The Agony of Buying New Skates

[beerleaguecaptain 1004]

So... after 3 1/2 years of skating on CCM Vector Pro's that were too big for me I decided it was time to buy new skates. I loved the skate and the width was perfect (or so I thought) but whenever I would take a spill or get hit my feet would shift forward. I knew the skate was too long but the guy at the LHS said it wouldn't be a problem. WRONG! FYI - I skate 2-3 times a week in a D/E level rec league.

After reading MHS many months ago I was hot on the One95. I figured the LS2.1 blade would be longer, like a CCM, and I would get it re profiled to match. I was very concerned about the runner length and the profile matching my old skates.

When the One95 came out I couldn't get them on LI so I guessed what size I would wear and ordered online. I had been wearing a 9.5D in the CCM so I ordered an 9EE in the One95. They came in and felt aweful. Too big, heel sloppy, hit me in all the wrong spots, slipping and sloshing and VERY stiff. Not only wasn't it the right size but probably not the right skate for me. Soo... I went to every store in town. I avoided the Vapor XXXX because I thought Bauer's just wouldn't fit my wide foot properly and I was still worried about the blade length and rocker. Then I happened across the Easton S15 in a local sporting goods store that sells lots of hockey stuff and tried them on. The felt AWESOME. So light, perfect fit (size 9).... done! I knew all about the durability issues but what the hell! I even ordered new steel custom profiled from No Icing Sports (they did a great job by the way). Well... after a month on the skate I was skating with the top eyelet undone because they were so stiff, I had no skin left above my ankle and deep bone bruises and the skate was slipping because you really can't make it tighter at the bottom of the foot when you lace them up due to the composite shell. :( I had to move on.... (anybody want a pair??)

Next... ordered the RBK 9K size 9, standard width - online because no one has them in stock. I had the guy in the etailer compare the insole on the RBK to the s15 - a match. I figured since the length and width would be perfect, and I could actually tighten and pump them, they would be right for me. Plus... same rocker and blade as the CCM.

I got the skate... too damn big! Returned skate and back to my favorite LHS that only has Bauers!

My guy at the LHS, Mike, yells at me for days... and then we begin to try on Bauers. One95s, Vapors... size, 9, 8.5.. finally after an hour I'm wearing size 8EE Vapor XXXX's. Neither of us could believe it! I wear an 11.5 sneaker, a 10.5 EE shoe and I'm wearing a size 8EE skate!!!! :D

Well... I've now had them for about 3 week and love them. I had no problem adjusting to the Bauer profile and actually feel better balanced than ever before! Moral of the story... shop at your local LHS, try on lots of skates and work with someone who knows their stuff!!

[YouTuuk 0]

Amen, and chalk up money lost as tuition in the "school of hard knocks" - No doubt I have paid in full to that school concering skates!!!! LOL

Kind of makes me happy to hear a story that cost more than my own stories, cha-ching - no offence.

[beerleaguecaptain 1004]

None taken! Just lovin my new Vapors! Hey, when do the new ones come out???? Just kidding!

[YouTuuk 0]

In fact you could either sell your story to Newman, like Kramer did his "bunion" stories....Sorry Seinfield inside joke...

or...you could make a MasterCard commercial....

One95 that don't fit....$699

Easton S15's that don't fit....$529

RBK 9K's that don't fit....$500

Vapor XXXX's that fit from your LHS......PRICELESS....LOL

None taken! Just lovin my new Vapors! Hey, when do the new ones come out???? Just kidding!

[eric42434224 1]

Are you selling the s15's?

Are the R or D width?

How much?

Thanks!

[Goonsquad 209]

In fact you could either sell your story to Newman, like Kramer did his "bunion" stories....Sorry Seinfield inside joke...

or...you could make a MasterCard commercial....

One95 that don't fit....$699

Easton S15's that don't fit....$529

RBK 9K's that don't fit....$500

Vapor XXXX's that fit from your LHS......PRICELESS....LOL

None taken! Just lovin my new Vapors! Hey, when do the new ones come out???? Just kidding!

Mortgage payment!

