Which skates to buy?

[WAMPS19 0]

I just started playing ice again recently after about 5 years of not being on ice. Needless to say my Bauer Air 90's from 13 years ago have seen better days and more steel.

I want to get a new pair of skates and need some suggestions. I have always worn Bauer, so please stick to the Bauer line of skates. I don't need the top of the line as I don't play that much and just can't afford them right now. I am looking to stay under 300 if possible and maybe even less than that if I can find a deal.

I've had my eye on the 2007 or 2008 One70's on Hockeygiant for 270. It seems like there is a pretty steep drop off in price after that. What if any does anyone think of the One55's or the Vapor XXII's. I think those are my 3 choices that I am contemplating. Am I really getting that much better of a skate in the One70's when compared to the other two skates?

Thanks guys!

[kovalchuk71 212]

The Supreme 70 skate has a similar last to the Supreme 8090. Do you have a wide deep foot?

[WAMPS19 0]

No, I have a pretty narrow foot. My Air 90's are a 7.0 D I think.

[interpathway 9]

if youre looking at the one90 or one70s, dont forget that the LSPower (Clearish Zytel holders) are discontinued, i dont know how hard it would be to find replacement steel/hardware once you need it, maybe a LHS guru could let us know

[cougarscaptain87 12]

What if any does anyone think of the One55's or the Vapor XXII's.

ill start off by doing what everyone else is going to and tell you to go try skates on. but im sure you were expecting that. i havent had a chance to look at the one 55s in close detail, but i do have quite a bit of experience with the new vapor line, and in my opinion the vapor XXII is a great skate for the money. I think it is the best skate for the money in the bauer line right now. If you compare it to the vapor XXV, the only difference is the XXV has a full composite outsole where the XXII has a part composite part glass outsole (think original vapor XX if your farmiliar.) And I believe the liner is the softer Hydrophobic microfiber liner opposed to the quickdry grip liner. And then the Vapor XXV is going to be a touch stiffer and tounge is a touch different. I believe the XXII has a felt tougne with no lacebite insert where the XXV has the insert for lace bite. All of this is from memory of working at the shop from april so i appoigize if the details are 100% perfect, but for value I would say the vapor XXII.

good luck

[automorph 0]

One75 .............

[WAMPS19 0]

What if any does anyone think of the One55's or the Vapor XXII's.

ill start off by doing what everyone else is going to and tell you to go try skates on. but im sure you were expecting that. i havent had a chance to look at the one 55s in close detail, but i do have quite a bit of experience with the new vapor line, and in my opinion the vapor XXII is a great skate for the money. I think it is the best skate for the money in the bauer line right now. If you compare it to the vapor XXV, the only difference is the XXV has a full composite outsole where the XXII has a part composite part glass outsole (think original vapor XX if your farmiliar.) And I believe the liner is the softer Hydrophobic microfiber liner opposed to the quickdry grip liner. And then the Vapor XXV is going to be a touch stiffer and tounge is a touch different. I believe the XXII has a felt tougne with no lacebite insert where the XXV has the insert for lace bite. All of this is from memory of working at the shop from april so i appoigize if the details are 100% perfect, but for value I would say the vapor XXII.

good luck

Thanks for the advice. I am going to see if my LHS has any of these in stock that I can try on but it is a pretty small place and just aren't sure if they carry a great selection. I think for the reason mentioned above, I will stay away from the one70's. As for the post directly above me, the one75's are just a bit out of my price and need range right now. I used to be a great player and would get the top of the line skates but I just don't play enough anymore to warrant paying more than 250 or 300 for a pair of skates.

Thanks everyone!

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Actually your first choice is most likely your best one - all things being equal and if the 90 was a good fit.

Supreme 70 was based on the 8090 which was based on the Air 90.

[WAMPS19 0]

Actually your first choice is most likely your best one - all things being equal and if the 90 was a good fit.

Supreme 70 was based on the 8090 which was based on the Air 90.

Someone said something above about the Tuuk's being discontinued. You don't think I will have a problem with them?

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

LS2P is still orderable.

