Fascinated by the 09 CCM U+ Pro Ice Hockey Skates

[WstCoastHky13 0]

OK...

so after having skated in the U+ Pro's (Reloaded) for about 15 hours and getting them baked twice, i am thinking of ditching them due to excessive heel slippage. My last year's V08's were the same size (9E) and i did not have this problem.

Other than that, the skate is pretty good. Boot isn't as stiff as some other higher end skates on the market and believe that this U-Foam is just like any other foam in a high end skate....

Anyone else experiencing the heel slippage issue with the skate??

Thinking of getting a pair of 9k's instead.

That sucks to hear man. I was really hoping that this skate could take off this year because it has the potential to be great it just seems like they can't quite hit the mark in the heel. I found a lot of staff in my store going down in size a lot after trying them on with a heat mold. Do you think this could be why the heel slippage or does it definitely feel like the right performance fit for you still ? I wear a 9 in my 9K's and went down to an 8.5 in this skate.

How are the new ones for durability? Im really looking at the u+ pro 09's (the 09 pro model, is that correct?) but im gonna wait tell some people wear them to see if there actually improved. Going to need new skates soon anyways.

I can tell you from speaking with some junior guys that the durability has improved from last year (well how can it not the first generation was awful). Obviously the felt tongue helps eliminate any extra volume in the boot (thing tongue last year didn't help fit in the heel). I think the liner is one of the best out there right now. This is a skate that has to be heat molded to get the correct fit as guys I know were going a half to full size down from what they would usually wear. The heel sinks back a lot but from the sounds of it some guys are having some trouble still with heel movement.

[Zinger 0]

i doubt that....the length is perfect.

How would you compare the 9k's fit to the U+??

[WstCoastHky13 0]

You have the pump which is a nice feature but long term can be a hassle. Check out this link this is one of the most comfortable skates I have ever had on my foot.

http://www.thehockeyshop.com/Merchant2/mer...gory_Code=9KSKL

custom padding in the heel

fatty white pro tongues

no pump but has one of the tightest fitting heels I have ever seen

pro stiffness

[Zinger 0]

wow those look amazing...gonna think about picking those up

[][ncognito 0]

I guess I'll throw a positive note in here amongst all the doom and gloom.

I went to drop-in this afternoon and gave my U+ 09's another run. I really love the fit of this skate. In my own experiences my heel doesn't move a millimeter. This boot really holds my foot in place, but I still feel like I have plenty of ankle mobility for leaning into turns. I still wonder what the XXXX's would've been like if they had them in my size when I tried them on, because I really liked the feel of those as well. In any case, so far I'm really happy with the U+. I find the inside of the boot to be very comfortable, and while it may not be as stiff as some of the other top end models, it's holding up pretty well in my opinion.

[Leafsrule16 5]

You have the pump which is a nice feature but long term can be a hassle. Check out this link this is one of the most comfortable skates I have ever had on my foot.

http://www.thehockeyshop.com/Merchant2/mer...gory_Code=9KSKL

custom padding in the heel

fatty white pro tongues

no pump but has one of the tightest fitting heels I have ever seen

pro stiffness

Thanks for the link, just dug out my credit card number and ordered a pair of white ones and white felt tongues

[msburr87 0]

I've skated with my U+ Pro reloaded a few times now, Previously I skated with pro tacks for 6 years, so getting anything other then CCM was out of the question.

I have not experienced anything close to heel slippage. Keeping in mind I am a 9.5 shoe, and I wear a 6D skate. For those of you that complain of slippage you really need to consider going to your local shop and sizing skates a size smaller, if not more. Some of the best skaters wear skates far smaller then recommended. Also, with the molding, if done correctly (mold while sitting for 15 minutes, then let skates cool for 24 hours) the foam with provide a tight mold around your heel. This obviously wont work with excess room in the skate. When buying a skate its not about initial comfort, most people immediately assume because the skate is comfortable its going to work for you on the ice. I decided on the U+ at the store because it fit real snug, the foam provided a nice mold, they were incredibly light, the new quarter panel is SOLID, and they were super stiff.

This IS one of the stiffest skates you can buy. Only rivaled by the one95

Also I recommend helping out your local hockey shops by buying your equipment there, especially with high end skates. CCM is allowing them to price their skates lower to assist with keeping them in business. Priced online U+ Pro are $549.99 (you won't find it cheaper from an authorized dealer according to CCM) at the local store they are $499.99, and then they cut me an extra $15, not to mention free sharpenings (normally $6), free moldings (normally $25) and new blade protectors. Where are you going to get that service online?

