em.

Go get them baked. Just don't inflate the pump while fitting.

so if i were to get 9ks, i would not pump them at all, get them baked, again just treating this like a normal skate, and then once ive baked them i mess with the pumpage?

Yes, do not inflate during the molding, just mold like a regular skate.

[Fredrik 0]

Any need for baking them, are they that stiff?

[dez 0]

Any need for baking them, are they that stiff?

yes, they are pretty stiff in its range.

[markthedeadhead 0]

I've worn Graf for the last 8 years. I first bought a pair of 703's then replaced them with 705's. When I was looking for new skates last year, I ditched Graf because I was unhappy with the quality. I noticed a dropoff with my 705's, and then guys on my team this year have all complained about their Grafs.

I also wore the CCM 652 Tacks with tongue and ankle pumps back in the mid 90's, and those were my favorite skates to date. I was only a pee-wee back then, but I haven't had a skate I liked better yet. From what I've seen, the pump system on the 5k's just looks better than what I had on my old skates, not to mention the 5k newer, i.e. better materials.