Skate help

[lerxst 0]

So I got into playing hockey again after a 10 year layoff about 18 months ago. The last skates I had were the 10-90's. My feet always hurt like hell for a while after each skate. I wear a size 12 dress shoe and got 10 D. When I went to the LHS to buy new skates 18 months ago, they put me in a Vapor XX 10 EE and a Rbk 7k (pre pump) 9.5 D. As I have been reading these boards, those are not very similar skates for foot type. I went with the Vapors because they felt like the 10-90's and I wanted to come out of the gate not having to relearn to skate too much. I'm now feeling that A. I don't like the feeling of being on my heels, and B wondering if I should be in a CCM/Rbk boot instead. My foot is fairly wide at the balls of my feet, and I would say I have a narrow heel, but big boney ankles. I'm going to try a different LHS since I'm in the market for a new skate.

I have a couple of guys on my adult league team that have gone from Vapor to Vectors and am wondering if I should consider that. I'll go to the LHS and let them do their thing, but wanted to get prepared prior to the visit to see if this one is full of crap too...

Thanks,

Lerxst

[duch 0]

The comfort factor of skates has increased dramatically during the time you last played in both models of skates.If it's Nike/Bauer skates you prefer then, yes you will feel like your back on your heels due to the profile of the skate blade. You can have the LHS reprofile them to a neutral profile but that will cost you anywhere from $60 to $90 depending on the shop.

My personal opinion is you sound like your feet maybe meant for a RBK/CCM skate which again in my opinion is a more comfortable boot.The skate blades are also a neutral profile already so you will not have to get them redone. The choice is up to you. I would personally go for the skate that felt the best and most natural on my feet without pain. Either skate is a decent model but if the Nike/Bauers are more to your liking then go with them and reprofile the blade to what is acceptable for you.

[Monty22 834]

If you tried on several different brands/models of skates, and at the end you chose a pair of Vapors, and now you are having second thoughts- how is it the LHS's fault? You as the consumer have the final say as to what skate you walk out with. At some point you said either aloud or too yourself, "These feel the best, I'm going with these”. Skates are a very personal decision. Every skate and every foot is different. How is the guy fitting skates at any LHS supposed to know what feels good on your foot? Oh yeah, you tell him.

[DarkStar50 679]

If your foot is wide up front with narrow heels, then the Vector might not solve your problem either in an E width since now the heel will be wider! I tried on the new Vector 10.0 SE in a D width. I always wear a Bauer D but this skate was too narrow on the ball of my foot. The CCM van was at our shop with the Guts and Glory Camp. The rep said try an E width to get more room up front. I have a narrow heel also and said no thanks, then I'll get blisters in the back of my foot from the heel being sloppy. My long winded point is to work with the Vapors you have. They are a EE width. Have the boots baked again and blow out the front where its tight on the ball of your foot. Also, do not crank down tightly on the first 4, 5 lace eyelets to let your foot breathe where the pain is. The skate is stiff enough that you can keep those laces snug, not tight and still not sacrifice anything in support if you keep the ankle eyelets snugger to lock in your heel. Your blade profile problem can be easily solved with profiling. I am willing to bet your old skates had so much steel sharpened off that the rocking chair profile you were left with from 10 years ago is what you are now unfortunately used to. I would give the LHS another chance since they can probably solve your problem if you give them enough information to work with. Show them the profile of your old steel if you think it helps explain your problem with the blades. The boot problem is worth trying to fix, too.

[usahockey22 0]

Just go somewhere with a big selection, try on as many different models and sizes as you can...don't let the salesman tell you what you "need" or what will work for you. Feel it out yourself.

[lerxst 0]

Monty, my point was, if the CCM/RBK boots are so different than Bauer, then why would you put a client in them? Can they not identify a foot type and explain why it's better to be in either or?

I have also added Superfeet (Grey) to the Vapors, which make my arches feel great, got a little rubbing on the back of heel, but that subsided... lost volume i the boot though cause I've got high insteps too... I'll just try a bunch on and see what feels best... Thanks for the replies!

[forbs02 20]

Monty, my point was, if the CCM/RBK boots are so different than Bauer, then why would you put a client in them? Can they not identify a foot type and explain why it's better to be in either or?

I used to have people try on many different brands of skates regardless of their foot shape. I knew which ones to recommend, but by having a customer try on different kinds they can educate themselves towards fit. It also keeps them from coming back and complaining that they were put in the wrong skate "because my friend said bauer would fit me better and you put me in a RBK". This way they've tried it on before hand an know for a fact that the bauer skate was not the right fit for them. Part of sales is helping the customer make an informed decision.

This isn't to rag on you, its just to point out why they shop would have you try on different kinds of skates.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Monty, my point was, if the CCM/RBK boots are so different than Bauer, then why would you put a client in them? Can they not identify a foot type and explain why it's better to be in either or?

