How do you find the perfect skate if your LHS

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

OK, so I hear people talking about how good missions are, and that Eastons have a wider toebox and the likes.

Then you hear about how we should try to patronize our LHS, which I do as much as possible.

But there are literally 8-9 different types of skate at my LHS, they have Vector Pros, a couple of the new CCM line (892, 692) and a couple of older (1052, 652) to meet their lower end client needs, and the same with bauer, they have XXX, 8090, 5090 and then 1000, 3000 etc.

But they don't have Easton, Mission and Graf.

I don't mind buying online, if my LHS does not have a skate or item in stock, but how do I know what size.

Hockeygiant, or monkey, one of them, have the Mission S-300 for $119, which seems like a good deal to me, but I don't know what size to order.

I can't trust their online sizing guides since a few of the people here who work in stores say that the mission sizing is not the same as shoe size anymore.

I wear an 11.5 in CCM, and a 12 in nike roller, so what do I do to find my size in mission, in easton or the likes.

I sucks not being in a big hockey area, where the opportunities to try on skates to find what works best for you isn't even there.

Sorry, just ranting, but if anyone can give me an idea of how to measure my foot to size different brands, I would really appreciate it

[jon93 0]

bauer is a 1.5 size smaller then your show size

and mission is about a a half size smaller then your show size

thats all i know

[jjtt99 0]

Pancake,

Have you ever considered going on a hockey equipment shopping road trip? Depending on where you are you can pack the wife, girlfriend, dog, boyfriend (or all of the above) in a car, or hop on a plane to a hockey town where you could go to a shop that's better stocked than the ones in your area.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

  jjtt99 said:

Pancake,

Have you ever considered going on a hockey equipment shopping road trip? Depending on where you are you can pack the wife, girlfriend, dog, boyfriend (or all of the above) in a car, or hop on a plane to a hockey town where you could go to a shop that's better stocked than the ones in your area.

Read more  

I don't really need an equipment roadtrip thanks to my stupid impulses when I go to get my skates sharpened.

The last few times I went to get skates sharpened, I left with Gloves, sticks, helmet. Everythings a good deal when you have 15-20 minutes to kill waiting on the skates.

The only thing I would like is to try a different brand of skates, just to see if they fit me better or whatnot.

I am not going to shell out money on high end gear, because I am a low/mid end guy.

I was thinking Mission S-300, or the Easton 900ish type model, rather than the fuels or the 1500s.

[Dante2004 0]

You really only have two options...

- Take a road trip

- Take a chance

There is no good rule of thumb of how many sizes to go down on your skates. Some people say X brand goes down 1.5 sizes from your shoe, or whatever.

I wear a 13 shoe and a 10 CCM. I don't hear anyone saying that CCM sizes their skates off by 3 sizes from your shoe, I just like my skates to fit tight. So had I used the "rule", I would be in a pair of skates that don't fit right and I would probably be saying "My skates suck" when actually "my fit sucks".

You could try finding an old/used pair that you could pick up cheap? Just a thought...cheaper than a road trip.

OR, order what you want and return it if it doesn't fit. They may charge you a small restocking fee, but it is still cheaper than the two options I listed above.

[Cheesehead 0]

see if any friends or teammates have mission or eastons saktes, ask them about fir, see if you can try them on..

[chk hrd 164]

  Dante2004 said:

You really only have two options...

- Take a road trip

- Take a chance

Read more  

That about sums it up.

If you don't have a friend that would let you try them then you have to risk buying them on line. Then if you don't like what you get you get to pay the shipping cost plus a restocking fee just for the pleasure of trying them on...not even skating in them, because once you sharpen them you can't send them back.

My LHS doesn't stock RBK or CCM which is my preffered brand. When I bought my 9k's online I had to send the first pair back to get because I was not happy with the width. But it is the risk I have to take to get what I want.

[althoma1 575]

As most have mentioned your best bet will be to try them on. But, since that may not be possible, I'll try to give you some general guidance based on my experiences. If you're properly fitted in a recent 11.5 CCM with your toes brushing the end, the skates snug, but not painful ect. then I can give you some general thoughts based on my experiences trying on and owning different skates.

