RBK 9K skates...

[dbeck 0]

I am just wondering how much better the RBK 9K skates are over skates like NBH XXV. I know that I am comparing top line skates with 2nd/3rd line skates but I am just wondering what is actually better with the RBK 9K skates. I would like to find this out since I am able to pick up a pair of 9K skates for very good deal and I am considering them. Also, does anyone know if there will be new 9K skates coming out this year (with that new spiderman-like pattern found in the new 4K)? I have also found a great deal for a pair of CCM Vector 10.0 and they are roughly the same price as the RBK9K, so I am also considering those as well.

So, in short, what are the pro/cons of the RBK 9K, CCM Vector 10.0 and NBH Vapor XXV (suppose that they all fit reasonably well). Thank you.

[D-MaN88 0]

There isn't really a "pro" since one will fit your foot and the other's most likely will not. The "con" will be though that if you do go with one just for the deal and it doesn't fit right, blisters, foot pain, etc will be your "con". If you have to spend a little more for the skate that fits your foot correctly, that extra money is WELL worth it. That's the best advice anyone here can really give you. Simply try all of them on and whether its a deal or not, get the skate that fits your foot best.

[dbeck 0]

I am wearing the XXV right now. I think they are half a size big. Although I feel no pressure point even when I tie the skates tightly, my left feet would always go numb in the middle of the game. Like I won't be able to feel the area around my toe only on the left foot. I am not too sure why this is happening since the toe cap area is rather wide on the NBH skates. I am thinking of either getting a superfeet insole or if I can, sell my skates and grab the 9K's. Of course, I will definitely try them out fully before buying no matter how good the deal is. I am just curious to know whether there are anything that makes the 9K or Vector 10.0 superior to the XXV (not XXXX).

Thanks.

[leafs1967 2]

In the end it all coes down to personal preference and what skate fits your feet the best. This will be my 3rd season in them and won't be changing them any time soon. But they may not suit your foot. Best thing to do is go to your LHS and sppeak with one of their experts discuss what you're looking for and see how that goes.

[dbeck 0]

Which ones do you have right now? The 9K's? If so, are they heavy at all? Also, how's the holder/blade? I really hate the holder/blade on my CCM 952's...

[leafs1967 2]

Sorry bout that I'm in the 9k's. i don't fid them heavy at all. i find the blades and holders to be fine. I also always carry a spare set of ready sharpened steel with me in case i loose an edge or break a steel during a game. Really easy to change just a case of undoing 2 bolts. This after coming out of custom grafs that i had been using for 7 years. Not the same pair for that long a new pair each season

[dbeck 0]

Thanks leafs. What do you like about the 9K's? Are they as comfortable as the GRAF's?

[leafs1967 2]

My Grafs had extra padding in the ankles as well as a thicker tongue and i find the RBK'S just as comfortable as them. The pump feature works well and are lighter than the Graphs i was wearing. Overall I'm very happy with could be a little stiffer as i'm on the ice 5 times a week other than that they are a great skate

[sabre09923 0]

The vector 10 will likely fit you better than the RBK will, seeing as you're in vapors now. The heel is a tad bit wider on the Vector, but the RBK is overall a much wider and deeper boot.

[sds 0]

My Grafs had extra padding in the ankles as well as a thicker tongue and i find the RBK'S just as comfortable as them. The pump feature works well and are lighter than the Graphs i was wearing. Overall I'm very happy with could be a little stiffer as i'm on the ice 5 times a week other than that they are a great skate

would you be able to compare them to a Vector 6.0? Due to my ankles, I can't wear the much desired S11 because it is too tight in the heel. So, I'm thinking of going to the 9k's instead. This is to address some looseness in the heel, especially after having them on for awhile. Are they lighter than a 6.0?

[leafs1967 2]

My Grafs had extra padding in the ankles as well as a thicker tongue and i find the RBK'S just as comfortable as them. The pump feature works well and are lighter than the Graphs i was wearing. Overall I'm very happy with could be a little stiffer as i'm on the ice 5 times a week other than that they are a great skate

would you be able to compare them to a Vector 6.0? Due to my ankles, I can't wear the much desired S11 because it is too tight in the heel. So, I'm thinking of going to the 9k's instead. This is to address some looseness in the heel, especially after having them on for awhile. Are they lighter than a 6.0?

Sorry i can't hekp you on that one as i haven't seen the 6.o's. They would be a far superior skate than the 6.0's but without knowing much about them i can't comment on the 6.0's sorry

[dbeck 0]

The vector 10 will likely fit you better than the RBK will, seeing as you're in vapors now. The heel is a tad bit wider on the Vector, but the RBK is overall a much wider and deeper boot.

Wow, the RBK's are even wider than the Bauer's? Also, what does deeper mean? So if I want to try the RBK, would I try a half size smaller? RIght now with the XXV, my toes can't touch the toe cap.

[sabre09923 0]

"Deeper" means that the skate can hold a bigger foot, volume wise. Essentially, if you have thick toes/instep (your foot is bigger height-wise), a deep skate will suit you better. There is typically more height in the toebox.

Ideally, you want your toes to barely brush the toecap with any skate, if your feet are done growing. I can't tell what size you should try on as it's all personal preference.

What width are you in Vapors?

[shifter 0]

sorry for interupting this thread but, I have a question that somewhat relates to this thread. Are vapors a deep fitting boot? I want to know the boots that fits deep because myfoot is pretty big foot-wise.

Thank you.

[DamnLocust 0]

myfoot is pretty big foot-wise.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

RBK, nike V-line/flexlite, Bauer supreme xx90, graf xx9 are the notorious deep boots. They are also known to be wide boots.

the Vapors certainly aren't known to be deep, but aren't overly shallow or anything. To see if a boot's depth is enough of you, place a pencil across the third eyelet down (pretty much right at the ankle bend) and it should touch both sides of the boot (the tongue should not push the pencil away from the eyelets.)

[sds 0]

myfoot is pretty big foot-wise.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

RBK, nike V-line/flexlite, Bauer supreme xx90, graf xx9 are the notorious deep boots. They are also known to be wide boots.

the Vapors certainly aren't known to be deep, but aren't overly shallow or anything. To see if a boot's depth is enough of you, place a pencil across the third eyelet down (pretty much right at the ankle bend) and it should touch both sides of the boot (the tongue should not push the pencil away from the eyelets.)

to clarify, that pencil technique is from the 3rd eyelet from the ankle and not the 3rd eyelet from the toe - correct?

[DamnLocust 0]

as I understand it it's the 3rd from the top of the boot. I could be wrong- it certainly wouldn't be the first time.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

myfoot is pretty big foot-wise.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

RBK, nike V-line/flexlite, Bauer supreme xx90, graf xx9 are the notorious deep boots. They are also known to be wide boots.

the Vapors certainly aren't known to be deep, but aren't overly shallow or anything. To see if a boot's depth is enough of you, place a pencil across the third eyelet down (pretty much right at the ankle bend) and it should touch both sides of the boot (the tongue should not push the pencil away from the eyelets.)

to clarify, that pencil technique is from the 3rd eyelet from the ankle and not the 3rd eyelet from the toe - correct?

Yes, from the top.

[rtwng20 0]

don't know if this will help anybody here, but before i got my s-15's, I did the try all, since i was near a lhs that had alot of stock. I'm very pleased with my s-15's and have been in easton's since the original synergys. I am in an 8.5 r. when I tried the 9k's I fit and may I say almost switched to them, in a 7.5 r. the bauer xxxx's although i love the look of them just did not fit. my son swears by graf, but for myself I just find them too heavy.

[shifter 0]

thank you everyone.