A general question about skate levels

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I tried a search, but I just had a question about the steps down in skate levels.

For example, the RBK 9k, 7k, 5k or the CCM Vector 10, 8, 6, 4

I'm going to be going looking for a new pair of skates in the next couple of weeks. I'll be buying locally, so will be trying on a few brands. I've set myself a budget of about $300ish (give or take a bit) for skates.

My question is this. With reguard the skates that are mid level, how big is the drop in quality/features between them.

For example, is the CCM Vector 8 closer to the V6 or the V10 in features. Is it worth paying more to get the V8, if the V6 is pretty good, and use the leftover money on a new stick or something?

Or are the features in the V8 much closer to the V10, so it's worth paying the bit extra to get the extra features in the skate.

Just wondering. I'm only playing C level hockey, and don't need One95's, but want to get a pair now that will be good enough for me for a couple of years.

[Chadd 916]

Usually the best compromise of features/price is found in the #2 model of a skate line.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Usually the best compromise of features/price is found in the #2 model of a skate line.

So the best option is go with the #2 model. OK, I can sort of budget to go over to cover that.

There goes my "skates and a stick" shopping trip

Thanks

[B19Kress 0]

If the Vapor XXV's fit you well... FIT YOU WELL being the key words... they are about 250 pretty much everywhere.. you could always pick up a ProStock stick for around 80-90 bucks then bam... you got Skates and a Stick for about 330

[epstud74 24]

I've always thought the NBH One55 was a LOT of skate for $200

[Joker518 0]

I've always thought the NBH One55 was a LOT of skate for $200

Totally agree... Its the sort of boot you'd be paying $400+ for 10 years ago. I always recommend it to my beer league buddies looking to upgrade to new skates on a budget.

Also, what Chadd said about usually getting the best bang for your buck by looking at the 2nd to top model in a line are words to live by for most players. I can't tell you how many people I've had to talk out of buying top of the line skates for beer league. These guys are nowhere near the level of play where they would apreciate the subtle differences you end up paying another $100 to $150 for.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Also, what Chadd said about usually getting the best bang for your buck by looking at the 2nd to top model in a line are words to live by for most players. I can't tell you how many people I've had to talk out of buying top of the line skates for beer league. These guys are nowhere near the level of play where they would apreciate the subtle differences you end up paying another $100 to $150 for.

I was sort of eyeing the 2nd level skate, and don't mind paying for it. There seems to be a fairly signifigant drop from 2nd level to third level, so was just wondering were the differences worth the savings.

No way I'd be getting top of the line, I'm not good enough, or rich enough

[GekigangarIII 0]

Usually the best compromise of features/price is found in the #2 model of a skate line.

Which makes me wish there was a #2 model a step below the One95. Right now as far as I know there is none since the 90 and the others below fit like the 90 and not the 95 :(

[Zamboni 6]

Echo that 2nd tier of current line usually being best value on current model skates.

If you find your size discontinued top end models are the very best value in my opinion. The One90's and older top end CCM Vector's are great skates (depending on fit) at really cheap prices. We got my son One90's Jrs for $160, I should have grabbed myself a pair of Sr's at $180. Vapour XXXX should be heavily discounted when new model comes out, the XXX's were dirt cheap when XXXX came out.

[westcoastsniper 0]

try telling that to the store owners in Vancouver, they have the xxv for 375 and xvi for 200... which put the xxv out of my price range, now I'm skating on the xvi's they are ok but the holder is ghetto, can't replace the steel in the lightspeed pro, its a lame holder. if your looking at the vapors go for xxv. Other than that i think missions are being blown out across north america

[stickfixchaska 0]

I agree with Chadd about the 2nd tier skates. They have a lot of the features that the top tier have and cost much less. I picked up Vapor XXV's last year for $260 and they are fantastic. I can't say enough good things about them!

[epstud74 24]

I wish people would get the stupid idea out of their head that the One75 fits like the One90 because it doesnt. I've had the same fit between the One55 and One75. The One75 has more volume than the One90.

[GekigangarIII 0]

I wish people would get the stupid idea out of their head that the One75 fits like the One90 because it doesnt. I've had the same fit between the One55 and One75. The One75 has more volume than the One90.