My first impressions during the first skate on the U+ Pro Reloaded is WOW theses are super light, even without the rocket runner from the '08 model these things were fantastically light. Next, I noticed they are pretty stiff, and the responsiveness was amazing. For those of you who haven't had the oppurtunity to skate on a top line super light skate, let me tell you weight makes a HUGE difference when your trying to get that extra stride. Durability wise I don't see how these could have problems. The only complaint I have with CCM skates, that hasn't changed even with the U+Pro is the islets popping out, they really need to start using copper. Of course, issues can be prevented if you properly care for your skates, and let them dry and air out with all the laces loose after you skate. With these skates you can really turn, cut, and stop on a dime, it requires more strength due to the stiffness, but the more you put it the more you get back from these bad boys. My feet were super sore during the first couple of skates, but I wouldn't really relate it to skate structure as much as how tight I lace my skate. Once those pressure points broke in towards the fourth skate, they were significantly more comfortable. I can't really speak on overall comfort because everyone fits differently, I guess the word I would use is TIGHT, which is what I like. I personally dont mind skating through a little discomfort to be the best skater on the ice.

Kunal. I can almost guarentee heel slippage will go away if you get a smaller size. V08 is a high end skate, but the U+Pro is a PRO skate, its fitment is very exact and percise. Also, you won't find a stiffer or lighter skate, expect the One95.

CCM did adress the heel slippage issue by adding 50% more foam to the heel area.

Overall I give this skate a 4.75/5. Only because of the potential durability issues. Like I said potential.

GREAT SKATE, very improved. Best CCM Skate to date. Any further questions let me know. My local guy went to the CCM factory recently and either him or I will be able to answer any questions you have.

[chk hrd 164]

msburr, Good to hear about the skate, my son had the 1st generation and has the 2nd generation 08 U+'s and wants the U+ reloaded, but we are unsure about the durability. What is the difference in the exterior quarter panel material between the 08's and 09's?

[th6252 25]

You have the pump which is a nice feature but long term can be a hassle. Check out this link this is one of the most comfortable skates I have ever had on my foot.

http://www.thehockeyshop.com/Merchant2/mer...gory_Code=9KSKL

custom padding in the heel

fatty white pro tongues

no pump but has one of the tightest fitting heels I have ever seen

pro stiffness

sorry for the threadjack, but any updates on these? would basically consider these an 'A' width heel as opposed to the regular 9k's that seem more like a 'B' or even 'C'? is the overall volume/depth of the skate any different than the retail?

[msburr87 0]

chk hrd,

I have personally gotten a lot out of all my CCM skates, so hopefully it will be the same with these.

It is really hard to describe the difference, the new skates have VECTOR ARMOUR surlyn. Surlyn is most commonly known as what is used to cover golf balls. Kind of weird, but golf balls take an extreme beating (2000-4000lbs of force), and surlyn is considered "uncuttable". Surlyn is a very strong material that should really increase the life of the quarter panels, it is used by CCM because NHL players wanted something that wouldn't be destroyed by other skates, sticks or pucks. One complaint golfers have about surlyn is it isnt as flexible, thus it is harder to put spin, draw or fade on the ball, where in a skate the improved stiffness is an advantage.

The previous U+Pro 08 models have the standard pro metal mesh that the Vector V10.0 had but instead of being layerd as it was on the V10, it is smooth. Thats about all I can say about the 08, pretty standard I suppose.

Otherwise you just gotta see the new U+ reloaded person its a really cool material!

[matix218 11]

I've skated with my U+ Pro reloaded a few times now, Previously I skated with pro tacks for 6 years, so getting anything other then CCM was out of the question.

I have not experienced anything close to heel slippage. Keeping in mind I am a 9.5 shoe, and I wear a 6D skate.

Wow, down 3.5 sizes from your shoe size? I have a 9 shoe and my U+'s are 7D and my toes touch the end with no socks on, I cant imagine dropping another size and a half!

Although I heard Paul Coffey used to practically have to curl his toes he wore his skates so small.

[Ahriman 1]

I once went so long between new skates that my foot was visibly bigger than the boot of my skate when I put them next to each other. One day my socks came out of my skates bloody because my nails had cut up my toes. I went shopping the next day. They were really nice to skate in though... you know other than the injuring myself part.

[msburr87 0]

Yeah I used to wear a 7, but CCM has slightly decreased sizes (roughly a half), so I went all the way down to a 6 and the length is perfect. I am debating about taking them to the shop I bought them to get the front third of the quarter panel slightly beat out (and I mean slightly) to compensate for going down the size.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

chk hrd,

I have personally gotten a lot out of all my CCM skates, so hopefully it will be the same with these.

