Vapor XIX on closeout or wait for the XXV

[stickfixchaska 0]

Here's the story. First time shopping for skates in about 7 years. I was at the Hockey Giant Superstore (in Bloomington, MN) and tried on a few different pairs of skates(Vapors, Supremes, and RBK's). I'm looking to drop between $200-$400 on skates. Obviously cheaper is beter (for the wife), but I don't want to sacrafice performance or durability for a few $$$.

I am currently wearing 852's. The 852's never fit quite right and I didn't bother to do anything about it.

Here is what I've come up with...

Vapor XIX on sale for $250. I liked these and they fit nice (when I got the foot bed to settle down).

Supreme 70 for $400. Tried them on, liked them, but put pressure on the side of my foot(halfway between my pinky toe and my ankle).

My other option would be waiting for the new Vapor XXV. Will these fit like the Vapor XIX?

Also, does anyone know if Bauer will have a stick giveaway w/purchase? If I could get a free stick too, I may just wait for the new stuff in June.

Comments? Suggestions?

Thanks!

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

NBH won't give away a stick, they never have, and since they have the market share already, why bother?

XXV will be an updated XIX.

[DarkStar50 679]

The XXV will only be about $50 to $70 more than the XIX on sale. I would wait for the new skate for a just a few $$ more.

[mew1838 0]

If you want durability get CCM vector 6.0 for $199.

[epstud74 24]

Have you gone to Westwood Sports? They seem to have better knowledge of skates than the people at Hockey Giant and prices are comparable as well when it comes to their skates. Since you're in Chaska...Have you been to the LHS in Eden Prairie? Its in the strip mall next to Kowalskis.

Have you gone to Westwood Sports? They seem to have better knowledge of skates than the people at Hockey Giant and prices are comparable as well when it comes to their skates. Since you're in Chaska...Have you been to the LHS in Eden Prairie? Its in the strip mall next to Kowalskis.

Have you gone to Westwood Sports? They seem to have better knowledge of skates than the people at Hockey Giant and prices are comparable as well when it comes to their skates. Since you're in Chaska...Have you been to the LHS in Eden Prairie? Its in the strip mall next to Kowalskis. You can get a heck of a skate for $300 right now.

Have you gone to Westwood Sports? They seem to have better knowledge of skates than the people at Hockey Giant and prices are comparable as well when it comes to their skates. Since you're in Chaska...Have you been to the LHS in Eden Prairie? Its in the strip mall next to Kowalskis. You can get a heck of a skate for $300 right now. General Sports over in Edina has top end skates on clearance as well.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

If it goes blank, it's posted.

[stickfixchaska 0]

Have you gone to Westwood Sports? They seem to have better knowledge of skates than the people at Hockey Giant and prices are comparable as well when it comes to their skates. Since you're in Chaska...Have you been to the LHS in Eden Prairie? Its in the strip mall next to Kowalskis.

I went to the Westwood Sports in Bloomington and I waited for 30 minutes for someone to talk to me about skates. No one said "hello", "we'll be with you in a sec", nothing. The guys there were going Ga-ga over the Vapor XXXX's that some one dropped off for radius work, so I was ignored. I left their shop and drove the mile up the street to HG. I will probably give them a second shot, only because of their reputation.

My first stop was Gold Medal in Chan. Their wall was damn near empty. All they had were Supreme 30's in my size and some Eastons. Not really what I had in mind.

I'll stop into Sports World and see what they have.

[Jarick 5]

I bought my XIX at the Bloomington Hockey Giant for $250...most of the LHS' around here have them for $300.

The trick with Westwood, which is my favorite LHS, is to go there later in the day. For some reason, if you go in the late afternoon on weekends or about 7:30 or later during the week, there's no one there.

Anyways, I love my XIX's. No real reason to wait for the XXV that I'm aware of, should be a similar skate. You'll save some cash buying the XIX and it's a skate which should last most people a few seasons.