[legiahockey 3]

i here ya man. been through 3 pairs of bauers in a 9. ( i wear an 10.5/11 shoe). i decide to get fitted at the lhs....bauer size 8 he tells me. i go ya right. he brings them out and my foot slips right in toes jst brushing the cap.

im still not 100 % used to the shorter blade but im glad i switched

[hockeysc23 0]

i here ya man. been through 3 pairs of bauers in a 9. ( i wear an 10.5/11 shoe). i decide to get fitted at the lhs....bauer size 8 he tells me. i go ya right. he brings them out and my foot slips right in toes jst brushing the cap.

im still not 100 % used to the shorter blade but im glad i switched

Agreed with same story here. I went in to get my Vapors. Told the guy I wear an 11.5 tennis shoe, usually 9.5 Skate. He pulls out the 8.5's. They fit like a glove. I'm glad I paid a little more than online and got the right fitting skate.

[YouTuuk 0]

I am assuming both "hockeysc23" and "legiahockey" went down many sizes becaues they got EE??

i here ya man. been through 3 pairs of bauers in a 9. ( i wear an 10.5/11 shoe). i decide to get fitted at the lhs....bauer size 8 he tells me. i go ya right. he brings them out and my foot slips right in toes jst brushing the cap.

im still not 100 % used to the shorter blade but im glad i switched

Agreed with same story here. I went in to get my Vapors. Told the guy I wear an 11.5 tennis shoe, usually 9.5 Skate. He pulls out the 8.5's. They fit like a glove. I'm glad I paid a little more than online and got the right fitting skate.

[legiahockey 3]

i stayed D

[li7039 0]

So... after 3 1/2 years of skating on CCM Vector Pro's that were too big for me I decided it was time to buy new skates. I loved the skate and the width was perfect (or so I thought) but whenever I would take a spill or get hit my feet would shift forward. I knew the skate was too long but the guy at the LHS said it wouldn't be a problem. WRONG! FYI - I skate 2-3 times a week in a D/E level rec league.

After reading MHS many months ago I was hot on the One95. I figured the LS2.1 blade would be longer, like a CCM, and I would get it re profiled to match. I was very concerned about the runner length and the profile matching my old skates.

When the One95 came out I couldn't get them on LI so I guessed what size I would wear and ordered online. I had been wearing a 9.5D in the CCM so I ordered an 9EE in the One95. They came in and felt aweful. Too big, heel sloppy, hit me in all the wrong spots, slipping and sloshing and VERY stiff. Not only wasn't it the right size but probably not the right skate for me. Soo... I went to every store in town. I avoided the Vapor XXXX because I thought Bauer's just wouldn't fit my wide foot properly and I was still worried about the blade length and rocker. Then I happened across the Easton S15 in a local sporting goods store that sells lots of hockey stuff and tried them on. The felt AWESOME. So light, perfect fit (size 9).... done! I knew all about the durability issues but what the hell! I even ordered new steel custom profiled from No Icing Sports (they did a great job by the way). Well... after a month on the skate I was skating with the top eyelet undone because they were so stiff, I had no skin left above my ankle and deep bone bruises and the skate was slipping because you really can't make it tighter at the bottom of the foot when you lace them up due to the composite shell. :( I had to move on.... (anybody want a pair??)

Next... ordered the RBK 9K size 9, standard width - online because no one has them in stock. I had the guy in the etailer compare the insole on the RBK to the s15 - a match. I figured since the length and width would be perfect, and I could actually tighten and pump them, they would be right for me. Plus... same rocker and blade as the CCM.

I got the skate... too damn big! Returned skate and back to my favorite LHS that only has Bauers!

My guy at the LHS, Mike, yells at me for days... and then we begin to try on Bauers. One95s, Vapors... size, 9, 8.5.. finally after an hour I'm wearing size 8EE Vapor XXXX's. Neither of us could believe it! I wear an 11.5 sneaker, a 10.5 EE shoe and I'm wearing a size 8EE skate!!!! :D

Well... I've now had them for about 3 week and love them. I had no problem adjusting to the Bauer profile and actually feel better balanced than ever before! Moral of the story... shop at your local LHS, try on lots of skates and work with someone who knows their stuff!!

what store did you go to?

[stock07 1]

Damn that was an expensive lesson, but your right you cant beat a local pro shop that knows their stuff...

[aarondevera 0]

it's amazing what can happen when you're fitted properly, rather than playing the assumption/guessing game and losing BIG. i'm glad it all ends well! enjoy your XXXXs.

