Skates and their weights

[wristshot19 0]

Weight is not the most important factor, but it does influence my decision quite a bit. A skate that can complete with the lighter skates (doens't have to be the lightest) but is comfortable at the same time is the skate for me.

I had Vapor XXs and the light weight didn't force me to keep them when their comfort level was 0.

[Scores 0]

If weight isn't such a big issue...why are Vector and Vapor the top two skates in the NHL and at retail today?

We are all close to the issue, but a hell of a lot of us are selling and playing these skates day in and day out...

Read the other thread on Easton Synergy Skates and the talk of the new XXX from Porn Hockey , I mean Bauer Hockey and you can clearly see that weight IS one of the top issues in skates today.

Maybe this poll is a tad bit one sided since it seems like Justin started the poll and his question was certainly indication that he doesn't think light is a big part of the skate equation...

My vote is make the lightest skate possible with the best fit possible.

Just my insight and my thoughts...

[Eazy_b97 1]

I think weight is something that is evident to everyone. If you say this skate is the lightest, you can do that and make it the lightest for all to see. You can't say this is the most comfortable, because not everyone will agree. Thus the companies improve on weight as they add onto all of the newer products as well. If people want the newest and best skates, they are for the most part light skates in addition to other new additions to the line.

[kosydar 0]

If weight isn't such a big issue...why are Vector and Vapor the top two skates in the NHL and at retail today?

We are all close to the issue, but a hell of a lot of us are selling and playing these skates day in and day out...

Read the other thread on Easton Synergy Skates and the talk of the new XXX from Porn Hockey , I mean Bauer Hockey and you can clearly see that weight IS one of the top issues in skates today.

Maybe this poll is a tad bit one sided since it seems like Justin started the poll and his question was certainly indication that he doesn't think light is a big part of the skate equation...

My vote is make the lightest skate possible with the best fit possible.

Just my insight and my thoughts...

Pros get custom sizing on their skates, so every skate that they get will fit their foot close to perfectly. Obviously durability isn't an issue with them because they can get as many pairs as they'd like. With durability and fit/comfort taken out of the question, what else does that leave? Weight. Why not go light if all the other variables are ultimately the same?

[NashvillePreds 1]

I'm going with fit...I recently changed from my Vapors to my Grafs because Vapors didn't fit well.

[mojo122 530]

Maybe this poll is a tad bit one sided since it seems like Justin started the poll and his question was certainly indication that he doesn't think light is a big part of the skate equation...

I'd rather think that it's for R & D purposes

[Edge 0]

Fit is # 1 in my book. There aren't many skates that fit my foot perfectly, Vapor XX's worked out best for me.

Weight does have an influence on my decision on buying skates though, it's not the most important though.

[anotherlin 0]

For skates, I look for:

1. Performance (most important)

2. Durability

3. Fit

4. Price/value

5. Weight (less important)

I guess that most of us rate weight as not very important because ice skates

are already light enough. The Purefly or S500 are 880g (don't remember exactly)

and Vapor XX are 800g (or a little less). I'm not a very big or strong guy but I

don't think I will be able to feel the 100g difference. Or maybe I will, but that won't make much difference in my skating. I guess you can save more weight on

your legs by switching to lighter shinpads.

I play mostly roller hockey, and as already said, weight is much an issue here.

However my VSI are light enough, but a bit lighter would be great :)

[Edge 0]

1. Fit/Comfort

2. Performance

3. Weight

4. Durability

5. Price

That's what i look for in a skate...there is no perfect skate though.

[Chadd 916]

What is performance and how do you quantify that by looking at or trying on a skate?

[Edge 0]

Support, Flexability, and protection, like someone else had said.

And I can judge the skate by feedback from others, and by trying out the skate on the ice.

[Eazy_b97 1]

What is performance and how do you quantify that by looking at or trying on a skate?

For me I tend to try and gain as much as I can from those who have tried the skates. See what they liked and disliked about it. I find a good forward flex improves the performance and makes me feel more agile. Although my Hi-Ho's fit poorly I feel they perform better than my 609's because they give me free range of motion, while still supporting me and I feel like I'm allowed to get a full stride. It could be all in my mind or I may be way off, but thats what I get when I think of the performance. I know you can't get a realistic read on performance from looking and trying on a skate.

[Scores 0]

Pros get custom sizing on their skates, so every skate that they get will fit their foot close to perfectly. Obviously durability isn't an issue with them because they can get as many pairs as they'd like. With durability and fit/comfort taken out of the question, what else does that leave? Weight. Why not go light if all the other variables are ultimately the same?

Even with custom skates for NHL players...they still have fit problems. Ask Forsberg about his year off to fix his feet...

If you look at a pro's feet, you'll see fit issues evident in the problems with their feet. Fit is not necessarily fixed by having a custom skate made...I think most people believe that this is the case...but it certainly isn't.

[kosydar 0]

True, but I'll take the fit of custom skates over stock skates any day. Plus being a Peter Forsberg, hes likely to get even more attention from skate companies to make his skate fit perfectly. Hes great advertisement, they want him to wear their skate.

[Chadd 916]

Look at a guy like Jagr he had so many lace bite problems over the years despite the fact he uses custom sktes.

[twistedwrister 0]

with a skate that fits perfectly a few ounces won't make a difference

[Cavs019 702]

Fit is definately the number 1 priority. Vapor xx's were the lightest when i had them, and i went through nothing but pain with those which negatively affected my skating. Also, having the lightest skates really doesnt matter because its also likely that you dont have the lightest shinguards and pants.