Looking for advice on new skates

[shooter27 117]

Profile: 6'3" 225lb. playing wing and some D. Power player, long strides, play the game in mostly straight lines. Played NCAA D1 and am now 26, playing competitive men's league.

I'm looking for a new pair of skates (currently wearing Bauer 8000), I wear a size 9-3/4 in Bauer's, but given that I'm no longer in college its harder to get a custom size. I've heard good things about a number of skates, the One90, Easton's (both Synergy and Stealth), and Mission XP's. Anyone have any thoughts as to what I should look at and try on.

Also, if anyone knows a quality LHS in the Philadelphia, PA area, that would be greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks.

[quasi 0]

Could you describe your foot or take a few pictures and post them?

[shooter27 117]

My ankle is pretty standard, maybe a little towards the narrow side, midfoot is medium-wide, not terribly wide, but a little wider than standard. Arch is slightly low, but nothing major. Also, I like my skates to fit very closely.

What kind of angles would help if I post pics?

Thanks

[Hockeydog 8]

What did you like about the Bauer 8000's? What did you dis-like about them?

[shooter27 117]

For the most part I like the 8000's, I like the close fit, although I feel like they are cut a little bit low around the ankle. For a while I went back and forth between the 8000's and the original Vapor XX's and I felt like the 8000's allowed me to get a little more knee bend than the XX's.

Thanks.

[Hazard14 0]

i think i heard that the 70's fit like the 8000's or maybe it was the 8090's. eh, whatever.

try on the One90's and 70's in the LHS (i think 9.5 should be good) and if they fit thats a good choice.

[tsanga 0]

My ankle is pretty standard, maybe a little towards the narrow side, midfoot is medium-wide, not terribly wide, but a little wider than standard. Arch is slightly low, but nothing major. Also, I like my skates to fit very closely.

What kind of angles would help if I post pics?

Thanks

Here's what I did. Got a lot of help from the boys.

[shooter27 117]

Thanks for the tip. Were you standing or sitting when you took those pics?

[tsanga 0]

I was sitting. Hard to take pictures of your own feet while keeping balance and even weight distribution on the feet when you bend over with the camera.

[Remman 0]

For Philly you can try any of the area Flyers Skate Zones. They usually have a decent selection. Hockey Heaven by the Montgomeryville Mall has a good selection but they don't seem to re-stock anything, as they just wait until the new stuff comes out.

[Chadd 916]

Delval hockey and Iceline are the two I've heard have the best selections, along with the Pond in Delaware. I've made the trek to iceline a couple times for myself and with friends for skates.

This is a tough time of year to be looking for skates, but you might get lucky.

[Remman 0]

The Delval by me in Warwick doesn't have a huge selection, but the guy who runs it is very knowledgeable and does great sharpenings. I think the other Delval in Bristol has a much bigger selection. Never been to Iceline so I can't comment on it.