[hockeysc23 0]

I am assuming both "hockeysc23" and "legiahockey" went down many sizes becaues they got EE??

i here ya man. been through 3 pairs of bauers in a 9. ( i wear an 10.5/11 shoe). i decide to get fitted at the lhs....bauer size 8 he tells me. i go ya right. he brings them out and my foot slips right in toes jst brushing the cap.

im still not 100 % used to the shorter blade but im glad i switched

Agreed with same story here. I went in to get my Vapors. Told the guy I wear an 11.5 tennis shoe, usually 9.5 Skate. He pulls out the 8.5's. They fit like a glove. I'm glad I paid a little more than online and got the right fitting skate.

No stayed D width.

[beerleaguecaptain 1004]

what store did you go to?

Sports Plus, the pro shop in Iceland (NHP). Mike is the best!

i here ya man. been through 3 pairs of bauers in a 9. ( i wear an 10.5/11 shoe). i decide to get fitted at the lhs....bauer size 8 he tells me. i go ya right. he brings them out and my foot slips right in toes jst brushing the cap.

im still not 100 % used to the shorter blade but im glad i switched

I was shocked that I liked the shorter, more rockered blade. One time I had my CCM profiled and the guy was supposed to put a 10' and instead did a 9'. I skated on it that game and felt like I was falling backwards all the time. My guess is that he did a crappy job profiling and put the balance point too far front or something. My only problem with the shorter Bauer steel vs the CCM is that I get less glide and I'm a tad slower. Since I wasn't exactly greased lightning before I figure it doesn't matter much.

BTW - moving to Poland???? Military??

[dmancam72 0]

Unfortunately for the local merchants I cheat big time. I go to all the local shops and have my son try on several different sizes in several different brands, the poor kids that work there think they are making a sale. My bad! :-(

When I find the right size for him in all brands, I go online and find ALOT better deals than in the stores. Way overpriced for the same product you can get online, even with shipping & handling. Not the best business practice and i hate to be mean and stingy, but the the prices of equipment are getting out of hand and you have to save where ever you can, right? Especailly when my son is still growing. Getting a size 11 Mission XP 120 next and he's only 13.

[eric42434224 1]

Unfortunately for the local merchants I cheat big time. I go to all the local shops and have my son try on several different sizes in several different brands, the poor kids that work there think they are making a sale. My bad! :-(

When I find the right size for him in all brands, I go online and find ALOT better deals than in the stores. Way overpriced for the same product you can get online, even with shipping & handling. Not the best business practice and i hate to be mean and stingy, but the the prices of equipment are getting out of hand and you have to save where ever you can, right? Especailly when my son is still growing. Getting a size 11 Mission XP 120 next and he's only 13.

**Ducks and covers head**

[beerleaguecaptain 1004]

Unfortunately for the local merchants I cheat big time. I go to all the local shops and have my son try on several different sizes in several different brands, the poor kids that work there think they are making a sale. My bad! :-(

When I find the right size for him in all brands, I go online and find ALOT better deals than in the stores. Way overpriced for the same product you can get online, even with shipping & handling. Not the best business practice and i hate to be mean and stingy, but the the prices of equipment are getting out of hand and you have to save where ever you can, right? Especailly when my son is still growing. Getting a size 11 Mission XP 120 next and he's only 13.

Hmmmm... several thoughts come to mind.... some have to do with ethics....

[dmancam72 0]

Unfortunately for the local merchants I cheat big time. I go to all the local shops and have my son try on several different sizes in several different brands, the poor kids that work there think they are making a sale. My bad! :-(

When I find the right size for him in all brands, I go online and find ALOT better deals than in the stores. Way overpriced for the same product you can get online, even with shipping & handling. Not the best business practice and i hate to be mean and stingy, but the the prices of equipment are getting out of hand and you have to save where ever you can, right? Especailly when my son is still growing. Getting a size 11 Mission XP 120 next and he's only 13.

**Ducks and covers head**

Eric, I take it you do this sometimes too?? Or are you one of the salespeople that hate to see someone like me going into the stores???

[Jeff 0]

Damn that was an expensive lesson, but your right you cant beat a local pro shop that knows their stuff...

