Top of the line skates

[mew1838 0]

I am just wondering if top-of-the-line skates are really a necessity. I'm skating in vector 10.0s and couldn't ask for a better pair. Are skates like vector 8.0, rbk 7k, bauer XIX, supreme 70, synergy 1200c, mission 95AGs/XPs better bang for the buck? How many of you guys can live without top of the line skates? (I don't think I can)

[hergs 7]

the lower model skates are just made with different materials

lower grade, not the lightest

one of the mods could help you out

[mew1838 0]

the lower model skates are just made with different materials

lower grade, not the lightest

one of the mods could help you out

Yes I know that, just wondering if it will really screw your game up.

[sc37 0]

Really depends on your level of play.

[Chadd 916]

I think that going one model down is often the best value in a skate line and still more than enough skate for most people.

[hockechamp14 0]

I think that going one model down is often the best value in a skate line and still more than enough skate for most people.

What about the previous top model by the company? You can always seem to get them at a great valued price too.

[Jason 65]

I would have to say that with skates I think that going with the top end models is worth it. Skates are the most important piece of equipment for me, so I go with the top notch stuff. Mind you, if you find a skate that is a model or so down from the top and you absolutely love the way it fits and the stiffness and mobility are to your liking, it could be a much better bang for buck.

When so many pro's are wearing older model skates, you have to ask yourself - do I really need the newest, most expensive one's on the market?

[Hede 2]

I think that going one model down is often the best value in a skate line and still more than enough skate for most people.

What about the previous top model by the company? You can always seem to get them at a great valued price too.

I say that previous top models are the way to go. If you want a great skate at a valued price. I thinks it´s better then 2 ore 3 in a company line. At the start of this season i got a pair of Vector Pros and i like them better then the Vector 8.0.

[swede 52]

+1...

When i last bought skates i choosed between 05's Pro Tacks(E) and 03's 1152 Tacks(E).

The 1152's suited my feet perfect, so i went with them..

The retail price was 649$ (4999sek) I got them with 70% discount so i only paid like 194$ (1500sek)

[DarkStar50 680]

Vector Pros are better made skates than Vector 8.0 so it makes sense that you like them better. I think there are built in advantages to pro model skates in materials, stiffness, and weight that make it worth the extra bucks to own and use, if you can afford them, and they fit right. Buying Vector 10.0s, Easton 1500s, or Supreme ONE90s and then saying the skates are not any good just because they do not fit your foot and you bought them anyway is not a fair way to judge a skate. Buy what fits and what you can afford. Like I said in another thread, there is a ton of value in the $200 price point skate now as compared to the $200 skate of 5 years ago.

[topshelf11 0]

I got new skates last year. I wanted the VaporXX, but had trouble finding my size, so I went with the XIX, and love them. I am sure the XXX is a nicer skate, but since I saved over 150 bucks, I figure I got a sweet deal.

90% of the performance for 60% of the price.

[KBO25 0]

When I got new skates this year, I really wanted to get Mission S500's. I found the skate for a great price at a couple of LHS. But, when trying them on I couldn't find my size. So, i went w/S400's and don't reget the desicion one bit. Awesome price. In fact, with the money I saved I bought another M-1.

I ussually just wait and get the previous top model equipment, but this time I got the previous 2nd tier model, so the savings were even better.

[mew1838 0]

I agree with Jason about the skates being the most important piece of equipment. (you can actually form an emotional bond with your skates :P) but I've also heard of people going down a level from the top and still couldn't be happier, just makes me wonder.

[Chadd 916]

When I got new skates this year, I really wanted to get Mission S500's. I found the skate for a great price at a couple of LHS. But, when trying them on I couldn't find my size. So, i went w/S400's and don't reget the desicion one bit. Awesome price. In fact, with the money I saved I bought another M-1.

I ussually just wait and get the previous top model equipment, but this time I got the previous 2nd tier model, so the savings were even better.

As much as I loved my S500s, I never stocked them. The value of the 400 was so good that most people in my area didn't want to spend the extra money for the 500. The fit was the same so I would just call up and order 500s any time I needed a pair.

[KBO25 0]

The thing is, I pobably WOULD have just went ahead and bought the 500's if the size was right. But, since it wasn't, I went w/the 400's.

This allowed me to spend some more money on sticks and gloves this year (disposable income is a little tighter w/baby on the way). Not that the difference between the two was so great, but, I was saving money anyway by going with the older model skate.

