Skates for beginner

[jds 20]

I just started playing hockey this spring in my forties and have improved my skating a fair bit. I have come into a bit of extra cash and was hoping to buy some good skates that are fit to me. I was looking at the Vapor, Graf or Supremes (mid range $300-350 Can) but the guy at my LHS implied that these skates might be too stiff for someone who only plays 2 times per week and would never break in. Doesn't baking do that for you? I want to invest in a pair of skates that I can get several years out of that will hold up should I start playing more. Is LHS guy correct? Is stiffness only there to prevent the skates from losing support with lots of play or is it for support as well?

[forbs02 20]

I just started playing hockey this spring in my forties and have improved my skating a fair bit. I have come into a bit of extra cash and was hoping to buy some good skates that are fit to me. I was looking at the Vapor, Graf or Supremes (mid range $300-350 Can) but the guy at my LHS implied that these skates might be too stiff for someone who only plays 2 times per week and would never break in. Doesn't baking do that for you? I want to invest in a pair of skates that I can get several years out of that will hold up should I start playing more. Is LHS guy correct? Is stiffness only there to prevent the skates from losing support with lots of play or is it for support as well?

Mid-range skates are perfect for you. The baking will aid in the break in process and helps a lot. I can gurantee that I am smaller than you and I skate maybe once or twice a week and had no problems breaking in my top-end vapors. You might have a couple of hot spots but if the skate fits you correctly you will be able break them in with minimal effort.

Spending the little bit of extra cash on a mid-range will guarantee that you will have a good enough skate for when your technique improves and if you choose to start playing more often. I'd say go for it.

[Zamboni 6]

The skates can break in and still be too stiff for you as a beginner-maybe you misunderstood him?

Some great value in past seasons Vectors in LHS's around here-if they fit your foot a mid range model wouldn't be too stiff and should be more than edequate for you. Tons of info if you search this site, a good quality skate that fits properly will really help you enjoy hockey.

I'd go back to that LHS, the fitter mentioning (top end) skate being too stiff is a good sign-speaks volumes.

[sdcopp 1]

agreed that mid-range skates are the way to go. Top end skates might be too stiff, but mid to mid-high skates should take into account your height and weight and not your skating frequency. At this point in life you're not buying a little bit higher end skate for stiffness the way a teen or early twenty-something is, you're buying for skate longevity.

[Jarick 5]

How much do you weigh? I thought stiffer skates were supposed to help bigger guys.

I played for six months in beginner skates, they fell apart completely. Upgraded to the second-from-top skates (Vapor XIX) and they would have lasted for years if they were sized properly. Bought the newer model (Vapor XXV) and they have been working great.

Most of the second-from-top skates have most of the same features as the top end models (great holders and steel, stiff and durable outsole, quality materials), just not quite as stiff or light weight. With proper care, they should last a long time and possibly help your skating if your old boots were breaking down and moving on you.

[saba 0]

I bought the same Vapor XXV and has been holding up to my once a week skate. In the LHS I could not tell them apart although they are clearly 2 different animals. Lots of tech put into the XXV

[starskie 0]

I recently just started playing ice myself. I started off with some cheap skates just to get a feel for it and too see if i like playing ice. A month or so later I bought myself some one70's, and i must say its a great pair of skates to be on. It does feel stiff, especially compared to my old skates, but after skating on them for a couple sessions its something I got used to and liked! Also, I do not bake my skates and the break in process did not take that long, about 4 or 5 sessions skating on them, and they feel o so comfy. plus i got them from HG for 250.

[Jarick 5]

I'll also add that I'm only 165 pounds and only been playing a couple years, but the stiffer skates feels great. But it's critical if you are getting higher end skates to get ones that fit properly and have them baked properly. Otherwise they could cause blisters and cramps.

[jds 20]

I was looking at the Vapor XXV or XXII or the Graf 301. I tried the Graf on and they felt comfortable. I never got to the Vapors because of the stiffness issue mentioned by the LHS guy. I currently have the Easton S15's that I got for $30 at an AHL equip sale and they feel good but they are obviously moulded to some nineteen-year-old pro's foot and I don't want to bake them again. I weigh about 180 and am 6'2". I just want longevity and performance I can grow into.

