Skate selection help

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I've taken a close look at my skates (2000 model Mission Amp 3's, approx. w/ 200 uses..) and have determined that it's probably time to replace them. I'm a mid-to-good D level player, 6'0" tall and I usually range from 200 - 215 pounds depending on what kind of shape I'm in.

I don't really have anywhere to try on skates. The closest place is about 2 hours away, and it's just a rink pro-shop without that great of a selection. This pretty much locks me to buying off the web. I understand and accept that web-buying isn't ideal, and that I might have to pay return shipping on a pair or two. Of course, I'd like to get it right the first time - that's why I'm here...

When I was shopping for my current skates, I tried on 3-4 pair (Bauer, Nike, CCM and Missions) at a proshop. This was 6 years ago and I was a total novice, but I remember that CCM's (1152's I think) were my favorite. I ended up with Missions because they were close to the same fit, but came at a much better price.

Because of that experience and the fact that money is less of a concern this time, I'm leaning towards CCM as my first choice. I also like their lace lock feature. Would you guys say that current mid-to-upper end CCM's would feel about the same as the 1152's from about 5-6 years ago?

Other preferences/questions: Being that I'm still a bit of a beginner, I don't have the strongest of ankles so I like the idea of lots of support up high. I like the idea of fitting down into the skate rather than being on top of it (that's "depth" right?). I like the idea of extra cushiony sides rather than my feet just being up next to a thin leather shell.

Sorry for the noob-ish questions, but I've only tried on 5 or 6 pairs of skates in my life, have only skated in 1, and have nowhere to try out very many others..

[hockeymom 2]

Skates have changed so much in this timeframe... can you drive somewhere to try them on? Make a weekend out of it maybe... have some fun with it. Honestly, there's such a difference it really would be better for you to go try them on.

[D-Wo 0]

I could be wrong, but I think I remember reading that if you take pictures of your feet from several angles while you're standing and then send them to Graf they can suggest the right Graf skate for your foot shape.

Maybe someone can verify this?

[Hooah4 12]

There are several senior members of this board that may be able to help you just from photos. JR and oldtrainerguy are excellent.

[usahockey22 0]

Well, if you need size 10, I'm selling my 1152s... B)

You should check out www.grafcanada.com and just go to the closest shop some weekend to get properly sized. Maybe you've got friends or relatives in a big city where you'll be visiting for the holidays...just look up a local shop and stop by for an afternoon, it will do you much better than online guesswork.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

If you like a deep fitting boot, stay away from the CCM tacks. They are very shallow. I went from CCM Tacks to Bauer Supreme, and the difference in comfort is night and day.

Apart from that, I am pretty much a beginner as well, so won't offer anything else in terms of whats good and not, cause I just don't know myself yet

[DarkStar50 680]

The two most important pieces of hockey equipment are at the top and bottom of your body: your helmet and your skates. It would be difficult to buy the best fitting, most protective helmet without trying it on. The same idea holds for skates. The only way to get the right skate that fits your foot the best is to get to a LHS. Everything else would just be an expensive guess if the skates fit or not.

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I am taking a trip fairly close to one of the pro-shops later this week, but it's still an hour out of the way. I suppose I could swing by, but still - based on my previous visits to the place their selection and service leaves alot to be desired. From what I remember, all they have is sub-$100 low end stuff and the top of the line stuff around $400. In all they might have 6-8 pairs of skates to choose from..

Ok, so assuming I stop by that rink and try a few pairs out..

Are there significant differences in fit between different lines (i.e. Tacks & Vectors) from the same manufacturer?

Will different models within the same line fit the same? Lets say I try on a top of the line Bauer Vapor and like it. Would other Vapors a little lower on the product scale fit similarly?

[deadmanjolt 1]

Vectors are narrower in the forefoot than the Tacks, and I believe that Vectors are also wider in the heel. If you can, try out some RBK, which are part of the same family as CCM.

If you liked the Missions, the S-series are on closeout and they are fantastic skates. However, the sizing is not the same as your shoe as some places will tell you.

[Hockeydog 8]

I have the RBK 5K, and it is a deep fitting ( large volume/high instep) skate with the pump. I was in a Graf 704 which didn't work as it is a low profile ( low volume) skate. I do agree with all who say that you should plan a trip to a city where there are LHS's. Stick it out with your skates until then. I have bought a number of skates online, and was never happy with them. Went to my LHS and tried on skates and am now extremly happy with what I have.

What is it about your current skates that makes you think you need new ones? There is a wealth of knowledge here, maybe someone can help you get by with them until you can get to an area with LHS's.

