I need me some skates

[M.W. 0]

I've tried searching, but I'm not coming up with much that is too helpful, so here I am. I need some new skates. My current skates are some 5ish year old Bauer Vapor VIIs. They're pretty much dying, and I'm also pretty sure that they don't have quite enough volume for my foot. I bought them because they were cheap, and my old Supreme 2000s that I'd had since Bantam were killing me when I was coaching practices and mostly just standing around pushing pucks.

My main problem is that I want a good skate, but I'm on a budget. Price-wise, I've got it down to V08s, One55s, and Vapor XIIs. I could be convinced to go with Vapor XXVs they they're really way better than the XXIIs, but they're pretty much at the top end of my range.

Obviously I'm going to go try them all on, but I guess I'd like to get some general ideas before I get into things, as it's a pretty big investment or me at this point. Do the newer style Vapors have more volume than the older type? Are the One55s and Vapor XXIIs going to be a good skate for someone who is hopefully going to be on the ice 2-4 times a week? I know practically nothing about the CCMs. Are there any issues with these that I should know about?

Anyway, thanks in advance for any input.

[Wolverine 0]

As you know, it's what fits your feet best.... in the price range you have set. The skates you listed most likely all fit a little differently. As far is your concern about the One55s & Vapor XXIIs, I truly believe they would serve you well skating 2-4 times a week. Now, will they last you 5 years...... not sure.

One of the 'Dad's' from my son's hockey team joined us for a drop-in last week. He has (5) children, an average paying job and lives on a strict budget. He came to the game with some NikeBauer Supreme 50's he had picked up last year..... because that is all he wanted to pay. He ABSOLUTELY schooled all of us. Very fast, extremely hard cuts & crossovers. He goes 6 feet, ~ 200. He pushed those skates to the limit (as he probably has done so over the last year).

I found out later that he played D-I college hockey from 1982-1986.

So yeah, those "lower end" skates will serve you JUST FINE!

Now, in the "CCM camp" this is a higher end skate at a great price:

http://hockeygiant.com/ccm992sktsr.html

I have the 992 Super Tacks. They will take ALL you can dish out, no matter how aggressive a skater you are. It was only (2) short years ago these were 'high-end', only second to the Pro-Tacks. $189 is a very good price. I'm not sure if you fit in them, but it is another option.

[boganz45 0]

If you find out what size and model fits, check E-bay, as some top end skates from last year's models can be had cheap. Later,

[M.W. 0]

If you find out what size and model fits, check E-bay, as some top end skates from last year's models can be had cheap. Later,

As much as this would be nice for me financially, I work in retail at a small business, so this wouldn't work for me ethically.

[boganz45 0]

If you find out what size and model fits, check E-bay, as some top end skates from last year's models can be had cheap. Later,

As much as this would be nice for me financially, I work in retail at a small business, so this wouldn't work for me ethically.

Never suggested you do anything unethical...

[M.W. 0]

As you know, it's what fits your feet best.... in the price range you have set. The skates you listed most likely all fit a little differently. As far is your concern about the One55s & Vapor XXIIs, I truly believe they would serve you well skating 2-4 times a week. Now, will they last you 5 years...... not sure.

One of the 'Dad's' from my son's hockey team joined us for a drop-in last week. He has (5) children, an average paying job and lives on a strict budget. He came to the game with some NikeBauer Supreme 50's he had picked up last year..... because that is all he wanted to pay. He ABSOLUTELY schooled all of us. Very fast, extremely hard cuts & crossovers. He goes 6 feet, ~ 200. He pushed those skates to the limit (as he probably has done so over the last year).

I found out later that he played D-I college hockey from 1982-1986.

So yeah, those "lower end" skates will serve you JUST FINE!

Now, in the "CCM camp" this is a higher end skate at a great price:

http://hockeygiant.com/ccm992sktsr.html

I have the 992 Super Tacks. They will take ALL you can dish out, no matter how aggressive a skater you are. It was only (2) short years ago these were 'high-end', only second to the Pro-Tacks. $189 is a very good price. I'm not sure if you fit in them, but it is another option.

Thanks for the reply.

You're almost certainly right about the lower end skates. I guess I often hear about such and such skate being no good, but really, most of the modern skates are probably as good, if not better than, the stuff I had growing up. I guess I mostly was hoping to know beforehand about any durability or other issues with these skates. Anyway, hopefully something fits my feet.

If you find out what size and model fits, check E-bay, as some top end skates from last year's models can be had cheap. Later,

As much as this would be nice for me financially, I work in retail at a small business, so this wouldn't work for me ethically.

Never suggested you do anything unethical...

Ah, I might have misunderstood, sorry. I thought you meant that I should go get fitted for stuff at the LHS and then go home and buy something from the internet.

[booyaagrandma 4]

I just got the V08'S and have to say I really like them.Very light,and deep fitting ( for me with my big instep ) Nice skate.I'd say go try them on and see what fits ,I tried on a ton o' skates and settled on the V08'S for the fit and was nicely suprised when I skated in them ,how good they felt.As you know its all pp, but I'd say try on the V08's.