Vapor 40 or wait for X50/X60

[grp 0]

guys, so its time to buy new skates, my old vapor 10's blk and grey with holes in blades are finally killed. ANd now its time to buy skates for the first time in my career so I want to be smart about the purchase. Being a bauer guy all my life, I wont switch brand, having the original vapor 8 blue and grey, supreme 5000 i think supreme comps, supreme 3000's, supreme 100's and thats about it I think. I once demoed some daoust pump skates and nearly died. ANyways so now that its my own hard earned cash I want to be smart about it

Vapor xxxx's seem to be able to be bought for 3-399 online all day long and in brick and morter $400, they will obivously be a huge step up from what i have, how does the light speed 2 holder vary from the holder i have now Grey one I dont even know

Vapor x50 no idea

or the Secretive Vapor x60

since skates playing men's leauge twice a week last me a decent length of time i dont mind spending a bit more for alot more skate and I dont plan to upgrade again soon.

So whats the deal? And any opinions much appreciated

OR cheap out and Vapor 25 or 29/select's things

thanks

[TBLfan 25]

I never understand this type of question. Why are you asking US how to spend YOUR money?

Look at the different skates and figure out the differences and features of each model. Then look at your finances and decide what you can afford. The go back and look at the differences between the skates. Then rent a movie, "Slapshot" is a good choice. Then you should probably stop for ice cream, vanilla... let's not get fancy here. Then go to sleep. When you wake up in the morning, go to a shop and try the skates on. If they fit and you can afford them... buy them. If not, then I recommend IHOP for breakfast.

[Stacey 0]

Firstly, get out of the mentality that you've worn Bauer skates all your life and you will not change no matter what - you HAVE to be open to other brands of skates if you 'don't plan to upgrade again soon'. Performance, durability, weight are ALL negligible if the boot fits you. A proper fit entails a lot more than just the width and length of the boot and because of that it is very difficult to suggest a type of boot that will fit you without seeing your feet. What I am alluding to is, forget about the online sales, try to stop by a local shop and get properly fitted. The money you will be saving by purchasing online will be more than made up for through perks and time spent with a knowledged individual at a shop.

The honest truth is, playing twice a week in mens league most ususally does not warrant a high end pair of skates; and a higher end pair of skates won't necessarily last you longer as they are geared to performance not durability. The vast majority of hockey players do not need the high end or even custom skates, they just want them. The majority of the skate market is held by the low-mid to mid-high end skates so you will not 'cheaping out' on a pair of Vapor XXV or XXIXs or any other mid-level skate.

[epstud74 24]

Skates have come a long ways since you bought your Vapor 10s. you probably do not need top of the line skates, but I'd definitely get a pair with the Lightspeed2s if you are going the Bauer route. I know HockeyGiant in Bloomington is getting rid of their Vapor XXXXs for $299 and Vapor XXV for $199. If you wear vapors well, that seems like a pretty good value. You dont seem the type to need the newest skate out there if you've been in your Vapors for that long.

[grp 0]

Thank you for the honest replies, first and foremost, to comment if I need or dont need high end skates is irrelevant. Much like I am not here to comment on your level of hockey how hard your shot is etc. So back to the more important question, which is obviously I cannt try on a Vapor 60 or 50 now and some with inside info or more info then me is what I am looking for. As yes the XXXX fits pretty well i would prefer a skate with less toe volume as well as a slightly lower cut. But the 40 did feel great. What i was driving at it isnt a money issue.

Any more insight would be great

thanks

[duch 0]

I'm completely with Stacey on this one. Get a pair of decent middle or middle high end skates that you can get properly fitted in a local shop. Don't be guessing on your size and try saving yourself a few bucks by buying on line. You may be buying a lot more in the way of headaches if it doesn't work out for you. And most of all, buy what fits you the best not what brand will make you most popular with the guys. Their your feet and don't they deserve the best in the way of comfort. Most middle or middle high level skates will also give you good performance and some decent durability as well.

[Stacey 0]

Thank you for the honest replies, first and foremost, to comment if I need or dont need high end skates is irrelevant. Much like I am not here to comment on your level of hockey how hard your shot is etc. So back to the more important question, which is obviously I cannt try on a Vapor 60 or 50 now and some with inside info or more info then me is what I am looking for. As yes the XXXX fits pretty well i would prefer a skate with less toe volume as well as a slightly lower cut. But the 40 did feel great. What i was driving at it isnt a money issue.

Any more insight would be great

thanks

It is completely relevant because the fit of a line of skate does not change, the materials do. A Vapor XVI and Vapor XXXX are built off the same foot last. Our suggestions are not based on your monetary value but your value as a skater and whether or not you will see the gains from having high end boot - we are trying to better inform you.

You will not get an inside info about the new Vapors, plain and simple so don't bother asking. Bauer wants the hype and they're getting it. It is also not possible that the Vapor 40's fit well if you are already noticing the toe box is too big. You're toes have quite a role in skating and sloppiness inside the toe cap will translate into sloppy skating as well. I am also going to venture a guess that the heel cup is a tad large in the 40s if you're coming out the Vapor 10s. With those two issues already present we've effectively canceled out Vapors as a boot that would fit properly. Please try to get fitted and purchase from the shop.

[epstud74 24]

Sounds like you're looking at a Graf boot perhaps? If you want a shorter cut with less toe volume. Just my worthless two cents. Where are you located? I suppose if you're able to do so, find a shop with different types of boots and not limit yourself to Bauer only.

[tro 4]

[Performance, durability, weight are ALL negligible if the boot fits you.

Our suggestions are not based on your monetary value but your value as a skater and whether or not you will see the gains from having high end boot - we are trying to better inform you.

