1 yr. Player Looking to Upgrade CCM 4.0 Skates

[isles 0]

Hello Everyone.

This is my first post. I was reading about skates on another forum and someone linked a thread to this forum and I have been hooked ever since. I have read threads like neck/throat guards (great awareness thread), skate reviews, hollows, stick reviews (currently using a Sherwood 5030 with a Coffey curve), etc. All the information I have read has been great. So, I wanted to share some of my information with you and get your advice on what my next step should be.

A mate of mine found a house league we could join last April and after years of following hockey and loving the sport(played roller a lot as teenagers), we finally decided to get off of our butts and play. Obviously, before the league started, I went to my LHS (Ocean Hockey in Brick, NJ) and walked through the store with one of the employees and got each piece of equipment. He did not try to sell me the most expensive equipment on the market and I appreciated that. Now, when it came to skates I had the same philosophy that most of you guys give to beginner players - 'Buy lower end skates first, make sure you are going to keep with it and then when you are ready, upgrade'. Well, I am completely hooked. I play between 2-4 times a week, in 2 house leagues and hit a bunch of open hockeys. With that being said, my skating, I think, is above par for someone with my experience. I can stop going to both sides without giving it thought and have pretty good speed for my level. I can cross over to my left well, but I think my biggest weakness would be crossing over to my right. It is just not as fluid. I need to work on it more

I am currently wearing CCM Vector 4.0's. When I first tried on the boot, I knew they were the ones for me in the lower skate price range. My foot felt much more comfortable in that boot than any other I tried on. But, now I feel like it may be time for an upgrade, not because the skates are doing me wrong but just because I skate a good amount and skates are the most important piece of equipment and if I can gain an advantage, I would like to upgrade.

Hopefully, you guys can answer a few questions I have and a few that came up after searching through some threads.

After reading my hockey story, do you guys agree that it is time to scrap the vectors for something better?

Some of the skates that I want to look at are: Bauer Vapor XXV, Nike Bauer Supreme/One??(Not sure what number, any suggestions?), CCM Vector 8.0 and maybe one of the GRAFs that around the same price range of the Vapors. Are there any other skates I should take a look at?

I have read a lot about stiffness of boots and how it would not be wise for a beginner to try a stiff boot b/c of the flex. Is this something I should worry about or can I go for a skate like Nike Bauer One90?

Am I going to gain speed/be a better skater because of this upgrade? Will it be like night and day compared to the 4.0's?

Thanks in advance.

[Hockey84 0]

You are not going to go any faster with a stiffer boot or a better made skate,

If fact if you can't flex them while skating your skating will go down hill fast. (extending your stride, crossovers etc)

Also comfort is a big factor when starting out, if the skate is not comfy it will be hard to learn on.

The CCM 4.0 is not a bad skate. The 6.0 skate maybe perfect for what your doing and playing.

The Vector 6's are well made and will give a better protection and support than the 4.0.

Spending more money is not always the answer, if the 4's fit you well keep them.

Also other factors in upgrading skates are size, weight, strength,

How much do you weigh?? how old are you etc

There are experts on this forum that will help you out

This will give you a head start.

[dangle 0]

Welcome to the forum! You stated in your post "My foot felt much more comfortable in that boot than any other I tried on." All different brands have a slightly different fit so your comment tends to make me think that you should stay with the Vector line of skates. And now is a good time to get them because they are on sale with the new CCM U+ lineup coming out.

You can upgrade to a Vector 6.0 or 8.0 with not too much of a hit in the wallet because they are on sale. It's definitely not just the skate though, be sure to work on your skating technique.

[Rustpot 1]

In my opinion, if the Vector fits and the other styles of boots didn't seem to be right, then you should most likely stick with Vector skates.

As far as needing a replacement- more expensive skates aren't changing any of the fundamentals, they're still a blade on a boot.

What a higher skate will give you is technology. Lighter, stiffer support, more flex, a better liner, etc.

