2008 CCM U+ lineup

[Scurvy 3]

I saw the U+ skates at my LHS today. I was extremely disappointed with them. The skate quarters are very soft, the stiffness around the ankles is comparable with a Supreme 30, and the graphics seemed to be screen printed on. It seems like CCM cut corners just to get the weight down. Compared with something like the One95, the difference in quality is astronomical.

[TBLfan 25]

From what I hear, the skate stiffens when it is baked.

[Gummer12 134]

Got my stick today...I LIKE IT A LOT... I'll do a little write up when I get some real ice time with it, but from just shooting with it in shoes, it's not as bad as I feared, it's Tons Better. Just have to adapt to the curve. More to come.

[bure401 0]

Rep came through today to show us the new line-up...I was not at all impressed with the skate although I will give it the benefit of the doubt, I get the feeling that after it's baked it becomes a whole different beast. Coming from Bauer obviously the pitch threw me off as much as anything else, but I have to agree it wasn't as impressive as I was anticipating. Seems like the type of skate where, the only way to tell if it's for you is to bake it, and thus have paid for it, which at the price I'd imagine it will go for is a lot to ask of the average consumer. Some guys on the team I'm sure will try it, but I won't be one of them. Also the Rocket Runner seems like a stretch.

[Sven 1]

I got a question regarding the fit of a Vector helmet.. i actually dont know my size. It sounds more stupid than it really is. I peeled the stickers off, so i dont know the size of my current Intake. I just know that the LARGE Bauer (not NBH!) 4000 was too big. Is there either a way to find out which size the Intake is? I just measured my head and its around 58cm. M is 55-59, L is 58-63. Any idea?

[Chadd 916]

I got a question regarding the fit of a Vector helmet.. i actually dont know my size. It sounds more stupid than it really is. I peeled the stickers off, so i dont know the size of my current Intake. I just know that the LARGE Bauer (not NBH!) 4000 was too big. Is there either a way to find out which size the Intake is? I just measured my head and its around 58cm. M is 55-59, L is 58-63. Any idea?

Intake should have an additional sticker on top of the head on the inside and should have a size stamped on the inside of the back plate. Of course, it also says "HC100" on the inside of the back plate too.

[Sven 1]

Intake should have an additional sticker on top of the head on the inside and should have a size stamped on the inside of the back plate. Of course, it also says "HC100" on the inside of the back plate too.

Alright, thanks. Im not at home, otherwise i'd have checked the helmet on my own first. If the Intake is (just a guess) a Large, which size would a CCM helmet be?

[TBLfan 25]

It depends.

I'm a large in the intake,

a large in RBKs,

cant fit in a large NBH,

can fit in a bauer L,

am a large in a 692

and a medium in vector.

[Bmplam 1]

I saw the U+ skates at my LHS today. I was extremely disappointed with them. The skate quarters are very soft, the stiffness around the ankles is comparable with a Supreme 30, and the graphics seemed to be screen printed on. It seems like CCM cut corners just to get the weight down. Compared with something like the One95, the difference in quality is astronomical.

Thought the same thing when I saw them. I could flex them easily at the quarters. Does anyone know positively that they stiffen up when baked, or is it heresay?

[TBLfan 25]

That's what reps are telling people.

[Sven 1]

I got a question regarding the fit of a Vector helmet.. i actually dont know my size. It sounds more stupid than it really is. I peeled the stickers off, so i dont know the size of my current Intake. I just know that the LARGE Bauer (not NBH!) 4000 was too big. Is there either a way to find out which size the Intake is? I just measured my head and its around 58cm. M is 55-59, L is 58-63. Any idea?

Intake should have an additional sticker on top of the head on the inside and should have a size stamped on the inside of the back plate. Of course, it also says "HC100" on the inside of the back plate too.

It says "M L" on the inside. Also, there is a "2" stamped on the center of the inside (into the foam).

What now?

[SuperMan3 1]

It's a large

[aarondevera 0]

I saw the U+ skates at my LHS today. I was extremely disappointed with them. The skate quarters are very soft, the stiffness around the ankles is comparable with a Supreme 30, and the graphics seemed to be screen printed on. It seems like CCM cut corners just to get the weight down. Compared with something like the One95, the difference in quality is astronomical.

