All other things being equal, can you help me choose a skate

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

So, I'll be getting my new skates in about 2 weeks. I was up getting a quote on jerseys for our team today, and while I was waiting, he said if I wanted to narrow down my list now, we could (he knows I'm buying my skates there, so it's not a try on here, and buy online thing).

Anyway, Grafs and Vapor, were just terrible fit for me.

The three skates that felt good were the RBK 5k, the Easton SE10 and the Nikebauer One55.

Price wise, there was little difference, I think the Nike were $199 the other two were $269.

So, all three are within my budget, and felt pretty good.

Mike (who runs the LHS), said don't decide yet, this is just sizing and initial feel. When I go back for them, he will put me in them to walk round for 10 minutes, then put one of each model on different feet at the same time, so I can compare feel that way too, and eliminate like that.

So, all other things being equal, if I like all three skates on my feet, what is the best value for money in terms of features and durability.

Unfortunately there are no reviews in the review section, and I've picked up some varying opinions on the different models from here.

I do like the lacelock on the 5k. That was really nice. I also liked the narrower heel with wider toebox on the One55.

I play 2 leagues but lower level. I'm 6'3" and 240+ish.

Looking for something to last me a few seasons now, or more.

Cheers, and sorry for yet another skate advice thread

[interpathway 9]

So, all other things being equal, if I like all three skates on my feet, what is the best value for money in terms of features and durability.

I do like the lacelock on the 5k. That was really nice. I also liked the narrower heel with wider toebox on the One55.

Hendrix's is fitting you? Awesome.

If all three were honestly dead equal in fit, people have been praising the ONE55 here IIRC. Possibly PM epstud74, I believe he is one of them. I would also take the LS holder on the ONE55 over the RBII on the SE10 and the E-Pro on the 5K as well.

Also, you said Grafs didn't fit you well. The end of the post I quoted makes me think you might be a candidate for the G35. Likely out of your budget, but just an information tidbit. IIRC TGIH doesn't have the G35 in the store to try on though.

Good luck!

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Also, you said Grafs didn't fit you well. The end of the post I quoted makes me think you might be a candidate for the G35. Likely out of your budget, but just an information tidbit. IIRC TGIH doesn't have the G35 in the store to try on though.

Good luck!

Mike said they were phasing out graf up there, nothing to do with the product, but the service just wasn't there.

I don't think it will hurt them, they are the only shop in the area that has CCM/Rbk/Mission/NBH/Easton and Graf for now. And their prices are damn good. The SE10 are $239 on hockeymonkey, they are $269 up there, which gets you baking sharpening and whatnot into the deal. So you end up saving.

[interpathway 9]

What? Graf Canada being phased out due to lacking CS? Nooooo this has never happened before! :lol:

If they're phasing out the Grafs they have (not sure if they're going to try to sell them off quickly, doubtful I assume) you might be able to pick up a pair of G35s sitting around for pennies on the dollar. Otherwise though I still think of the three you listed the ONE55 is your best bang (not to mention $70 cheaper...).

And btw...Last time I spoke with Mike he mentioned that he frequents this site a bit, although he isn't registered.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Mikes a great guy, and the reason I'm going to him is because when I didn't know a damn thing about skates, he didn't try to upsell me on stuff I didn't need. (couple of other local shops did).

He basically asked what level I was playing, and said with my size, I would need at least this skate, but starting out, that's all I would need. Put me in Supreme 30's and they were fine for me.

Just looking to upgrade now, and have no problem going back to him. Told one of the other guys on our team, who was wearing 9 year old 452 tacks. He got set up this week with a pair of SE10's, and had nothing but good things to say about the place too.

You get a good LHS like that, with someone who gives a shit, you try to drive business to them, so they are there down the line

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Anyone else?

I know JR said that the 5k was less skate for others in the price range because of the pump or something (at least I think it was JR).

[thehomez 0]

Anyone else?

I know JR said that the 5k was less skate for others in the price range because of the pump or something (at least I think it was JR).

Your right, he did say that in a 5k skate thread. I can see what he's saying but I ended up picking up the 5k's and couldn't be happier. I just need to get used to the E-pro holder but aside from that they are great skates. I'm a big guy like you (6'4" 210) and was worried about premature skate breakdown from my weight and use but overall people who had been using them for a while were pretty happy. Also after skating on them a few times I find that they are stiff enough for me and are just what i was looking for. I don't see any reason why they wouldn't last at least a year or two.

Good luck in your search and I hope you find a skate you are really happy with!

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I really liked the lace lock feature on the 5k, the snap open and close at the heel. The pump I have never used so don't know how good it actually would be, but I guess it would help keep them snug

[Chadd 916]

I really liked the lace lock feature on the 5k, the snap open and close at the heel. The pump I have never used so don't know how good it actually would be, but I guess it would help keep them snug

Go for the best base fit and not the add-on features. If you use wax laces and backlace (outside-in), you can do without the lace lock.

[Hockeydog 8]

I had a pair of 5K's for about a year ( 1st generation ) and they worked just fine other than the fact that the heel was just a bit too wide for me unless I pumped the bladder about 30 times.

I would say they are overpriced for the materials used but still a very usable skate if it fits your foot and skating level.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I really liked the lace lock feature on the 5k, the snap open and close at the heel. The pump I have never used so don't know how good it actually would be, but I guess it would help keep them snug

Go for the best base fit and not the add-on features. If you use wax laces and backlace (outside-in), you can do without the lace lock.

