Skate Stiffness 101

[Hockeydog 8]

I know there have been many posts/threads on skate stiffness, but I have a few questions that I couldn't find.

1) When in the LHS, how can you tell the stiffness of the skate? Is squeezing the ankles of different skates really a good way to compare? Or should other areas of the boot be squeezed for comparison. Or none of the above?

2) When someone is actually skating on the boot, what parts of the skate flex, such as when someone turns out their boot to start quick and rolls ( or tries) their boot 45 degrees to the ice. Is it around the ankle? Does it flex in the same place when cornering?

3) Is there a industry standard measurement for skate stiffness, and is that readily available to the public?

Maybe this could be the skate stiffness go to page on this forum.

[automorph 0]

generally higher the model (+$$$) the stiffer the skate is ............

[schrempsky 0]

if i squeeze a skate, i usually squeeze around the area where the boot is supposed to flex. the best way to test boot stiffness is to try it on

[Hockeydog 8]

if i squeeze a skate, i usually squeeze around the area where the boot is supposed to flex.

What part of the boot is supposed to flex

[schrempsky 0]

if the eyelets are in an L pattern, like a vapor XXXX or easton skate, it is supposed to flex at the corner of the L

alot of boots flex by the toe as well, but the major one is just in front of the ankle

[interpathway 9]

NBH and now Bauer rate the stiffness' of their skates. #1,#2,#3,#4, with #1 being the least stiff and #4 being total bricks. I believe all NBH offerings at retail are #2, and JR mentioned that most pros in the NHL (75% IIRC) use #2 as well.

[thehomez 0]

Good topic regarding stiffness. I'm curious to know the answers to your questions as well

NBH and now Bauer rate the stiffness' of their skates. #1,#2,#3,#4, with #1 being the least stiff and #4 being total bricks. I believe all NBH offerings at retail are #2, and JR mentioned that most pros in the NHL (75% IIRC) use #2 as well.

And thats surprising to hear that most NHLers use #2's. I thought they would need at least 3's given their skating ability and how much they skate on them...

[bigsnake76 2]

Interesting about NBH...

I squeeze the top of the boot. If I cant squeeze it or it does not move at all, I will try the skate on. I like stiff skates though.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

And thats surprising to hear that most NHLers use #2's. I thought they would need at least 3's given their skating ability and how much they skate on them...

but they get new ones whenever they want. they dont need a pair to last a season.

personally, i friggen hate if i'm showing someone my one95's and how stiff they are, and they try to squish the fuck out of it. I'm like, you can get a general idea without smashing the thing... im paranoid like that, though.

[Globalz 1]

I think your scale is the other way around because ive seen a story on here about a guy ripping number 2 stiffness and the guy went and bought a number 1 stiff scaled boot and he said the guy needed a stiffer boot :P

[sdcopp 1]

The Bauer scale in the earlier post is accurate with 4 being stiffest.

[duch 0]

Good Lord if the Nike/Bauer retail versions are #2 stiffness the #'s 3 & 4 must be rock solid. I can barely flex the top of the Vapor XXXX's or XXV's boot. I can't imagine using a skate much more solid than the ones I just mentioned. I know there where numerous comfort issues with the Easton Composite Z-Airs because they where virtually bullet proof and didn't break down,,even after several years. I've heard only real heavy players who skated numerous times a week are the only ones who could ever use that model and be reasonably comfortable with them.

[larrivee 3]

A skate can also have different amounts of lateral flex vs forward flex too, right?

As I recall I could get some serious knee bend out of xxxx's right out of the box, but they were still immovable from side to side.

My 8090's on the other hand had to crease for the forward flex to really open up.

[CaptainFantastik 0]

Good Lord if the Nike/Bauer retail versions are #2 stiffness the #'s 3 & 4 must be rock solid. I can barely flex the top of the Vapor XXXX's or XXV's boot. I can't imagine using a skate much more solid than the ones I just mentioned.

No doubt. I just picked up the Vapor XXXX's today (big thanks to JR for fitting me out) and these boots are stiff as all hell.

[epstud74 24]

The Vapor is a nice skate. Plenty stiff, so I really dont even need wax laces or need to tie them up too tight.

[Chadd 916]

What part of the boot is supposed to flex

Depends on the design of the boot.

[NWoodhockey17 0]

when bauer increases a 2 to a 3 for a player what parts of the boot are reinforced/ stiffened? or does it depend on what the player wants?

[Hockeydog 8]

I know there where numerous comfort issues with the Easton Composite Z-Airs because they where virtually bullet proof and didn't break down,,even after several years. I've heard only real heavy players who skated numerous times a week are the only ones who could ever use that model and be reasonably comfortable with them.

I actually skated in a pair of those twice. incredibly stiff. They hurt my knees.

Depends on the design of the boot.

So a low profile boot will flex in a different place than a higher boot?

If you look at a low profile boot can you get away with having a stiffer boot, or will it still cause issues for a lighter, less experienced skater?

Thanks for all the posts, good info!

[Jordan 13]

Another factor in the stiffness of the boot (at least that the skater experiences) is determined by how tightly they tie their skates.

I know a number of skaters, who like extremely stiff skates, that they tie loosely. The result is a skate that remains very stiff laterally, yet flexes somewhat softer in forward flex.

[Rags81 0]

I personally dislike stiff boots.

I'm only 5-10, 140.

Sure the energy transfer may be great in a stiffer boot, but i am not willing to sacrifice comfort for energy transfer.

I much prefer softer boots where my bony feet feel more comfortable.

Besides that, on the Supreme One55 and Supreme Comps the shape of the boot has the ankle pockets protruding outwardly more so then the One75 and One95. And that is good for me and my bony ankles.

In my humble opinion, the most important thing in a skate is comfort. Not energy transfer, not weight, not anything else. It is all comfort. If they are comfortable and your feet feel good, you will skate better and you will perform better.

[schrempsky 0]

thats the way most people are as well, they will try a skate for performance, but buy a skate for comfort

[gxc999 7]

Another factor in the stiffness of the boot (at least that the skater experiences) is detrmined by how tightly they tie their skates.

I know a number of skaters, who like extremely stiff skates, that they tie loosely. The result is a skate that remains very stiff laterally, yet flexes somewhat softer in forward flex.

Really good point. I usually keep my laced tighter in the mid-foot and looser in the ankle, more ankle lateral flex, which I'm fine with.

I personally dislike stiff boots.

I'm only 5-10, 140.

Sure the energy transfer may be great in a stiffer boot, but i am not willing to sacrifice comfort for energy transfer.

I much prefer softer boots where my bony feet feel more comfortable.

Besides that, on the Supreme One55 and Supreme Comps the shape of the boot has the ankle pockets protruding outwardly more so then the One75 and One95. And that is good for me and my bony ankles.

In my humble opinion, the most important thing in a skate is comfort. Not energy transfer, not weight, not anything else. It is all comfort. If they are comfortable and your feet feel good, you will skate better and you will perform better.

I'm only 165, and cannot use a non-stiff boot at this point. V10 on ice and Mission LT's in roller.

[automorph 0]

5"8 140

Used One75 for 1 year, moved to One95 and feels like power transfer is alot better with stiffer skates.....I was scared at first because of my weight

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

too many people mistake stiffness for support. just sayin.

[automorph 0]

just a note....skated on one95 (love it) for 4 days and got a hotspot......figure let it heal and go back to my one75's for couple days......... my one75's felt like they werent even laced up and missing the blade.....the stiffer you go, you can never go back