Thought the same thing when I saw them. I could flex them easily at the quarters. Does anyone know positively that they stiffen up when baked, or is it heresay?

both my Pro Tacks and my Vector 10.0 SEs felt like garbage off the shelf. luckily, working in a pro shop has its perks, and i was able to try on both with a bake before purchasing. IMO, more than any other skate on the market, i think the CCM/RBK skates benefit most from the molding process. the skates certainly turned into something else...

i'm sure the U+ will be the same way, and like TBL has said, the reps in our area have been plugging the post-bake stiffness issue.

[Bmplam 1]

I saw the U+ skates at my LHS today. I was extremely disappointed with them. The skate quarters are very soft, the stiffness around the ankles is comparable with a Supreme 30, and the graphics seemed to be screen printed on. It seems like CCM cut corners just to get the weight down. Compared with something like the One95, the difference in quality is astronomical.

Thought the same thing when I saw them. I could flex them easily at the quarters. Does anyone know positively that they stiffen up when baked, or is it heresay?

both my Pro Tacks and my Vector 10.0 SEs felt like garbage off the shelf. luckily, working in a pro shop has its perks, and i was able to try on both with a bake before purchasing. IMO, more than any other skate on the market, i think the CCM/RBK skates benefit most from the molding process. the skates certainly turned into something else...

i'm sure the U+ will be the same way, and like TBL has said, the reps in our area have been plugging the post-bake stiffness issue.

Thats interesting. Theres no way players at a high level, not to mention NHL guys could play on such soft skates, so I do believe they must get stiff during the baking process. Thanks for the insight.

[Gummer12 134]

Okay, FWIW here's my take on the stick.

CCM U+ 85 LH Grip with Ovechkin curve.

Previous stick: NBH XXX Lite PM9, and Bauer XXX Lite Hossa Pro Stock Toe Curve. To date best sticks I've ever had.

First Impressions

Graphics. Looks something that Tron Man would come up with. But I do like the subtle sparkle in the background (might by my ADD talking :P)

Grip: Not overly grippy like the XXX Lite was off the shelf, but I do like it. Just the right amount.

Curve: Coming from a PM9 for most of my 'career' it's a tad different, just a little flare in the toe resulting in high shots. I just have to keep focused on that aspect to keep my shots from ripping off anyone's head. Nothing I can't handle.

Weight: Noticeably lighter than XXX Lite, and way more balanced. XXX Lite seemed blade heavy compared to U+.

Flex: According to the Flex chart the 85 is like a 95 Easton, which seemed to be accurate, but I would say felt more like a 90. I'll explain later.

The height was perfect, and didn't have to cut any excess off, so no loss of 'designed performance'.

Shaft: Here's where it gets interesting. Upon first picking up the stick, besides the lightness and balance, what I really noticed was that the shaft felt real skinny in my hands, almost like an intermediate. And when held up next to my XXX lite, it was a tad thinner from front to back, but top to bottom was right on. So that's where it feels more whippier than normal, but I got used to it pretty quickly in during the game. This must be where they reduced some weight, and I really did feel a ton better stick handling in traffic.

Blade: Nothing bad here, as stated, curve is different. but puck feel is fantastic. Really felt like the puck was Stuck to my stick all night, and I could do anything I wanted while stick handling. No bad vibrations, or dead feel. Just an overall good feeling stick.

Wristers felt really good, stayed true and felt like had a little extra snap to them. Slap shots, didn't really take enough to get an accurate reading off them, esp cuz I was new to the curve.

Hollow Point: The wear on the tape in that area was not as I feared in earlier posts. Tape held up and no bad feelings/vibrations at any time. Just gotta keep my anger in check and don't be banging the stick on the boards/glass.

Overall: I'd say it's a 9 out of 10. -.5, just on the curve alone. But that was all that was available, and it wasn't too drastic of a change. And another .5 on the shaft diameter issue. Nothing major, just minor personal issues. Overall fantastic stick, great feel, and great performance. Will be keeping this, and using again and again.

Do keep in mind, that these are all first impressions, and was only used for one game. Feel free to ask questions, and I'll do my best to answer. More to come.

[slacker76 3]

In reference to the U+ Skate debate. I acquired a pro pair. They were made for Max Talbot(Penguins). They don't say U+ on them. Instead they say Vector 12 on the box. They are pretty much what you see the pro's wearing, U+ graphics with blacked out heal and tendon guard. Also the toungues are from a pair of 2007 Vector 10s. When I got them they definately did not feel very stiff in the uppers when I squeezed them. After I baked them, they stiffened up a little bit but not as much as stiff as my last two pair of pro made skates. I have a player number at CCM and my last two pair of Tacks were made for me. Those boots are still extremely stiff after multi seasons of wear. So I was worried how the U's would be. After playing in them...my worries went away. Although the U+ doesn't feel that stiff when I'm squeezing the uppers, when they're on my feet they feel great...and its crazy how light they are. The only thing that took getting used to was how narrow the boot is compared to the Tack line. My only complaint I have is that the majority of the skate is only single stiched. I've already started to notice some stiches coming out around the tendon guard. Not sure how durable they're going to be. But for fit and feel, I can't complain.