CCM D width tacks fit about the same length wise as the new Vectors, but they are wider skates so if your current skates are tacks and fit you snugly width wise you may want to look into an E width if you're considering the Vectors. RBK skates are supposed to fit similar to Vectors. So if you're an 11.5D in Tacks you might be 11.5E in RBK and Vector skates (of course you may also be able to squeeze into a D depending on the width of your foot).

For Bauer Vapor skates you'd likely need a 12EE since the Vapor line is much narrower than CCM Tacks and you generally need to go up a half size. I have no experience with the new Bauer One90 skates and that series, but according to the Nike Bauer website they should fit about a half size down from Vapor skates...which would mean you'd be about an 11.5 in that line.

I've found the current Mission skates fit about a size up from CCM skates or a half size up from Bauer Skates. The S500s I tried on were narrow so if you were looking at S300s you'd likely need 12.5EE in those.

Nike V-12 and Vforce skates have a narrow heel and wide forfoot, but fit about the same as CCM skates length wise. You could probably go with an 11.5 in those. I've heard the sizing for the Flexlite line is similar, but the toe box isn't quite as big.

KOR skates fit about a size up from CCMs although you may be able to squeeze into a 12 (as I think that's the largest size they make).

I've heard people wearing Bauers should go a half size up for Easton so you might need a 12.5 in those, but I've never used or tried Easton so I'd ask someone who has if you're thinking of ordering Easton skates.

I have no idea as far as Graf is concerned.

For reference I currently wear 8.5 KOR shift 1s, my dress shoe size is 10E and I wear 10.5 running shoes and size 10 US sandals. I have tried on many skates and I'd say the proper size for me in Mission is 8.5EE, in CCM 7.5D or E depending on the model, 7.5E in RBK, 8EE in Bauer Vapor, 7.5D in Nike (although I'm currently using a pair of 8D boots for roller that work well I could probably go down a half size), 7.5 in Bauer One90s...but I'm not sure about the width...I'd guess E, but that's just a guess.

Like others have said, trying the skates on is the best option and people have different fit preferences. If you're going to take a shot ordering the skates online I hope this gives you a general idea of sizing so you're more likely to get the right size the first time.

[jimmy 194]

When one talks about patronizing a LHS there are some things that should be considered, that the average Joe doesn't know. They blame the LHS for poor stock, but.... Some stores want to carry other brands but because of restrictive distribution policies, and mafia type "pressure" on the manufacturer from other competitors, your particular LHS may not be able to get the skates, even if they wanted to. I suggest you call or write Easton or Mission, etc and ask them why your LHS does not carry the product you are looking for. Tell them if you don't have access at your LHS to their product, that you'll just purchase another brand that they do carry. If enough people in your area do this, perhaps they'll "allow" your LHS to have an account with them.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Wow, I always thought it was because a lot of LHSs had limited budgets. Silly me. Damn, I hate it when I'm wrong.

[oggy_3 0]

i say call shops around and find the good deals and waste the gas money if its worth.

[tsanga 0]

  althoma1 said:

I've found the current Mission skates fit about a size up from CCM skates or a half size up from Bauer Skates. The S500s I tried on were narrow so if you were looking at S300s you'd likely need 12.5EE in those.

Read more  

I thought S300's were only available in E (or EE?) width but S500's are made in D and E.

[Chadd 916]

  tsanga said:

  althoma1 said:

I've found the current Mission skates fit about a size up from CCM skates or a half size up from Bauer Skates. The S500s I tried on were narrow so if you were looking at S300s you'd likely need 12.5EE in those.

Read more  

I thought S300's were only available in E (or EE?) width but S500's are made in D and E.

Read more  

S300 is E, 400 and 500 are D or EE

[mew1838 0]

  althoma1 said:

I've heard people wearing Bauers should go a half size up for Easton so you might need a 12.5 in those, but I've never used or tried Easton so I'd ask someone who has if you're thinking of ordering Easton skates.

Read more  

eastons are half a size up from ccm, not a full size.