I used to have people try on many different brands of skates regardless of their foot shape. I knew which ones to recommend, but by having a customer try on different kinds they can educate themselves towards fit. It also keeps them from coming back and complaining that they were put in the wrong skate "because my friend said bauer would fit me better and you put me in a RBK". This way they've tried it on before hand an know for a fact that the bauer skate was not the right fit for them. Part of sales is helping the customer make an informed decision.

This isn't to rag on you, its just to point out why they shop would have you try on different kinds of skates.

Hit it right on the head - the customer can't make a decision if they don't have choices.

A good skate tech knows how all of the skates fit and can pretty much tell you right off the bat what skates will and will not work for the customer. However, customers come in with a preconceived notion on what skate they want to buy, whether it is brand loyalty, word of mouth or hype.

Now, let's say that the skate they want does not work for them. Putting them in that skate and explaining WHY it doesn't work shows the customer WHY they shouldn't consider that skate. I've made kids cry numerous times, and the parents thank me down the road.

Just go somewhere with a big selection, try on as many different models and sizes as you can...don't let the salesman tell you what you "need" or what will work for you. Feel it out yourself.

WRONG -

I can pretty much tell you without a shadow of a doubt that most, if not all people who come into my store have NO idea on how a skate is supposed to fit properly. Now keep in mind, not every shop has a qualified skate tech, but using that analogy is wrong in so many ways.

Then again, you're the assclown who bought your skates online, so I wouldn't put it past you.

[chippa13 1844]

My question for the original guy, if the 10-90's hurt your feet after a while then why go with the Vapors that felt the same?

[usahockey22 0]

WRONG -

I can pretty much tell you without a shadow of a doubt that most, if not all people who come into my store have NO idea on how a skate is supposed to fit properly. Now keep in mind, not every shop has a qualified skate tech, but using that analogy is wrong in so many ways.

Then again, you're the assclown who bought your skates online, so I wouldn't put it past you.

fuck off buddy...I've been skating over 16 years, and I'm the only one who knows what skate fits my foot the best. Not some jackass working at my LHS who makes 7 bucks an hour, who is only trying to make a sale. The reason I bought online is because the guy tried to sell me skates that absolutely didn't fit, and then he refused to order the size I needed.

If you're going to make personal attacks (guess that's perfectly fine for mods to do), at least base it on some factual information. In my experiences shopping at retail stores, and working at retail stores, the customer usually is MORE knowledgeable about the product they are purchasing than the employee.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

First off - not your buddy. So 16 yrs, huh? So, I guess you started at 10 years old for me to at least take you seriously?

Good for you. Perhaps you should open up your own store and save the lemmings in your area from being misfit.

That being said, I've forgotten more about skates than you ever knew, or will know.

[chippa13 1844]

First off - not your buddy. So 16 yrs, huh? So, I guess you started at 10 years old for me to at least take you seriously?

Good for you. Perhaps you should open up your own store and save the lemmings in your area from being misfit.

That being said, I've forgotten more about skates than you ever knew, or will know.

Might I recommend a refresher course. That stuff you've forgotten could be important. :P

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

First off - not your buddy. So 16 yrs, huh? So, I guess you started at 10 years old for me to at least take you seriously?

Good for you. Perhaps you should open up your own store and save the lemmings in your area from being misfit.

That being said, I've forgotten more about skates than you ever knew, or will know.

Might I recommend a refresher course. That stuff you've forgotten could be important. :P

Hahaha NICE...

[usahockey22 0]

Maybe if I were making a living selling hockey sticks, I would actually feel sorry about the fact that you've "forgotten more about skates" than I will ever know...apparently, you think that I give a shit. This would make a difference to me, except that your skate knowledge will lose to my actual skating ability and speed, on the ice. Right, I forgot that people here all seem to think equipment makes the hockey player.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Ooh, a good skater. So you probably learned how to skate before you can walk. How was prom this year?

I can see why your LHS wouldn't order the skates for you - stores can refuse to do business with customers.

[Patrick67 1]

Equipment doesn't make the player... but the better it suits him the better it compliments him.

[usahockey22 0]

Ooh, a good skater. So you probably learned how to skate before you can walk. How was prom this year?

I can see why your LHS wouldn't order the skates for you - stores can refuse to do business with customers.

Right. At least I've got the skills to actually put a pair of skates to good use...You just sell them.

As far as my advice goes earlier in this thread, I stick to it, because I have never encountered one of these great skate fitting jobs that I keep reading about on here. Unless you're a beginning skater, you probably know a lot more than the store employee when it comes to what will work for your feet on the ice.

[kovalchuk71 212]

Its amazing how you come on here for help in the first place on skate sizing from "professional" fitters, then go back and say that people that work in shops dont know anything and only you know whats best. Why ask here then? The guys here work and own shops as well. You dont make sense.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Ooh, a good skater. So you probably learned how to skate before you can walk. How was prom this year?

I can see why your LHS wouldn't order the skates for you - stores can refuse to do business with customers.

Right. At least I've got the skills to actually put a pair of skates to good use...You just sell them.

You busted me. I don't test skates for companies, I don't skate at all.

Shut up. Seriously.