[iceholes 0]

I love reading all the opinions...good for some smirks... Non ccm peeps hate the stuff.. ccm guys love it.. Amidst the 200+ posts you can find some real world constructive responses.

[Monty22 833]

In reference to the U+ Skate debate. I acquired a pro pair. They were made for Max Talbot(Penguins). They don't say U+ on them. Instead they say Vector 12 on the box. They are pretty much what you see the pro's wearing, U+ graphics with blacked out heal and tendon guard. Also the toungues are from a pair of 2007 Vector 10s. When I got them they definately did not feel very stiff in the uppers when I squeezed them. After I baked them, they stiffened up a little bit but not as much as stiff as my last two pair of pro made skates. I have a player number at CCM and my last two pair of Tacks were made for me. Those boots are still extremely stiff after multi seasons of wear. So I was worried how the U's would be. After playing in them...my worries went away. Although the U+ doesn't feel that stiff when I'm squeezing the uppers, when they're on my feet they feel great...and its crazy how light they are. The only thing that took getting used to was how narrow the boot is compared to the Tack line. My only complaint I have is that the majority of the skate is only single stiched. I've already started to notice some stiches coming out around the tendon guard. Not sure how durable they're going to be. But for fit and feel, I can't complain.

This may be due to the skate being custom made for Max Talbot, no?

[slacker76 3]

In reference to the U+ Skate debate. I acquired a pro pair. They were made for Max Talbot(Penguins). They don't say U+ on them. Instead they say Vector 12 on the box. They are pretty much what you see the pro's wearing, U+ graphics with blacked out heal and tendon guard. Also the toungues are from a pair of 2007 Vector 10s. When I got them they definately did not feel very stiff in the uppers when I squeezed them. After I baked them, they stiffened up a little bit but not as much as stiff as my last two pair of pro made skates. I have a player number at CCM and my last two pair of Tacks were made for me. Those boots are still extremely stiff after multi seasons of wear. So I was worried how the U's would be. After playing in them...my worries went away. Although the U+ doesn't feel that stiff when I'm squeezing the uppers, when they're on my feet they feel great...and its crazy how light they are. The only thing that took getting used to was how narrow the boot is compared to the Tack line. My only complaint I have is that the majority of the skate is only single stiched. I've already started to notice some stiches coming out around the tendon guard. Not sure how durable they're going to be. But for fit and feel, I can't complain.

This may be due to the skate being custom made for Max Talbot, no?

I have to look at the box or the pro order tags but I believe the listed width was D or D/A. Also I usually wear 7 1/2 boot, both feet. My U+ are 7 3/4. Not a big difference I know. I didn't really notice a difference in length either. Talking to other guys that went to the Vector line of skates last couple of years they all commented on noticing the boot fitting a little narrow. Especially when they were previously wearing Tacks. I really noticed it during the first week or so of wearing the skates. I don't notice it at all now. Either my feet got used to em, or the skates stretched a bit.

[Ovie17 0]

Im looking at Buying the CCM U+ but i hear a lot of the bad Durablitiy im a Defenseman.. Should i get or no?

[interpathway 9]

Try flipping a coin.

[Ovie17 0]

Heads was get it..and i got Heads...any one own a LHS and has the U+ in stock? lol

[Monty22 833]

Im looking at Buying the CCM U+ but i hear a lot of the bad Durablitiy im a Defenseman.. Should i get or no?

You may want to hold off for this year's revamped version. Supposedly the durability is supposed to be addressed with some changes.

[Ovie17 0]

Well my s17 just brokeand its the end of the eason without practice and i have tryouts Early April will the CL come out before the 10th maybe?

[Alan 0]

I just bought a pair of Vector 08's and they are the best skate I have ever owned hands down. Wow. I thought people were nuts when when they would talk about buying a skate and not having any break in pains. I can completely understand that now. These suckers required no break in whatsoever, had them baked and I was good to go!

They are light as heck and the rocket runner took some getting used to, but I love the rocket runner now. No pains in my feet the whole game and everything felt perfect. That has never happened in a skate before for the first time using it. Incredible.