Skate Durability

[johnnysocko 0]

I have not been playing long (1.5 years) and I wear a pair of Bauer Vapor XI's. I skate three times a week and am not sure if its the skate or if its just me, but would a different skate react much differently.

More specifcally, is the Bauer XI a cheaper quality skate than any other? I feel like its really narrow and while I like my skate's tight, they do not seem to react consistenly to the ice day after day.

All things being equal, what do higher level skates provide? lightweight?

[gavin 0]

A higher level skate will (usually) also be stiffer.

[mew1838 0]

XI is a fairly good skate, higher lever will provide you with lightweight but depending on which high level youa re looking at. and also, if it is too tight, try a vector.

[dix0r 0]

i have no clue, but here's some random thoughts:

what days do you skate each week? ie, if you skate monday and they feel good, then tuesday and they feel bad, and then friday and they're ok again - maybe they get sweat-logged and feel less stiff than you'd like.

what time are you skating each day? i've heard that people's feet can be around 15% bigger at the end of the day...maybe they're too big in the morning when your feet are smaller?

and finally, maybe you simply aren't lacing them up the same every day? i know if i tie my skates too tight, i can't flex forward very much...if they're too loose, then i feel weird too, like i need more ankle support.

just an idea.

[johnnysocko 0]

I appreciate the feedback

Its Sunday - Tuesday - Thursday.

With various S&Ps in between.

You're probably right, I am not lacing them equally. If a toe is numb is that too tight?

I imagine it is, but I am afraid about them being too loose

[Fredrik 0]

If you're a "big guy" the Bauer Vapor XI's wont last half a season...

[repus 0]

I am an above average size and until I started using the Bauer 7Ks, I was going through a pair of skates in about 6 months.

-dave

[Fredrik 0]

Let me guess, hmm...Vapors?

[repus 0]

I have torn apart a pair of CCM 1052s and 1152s in about 6 months each. On the 7Ks, I end up having to put extra copper into them in order to prevent them from being ripped.

-dave

[Fredrik 0]

Sounds like you might benefit from going custom made XX-Pro stiff skates...

[epstud74 24]

Are there any skate shops near you? Or skate repair places? They can add stitching to your boot to strengthen your skate.

[kornsined 0]

realistically how long does an average pair of skates last?

[jrhky36 1]

realistically how long does an average pair of skates last?

i've had my bauer 5000s since '99. replced the steel 2x. i just don't want to retire them. the liner has a hole at the ankle. lost an eyelet. at the end of the eyelets the stiching has split. but other than those "problems" awsome skates.

[mrusse01 0]

realistically how long does an average pair of skates last?

i've had my bauer 5000s since '99. replced the steel 2x. i just don't want to retire them. the liner has a hole at the ankle. lost an eyelet. at the end of the eyelets the stiching has split. but other than those "problems" awsome skates.

I probably had my Bauer 5000's since 1999, maybe even a year or two earlier (If anyone knows when the 6000s came out I think I got my 5000s that year because I remember debating between them at the time). Went through 3 season of my local AA team probably playing 4-5 times a week and since then I've been playing probably 1-2 times a week in pickup and intramural. I'm 6'0 185 so I'm not a small guy, but the skates held up amazingly, all the eyelets are fine, however I did get the same small hole on the liner at the ankle.

I ended up replacing the skate when my blade(s) slowly became loose and my LHS said the bolts inside the holder were seized so he couldn't tighten them back up. I figured the skates owed me nothing so I splurged and got a pair of Vapor XXXs and have been happy with them since x-mas. I now have the 5000 boot on an inline chassis because it is just so comfortable, so I will see how that holds up this season in indoor.

My Dad has had his 7000's since probably a year or two after mine and they have held up awesome as well. All in all I would highly recommend the Supreme line for durability from my experiences.

[mew1838 0]

If you want a skate best value, it would be the bauer 5000, best skate made ever for what you pay, so durable you just can't wait to get rid of it.,

[jrhky36 1]

If you want a skate best value, it would be the bauer 5000, best skate made ever for what you pay, so durable you just can't wait to get rid of it.,

so what are you saying?