If you're skating in the V4s and you're not torquing the footbed and they feel good and you're not loosing power in your stride to the softness of the boot, then you probably don't need an upgrade.

I'm currently in a pair of Vector 6.5 skates and when I'm skating I can feel the boot twisting and flexing under my weight and the strain of skating. It doesn't bother me, cause me to fall, or make me uneasy while skating so I don't feel a great need to upgrade.

The biggest thing you're going to notice is a lack of movement. Your current pair might fit like a slipper compared to a cast that the higher skates will feel like.

You'll definitely develop better ankle and foot control with a soft boot since you have more control over the mechanics of your skating. Locking your foot in place could either be beneficial or cumbersome to you and your development.

Best bet? Bring your skates to the shop. Lace up some Vector 8s and walk around, maybe lean a bit, try to get a feel for how the boot will support your foot and how it will react in stops/turns and whatnot. Then try on your skates and do the same thing. If you're more comfortable with the amount of flex you're getting then an upgrade isn't necessary.

[isles 0]

Also other factors in upgrading skates are size, weight, strength,

How much do you weigh?? how old are you etc

Im 31, 6' 180 lbs

You also said that the flex may be an issue. I am not sure b/c I feel comfortable w/ my stride etc. The only thing is that crossover to the left. Is that still enough for me to be discouraged from the other skates? Is the Vector 6.0 or 8.0 a stiff boot?

Welcome to the forum! You stated in your post "My foot felt much more comfortable in that boot than any other I tried on." All different brands have a slightly different fit so your comment tends to make me think that you should stay with the Vector line of skates. And now is a good time to get them because they are on sale with the new CCM U+ lineup coming out.

You can upgrade to a Vector 6.0 or 8.0 with not too much of a hit in the wallet because they are on sale. It's definitely not just the skate though, be sure to work on your skating technique.

I was thinking the same thing. Although, I do like the style of the Bauer Vapors and the Nike Supremes/One??. Money is not a huge issue as I am willing to make an investment for the long term.

[Hockey84 0]

if your current skates fit you well, stay with them

I promise you will have a very hard time mastering crossovers frontward and backwards with a stiff skate.

Stick with what you have now, some of my team mates have mid end skates and skate better then most players, (some are ex Div 1) .

You will learn faster with the skates you have now

[isles 0]

Best bet? Bring your skates to the shop. Lace up some Vector 8s and walk around, maybe lean a bit, try to get a feel for how the boot will support your foot and how it will react in stops/turns and whatnot. Then try on your skates and do the same thing. If you're more comfortable with the amount of flex you're getting then an upgrade isn't necessary.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I hate to say it but I never really thought of how much 'flexing' of the boot I am actually doing while skating. The reason being that I did not realize it was a huge factor for skates until I did some research recently. All I know is that I can skate pretty hard w/ good knee bend. I would think that would lead to the flexing of the boot but like you said I might be in for a rude awakening with a stiffer boot.

My biggest fear is that I try a skate on, love the feel and then skate with it, only to realize that I am not flexing the boot nearly as much as I need to. I wish I could give the skate a test run before buying.

[Hockey84 0]

we just saved you a lot of money

The CCM 6.0 with your size and weight will serve you well for a long time,

when your ready for them.

[isles 0]

if your current skates fit you well, stay with them

I promise you will have a very hard time mastering crossovers frontward and backwards with a stiff skate.

Stick with what you have now, some of my team mates have mid end skates and skate better then most players, (some are ex Div 1) .

You will learn faster with the skates you have now

LOL, it is almost disappointing to hear that as I was psyching myself up for new skates but I really have no complaints about the 4.0's and it does not seem like better skates are going to turn me into kovalchuk....

[phxaz10 0]

LOL, it is almost disappointing to hear that as I was psyching myself up for new skates but I really have no complaints about the 4.0's and it does not seem like better skates are going to turn me into kovalchuk....

A wise man once said 'if it ain't broke don't fix it!'

