New Bauer and Nike skates

[steve66 45]

Just stumbled on the new Bauer Xr and Nike Flexlite 8R. Been waiting a while to see what the new inline offering would look like after the Mega and Hiho Silvers.

Nike Flexlite 8R

Bauer Xr

Good prices, and good solid skates. It's a shame that bauer and nike no longer seem willing to introduce a top of the line skate using their best ice boots in the inline hockey market like they did with the vapour10 and back to the old 5000RH comps.

I guess partly they feel a mid range skate will sell better, but a top of the line effort would be nice. (Translation= It'd be easier for me so i don't have to convert ice to inline and find increasingly difficult seperate chassis. )

[Justin 1933 134]

Why buy skates from a company that does nothing to help the game grow? Buy CCM, TOUR, or Mission...At least these companies are trying to help the game stay alive...

[WAMPS19 0]

Before I played Roller, I played ice for like 15 years and used nothing but bauer but after I got into Roller fell in love with Tour Skates (sorry Justin). I agree with Justin though, Bauer/Nike hasn't come out with a dynamite roller product since the days of the old 5000's. Stick with the known quality brands of mission/reebok/tour.

[Justin 1933 134]

To me it is not even about the product...It is about putting money into the sport...Helping it grow...That is what is more important...

[sikocycles 1]

Why buy skates from a company that does nothing to help the game grow? Buy CCM, TOUR, or Mission...At least these companies are trying to help the game stay alive...

Because they fit well

[gman 0]

To me it is not even about the product...It is about putting money into the sport...Helping it grow...That is what is more important...

Justin,

What do you mean? I believe you at face value, but what are the companies mentioned doing? Is it the team sponshorships, ot what? Just curious. I wear Missions, my eldest wears mission, and my youngest wears the Tour adjustables. So it is not like we have to go sell all our gear.

[sdcopp 1]

Why buy skates from a company that does nothing to help the game grow?  Buy CCM, TOUR, or Mission...At least these companies are trying to help the game stay alive...

Because they fit well

Being the equipment whore I am, I am sure Mission will fit you with this years models. They feel to me alot like the Bauer boots in the fact that they are tight and almost uncomfortable on my feet. Last years Missions felt wider to me, although last years models were not the best showing. Tours fit me as did the CCMs with a small bit of work, but Mission feels like they're back to a narrower last so you might try them.

[steve66 45]

Why buy skates from a company that does nothing to help the game grow? Buy CCM, TOUR, or Mission...At least these companies are trying to help the game stay alive...

I do put more than enough money into those other companies. I would love to spend money on skates on either Mission or Tours, and save myself the hassle of having to make up my own combinations every time. It's simply the fact that i've yet to find a Mission or Tour skate that fits as well and last as long as my Bauers. I guess I have gotten really attached.

Believe me I buy or at least try Missions and Tours when I need new skates, i'm willing to give them every chance of working for me.

I put plenty of cash in the coffers of Roller hockey companies when i'm buying pants, wheels, bags, jerseys, soft goods etc.

I'm sure Bauer/Nike are trying to keep the game alive, there is no way to make money if it dies. They have put products into the game for years. Weren't Bauer inlines out before Mission started? They also put out as much inline stuff as CCM..

I agree with Justin though, Bauer/Nike hasn't come out with a dynamite roller product since the days of the old 5000's. Stick with the known quality brands of mission/reebok/tour.

That was part of my post, I said I was disappointed how bauer and nike no longer use their top of te line skate for an inline model. As for quality i've had more skate quality issue with mission and Tour than I have bauer, but I still give them a chance every time. Will be trying the new mission skates too..

[sdcopp 1]

Mission's stuff this year is pretty sweet. I'm probably staying in the Tour camp for skates since they fit me pretty well and Tour usually makes a solid product. While Tour may not do alot of groundbreaking innovation like Mission, they make a solid product year in and year out. I think the innovation is what caused Missions issues last year, but they have more than made up for it. It's actually pretty funny Justin that I use Tour skates and shins, but everything else is Mission-Itech (Itech for helmet only), so while I can't ride your skates I think every other product you guys make is top notch for me. BTW, the HE10K gloves are sweet, just got mine yesterday.

[nummer55 10]

Another reason is availability. In a lot of European regions Bauer/Nike (and CCM) is all you can get at retail stores. Of course you can order online, but then fitting could be a problem...

[est 0]

Good point.

2006 Bauer/Nike , CCm & Tour all are available through out Europe, Mission seem happy to allow there Europen Distributors to be lazy & just trade on old stock !!

So yes its very difficult to remain loyal to the Mission brand, but i still think its the best kit....... if you can get it.

[shute 4]

Why buy skates from a company that does nothing to help the game grow? Buy CCM, TOUR, or Mission...At least these companies are trying to help the game stay alive...

why CCM though?

[Aussie Joe 0]

Well from my point of view, being in a freak'n "hockey 3rd world country" Hockey companies giving back to the sport mean's sweet f all as the distributors screw the consumer here anyways.

Back on topic but, what about the Skates and more so the boots? The Nike model looks a little more quality then the Bauer as the Vapor has barely any protection along the sides for the scuffs we all encounter after a while on our inlines. Is this like the past pair of inline Vapors that were heavy and made from the V model ice boot? Or have we got a "slight" upgrade on our hands?

Some info on the skates and not whinging would be appreciated.

[WAMPS19 0]

I just looked at them again and who in the world is going to pay $200-$250 for a pair of skates that only have Hyper Unity's. Those wheels suck!

The Nike Boots look nice but Bauer boots look average.

[Jim A 4]

the 2 skates you mention in the beginning of the post are SMU's for manufactuers..NBH has released their roller line typically around now each year although without a lot of pre-release hype..

for the past 2-3 years they have used the top Nike boot for inline (Hi-Ho and Hi Ho 2)

Bauer uses a modded Vapor boot ...an XX or XXX would make it pretty costly for a high end..and that their top end is around 299 isn't a bad price point..299/199/129 for the 3 Mega series the past 2 years...

the question is whether we'll see something later in the year based off the new One design? or if it will go the route of the 8090 (of which it already shares a similar high volume fit..the Mega series that is)

Of course you can find a Hi Ho 2 for a good deal now..same frame that is likely to come on whatever the new model is...Hornet's etc..not a bad deal...

[Finlay82uk 0]

been looking at getting a new pair of mission or a pair of ccm's for a few weeks now, after buying a set of tour beemers+ having nothing but problems with them. but I agree some of the bigger companies just look at roller as a way to make money+ not an impact

[Jim A 4]

actually the bigger companies don't make much $ in roller,if you are CCM etc..what is it..maybe 5% of your bottom line??

So you didn't like the Beemers..others do...buy what fits your foot in the range you want to spend...if you skate on a Supreme and all of a sudden are in a SuppleFit type boot or vice versa..there's going to be differences and changes...