Best place to buy Equipment

[eric42434224 1]

Well, I am sure you have read many of my posts regarding skates. Mostly about my S15's and their problems, my issues of finding skates to fit my wide foot, and general lack of knowledge about equipment these days...after being out of hockey for 20 yrs. I want to thank all who responded for their knowledge and patience!!!

I have come to the conclusion that the LHS's in my area (South Florida) are either uneducated or untrained, or do not have enough stock or brands for me to try on myself. I get such drastically varying opinions of stuff it is enough to make my head explode.

Examples: the guy who sold me the S15s literally said that these new composite type of skates will last for a lifetime. One LHS says Grafs are tanks, the other says he wont even carry them as they are made with leather and are therefore inferior. Each LHS carries very few brands, even fewer models, and precious few actual sizes in the few models they do carry. All very frustrating.

I have learned so much more from the unbiased opinions here. However, I have no access to try many skates on, and that is the real kicker.

So.....

I will keep my s15's for the rest of the year, and then try to find a new skate. I go up north twice a year for two weeks to Boston, and then drive over to Albany, NY for a few days. Are there any VERY good LHS's in Boston, Albany, and any point in between, that have a great selection of as many skates as possible to try on and buy (as well as possible custom fitting)?

Thanks in advance!

[jimmy 194]

In Boston area, try Zwicker's in Bedford, they carry a lot and are good at fitting.

BTW, your dilemma is more par for course. It's very hard now-a-days for a LHS to stock every mode/brand skates. With new models coming out every year or 6 months, retailers are hesitant to stock so much because they get stuck with old worthless models at the end of every season. Manufacturers do not give them time to sell the stock and also allow onliners to lowball prices. That's why you are seeing less and less models stocked in stores.

[twister18 1]

Kemp's hockey is in Latham, ny just outside of albany, I always had good experiences there. Looks like they may only carry RBK and Bauer skates now though ?

[kovalchuk71 212]

Well, I am sure you have read many of my posts regarding skates. Mostly about my S15's and their problems, my issues of finding skates to fit my wide foot, and general lack of knowledge about equipment these days...after being out of hockey for 20 yrs. I want to thank all who responded for their knowledge and patience!!!

I have come to the conclusion that the LHS's in my area (South Florida) are either uneducated or untrained, or do not have enough stock or brands for me to try on myself. I get such drastically varying opinions of stuff it is enough to make my head explode.

Examples: the guy who sold me the S15s literally said that these new composite type of skates will last for a lifetime. One LHS says Grafs are tanks, the other says he wont even carry them as they are made with leather and are therefore inferior. Each LHS carries very few brands, even fewer models, and precious few actual sizes in the few models they do carry. All very frustrating.

I have learned so much more from the unbiased opinions here. However, I have no access to try many skates on, and that is the real kicker.

So.....

I will keep my s15's for the rest of the year, and then try to find a new skate. I go up north twice a year for two weeks to Boston, and then drive over to Albany, NY for a few days. Are there any VERY good LHS's in Boston, Albany, and any point in between, that have a great selection of as many skates as possible to try on and buy (as well as possible custom fitting)?

Thanks in advance!

Why dont you get JR to help you out with Customs? He lives in Casselbury.

[eric42434224 1]

Why dont you get JR to help you out with Customs? He lives in Casselbury.

Actually, JR has pm'ed me some info regarding customs. I am going to see if I can find a retail boot that fits me well first, and if my only choice is the Easton composites, I may see him in Orlando to get fitted. The cost may be prohibitive, so I will try to try on as many retail boots as possible before going custom.

Nike/Bauer: dont fit (bad spot where the toecap meets the boot)

CCM: U+ fits, but I am waiting to try the Vector08. Nice price, and good reviews.

Graf: Heard they will fit wide, but worried about mixed feelings regarding materials.

RBK: Im told they fit wide and are durable, but havent seen any to try on.

Easton: LOVE the way they fit, dissapointed in durability issues.

Sweet Jesus, I get more confused each day.

It seems I have a few options:

(1) Keep getting Eastons, and try to find deals each year (used, old stock, etc)

(2) Find another boot that fits my wide feet, that is affordable and durable (CCM Vector08, Graf 707, RBK?)

(3) Get custom skates.

With the Eastons, I will be dealing with a skate I know fits, but due to the poor durability, I will have to replace it every year. I will have to find deals on used s15's, or move down to the s7....by the way, does the s7 fit exactly the same as the s15?...i dont know cause nobody here stocks it!!!)

Not very excited about staying with Easton if the durability issues continue.

Trying to find another boot that fits has been a frustrating saga. I just cant justify spending $600 on a boot that no one knows will last a year or not. I can afford it, but I just have a problem with spending that much each year. The Vector 08's are at a great price of $279, and can do that every year.....I just hope they fit me. The Grafs are more....some at $400-$500, so I want them to last a couple years, and have heard opposing opinions on Grafs. Want to try RBKs, but cant find any to try.

You can see why it is frustrating.

Getting customs may work....or may not. I know that the fit will be perfect, but what skate do I get? I still dont know what boot to get custom, and dont know how to go about finding out! I can pay the $725 for custom ONE95, but I really, really need to be sure they will last a couple years. It seems that getting custom fitted for cheaper models doesnt make alot of sense fiscally. I LOVE the look of the ONE95, but at $725, I am hesitant.....that is alot of money to spend as a 2-3 night a week player (open, and adult league)

I long for the days of my youth. Much simpler. I just tried on the skate my parents could afford, and that was what I got!

[rmnyi 0]

Eric, my story is very similar to yours so I totally get what your saying. I have a high instep and after months or trying on skates, I eventually tried on a pair of Graf 709's and it was such a treat to find a skate that actually fit. If the 709's didn't fit, I probably would have considered custom. Bottom line is don't worry so much about what the boot is made of, just try to find a boot that fits you right and go from there.

[strosedefence34 179]

Kemp's hockey is in Latham, ny just outside of albany, I always had good experiences there. Looks like they may only carry RBK and Bauer skates now though ?

aside from the fact that when i applied they didn't hire me they are very good people there at kemps. I frequent them often when up at school to pick up equipment. They are also very easy to find in Latham.

You may also want to try albany county hockey. Chris aka Dr. Blade is very good with equipment and fitting. The only problem is I don't think he carries many different skates. I know for a fact he carries NBH which you said is a problem, but you can check him out and he could point you in the right direction. There is a Play it again in the area too which has a lot of hockey stuff, but I don't like it there the people aren't the most knowledgeable hockey staff, but its only play it again.