U+ Reloaded Vs. 9K

[tamtamg 12]

*my crappy warranty experience, you can skip this part if you want*

So I bought a pair of CCM U+ a while back. In terms of fit, they were perfect, I've never had a skate fit my foot better. However on the ice, something did not feel right about them. I finally figured out that my left skate was pretty badly misaligned. I called CCM and they said they would exchange them for a new pair. This was back in mid-june. After being lost in their factory for almost a month and numerous calls on my part to get a status update, they finally got back to me to say they received the skates and are shipping a new pair to me........ in freaking SEPTEMBER!!!!! This of coarse is completely unacceptable, but according to them, theirs really nothing they can do for me. Then I asked them if them, if they could send me back 9ks instead, and they said it wouldn't be an issue and they can ship it right away.

*End of my crappy warranty experience*

So the question is, how is the fit of the 9k skate in comparison to the U+ Pro Reloaded? I'm very wary of the pump, I've heard the bladders tend to blow out. Have they fixed that issue yet? Of the two, which would you recommend?

[chk hrd 164]

Usually CCM is pretty good about warranties. My son had 1st edition U+'s that went bad after about 2 months, CCM replaced them with 2nd edition U+'s and put a felt tongue on for us in less than 2 weeks (from ship date to return). They took care of all the costs and were easily accessable by email or phone.

I have the 1st 9k's, never had any problems with the pump but my son's 9ks (1st one also) had one bladder go bad. Not sure why but I would guess it was more the way a kid takes care of skates than anything. Before his 9k's he had 5k's and didn't have any issues.

I haven't skated in the U+ skates, but my son has skated in both. He preffers the U+ Pro over the 9k. We just ordered him the U+ Pro Reloded skates for this season.

[Leafsrule16 5]

The bladders dont go as long as you take all the air out before you take your foot out, and dont pump them up when your not wearing them .. or at least thats what ive been told. I have a pair of 9k's with different tongues, had them for a season and a half of pond hockey and ice hockey 3 times a week, still great shape. Solid solid skate when looked after.

[tamtamg 12]

Any words on the fit of the 9k in comparison with the U+. I don't want to go to my LHS to try on a skate I'm not going to buy from them.

[Leafsrule16 5]

Any words on the fit of the 9k in comparison with the U+. I don't want to go to my LHS to try on a skate I'm not going to buy from them.

Im no fit expert but to me the pumps seemed similar. You would have to use the pump to achieve the same heel lock but the forefoot in a 10.5 ee 9k and a 10.5 ee u+ seemed to fit the same. Just pump them up and they should be good.

[ndlancer95 0]

The bladders dont go as long as you take all the air out before you take your foot out, and dont pump them up when your not wearing them .. or at least thats what ive been told. I have a pair of 9k's with different tongues, had them for a season and a half of pond hockey and ice hockey 3 times a week, still great shape. Solid solid skate when looked after.

When I got my pair, the guy told me to pump them up to where I need them, and never change the setting, not even letting the air out?

[the_sock 1]

The heel pocket of both the 9K and the U+ Reloaded is a U shape, with the 9K depending on the pump to achieve heel lock (which doesn't work for my skinny heels). The U+ Reloaded changed the fit compared to the first generation, there is a deeper heel pocket to help with heel lock, but also properly heating the skates will wrap around the foot (another problem which was fixed).

The return rate for warranty issues with the 9K pumps failing is 8%, which directly 4% being from improper heating. Other 4% is from workmanship defects. All info from the Reebok rep.

If I were to pick a skate, I would go with the new U+ Reloaded, they fixed the problems with the first generation enough that it should be a much better fit. I tried it out at the demo and damn, my feet were very comfy in them after heating. However, I found them rock hard.

[Zinger 0]

i've been using the U+ pro reloaded's for about 2 months now...first of all, these skates incredibly stiff. They took my 3 heat moldings and about 20 ice tiimes to break in, usually for me 2-3 times and im good. I have been getting some pain on the side of my feet and its been an up and down experience with these skates...

I just recently purchased the 9K's, and i failed the pencil test miserably. This was not an issue with the U+. I havent skated in the 9k's yet.....but i believe the U+ have more volume that the 9k's.

Also, i liked the liner on the U+ much better than the 9k's,

[epstud74 24]

Why did you buy the 9ks then?

[FattyL 0]

The reason your skates got lost was that ReebokCCM was changing their distribution to a new one so a bunch of stuff got misplaced while changing warehouses.

[tamtamg 12]

The reason your skates got lost was that ReebokCCM was changing their distribution to a new one so a bunch of stuff got misplaced while changing warehouses.

Thanks for the info, that's more information than ccm gave me. I'm just going to wait til september for the U+. Still though, 3 months is still way too long to have get skates replaced.

[K9 Unit 1]

i personally will wait 3 months for a $600 skate...can never justify myself spending so much on a skate

good luck :)

[Zinger 0]

Why did you buy the 9ks then?

cuz the u+ are giving me lots of foot pain....gonna try the 9k's out and see if i like those....if not, i'll get rid of them both and get some X60's or Vapor XXXX'a