[dangle7 0]

it all depends on brand. for most companies, their top of the line skate is the most stiff, and the lightest. this is not always the case. some companies, namely graf, produce a wide range of "top of the line" skates, with emphasis on fit and skating style. there are two ways of looking at the question

1). buy the best you can because it's worth it.

and

2). but the skate that fits/ feels the best on your foot.

if these two situations happen to mesh on the same skate, then perfect. but if not, then who cares. a stiffer lighter skate will undoubtedly help a weak skater improve technique, but may be too intense depending on their level. you wouldnt want to put a tyke into a brand new pair of vapour XXX's. thats just silly imo

[KYHockey3 0]

but may be too intense depending on their level. you wouldnt want to put a tyke into a brand new pair of vapour XXX's. thats just silly imo

i agree.

at that age they dont necessarily need top of the line stuff.

i saw a kid in one90's in a squirt game who could barely skate!!!

[chk hrd 164]

"if these two situations happen to mesh on the same skate, then perfect. but if not, then who cares. a stiffer lighter skate will undoubtedly help a weak skater improve technique, but may be too intense depending on their level. you wouldnt want to put a tyke into a brand new pair of vapour XXX's. thats just silly imo"

a stiffer skate will hurt a weak skater more than help them. They do not get the propper leg extention, knee bend or other movements because the boot limits them by being to stiff. The muscle memory and mechanics get all thrown out of wack.

[KBO25 0]

"if these two situations happen to mesh on the same skate, then perfect. but if not, then who cares. a stiffer lighter skate will undoubtedly help a weak skater improve technique, but may be too intense depending on their level. you wouldnt want to put a tyke into a brand new pair of vapour XXX's. thats just silly imo"

a stiffer skate will hurt a weak skater more than help them. They do not get the propper leg extention, knee bend or other movements because the boot limits them by being to stiff. The muscle memory and mechanics get all thrown out of wack.

I have a friend who started playing again this year after 10+ years away. He basically was like starting over again, learning to skate. He bought a pair of top o' the line Easton skates. His first shift(first shift!) in the new skates, he fell and broke his leg(down by his ankle). I am convinced that this was because he had too much skate for his ability.

[dangle7 0]

read the part where i say, a very inexperienced skater would not benefit from such a skate. untill a player's ankles have developed and their corresponding distal leg muscles have learned the correct motions, some movement in the skate is good. thanks for the catch though. sorta.

also... some top of the line skates may not be as good as others. if u are under the impression that the most expensive skate will last longer you are incorrect. similar to my comment on composite sticks. expensive skates break down just like less expensive ones. it is less noticeable due to the stiffness of the boot, but it stillhappens. a player expecting the same stiffness from say... their vapor XXX's will undoubtedly notice a decrease in stiffness after about one season, depending on use.

[chk hrd 164]

it all depends on brand. for most companies, their top of the line skate is the most stiff, and the lightest. this is not always the case. some companies, namely graf, produce a wide range of "top of the line" skates, with emphasis on fit and skating style. there are two ways of looking at the question

1). buy the best you can because it's worth it.

and

2). but the skate that fits/ feels the best on your foot.

if these two situations happen to mesh on the same skate, then perfect. but if not, then who cares. a stiffer lighter skate will undoubtedly help a weak skater improve technique, but may be too intense depending on their level. you wouldnt want to put a tyke into a brand new pair of vapour XXX's. thats just silly imo

"read the part where i say, a very inexperienced skater would not benefit from such a skate. untill a player's ankles have developed and their corresponding distal leg muscles have learned the correct motions, some movement in the skate is good. thanks for the catch though. sorta."

I don't see any of that part in the above post

[wonderenzo 0]

Vector Pros are better made skates than Vector 8.0 so it makes sense that you like them better. I think there are built in advantages to pro model skates in materials, stiffness, and weight that make it worth the extra bucks to own and use, if you can afford them, and they fit right. Buying Vector 10.0s, Easton 1500s, or Supreme ONE90s and then saying the skates are not any good just because they do not fit your foot and you bought them anyway is not a fair way to judge a skate. Buy what fits and what you can afford. Like I said in another thread, there is a ton of value in the $200 price point skate now as compared to the $200 skate of 5 years ago.

this guy has got it right. the cut and fit differences on the one90 vs the one70 are pretty significant. its what fits your foot the best.

[JTC 0]

but may be too intense depending on their level. you wouldnt want to put a tyke into a brand new pair of vapour XXX's. thats just silly imo

i agree.

at that age they dont necessarily need top of the line stuff.

i saw a kid in one90's in a squirt game who could barely skate!!!

[dangle7 0]

wurd...

stiffer lighter skate will undoubtedly help a weak skater improve technique, but may be too intense depending on their level. you wouldnt want to put a tyke into a brand new pair of vapour XXX's. thats just silly imo