So is that a way of saying the one75 does fit like the one95? I noticed you didn't reference the one95 there as being the same fit. Which is what I was curious about. Locally I don't have a 75 in my size so I've only tried on the 95, which to my surprise fit in EE.

But thanks for the good news :D Nothing in the search engine suggested otherwise.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I agree with Chadd about the 2nd tier skates. They have a lot of the features that the top tier have and cost much less. I picked up Vapor XXV's last year for $260 and they are fantastic. I can't say enough good things about them!

So basically, to group them I would go

CCM V10, V8 - many common features

CCM V6/V4 - big drop off in material quality/features

Bottom line, if I am looking for a good skate, but not top dollar skate, get the second in line skate. If I go below that, the features will drop off signifigantly

[stick9 896]

I try and wait until a model has been replaced or discontinued so I can pick up a top end skate for short money. I got my 8k's a few years back for $250. If the prices on the current Vapors drop and they fit, I'll probably snag a pair at the end of the summer.

[AllCanadian 2]

SMU's that certain buying groups have are also a great deal. The Vapor Shift or Vector Control from Source for Sports as examples. Are basically the second tier model with a few top of the line additions at around the price of the second tier skate.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

SMU's that certain buying groups have are also a great deal. The Vapor Shift or Vector Control from Source for Sports as examples. Are basically the second tier model with a few top of the line additions at around the price of the second tier skate.

I don't know any shops in the greater DC area that have SMU's.

And I have decided I'm buying local, getting fitted and making sure I have the right skate. Hockeygiant has the SE16 for $299 now, and my LHS has the SE10 for $269.

The thought might be to get the SE16 for that price, but I need to make sure I'm getting the right skate, and don't need top of the line, so I'll go local, get fitted, get it right, and not need to change skates in a year again when I realize I should have got a half size smaller, or bigger or whatnot

[Chadd 916]

I agree with Chadd about the 2nd tier skates. They have a lot of the features that the top tier have and cost much less. I picked up Vapor XXV's last year for $260 and they are fantastic. I can't say enough good things about them!

So basically, to group them I would go

CCM V10, V8 - many common features

CCM V6/V4 - big drop off in material quality/features

Bottom line, if I am looking for a good skate, but not top dollar skate, get the second in line skate. If I go below that, the features will drop off signifigantly

That's generally how it goes with most skate lines in my experience. The difference between the V10 and the V8 is much less than the difference between the V8 and the V6.

SMU's that certain buying groups have are also a great deal. The Vapor Shift or Vector Control from Source for Sports as examples. Are basically the second tier model with a few top of the line additions at around the price of the second tier skate.

I don't know any shops in the greater DC area that have SMU's.

And I have decided I'm buying local, getting fitted and making sure I have the right skate. Hockeygiant has the SE16 for $299 now, and my LHS has the SE10 for $269.

The thought might be to get the SE16 for that price, but I need to make sure I'm getting the right skate, and don't need top of the line, so I'll go local, get fitted, get it right, and not need to change skates in a year again when I realize I should have got a half size smaller, or bigger or whatnot

Always try smaller sizes until you find a size that is too small, then go back up a half size. Also, spend at least 10 or 15 minutes walking around in them. It's amazing how many people spend less than five minutes in a pair of skates while seated and are surprised when they have issues once they start moving around in them on the ice.

[furlanitalia 1]

If i'm not mistaken U+ are 299 in the good deal thread? could be mistaken.

Have to agree with above comments though. While I tend to only have bought the top of the line skate in the past 5 years or so, a high end SMU will usually combine some of the top of the line features on the 2nd best skate for a very nice combination.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

If i'm not mistaken U+ are 299 in the good deal thread? could be mistaken.

Have to agree with above comments though. While I tend to only have bought the top of the line skate in the past 5 years or so, a high end SMU will usually combine some of the top of the line features on the 2nd best skate for a very nice combination.

Online, I would rather pay $300 for the V8 locally and know it's the best fit for my foot than get U+ for $300 and not know.

I don't need top end skates, I just want decent, properly fitted skates. This thread was more because I wanted to see if the difference between the 2nd tier and 3rd tier skate was big enough in features that I should spend the extra on the 2nd tier.

The shop I'm going to carry CCM, Bauer, Mission, Easton and Graf (although I would assume graf will be out of my range, trying to stick to $300ish), so I can try on all the 2nd tier skates, make sure I'm getting the best boot for my foot