A place to actually test-drive skates?

[jmiami 4]

I seem to remember a couple years ago seeing a link about an equipment shop where one can actually put on a model of high-end skate and take them for a spin on either some adjacent rink, or perhaps it was a patch of synthetic ice they have set up in back? That's about all I remember. Was it in Canada? Minnesota? Hell, maybe I just dreamed the whole thing.

But does this ring a note with anyone? When you think about it, it would be a great idea for a shop that does enough volume to keep various sizes of high-end skates for customers to test out. You can test-drive a car, why shouldn't you be able to test-drive a model of skate? It would remove the "leap of faith" aspect of buying a new high-end pair.

Anyone know of the place I describe above?

[james12lucy 0]

It's possible at Pro Hockey Life in Vaughan, Ontario. They've got a little synthetic ice pad there. It really isn't enough to test any skate out properly though. A full ice sheet to try skates would be great.

[ArcArsenal 0]

As far as I know Hockey Life doesn't do this. I know a few guys who have got skates from there and it was never an option. Maybe check it out - but I doubt it.

Even if you did find a place to try on a high end skate it would be a demo that tons of people have worn. They are not going to sharpen a new pair every time some kid wants to see what skating on a one95 is like. It would be hard to tell if the fit was for you at all because there would be existing break in, no baking (which high end skates respond very well to), etc...

[jimmy 194]

You may be thinking of KOR, they had a test drive program. In addition to the good points above, I don't even think a high volume shop would want to take the loss on all the skates that would be required to run a program like that, considering there are about 13 sizes of junior-Sr skates, multiply that by 8 or more high end models out there. That's a lot of skates and a lot of capital to invest, up towards 30k. You'd have to sell 500-600 pairs at a profit just to break even. Now if the manufacturers gave the shops the skates for such a program, that would be sweet. So, many people do not buy high end skates out of fear they won't fit right and they'll be stuck with a $600 loss.

[snipez96 4]

It's possible at Pro Hockey Life in Vaughan, Ontario. They've got a little synthetic ice pad there. It really isn't enough to test any skate out properly though. A full ice sheet to try skates would be great.

I actually asked about that when i was going to buy my ONE95s they said no to me i was like really your willing to lose a sale? $500+ for skates and you wont let me take a test run? The kid told me they only use it for younger children to make sure they have a proper fit...whatever...total bs when the ONE95s came out their staff was trying them on the pad these kids were bigger than me....and to top things off they wouldnt bake them unless the skates were paid in full....So i took my money elsewhere.

[mnpucker 33]

This year you can test skates on a treadmill at the Hockey Expo in St Paul MN. at teh State High school hockey toureny.

[GrafPro55 0]

One of the hockey stores here in Calgary has "Demo Days" where they bring a size run of every skate they sell, to a rink, and let the public try them. They actually bring everything. You can go for a spin with some new skates and try a new stick at the same time. The reps are there for support as well. They give everyone who came to the rink, to try the gear, a coupon for a discount at the store. They do it in August.

[silverclrk 0]

It's possible at Pro Hockey Life in Vaughan, Ontario. They've got a little synthetic ice pad there. It really isn't enough to test any skate out properly though. A full ice sheet to try skates would be great.

I actually asked about that when i was going to buy my ONE95s they said no to me i was like really your willing to lose a sale? $500+ for skates and you wont let me take a test run? The kid told me they only use it for younger children to make sure they have a proper fit...whatever...total bs when the ONE95s came out their staff was trying them on the pad these kids were bigger than me....and to top things off they wouldnt bake them unless the skates were paid in full....So i took my money elsewhere.

Why would anyone let you bake the skates before they are paid for. Baking causes the skate to mold to your foot. Why would I want your foot mold in my brand new skates after you decided you did not want them. Did you actually find a shop that did this for you.

[jmiami 4]

Thanks for responses. Okay so I didn't quite dream it, the little patch of synth ice at Hockey Life was probably what I read about. From the posts I do realize how it could get quite complicated for a shop to have "testers" to loan out for various sizes/models. And yes, if the skate companies themselves would give out testers, then that would be nice, but that would bring its own headaches I imagine. And the skate companies have no incentive to do something like that as the present business model seems to work fine for them.

I wonder though if a skate company did devise a way to give out testers if it would give them a marketing edge. Not give them out everywhere obviously, but just in a several strategic locations(shops) around North America, and whatever other parts of the world they want to do business in. Another way might be via traveling bus that goes on promotional tours to various rinks and lets people test the product. Of course no baking involved, so it would only be an approximation of what the skate will do for you, but at least it you would get a sense of it on the ice. I guess something like this would be suited for a new company trying to make its name as NBH, Graf, CCM and others don't seem to have much incentive to do something like this. As per the responses above, it seems Kor had a test-drive option, which I don't know much about. But I hear the poor guys went belly-up.