[isles 0]

LOL, it is almost disappointing to hear that as I was psyching myself up for new skates but I really have no complaints about the 4.0's and it does not seem like better skates are going to turn me into kovalchuk....

A wise man once said 'if it ain't broke don't fix it!'

Agreed. I was thinking the same thing after reading some of these posts.

Anyone have suggestions on when it may be time to get new skates? Another year of skating 3x week? Probably a tough question to answer since everyone develops differently...

[phxaz10 0]

At least a couple of seasons. It just depends on how hard you are on them. It ultimately depends on how long the boot provides the necessary support and protection you need. The rest of the skate can be replaced or fixed.

[scharf123 0]

Here is some vector skates nice and cheap IMO, $130 for 6.0 (BTW $100 for the last year edition 6.0) and $230 for 8.0: I would go with either one, both a really nice skates IMO.

Link:

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/ccm-vector-ice-skates-sr.html

[isles 0]

Here is some vector skates nice and cheap IMO, $130 for 6.0 (BTW $100 for the last year edition 6.0) and $230 for 8.0: I would go with either one, both a really nice skates IMO.

Link:

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/ccm-vector-ice-skates-sr.html

I spent 130 plus tax on my 4.0's last April. Thanks for the site.

[JCYC5 0]

Another advocate of sticking with your current skates, or not going much higher end...

I'm a user of Easton Z-Air Comp SEs that I got about 3-4 years ago. They were often seen as Easton's "mistake" in terms of making a skate too stiff. But they're absolute tanks and I can see another 3 years before they're worn out.

I decided to "upgrade" my skates and bought a pair of Easton S15s. I can't skate in them at all. And it wasn't that I needed a break-in period, I just couldn't do the most basic of strides anymore. Sold then, got back to my Z-airs and I now have no temptation of buying new skates :D

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

Agreed. I was thinking the same thing after reading some of these posts.

Anyone have suggestions on when it may be time to get new skates? Another year of skating 3x week? Probably a tough question to answer since everyone develops differently...

You usually know when it's time... you notice a decrease in performance... they dont feel the way you'd like them to...

[isles 0]

Another advocate of sticking with your current skates, or not going much higher end...

I'm a user of Easton Z-Air Comp SEs that I got about 3-4 years ago. They were often seen as Easton's "mistake" in terms of making a skate too stiff. But they're absolute tanks and I can see another 3 years before they're worn out.

I decided to "upgrade" my skates and bought a pair of Easton S15s. I can't skate in them at all. And it wasn't that I needed a break-in period, I just couldn't do the most basic of strides anymore. Sold then, got back to my Z-airs and I now have no temptation of buying new skates :D

Yeah, that is my big fear - spend good money on skates and Im worse for it. The vector's have been fine. A couple of guys have gotten new skates recently and have raved so I guess I got into the whole new skate idea.

[sitzlejd 0]

If the 4.0s are working don't change it. Honestly, when they stop working why not just get more 4.0s? At the most I'd say maybe jump to the 6.0 but buying something like a top-of-the-line Graf or NBH will do more harm than good. With the infrequency us beer leaguers use our skates we don't need tanks that will stand up to daily practices and games. Just my two cents.

[number21 3]

I think the draw for equipment is bigger when you start playing later in life. This site might influence that too.

With in 2.5 years I have tried:

Bauer Impact 75s to learn on. They sucked and were too big I didn't know about the sizing difference.

To third-hand Vector Pros that were in great shape but way too big, i got them really cheap and made a bad snap decision. Sold em for what i paid for them.

To Easton Synergy 500s that were too soft for me. Sold on ebay.

To ebay Vector 6.5s that i still have but never liked that much.

To ebay Bauer 6000 that i like quite a bit and I am sticking with.

Like other guys are saying, if they are working stick with them until they wear out. You'll save money and some headaches. If you're really itching to upgrade, maybe just go up a model or two instead of top of the line stuff.