[Hooah4 12]

I have the RBK 5K, and it is a deep fitting ( large volume/high instep) skate with the pump. I was in a Graf 704 which didn't work as it is a low profile ( low volume) skate. I do agree with all who say that you should plan a trip to a city where there are LHS's. Stick it out with your skates until then. I have bought a number of skates online, and was never happy with them. Went to my LHS and tried on skates and am now extremly happy with what I have.

What is it about your current skates that makes you think you need new ones? There is a wealth of knowledge here, maybe someone can help you get by with them until you can get to an area with LHS's.

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index...showtopic=26747

[Chadd 916]

Will different models within the same line fit the same? Lets say I try on a top of the line Bauer Vapor and like it. Would other Vapors a little lower on the product scale fit similarly?

Generally, yes they will fit the same.

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What exactly is "deep fitting"? My guess is that the footbed is more like a concave "U" that cradles your foot whereas a skate that isn't deep fitting has a flatter "_" footbed.. Is that correct? Whatever it's called, 'flatter' doesn't sound appealing to me..

I don't think that I have any special needs as far as my foot goes. No high or flat arches that I've ever needed to address. The only oddity that I can think of is that my toes naturally point a bit outwards rather than straight ahead, but I don't think that would affect which skates I buy..

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Will different models within the same line fit the same? Lets say I try on a top of the line Bauer Vapor and like it. Would other Vapors a little lower on the product scale fit similarly?

Generally, yes they will fit the same.

Ok, that's encouraging..

At least this way I can narrow my choices down to manufacturer & line (assuming they have my size or close to it in each of the brands...)

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One other quick question..

How would I know if I have a narrow/wide heel/forefoot or high/flat arches?

Is there a site out there where I can plug in various measurements of my foot and have it tell me where my bits & pieces fall?

[echi24 1]

some higher end running shoe shops also do foot assessments. from there you can find out the width, arch, and instep of your foot.

by the way, the depth you are referring to is often called an instep, and its not so much a U shaped footbed, but the boot itself is deeper, and your feet sit lower in the boot.

[Hockeydog 8]

I call deep fitting a high volume boot. Means there is more room if your foot is tall, or called a high instep. Graf 704's are an example of a low volume boot. If you have a high instep and are in a low volume boot you will be rather uncomfortable. Here is a link from Graf that describes foot types

http://www.grafcanada.com/science/every_foot.pdf

An easy way to tell what kind of arch you have is to wet your feet and step on a paper towel or a piece of blank paper. This link is from Roadrunner Sports, a running shoe site. They have pictures showing what each arch type looks like. Between these two site you should get a handle on what foot type(s) you are

http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/menssh...nsshoesrunning/

[Chadd 916]

One other quick question..

How would I know if I have a narrow/wide heel/forefoot or high/flat arches?

Is there a site out there where I can plug in various measurements of my foot and have it tell me where my bits & pieces fall?

Most people who believe they have "special" feet, really don't. It's amazing how many people who say they have "really wide feet" still fit into a D width skate.

[echi24 1]

from my experience selling running shoes, its the opposite. people are always shocked at the difference a wider width shoe makes, even if they are hesitant to admit they have wide feet in the first place.

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from my experience selling running shoes, its the opposite. people are always shocked at the difference a wider width shoe makes, even if they are hesitant to admit they have wide feet in the first place.

Can you point me to a way to recognize whether my feet are wide, narrow, or normal? Is the little sliding scale thingie at a shoe store sufficient to tell me? Again, I've never paid any attention to the width of my footwear before. But then again, I've never really purchased footwear where fit was quite so important as it is with skates..

[Chadd 916]

from my experience selling running shoes, its the opposite. people are always shocked at the difference a wider width shoe makes, even if they are hesitant to admit they have wide feet in the first place.

I love it when you drop them a half or full size simply by getting them into a wider skate. "But I'm a size 9, these can't fit."

[Hockeydog 8]

Just go to any shoe store and have them measure your foot with their Brannock device. It measures size and width. I think it also measure arch as well. Chadd is correct, I thought i'd need a wide in any skate, but a D width in my RBK 5K's did the trick. Remember, you still want a snug fit, just not a crippling fit.

[pmr149 0]

is the g5 good for a high instep and wide foot?

[Docter Pepper 0]

I could be wrong, but I think I remember reading that if you take pictures of your feet from several angles while you're standing and then send them to Graf they can suggest the right Graf skate for your foot shape.

Maybe someone can verify this?

I had the same problem before i moved to the states. When i bought my skates online from cyclone taylor about 5 years ago, i traced my feet and faxed it to them. The size they chose ended up fitting pretty well. I think my right foot is a bit wider than my left though, because the laces always pull together closer on my left foot.

[Fredrik 0]

Long Distance Fitting