I hate these questions, but how do you know what type of player he is, he should go to the LHS to find the right fitting boot, performance and price that is works for him.

[Stacey 0]

I am not quite sure what you are trying to say, literally, I cannot comprehend the sentence. I didn't ask a question and I am indeed asking him to visit his LHS. Never once did I assume he is any type of player, I am trying to help open his mind to other choices by providing an explanation as to why I am saying what I am saying.

[michael.yue 2]

unless u need the skates right away i would wait until the X60s are released. I have read on many different sites that they are scheduled to be released on april 10th.

when the new vapor line comes out try them on see how they compare then make your decision on whether you want to spend that kind of money or if a mid range skate will do

[gagner89 0]

If the Vapor XXXX fit... why not?

If they feel great on you, then why bother waiting? I doubt anyone on this board will be able to truly utilize any difference in performance the X:60 may or may not give over the Vapor XXXXs anyhow.

[sectachrome 40]

Wait for the new joints to come out, then cop the XXXX's on sale. Thats if the X50/60 is replacing it, I dont know anything about them.

[Fourth Line Grind 0]

Thread should have ended after TBL's post imo

[jsmart 0]

Thread should have ended after TBL's post imo

yep...leave his reply and lock it...where is Chadd when you need him?

[grp 0]

I read what a few people said, and thanks for the constructive comments as for some of the others who pissed in your cereal? its going to be ok. I am not a gear whore, and dont care if I have the best stuff out there. Because I am more interested in playing hockey and less in knowing every spec of detail on who is using what . I stumbled to this site looking for info on the new skates, and read some stuff and was really impressed and wanted to get some quality knowledge yet I get alot of backlash, which I dont understand.

[interpathway 9]

Some people need to realize that not everyone that comes to this site know the difference in sizing between models. I didn't know how the Vapors compared to the Supremes when I came here, nor that Graf used their numbers to denote different types of heel/forefoot/volume sizes, RBKs ginormous heels, etc.

Give a new guy some constructive criticism in combination with your post, lest we scare away every single hockey player looking to some of us to share our knowledge with them. I haven't seen a hundred different posts from GRP asking us to compare sizes for him, only one. He took some time to understand some of the ground rules for this site, and let us at least show him the courtesy of giving a longer leash of time to pick up on skate nuances.

[blue_line 2]

I would just buy what fits. That's what I've done in the past. Now, it's not my fault that I fit Graf 709, Vapor XXX, or Easton S15 better than Vapor XV/XX or Easton S7/800C/1500C. In response to a comment above, when I had my Vapor XXXs, I bought them because they fit different (and better) than the Vapor XXs. Although materials do change, so do fits, in some cases. These days, I can't even start to fit into a Vapor XXXX, XXV, or what not. Although I can fit into a One95 and not a One75...

Try it in the store. If it fits, buy it. Materials will only marginally help you. I do like the idea of lighter skates, but truthfully, I don't really notice any more leg fatigue when practicing with my 709s over my S15s. However, what I *do* notice is the difference between the E-blade and the Lightning holders.

Personally, I plan on waiting until the new X60s come out. If they fit better than the One95s, then I'll buy them. If not, then I'll buy the One95s. I know I could go custom, but I don't want to bother.

Good luck in your gear quest

[fatwabbit 93]

Its going to be diffuclt to determine what fits you best...you never know the One95 could fit you better.

[interpathway 9]

Don't forget to add stiffness into the fit...the 95s are obviously very high cut, very stiff skates, unlike Grafs.

[stattry 0]

Consider the XXII if you're price sensitive

I'm like you. I've never had another skate besides Bauers.. started out with Junior Supremes all the way up to Supreme 3000 (when that was top of the line)

Even a mid-level skate like the XXII is still stiffer, lighter, better performing than anything from 10 years ago.

I would say if price is at all an issue, there's no need to wait for the newest skate. I'm a pretty advanced skater and the xxii is plenty of skate for me. It's certainly not like anybody blows by me because they have a couple of more "xx" on their skates.

I think when you get above mid-level skates, you definitely get diminishing returns on the extra bucks you spend. If you absolutely have to have the top-performing stuff, then get what will make you happy, price-be-damned. If the performance/value equation at all enters your mind, there's no need to drop the kind of dough on top-end skates that it requires. Again, just my opinion, but there are very players around who really benefit from the extra performance of an xxxx vs an xxv (and I doubt any of them post on this board)

Now that I'm paying for my own stuff, the only piece of equipment that I won't compromise on is my sticks but that's because the composite sticks really offer a LOT more performance for the LOT more money you spend on them. I don't think skates are the same.

[lerxst 0]

skating is the single most important ability in hockey... No matter how good of a street hockey shot you have, if you can't skate, you won't be that effective once teams see you can't skate. I spend the most money per item on Skates and Helmets/cages. I then find the best clearance deals on top end protective stuff. Sticks are the most expensive item... think about how many sticks you buy vs skates.

[jazz4all 9]

bout the toe box volume, i think u might wanna take a look at supreme line. i got ONE75 yesterday, n im happy with it. it was snug with ur feet in it. vapor has more volume than supreme, which is why i didnt like it.

before u buy things up, maybe it would be wise to wait until new vapor appear. then u can try em urself. but i think some of people love vapor 40, better than x60. check it out on hockeyus.com. some already had x60 but they move back to 40 bcoz its not better than 40. while u are here, read about another skates review. dun just stick with one brand. ok? goodluck ^^

[Jordan 13]

vapor has more volume than supreme

You have that backwards.

[jazz4all 9]

on the the toebox i mean. i dont know but, thats what i feel. T,T correct me if im wrong.