intermediate skates over high end...

[Hockey84 0]

Hi All,

5'11 200LBS 45 YOA adult player,

two games a week and one clinic. About 5 to 6 hours a week on skates.

Over the years I had Vapors(to narrow hurt my feet)

Then 8090 Bauers (top of the line) had them for a year, a little wide heel, hurt the arch a little, and a tad wide for me.

Slipped on a pair of CCM Vector 6 a intermediate skate and they felt great.

The best fit I ever had, the heel locked in and the over all fit was perfect.

My skating has never been better, speed, quick turns, stopping etc

It should be the other way around right..., Top of the line Bauers should make me skate better, But it did not the Vector 6 has made me a much better skater, all my team mates noticed right away. My stride is longer and I can bend my knees more.

How does an lower level skate make me skate 10 times better than a high end one. Should I get the Vector 8 or 10 next.

[lawryde 0]

Every post I've ever read on this forum would tell me that fit has everything to do with how well a skate will perform for you, NOT how much it costs.

[Luckystrike 0]

yeah, I concur with lawryde. Its all in the fit and what feels right. sounds like you found the skate that fits you best.

[Kevin 5]

Your post answers your own question. It states that the Vapors were too narrow and the 8090s were too wide. Skates that don't fit will not yield optimal performance, whether high end or intermediate skates.

[ScottMan 0]

Right, if the top-of-the-line Vectors fit the same but were better quality you'd probably skate even better with them.

[chk hrd 164]

Right, if the top-of-the-line Vectors fit the same but were better quality you'd probably skate even better with them.

It's not so much the quality of the skate but how the skate fits your feet (the most important) and how it fits your skating style. The 8090 may have been to stiff for you so you were not getting enough ankle bend, the angle of the boot may put you on your toes/heels more to your liking, etc. I know alot of very good skaters who could wear any skate but choose a mid level skate because it suites them better.

[homerocks 0]

More expensive and "higher end" doesn't mean better skate. These simply mean you'll have less money in your bank account after you pay for them. There are a ton of posts on here where people are hung up on "lightest, stiffest, most expensive", which are really much less importance than other factors when finding a skate. There is a reason that a lot of professionals are still wearing skates that I can find on ebay for $50-$100. In fact, I just saw a pair of Bauer 3000's for $9. There are some cool new materials and technologies being put to use, but these don't necessarily mean "better skate". You probably found a skate that fit your foot wonderfully and the boot worked very well for you.

[duch 0]

I've found a middle of the line skate like the Vector 6 or 7 is usually a better fit for me as well. Not a year ago I was skating in the Easton 900 and decided to upgrade to the 1100 because it felt lighter and was a better looking higher end skate. To my amazement it was nowhere near as well performing and as good a feeling skate as my 900's which I had already sold to one of my buddies at hockey. Talk about feeling like a dork and left standing with egg on my face. This is something I never intend to repeat. If you have a pair of skates that fits well and performs well stick with them.

[hapamatt122 0]

agree totally, I've had higher end skates in the past (pro tacks and 8090s) but I'd take my XXV's over those skates anyday.. personal preference.

[Toonces 0]

agree totally, I've had higher end skates in the past (pro tacks and 8090s) but I'd take my XXV's over those skates anyday.. personal preference.

I've been seeing more and more guys that prefer the xxv's over xxxx's, and other "high end" skates.

[Buzz_LightBeer 974]

between vector 8 and vector 10, i would suggest Graf

[epstud74 24]

agree totally, I've had higher end skates in the past (pro tacks and 8090s) but I'd take my XXV's over those skates anyday.. personal preference.

I have a pair of 8090s but prefer to skate in my Flexlites because they're more comfortable and I get more ankle flexion like I did with my old pair of Graf 707s.

[jww83 0]

You have to remember that a lot of mid-to-upper level skates will basically be the previous years top of the line skate dressed differently, but incorporating most if not all of the technologies of what was once top of the line. Many of us who play are not as strong as the pros, therefore do not need quite as stiff of a boot, so in theory by going for a step below the top of line you will be getting an equal quality but more appropriate skate for you. In saying that, all the above posts are spot on, you can't go past fit when picking the best skate for you.

[Hockey84 0]

Thank you all so much

Proper fit is so important, I'm happy I found a skate that fits perfect.

also the right stiffness and protection should be factors as well.

Right now my skating skills are at the skates I have, I will (when the prices drop a bit) pick up a pair of Vector 8, The Vector 6 seems to be made very well. The 8 have a stiffer boot and have more protection, also I'm playing a min 3 times a week. Down the road the Vector 8 just might be where I should be. So far the Vector 6 is holding up nicely it's still gives great suport. I will keep you updated.