[althoma1 575]

  Quote

Chadd Posted on Jul 7 2006, 09:34 PM

  QUOTE (tsanga @ Jul 7 2006, 10:25 PM)

QUOTE (althoma1 @ Jul 7 2006, 03:02 PM)

I've found the current Mission skates fit about a size up from CCM skates or a half size up from Bauer Skates. The S500s I tried on were narrow so if you were looking at S300s you'd likely need 12.5EE in those. 

I thought S300's were only available in E (or EE?) width but S500's are made in D and E. 

S300 is E, 400 and 500 are D or EE 

Read more  

I didn't know that as I only tried on the S500s...learned something new. All the more reason to try them on then if you're coming from CCMs as the E may not be wide enough for you if you completely fill out the CCMs...well you could take them to your LHS to get them punched out, but if you're buying online you'll of course have to pay for that whereas if you just buy them in a store they'll likely do that for free if necessary.

[tguidon 0]

I don't exactly go on a road trip, but I drive 45 minutes to this really nice 2 floor shop with it's own mini rink and 2 full scale rinks where I play travel across the street. Best pro sho I've been to in the greater Philadelphia area.

[Neo5370 132]

  jjtt99 said:

Pancake,

Have you ever considered going on a hockey equipment shopping road trip? Depending on where you are you can pack the wife, girlfriend, dog, boyfriend (or all of the above) in a car, or hop on a plane to a hockey town where you could go to a shop that's better stocked than the ones in your area.

Read more  

Buy a plane ticket to go buy hockey gear? Talk about a markup.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

  jimmy said:

When one talks about patronizing a LHS there are some things that should be considered, that the average Joe doesn't know. They blame the LHS for poor stock, but.... Some stores want to carry other brands but because of restrictive distribution policies, and mafia type "pressure" on the manufacturer from other competitors, your particular LHS may not be able to get the skates, even if they wanted to. I suggest you call or write Easton or Mission, etc and ask them why your LHS does not carry the product you are looking for. Tell them if you don't have access at your LHS to their product, that you'll just purchase another brand that they do carry. If enough people in your area do this, perhaps they'll "allow" your LHS to have an account with them.

Read more  

I'm not complaining about my LHS, as the guys there have always been helpful, and they most likely have bugetry and distribution policies like you mention that limit stock. I live in the DC area, not a hockey mecca.

It's just frustrating to have limited selections, so you can't really decide for sure the best skate for your foot when there are only 2 choices

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

  Neo5370 said:

  jjtt99 said:

Pancake,

Have you ever considered going on a hockey equipment shopping road trip?  Depending on where you are you can pack the wife, girlfriend, dog, boyfriend (or all of the above) in a car, or hop on a plane to a hockey town where you could go to a shop that's better stocked than the ones in your area.

Read more  

Buy a plane ticket to go buy hockey gear? Talk about a markup.

Read more  

Actually, my ticket to chicago was $263 return, and hawkquarters had XXX, Vector pro and Easton 1500 for $100 each, nhl player used.

Thats cheaper than the store

[jimmy 194]

  JR Boucicaut said:

Wow, I always thought it was because a lot of LHSs had limited budgets. Silly me. Damn, I hate it when I'm wrong.

Read more  

You don't give yourself much credit, you are right as well. ;) Budgets can and do limit what a store can carry. However, some companies, like Easton, have limited distribution in geographical areas, so even if a store had 50K+ to spend, if the company won't give them an account, their customers will suffer.

[hockeymom 2]

  jimmy said:

When one talks about patronizing  a LHS there are some things that should be considered, that the average Joe doesn't know.  They blame the LHS for poor stock, but.... Some stores want to carry other brands but because of restrictive distribution policies, and mafia type "pressure" on the manufacturer from other competitors, your particular LHS may not be able to get the skates, even if they wanted to.  I suggest you call or write Easton or Mission, etc and ask them why your LHS does not carry the product you are looking for. Tell them if you don't have access at your LHS to their product, that you'll just purchase another brand that they do carry.  If enough people in your area do this, perhaps they'll "allow" your LHS to have an account with them.

Read more  

The "restrictive distribution policies" and "mafia type pressure" you refer to in this post and the one above, is really no more than good business practices...Marketing 101 if you will.