[jds 20]

Sorry for the add on but what about the Nike Flexlite 12 skate for someone like me?

[Hockeyman11385 1]

I agree with going one step down from the top. They usually offer all of the good stuff from the top skate at a much more reasonable price. The new Supreme range from Bauer includes fully thermoformable uppers all the way down to the One35's. Baking is a great feature and allows much faster break in.

[Chadd 916]

I was looking at the Vapor XXV or XXII or the Graf 301. I tried the Graf on and they felt comfortable. I never got to the Vapors because of the stiffness issue mentioned by the LHS guy. I currently have the Easton S15's that I got for $30 at an AHL equip sale and they feel good but they are obviously moulded to some nineteen-year-old pro's foot and I don't want to bake them again. I weigh about 180 and am 6'2". I just want longevity and performance I can grow into.

Unless those S15s are falling apart, you might as well bake them for yourself and give them a shot. Those Vapor models would be just fine for the type/amount of hockey you're going to be playing. You're going to get much more life out of those vapors than you would with the Grafs.

I've never been a big believer in skates being too stiff for a fully grown adult. Especially when we're talking about mid-level skates and not the top of the line. I don't like stiff skates, but that's a preference issue and not a break in issue.

[mew1838 0]

My vector 10.0s are still crazy stiff after 2 years. the new V08 should be an awesome deal!

[tyson_two 0]

i find stiffer skates are more responsive, so you have better control. When you break in your skates you really just want it to fit your foot better (which baking will do) but you still want it to be stiff.

[iceangel 0]

you can get XXV or XXII.

[duch 0]

My stradegy has always to go at least one level but not more than two below a manufacturers top of the line skate, depending on the manufacturer and what they offer in features. That way you get a lot of the best features they have to offer and some others that really don't matter too much. Most manufactures give you reasonable stiffness hence durability in this range and you can save yourself a bit of cash. Not everyone can dish out five to seven hundred dollars now a days for those top end models.

[Dennis25 0]

Dont forget its also dependant on the shape of your foot as skates tend to fit slighty different depending on the manufacturer. For me - I would never buy anything else but Bauer's (I currently have Vapors) but would never consider buying CCM or RBK as they tend to be too wide for me. I had my Vapor's baked twice and they fit great.

http://www.epinions.com/content_3832651908

This has some nice information - happy buying.

[thegongshow13 0]

the XXVs are great skates, I reccomend them to people who come in wanting to buy vapor 40s who are complete beginners.

[jds 20]

Was looking to spend $350-$400 CAN and came across some NBH One90 for $500. Picked them up-they feel great. Baked them once but haven't skated on them yet. Feel a bit sheepish with these pro-level skates since I just started played hockey in a beginner adult league. At least I know that if my skating still sucks, I can't blame the skates. Hopefully, these will last for many years or at least until I turn pro and get free skates. Chelios is 46 so I figure at 43 I've still got time LOL

[duch 0]

It's always nice to be able to dream. Enjoy the new skates.

[jds 20]

Got the One90's. Baked once and then went for a skate in a game. Found the blades longer feeling even though the holders were the same size as my old skates. Also felt back on my feet. Had them profiled to an 11 foot radius with a bit of a forward lean. Second skate felt better. I noticed I had a hard time accelerating and gliding in these. Felt like my foot was wobbling around too much even though they are really stiff. Would a second bake help or should I just break them in with more skating and try to adjust?

[grymicast184rc 0]

the XXVs are great skates, I reccomend them to people who come in wanting to buy vapor 40s who are complete beginners.

I just got a pair of XXV for that exact reason :) Used the extra $200 for better gloves and stick.

[duch 0]

The Vapor XXV's are ominous skates. A few fewer features than the XXXX's but none that really matter. The price difference is substantial though. I'd recommend them to anyone who can't cough up the cash for the XXXX's. Don't kid yourself about these puppies, they're definitely pro level skates.

[Hockeyman11385 1]

I agree. I put my LHS owner on the spot when buying my XXV's and asked him what the difference was. All he could come up with is the liner and the tongue. That did it for me. Can't say that I did that with my newest pair of skates though (one95's).