[mew1838 0]

I would say best skate made ever

[hockeysew 0]

:D My old skates were Bauer 3000 Supremes that came out of the pro shop in 96 (supposed to have been Bill Guerins from the 96 Olympic team)-The best skate I ever had-I got a lot of good use from them. I didnt skate for 3 years so I figure I got about 7 years @ 3 times a week out of them. Just replaced them with 7000 Supremes out of the pro shop-I like the new ones OK so far-I hope they will mold to my feet the way the old ones did though-I am a little lighter than you guys-155#-so I may be able to get a little more time out of them

[Irish6491 0]

:D My old skates were Bauer 3000 Supremes that came out of the pro shop in 96 (supposed to have been Bill Guerins from the 96 Olympic team)-The best skate I ever had-I got a lot of good use from them. I didnt skate for 3 years so I figure I got about 7 years @ 3 times a week out of them. Just replaced them with 7000 Supremes out of the pro shop-I like the new ones OK so far-I hope they will mold to my feet the way the old ones did though-I am a little lighter than you guys-155#-so I may be able to get a little more time out of them

Just picked up a pair of Pro Stock Bauer 7000's. My previous skates were 00 Bauer 5000 and they were the bes pair of skates Ive ever owned. Aside from putting coppers in the front on both skates, they held up pretty good. I work at a pro shop and I can't say there is one skate that I would consider buying right now and I am really disappointed in the direction NBH is taking with the supreme line. I know new technology and styles are all the rage but companies should at least consider the consumer young and old who prefers skates that arent paper light and gloves with traditional backrolls and coffs.

[HotBacon 0]

I'm still using Bauer Supreme 4000s that I got around 1994 or '95. I played a year of high school/travel team/in-house w/ practices and games for all three teams, and 5 years of college (2 practices/week and 1-3 games/weekend). I did take 5 years off after college though, so there's somewhere around 6 or 7 years of skating on them. They're still going strong and the only repair I've had to do was replace the steel and tuuks once...no popped eyelets, holes in the liners, etc.

I am thinking about upgrading to some of the new technology, but just don't want to give up the old faithful.

[sogaduch 0]

Just picked up a pair of Pro Stock Bauer 7000's. My previous skates were 00 Bauer 5000 and they were the bes pair of skates Ive ever owned. Aside from putting coppers in the front on both skates, they held up pretty good. I work at a pro shop and I can't say there is one skate that I would consider buying right now and I am really disappointed in the direction NBH is taking with the supreme line. I know new technology and styles are all the rage but companies should at least consider the consumer young and old who prefers skates that arent paper light and gloves with traditional backrolls and coffs.

thatd be all swell and dandy in a perfect world but kids are a much bigger market and NBH is like any business there looking to make money, and making a skate that lasted 5-15yrs wont make them money. a skate lasting 2-6yrs will provide more of a turnover for them. and if young kids want the old stuff they will just have to adapt to the newer stuff because thats the way there going, its harder for older people who used the old bauer skates like 4000,5000 but things change and you can either adapt to it or hang them up because kids are a bigger market

[duch 0]

First of all stay away from Vapors. No durability, they just don't last. You could however go with the Bauer Supreme line or 8090 or 5090's. You could also consider the following brands.

Easton 700 to 1500's

Reebok 7K, 8K, CCM 992, Pro Tack

Kor Shift 1 or 2

Graf 700 or G series

Not necessarily in that order.

[StinkyDuffman 0]

How much would you say body size influences the life of a skate? I just started playing again 6 months ago after 10 years off. My new skates (CCM 852) still feel great but would be interested in hearing how much life some bigger guys get out of their skates. I currently play 1-2 games along with another one or two hours of open skating each week. I am 6'5" and weigh 220.

[mew1838 0]

First of all stay away from Vapors. No durability, they just don't last. You could however go with the Bauer Supreme line or 8090 or 5090's. You could also consider the following brands.

Easton 700 to 1500's

Reebok 7K, 8K, CCM 992, Pro Tack

Kor Shift 1 or 2

Graf 700 or G series

Not necessarily in that order.

add MISSION to that list !! :)

[Awdcft 0]

my bauer vapor XX last 5months then blade brokes and boot too. then i got XXX and i spended 700euros for skates last year... so hopping now that XXX last longer :D