One of the hockey stores here in Calgary has "Demo Days" where they bring a size run of every skate they sell, to a rink, and let the public try them. They actually bring everything. You can go for a spin with some new skates and try a new stick at the same time. The reps are there for support as well. They give everyone who came to the rink, to try the gear, a coupon for a discount at the store. They do it in August.

Actually, can you tell me the name of the hockey shop in Calgary of which you speak? It might be fun to travel up there and attend a "Demo Day". Hell...make a mini-vacation out of it. Thanks in advance if you can provide the name of the shop.

[GrafPro55 0]

Thanks for responses. Okay so I didn't quite dream it, the little patch of synth ice at Hockey Life was probably what I read about. From the posts I do realize how it could get quite complicated for a shop to have "testers" to loan out for various sizes/models. And yes, if the skate companies themselves would give out testers, then that would be nice, but that would bring its own headaches I imagine. And the skate companies have no incentive to do something like that as the present business model seems to work fine for them.

I wonder though if a skate company did devise a way to give out testers if it would give them a marketing edge. Not give them out everywhere obviously, but just in a several strategic locations(shops) around North America, and whatever other parts of the world they want to do business in. Another way might be via traveling bus that goes on promotional tours to various rinks and lets people test the product. Of course no baking involved, so it would only be an approximation of what the skate will do for you, but at least it you would get a sense of it on the ice. I guess something like this would be suited for a new company trying to make its name as NBH, Graf, CCM and others don't seem to have much incentive to do something like this. As per the responses above, it seems Kor had a test-drive option, which I don't know much about. But I hear the poor guys went belly-up.

One of the hockey stores here in Calgary has "Demo Days" where they bring a size run of every skate they sell, to a rink, and let the public try them. They actually bring everything. You can go for a spin with some new skates and try a new stick at the same time. The reps are there for support as well. They give everyone who came to the rink, to try the gear, a coupon for a discount at the store. They do it in August.

Actually, can you tell me the name of the hockey shop in Calgary of which you speak? It might be fun to travel up there and attend a "Demo Day". Hell...make a mini-vacation out of it. Thanks in advance if you can provide the name of the shop.

Professional Skate is the store. I assume they will do one this August as well. Maybe you can work it so you are here Aug 24-28 for the orientation camp for the Canadian men's national team at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

"The camp will run from August 24-28 and include both on- and off-ice sessions as well as meetings with players and staff in preparation for the possibility of representing Canada at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and World Hockey Championship."

[jmiami 4]

Thanks for responses. Okay so I didn't quite dream it, the little patch of synth ice at Hockey Life was probably what I read about. From the posts I do realize how it could get quite complicated for a shop to have "testers" to loan out for various sizes/models. And yes, if the skate companies themselves would give out testers, then that would be nice, but that would bring its own headaches I imagine. And the skate companies have no incentive to do something like that as the present business model seems to work fine for them.

I wonder though if a skate company did devise a way to give out testers if it would give them a marketing edge. Not give them out everywhere obviously, but just in a several strategic locations(shops) around North America, and whatever other parts of the world they want to do business in. Another way might be via traveling bus that goes on promotional tours to various rinks and lets people test the product. Of course no baking involved, so it would only be an approximation of what the skate will do for you, but at least it you would get a sense of it on the ice. I guess something like this would be suited for a new company trying to make its name as NBH, Graf, CCM and others don't seem to have much incentive to do something like this. As per the responses above, it seems Kor had a test-drive option, which I don't know much about. But I hear the poor guys went belly-up.

One of the hockey stores here in Calgary has "Demo Days" where they bring a size run of every skate they sell, to a rink, and let the public try them. They actually bring everything. You can go for a spin with some new skates and try a new stick at the same time. The reps are there for support as well. They give everyone who came to the rink, to try the gear, a coupon for a discount at the store. They do it in August.

Actually, can you tell me the name of the hockey shop in Calgary of which you speak? It might be fun to travel up there and attend a "Demo Day". Hell...make a mini-vacation out of it. Thanks in advance if you can provide the name of the shop.

Professional Skate is the store. I assume they will do one this August as well. Maybe you can work it so you are here Aug 24-28 for the orientation camp for the Canadian men's national team at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

"The camp will run from August 24-28 and include both on- and off-ice sessions as well as meetings with players and staff in preparation for the possibility of representing Canada at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and World Hockey Championship."

Many thanks Graf Canada, I appreciate the tip!

[snipez96 4]

Why would anyone let you bake the skates before they are paid for. Baking causes the skate to mold to your foot. Why would I want your foot mold in my brand new skates after you decided you did not want them. Did you actually find a shop that did this for you.

Dunno....i heard that from one of the guys that i play pick up with that some store do this. I know for sure Majer Hockey, Source for Sports Don Mills, SFS Steeles, SFS Ajax all do it.

For example SFS Don Mills must have baked 5-6pairs of skates before i found one i liked(Graf 703s). My ONE95s i got from SFS Ajax they baked them and a pair of ONE90s before i made my decision.

I guess for the smaller LHS in the Toronto Area this is a common practice and as a selling point to make sure you are comfortable with your purchase.