need skate advice vapor xx and rbk 9

[bleedblue94 0]

* sorry title should read "need skate advice vapor xxx and rbk 9"*

ok so i got my vapor xxxs about 3 months ago and after 2-2.5 months i noticed that after skating in them for about 30-40 minutes i could here a crunching sound or a possible giving of the boot. the only reason they havent been taken back to the shop yet is bc i got hit in the eye with a puck and broke my orbital bone in 3 places.....but thats another story. anyways i know this crunching and breaking down has been documented by some people already. i contacted the shop already and they are going to inspect them and im thinking of asking for a credit to some different skates. i was looking at the rbk9 and wanted to get some comparisines on them. first off im presently wearing an 8D in the xxxs, however even after they were baked i need the shop to punch them out at the forefoot of both feet. was wondering what size i should get in the rbk9s. also what kind of durability do the rbk skates have....both the skates and the pump itself? also whats the feel like compared to the xxx's....i appreciate any useful input.....tia

[Plymkr 0]

I'm no expert by any means but I noticed I ran a half of a size bigger in the 9K's in comparison to bauer. The width in the 9k's is a more than the XXX's, I was able to fit into both the XXX's and 9K's however I felt more comfortable in the 9k. Both are very good skates. I was talking about the 9k's with the guy at the LHS, said that the 9k's are still very new so not too many people know how the durability is on them. Can't comment on the pump as I've only tried them on but I'd imagine they are very comfortable. I know this has been repeated many times, but the best thing to do is go down and try them on for a good 20-30 min and see how they feel.

[bleedblue94 0]

I'm no expert by any means but I noticed I ran a half of a size bigger in the 9K's in comparison to bauer. The width in the 9k's is a more than the XXX's, I was able to fit into both the XXX's and 9K's however I felt more comfortable in the 9k. Both are very good skates. I was talking about the 9k's with the guy at the LHS, said that the 9k's are still very new so not too many people know how the durability is on them. Can't comment on the pump as I've only tried them on but I'd imagine they are very comfortable. I know this has been repeated many times, but the best thing to do is go down and try them on for a good 20-30 min and see how they feel.

thanks im just trying to ensure that the comparison is to vapors and not another bauer skate bc i know they all fit differently....unfortunately the lhs does not have them in stock so im sol and im going to have to decide this without trying them..... other thing is i have read reviews by people saying the rbk9 are for wider feet and then some that say they are for narrower feet.....i have a fairly narrow heel and a some what wide forefoot...just trying to get opinions...thanks guys

[Megamandan 0]

I'm getting both pairs in the mail today both in my size Bauer 10.5 D, RBK 10D. I think I'm going with the XXX's and selling the 9K's but we'll see and I'll comment back on both skates Feel/comfort later tonight.

[bleedblue94 0]

I'm getting both pairs in the mail today both in my size Bauer 10.5 D, RBK 10D. I think I'm going with the XXX's and selling the 9K's but we'll see and I'll comment back on both skates Feel/comfort later tonight.

thanks allot.....i love the vapor xxx's its just i cant afford to keep going through the pain of replacing them every 3 months, so if i can find something with a simalar feel thatd be great and also if something fit in such a way i didnt need to get the forefoot punched opn the skates

[bleedblue94 0]

up

[Fredrik 0]

I'm getting both pairs in the mail today both in my size Bauer 10.5 D, RBK 10D. I think I'm going with the XXX's and selling the 9K's but we'll see and I'll comment back on both skates Feel/comfort later tonight.

P.M. me a price if you're planning to sell the RBK:s...

[Jiveturtle 0]

Ive owned the 9ks for a few months now and I love them. They are very stiff in the boot and the boot has alot of volume (high and wide). I skate maybe 20 hours a week with reffing and my own games and I havent had any problems with them thus far. The fit with the pump is phenomenal there isnt any empty space below the ankle and it really helps transferring energy from your stride into the ice. Another thing to consider is they use a more aggressive pitch than Bauer. Bauer skates tend to force you onto your heels while the RBK skates force you more onto your middlefoot area.

[Megamandan 0]

I love the fit of the XXX's. They are great but my right foot touches the end. I don't know why but the right big toe feathers the toe cap and it annoys me. My left foot fits like a glove. The length width and feel of the boot is phenominal. The 9K's are REALLY comfy. They have nice foams throughout the whole skate. The fit deep and wider, but they didn't feel right for me. I didn't try the pump just cause I had my heart set on the XXX's anyways. I'll try them out tonight. PS Is there any way to stretch the skate out just a tad? I'm talking 1/2" or less.