Just don't have Hockey Giant sharpen them. They'll offer you free sharpenings for life, but they can't sharpen a knife over there. I brought mine right over to Westwood and they did the cleanest, smoothest sharpening I've ever seen.

[topshelf11 0]

Satisfied XIX user here. They fit my foot perfectly, are light and stiff, and are holding up well. I got mine online last year for about $240, since the one chain store here that sells skates didn't have my size.

I say go with the XIX and don't look back (or forward to the XXV).

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

I bought my XIX at the Bloomington Hockey Giant for $250...most of the LHS' around here have them for $300.

The trick with Westwood, which is my favorite LHS, is to go there later in the day. For some reason, if you go in the late afternoon on weekends or about 7:30 or later during the week, there's no one there.

Anyways, I love my XIX's. No real reason to wait for the XXV that I'm aware of, should be a similar skate. You'll save some cash buying the XIX and it's a skate which should last most people a few seasons.

Just don't have Hockey Giant sharpen them. They'll offer you free sharpenings for life, but they can't sharpen a knife over there. I brought mine right over to Westwood and they did the cleanest, smoothest sharpening I've ever seen.

No offense, but one of my employees plays at Shattuck St. Mary's and says that Westwood just hack up her skates to no end. I sharpened her skates before she went, and when she came back 3 mos later the toe and heel had gone to shit. Every time she comes home I have to sharpen her skates and she tries to go as long as possible on them so that she doesn't have to take them there.

I just put in new steel and profiled it. Let's see how long this one lasts.

[Jarick 5]

No offense, but one of my employees plays at Shattuck St. Mary's and says that Westwood just hack up her skates to no end. I sharpened her skates before she went, and when she came back 3 mos later the toe and heel had gone to shit. Every time she comes home I have to sharpen her skates and she tries to go as long as possible on them so that she doesn't have to take them there.

I just put in new steel and profiled it. Let's see how long this one lasts.

I'm referring to the Burnsville one...I don't know if the Apple Valley store is any different. I've had about a dozen good sharpenings in Burnsville. I think they may have done a bad job on my buddy's skates once.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

It's the one in Bloomington.

[stickfixchaska 0]

Thanks for the responses!

I think I'll be skipping Westwood. With the service I received there and the fact that they didn't do a great job on skates from Shattuck (considering how much $$$ those teams drop there)...I'd rather go somewhere that appreciates my business. Plus, I have to drive past 3 other LHS's to get to them. To me, customer service is just as important as product knowledge.

So I guess the only question remaining is...Is there any valid reason to wait for the XXV's?

[forbs02 20]

No need to wait, they are going to be like the XIX with a cosmetic upgrade. If you snag a Hockeymoms or a Let's Play Hockey newspaper you can pull the 10% off coupon out of it for Hockeygiant and save a few more bucks.

[Jarick 5]

It's the one in Bloomington.

Do you mean the skate was sharpened really rough or do you mean they were cutting it wrong? I've had the old guy there do my skates as well as the kids. They're always super smooth. Had them do both 1/2" and 3/8". I don't have any problems but I don't know if they're doing something bad to my skates?

[SirJW 207]

I guy on my team just got a pair of XIX after skating on Vapor 8's for about seven years and loves them. After one skate on them and no pain or other problems except he wishes he got them sooner.

[Zamboni 6]

So I guess the only question remaining is...Is there any valid reason to wait for the XXV's?

The X1X's will be even cheaper when XXV's are available.....risky tho, your size may sell out before skates get as low as they'll be offered.

[Sticks of Fury 0]

When I look at the new pics of the XXV's, I can't see this transparent protective plastic that covers the stitching where it meets the toe box.

The XIX and XXX both have it. The XIV doesn't.

http://www.greatskate.com/webmodules/catCa...9&ManuID=74

[shifter 0]

If you want to be updated with the best equips then wait till XXV comes out. Or just go for the XIX; the XXV is probably just the cosmetic and the x rib with few minor changes. I would go for the XIX cause its better looking and it is cheaper.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Ok?