They all fit my foot relatively well. Again, I haven't walked round in them or anything, just initial impressions. I'm going back on the 15th to purchase, and these are the 3 that felt best.

At the minute it's probably the One55 over the 5k and SE10, but I'll know more when I get a proper fitting done.

I was just curious about what people who know more than me thought was the better boot for the money, if fit is not an issue

[Hockeydog 8]

At the minute it's probably the One55 over the 5k and SE10, but I'll know more when I get a proper fitting done.

The One55 is going to be more narrow in the heel if I remember correctly.

[tamtamg 12]

I had a pair of 5k's. Got maybe a month out of them before they were mush. Especially for bigger guys, i would not recommend them.

[Chadd 916]

I really liked the lace lock feature on the 5k, the snap open and close at the heel. The pump I have never used so don't know how good it actually would be, but I guess it would help keep them snug

Go for the best base fit and not the add-on features. If you use wax laces and backlace (outside-in), you can do without the lace lock.

They all fit my foot relatively well. Again, I haven't walked round in them or anything, just initial impressions. I'm going back on the 15th to purchase, and these are the 3 that felt best.

At the minute it's probably the One55 over the 5k and SE10, but I'll know more when I get a proper fitting done.

I was just curious about what people who know more than me thought was the better boot for the money, if fit is not an issue

Of the three, this is the only specific, positive comment you made regarding fit.

I do like the lacelock on the 5k. That was really nice. I also liked the narrower heel with wider toebox on the One55.

If that's the only one that inspires you to make a positive comment on it, chances are it was the one that fit you best.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Of the three, this is the only specific, positive comment you made regarding fit.

I do like the lacelock on the 5k. That was really nice. I also liked the narrower heel with wider toebox on the One55.

If that's the only one that inspires you to make a positive comment on it, chances are it was the one that fit you best.

I did say this in the initial post

The three skates that felt good were the RBK 5k, the Easton SE10 and the Nikebauer One55.

The lacelock was only a comment because I hadn't seen anything like it on other skates, and thought it was a really good idea, not necessarily that it was something that made the fit better compared to the others.

All three felt good on my foot, but I am a bigger guy, and I'm remembering something JR said about the pump and cost of production being a detriment with other features of this skate compared to other skates in the same range, so I was wondering outside of fit what gets me most bang for the buck

[thehomez 0]

I just wanted to add a couple of thinks regarding the 5k and the pump. Like Chadd said make sure they fit you well prior to pumping them up. Mine fit really well and were very comfortable and stable without any air in the bladders. The added benefit of the pump, for me, was that it made the skates a bit more snug and helped improve my ankles lateral stability. Its a nice feature because you can tighten the skates as tight as you want then fill any gaps with the pump. And after reading around regarding the pump, its generally recommended to do 8-15 pumps per skate, not that the bladder would burst, but if you need too much more than that the fit might not be right. Also, if you do end up getting them, make sure the bladder is empty prior to baking them. I had read that the bladder is heat sealed so if there is any air in them when baking it will put some stress on the seals. Good luck!

[epstud74 24]

The One55 is a very comfortable and supportive skate. Some of the bigger guys on my rec league team wear the One55s. They fit very comfortable out of the box, and more so after baking them. They also come with the LSP2 runner/holder combo.

[gagner89 0]

Those skates fit differently, and thus all things CAN'T be equal.

The features that one skate have over the other and the reviews that others give on their skate mean nothing given that the skates have different fits.

[legiahockey 3]

id skip the 5k's. have a few friends in them and the boots soft as butter....

[andysly 1]

I just bought the 5Ks last week. And they're nothing like butter (sorry legiahockey). I went from Flexlite 9s and the 5k is a MUCH stiffer boot.

[thehomez 0]

I just bought the 5Ks last week. And they're nothing like butter (sorry legiahockey). I went from Flexlite 9s and the 5k is a MUCH stiffer boot.

I agree with you on that one. I think most of the people saying the 5k is soft are talking about the older model. The most recent model is pretty darn stiff and like I said I'm a pretty big guy...

[gxc999 7]

If you liked the SE10, check out the SE16 at HM for $299. I've been hearing really good things about that skate...

[interpathway 9]

If you liked the SE10, check out the SE16 at HM for $299. I've been hearing really good things about that skate...

No way in hell is ASNP turning his back on our LHS!!

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Those skates fit differently, and thus all things CAN'T be equal.

The features that one skate have over the other and the reviews that others give on their skate mean nothing given that the skates have different fits.

All 3 of those skates fitted my foot pretty good, so thus, in my instance, all other things can be equal

If you liked the SE10, check out the SE16 at HM for $299. I've been hearing really good things about that skate...

I'm getting fitted, and buying locally. I don't mind picking up stick/gloves online, or here, but for the most part, I prefer to get my stuff locally, simply because the price difference isn't much and I get to make sure I get the right fit

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

OK, I'm taking a 3 hour lunch and going for full fitting and purchase today.

Thanks for the advice folks.

Have to say though, people are not as excited as I think they should be. Alarm went off this morning at 5.45am (same as every morning), my wife was noth at all giddy to hear it was "new skate wednesday"