Ain't that the truth. If it makes the original poster feel any better, I got skates from a local shop that were way too big. Bauer Supreme 7000 Pro stock in 11E. After swimming in my skates for a while, I got custom fitted for some One95s in 10C/AA and 9.5C/AA (right foot.) Just pointing out that you are not guaranteed a perfect fit by simply visiting your local shop.

I bought some Vapor XXXXs in 10D while waiting for the customs to be ready. It's unbelievable how much a proper fitting skate helped me, both comfort-wise and mobility-wise.

Enjoy the new skates!

[dmancam72 0]

Unfortunately for the local merchants I cheat big time. I go to all the local shops and have my son try on several different sizes in several different brands, the poor kids that work there think they are making a sale. My bad! :-(

When I find the right size for him in all brands, I go online and find ALOT better deals than in the stores. Way overpriced for the same product you can get online, even with shipping & handling. Not the best business practice and i hate to be mean and stingy, but the the prices of equipment are getting out of hand and you have to save where ever you can, right? Especailly when my son is still growing. Getting a size 11 Mission XP 120 next and he's only 13.

Hmmmm... several thoughts come to mind.... some have to do with ethics....

Ethics??! Where are the ethics in stores selling skates for 699.99 when I can get the sames one online for 399.99?? I have to get the best deals I can. We don't make as much money in Maine as in NY. :-(

[eric42434224 1]

Eric, I take it you do this sometimes too?? Or are you one of the salespeople that hate to see someone like me going into the stores???

Neither. I am just like you...a consumer. I have, at one time in the past, done what you do. I think that what you are doing will eventually bring the extinction of the LHS, and then we are all screwed. The information and expertise you get from a knowledgeable LHS is invaluable, and if they help you find the right product, you should reciprocate by giving them your business. In fact, I have found that the extra services you get by purchasing at the LHS makes the two purchases quite equitable.

Not to mention that the little scam you run is unethical. To brag about it here makes you sound like a scumbag. I am sure, if you are a good parent, you dont tell your kid about this, and how it hurts local merchants....real people in your community. What would make you an even better parent is to ACT moral, and not just hide the immoral activity.

seriously, I have no problem with buying online....the issue is using the LHS in a dishonest way.

Just my 2 cents. MSH has really made me a convert in this area.

[dmancam72 0]

Well first off, I am not bragging about it. Second off, I am not a scumbag, I am poor single working parent who also has to feed my son and over paying for gear would be more unethical to my son than to the overcharging merchants. Don't judge people as some day you may be misjudged also.

[eric42434224 1]

Well first off, I am not bragging about it. Second off, I am not a scumbag, I am poor single working parent who also has to feed my son and over paying for gear would be more unethical to my son than to the overcharging merchants. Don't judge people as some day you may be misjudged also.

Not misjudging you.

#1 - If you cant afford certain gear, then buy lower end models, not $399 to $699 high end skates. If you are worried about feeding your son, perhaps you should save some money on equipment, and buy a more affordable model or brand. Hmmmm.....high-end skates or food?

#2 - Buy used equipment. You can find hardly used hockey equipment all the time....which is entirely appropriate for a growing player, and a single parent with money issues.

#3 - I wonder if the merchants, or the people working at the LHS are single parents with children to feed? Or have rent to pay, or tuition to cover? You are wasting their precious time by having them do work you have no intention of compensating them for. Why not give them some money for the services they provided for you?

#4 - Buying online is not unethical. I do it when my LHS does not have the item I want, or I find a better deal. However, I DO NOT use the LHS for info, use their time, or use their products, with the sole intention of using those thing to buy the product elsewhere. What you are doing is shitty. Buy online all day...its totally cool. But you are USING people, and wasting their time and money...and that makes you selfish and lame. That isnt a making a blind judgement...that is a fact.

Good luck when your kid starts showing back to you some of that lovely behavoir.

PS - I paid $450 for my s15's at my LHS, and online they are $529.....I also get 8 free sharpenings, 3 rolls of tape, and any repairs.

[beerleaguecaptain 1004]

Well first off, I am not bragging about it. Second off, I am not a scumbag, I am poor single working parent who also has to feed my son and over paying for gear would be more unethical to my son than to the overcharging merchants. Don't judge people as some day you may be misjudged also.

He didn't say you are a scum bag, he said it makes you SOUND like one.