Channel control is necessary to keep a healthy marketplace and all manufacturers include this in their marketing plans. A number of factors go into deciding a supply side plan... one of which IS the local area demand for product. At the risk of turning this into a marketing lecture, a few but certainly not all, of the other factors would include an assessment of various outlets (the LHS), the size of their market, their knowledge and reputation, ease of being a business partner and whether they pay their bills on time.

It would be irresponsible of a manufacturer to flood the market willy-nilly with their product and would result in a higher number of sell-offs at the end of the season in some regions and lost sales in other regions that enjoy a higher demand. While the cost of this is included in their business plan, as it is in the LHS's business plan, it needs to be a managed plan.

You are correct, making the need for a brand in an under-served area known to the manufacturer will help them to alter their distribution plan to meet the demand.

[jimmy 194]

  hockeymom said:

  jimmy said:

When one talks about patronizing  a LHS there are some things that should be considered, that the average Joe doesn't know.  They blame the LHS for poor stock, but.... Some stores want to carry other brands but because of restrictive distribution policies, and mafia type "pressure" on the manufacturer from other competitors, your particular LHS may not be able to get the skates, even if they wanted to.  I suggest you call or write Easton or Mission, etc and ask them why your LHS does not carry the product you are looking for. Tell them if you don't have access at your LHS to their product, that you'll just purchase another brand that they do carry.  If enough people in your area do this, perhaps they'll "allow" your LHS to have an account with them.

Read more  

The "restrictive distribution policies" and "mafia type pressure" you refer to in this post and the one above, is really no more than good business practices...Marketing 101 if you will.

Channel control is necessary to keep a healthy marketplace and all manufacturers include this in their marketing plans. A number of factors go into deciding a supply side plan... one of which IS the local area demand for product. At the risk of turning this into a marketing lecture, a few but certainly not all, of the other factors would include an assessment of various outlets (the LHS), the size of their market, their knowledge and reputation, ease of being a business partner and whether they pay their bills on time.

It would be irresponsible of a manufacturer to flood the market willy-nilly with their product and would result in a higher number of sell-offs at the end of the season in some regions and lost sales in other regions that enjoy a higher demand. While the cost of this is included in their business plan, as it is in the LHS's business plan, it needs to be a managed plan.

You are correct, making the need for a brand in an under-served area known to the manufacturer will help them to alter their distribution plan to meet the demand.

Read more  

I don't disagree with anything you say, but it's a lot more complex than Marketing 101, including anti-trust and squashing competion which is common in some industries. For example Store A is refused an account because they say they have enough "representation" in the geographical area. But low and behold, Store B ( that just opened in same geo area) gets an account. Of course that has nothing to do with the "coincidence" that Store B's owner is the son of the regional sales rep for that company. So much for channel control. Nevertheless, the point we are trying to make going back to the original poster's complaint, is that it's not always the LHS's fault they don't have the selection one want's, there are many other factors. When my customers complain to me about not carrying a product, I always tell them not to complain to me, but call the manufacturer and tell them that they want me to carry the item. In most cases they just say, nevermind, I'll just buy a model you do carry.

[hockeymom 2]

  jimmy said:

I don't disagree with anything you say, but it's a lot more complex than Marketing 101, including anti-trust and squashing competion which is common in some industries.

Read more  

Are you saying anti-trust and squashing competition is a common business practice in hockey?

[jimmy 194]

  hockeymom said:

  jimmy said:

I don't disagree with anything you say, but it's a lot more complex than Marketing 101, including anti-trust and squashing competion which is common in some industries.

Read more  

Are you saying anti-trust and squashing competition is a common business practice in hockey?

Read more  

Try opening a hockey store and see how "warmly" you are accepted.

[Chadd 916]

  jimmy said:

  hockeymom said:

  jimmy said:

I don't disagree with anything you say, but it's a lot more complex than Marketing 101, including anti-trust and squashing competion which is common in some industries.

Read more  

Are you saying anti-trust and squashing competition is a common business practice in hockey?

Read more  

Try opening a hockey store and see how "warmly" you are accepted.

Read more  

I encountered resistance when trying to open accounts for my old shop.