[WAMPS19 0]

What recent skate would compare closest to these in fit as I doubt my LHS has them available still. I am guessing the one75's? I would like to try them on before I buy them but I guess I can always return them.

If I go with the XXII, would you recommend baking them or do all new skates "need" or "should" be baked?

[wildebeest 0]

I rocked the XXIIs for a couple of months. I got them profiled and baked and they were super nice until I swapped them out for my XXXXs when they started to go a little soft in the ankle area.

That being said, I'm a 230lb beast of a man, so your mileage may vary.

[WAMPS19 0]

Yeah, I am 5'10" and 155 lbs but I skate pretty hard in the ankle area. Something a little stiffer is probably a better idea for me. I might try and one70's while I can still get them for cheap.

[adam14 182]

do you want lost of tightness in the ankle? if so give the rbk 5ks or 7ks with the pump a look. I did and couldnt be happier.

[WAMPS19 0]

Never really been fan of the old CCM's/RBK skates. It has been a while but I really like the way the Bauer's fit me.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

[kovalchuk71 212]

If you like the Air 90, then go for the Supreme 70. Like JR said they are based off of the Air 90's. Plenty of stiffness in that skate as well.

[WAMPS19 0]

Do you think they would fit the same as the Air 90 did or would I have to go a size up/down? Hopefully the One75's fit similar to the One70's.

Thanks for the advice everyone!!!

[krwwc6 0]

Do you think they would fit the same as the Air 90 did or would I have to go a size up/down? Hopefully the One75's fit similar to the One70's.

Thanks for the advice everyone!!!

IIRC the supreme70's and one75's do not fit the same. The one75's fit similar to last years one90's. . . a bit on the narrow/shallow side. But if you said you had a narrow foot to begin with, the one75's may very well fit you just fine.

EDIT: fixed my mistake. . . just woke up, not looking forward to the nightshift tonight.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

It's Supreme 70, not ONE70 btw

[Jason91 0]

What if any does anyone think of the One55's or the Vapor XXII's.

ill start off by doing what everyone else is going to and tell you to go try skates on. but im sure you were expecting that. i havent had a chance to look at the one 55s in close detail, but i do have quite a bit of experience with the new vapor line, and in my opinion the vapor XXII is a great skate for the money. I think it is the best skate for the money in the bauer line right now. If you compare it to the vapor XXV, the only difference is the XXV has a full composite outsole where the XXII has a part composite part glass outsole (think original vapor XX if your farmiliar.) And I believe the liner is the softer Hydrophobic microfiber liner opposed to the quickdry grip liner. And then the Vapor XXV is going to be a touch stiffer and tounge is a touch different. I believe the XXII has a felt tougne with no lacebite insert where the XXV has the insert for lace bite. All of this is from memory of working at the shop from april so i appoigize if the details are 100% perfect, but for value I would say the vapor XXII.

good luck

I agree with you cougar, I have the vapor XXII's and they actually are great for me. Coming from Vapor XXX's i actually didn't feel much of a difference. The stiffness of the boot is perfect and the LS2's are also solid.

[WAMPS19 0]

I found a guy selling some on ebay and I can get a new pair of the Supreme 70's for 210 shipped.

I think I will do that since the XXII's are about 180 new and the one55's are about the same as well.

Thanks everyone.

[WAMPS19 0]

Just wanna say thanks to everyone for the advice. I picked up the Supreme70's on eBay for 210 shipped brand new and look forward to finally getting into a more modern pair of skates.

My next question is that I live in an area where I don't think the LHS has a baking machine. Does anyone have any home baking instructions for these skates or can point me in the right direction on how to bake them properly myself without messing anything up?

Thanks guys!

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

You live in Melbourne, RDV in Orlando has an oven.

[WAMPS19 0]

I will probably back them myself. I have some friends who have done it before and know what to do.

Thanks,

Kurt

[stick9 903]

I will probably back them myself. I have some friends who have done it before and know what to do.

Thanks,

Kurt

Tons of good info here on baking skates yourself. The search feature should turn up plenty of results.