It is really hard to describe the difference, the new skates have VECTOR ARMOUR surlyn. Surlyn is most commonly known as what is used to cover golf balls. Kind of weird, but golf balls take an extreme beating (2000-4000lbs of force), and surlyn is considered "uncuttable". Surlyn is a very strong material that should really increase the life of the quarter panels, it is used by CCM because NHL players wanted something that wouldn't be destroyed by other skates, sticks or pucks. One complaint golfers have about surlyn is it isnt as flexible, thus it is harder to put spin, draw or fade on the ball, where in a skate the improved stiffness is an advantage.

The previous U+Pro 08 models have the standard pro metal mesh that the Vector V10.0 had but instead of being layerd as it was on the V10, it is smooth. Thats about all I can say about the 08, pretty standard I suppose.

Otherwise you just gotta see the new U+ reloaded person its a really cool material!

Bauer has used Surlyn for quite a bit now. The difference is that the CCM version is coated.

[chk hrd 164]

JR, what do you think about the changes? Anything has to be better than the mesh on the 08 U+'s.

[Zinger 0]

msburr87 great feedback....

i wear a size 11 shoe and my skate size is 9E....but i highly doubt i could go a full size down....maybe half a size but i doubt one full size...my toes feather the toecap already...

im startinng to get used to the skate and heel slippage has decreased, but is still there a bit. Depends on the way i tie the skates....if i tie them supersnug in the the 3rd and 4th eyelets than heel slippage goes away, but the i get massive arch pain (i am using superfeet btw)

since getting the skates though, ive had lots of positive feedback from teammates regarding my skating (im known to be an explosive style skater)...they say my speed has increased even more since i got the skates, i really cant tell....and i doubt skates make THAT much of a difference.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

JR, what do you think about the changes? Anything has to be better than the mesh on the 08 U+'s.

I had very high hopes for the U+ when it came out but certain things didn't work - inner liner as well as outer liner. Looks like CCM have addressed it. Looking pretty solid.

[epstud74 24]

For as many people who speak of the CCM U+ as "garbage" there are a lot of people in them

[Gr8erade 1]

I started this thread and actually went ahead and bought them. I've been on the ice with them a half dozen games now and I'm liking them very much. They are light, but they don't feel the slight bit flimsy. I haven't had an issue with my heel slipping around either. So far, so good. I like them.

[Zinger 0]

so maybe my sizing is wrong? my U+ pro's were a warranty replacement for my 2008 V08's which were size 9e....anyone know id the V08 and the U+ were sized differently?

[starsfan71 9]

OK so is the fit ACTUALLY any different from the '08 U+ not feeling different to certain people, I want to know if the fit is actually different.

How bad is the inner Liner on the '08 they feel nice but I don't know if I can deal with a liner that is constantly tearing.

[matix218 11]

I just got the U+ pros (not the reloadeds but the ones with the RR). I got them baked at my LHS and they felt absolutely horrible afterwards, almost no change in fit whatsoever, very "square" feeling in the forefoot and ankle. I was told by a buddy of mine that has the skates that he baked his at home with great molding success. I decided to go for it. I used the little sticker that came with the skates and put it on the back of one of the skates. I then put the skates on a cookie sheet. I preheated the oven to 200 degrees (which is the proper molding temp according to CCM). I put the skates in for 2.5 mins at 200 degrees and watched with the oven light on as the sticker went through its color changes. Just as the 2.5 mins was up the sticker moved into the "too hot to mold" section. I took the skates out, waited about 20 seconds and the sticker dropped back to the "ok" section. At this time I laced them up and began the molding. I wore them sitting down for about 25 mins and then removed them. HOLY CRAP, they have not only noticably changed shape around my foot but they are now stiffer then they were before they were molded and they feel like slippers on my feet! I think if anyone is having fit problems with these skates after molding it is because they were simply not heated up enough. I know the LHS oven that I had them originally baked in maxes out at 120 degrees which is NO WAY enough to make the foam soften to the point where it can actually mold.

I skated in them in my mens league game last night and they were phenomenal. I really recommend the U+ skates but definately be sure that they are heated enough or they will literally feel terrible on your feet.

[starsfan71 9]

Have you had any liner problems with them I want to know how common it is because of how good of a deal I can get on the old ones.

[Ahriman 1]

yeah the first bake didnt really "take" on mine either, the 2nd one did, and they do stiffen up. I wish they'd make a bigger deal about that because they turn into friggin rocks :P

[starsfan71 9]

Things are sounding good on these so far, and they don't seem to bother my slight arches either which was suprising. I am so tempted to buy them but the Liner thing is really worrying anyone actually not have a problem with the liner?