Bauer / Easton for new skates - tough fit question

[williesparkem 0]

Hey guys,

JUST getting back into Hockey & skating ( thanks in part to my kid ) after a nearly 15+ year hiatus and desperately need some new gear( ..the ancient grandaddy Bauers wont cut it any longer.)

Hate to have to ask the typical "What skate shoud I get ? " question but I feel I like I need some imput due to the frequency I'll be using the skates ,15+ years of added "girth" and general lack of local /regional options. Also - there is the fact that I dont want to throw too much money towards an item that I might not use more than once a week at this stage . ( ;) )

I've been fortunate to try on a Vapor ( X:30 , X:40 ) , Supreme ONE55 ,75 , and Easton SE10 , S17's ( most while traveling ) . While each had perks ( $$ / holder/runner/steel ) .. fit was the KEY consideration when trying these on. My feet are ....politely " jacked up" from years of abuse & heredity and are blessed with 2 troublesome bunions ( hammer-toes) on the big toes of each ( no pic necessary ). The rest of the foot / heel and pretty standard and doesn't really require a wider boot ( imo ) . Needless to say this makes fitting occasionally difficult . Even more considering the amount of time and options that I have .

Like I said- I've been fortunate to find places carrying me sizes ( 12 US shoe - 46 Euro ...so 10.5 to 11 skate ) and get a feel for some of the skates . Now I'm just looking for a bit of advise

The Supremes ( 55 +75 ) while significantly better quality than most listed (IMO) were a little TOO tight on the bunions but felt really good in the heel. I've tried to consider the size I've tried on ( 10.5 ) and maybe some width adjustments but I really feel like my feet are pretty standard width overall and going wide ( or finding one available ) would be adding too much in an area that actually felt good. I actually loved the Supremes OTHER than the pressure on the bunions ...surprised as I thought they were the wider of the Bauers too . As much as I like the features and look I just think these may not be for my foot

The Easton SE10 I tried on in an 11 and it felt like a perfect running shoe...which kinda bothered me. I dont ever recall a skate ever feeling that comfortable. For some reason I've been trying to convince myself that it felt like there was a bit too much volume in the boot ( regardless of comfort ) and that I would only end up sliding around over the break in process . The other matter in my consideration here was with the price point in compariosn to Bauers ( similar for a questionable quality ) . Worried about shattered boots , toe cap felt cheap too . Good price for me though <_<

The Easton S17 tried on a 10.5 and it felt ( and looked ) like an old hockey skate . Just felt good - maybe a bit wide in the mid foot . Didn't affect the bunions ( noticeably ) But WAAAYYY too much scratch ($) for me to justiify on a skate . Merely tried it on for a point of reference { wish I didn't }

Vapor X:30 ( 40) - Really shocked that the Vapor fit my foot accurately. Where the supreme felt TOO tight the Vapor felt like it was wide enough at the pressure point of my toes and was secure throughout the boot. After aboout 15 mins of walking around in the first set ( size 10.5 ) I did have a little pressure on the bunions ...that happens and I DID have a rather lengthy run the night before ..but nothing major . I tried on an 11 and it felt a LOT better but just too big . Couldnt reach the cap at any point ( sitting, standing ) which I dont like . Price point, general fit , reputation all fit with the Bauers ...but there is the small concern about the pressure after 15 mins . (?)

Sooo-- heres the $ 64,000 question . No way I'm throwing money down on the S17's ....I LIKE the fit of the Eastons (SE10 ) but I do have durability concerns , concerns over the features AND the boot just felt a little "too" comfortable IMO . The Bauer X30 seems like a great balance of all of the concerns I have ( price point/ value/ features, etc..) BUT there is the small concern over the pressure point of the boot. After a bake and some breaking in would you think that that area of the vapor would soften. I have no reference point with the current build of skates to think it will loosen. I can certainly have those areas punched if necessary , right > ? So - I GUESS the real question is : X30 or SE10 for a rapidly aging , occasional stick and puck guy with jacked up toes ?

sorry for the lengthy rant - any insight would be greatly appreciated ! - Thanks!

[eric42434224 1]

After returning to hockey after a hiatus of over two decades, I had similar thoughts. You should know however, that skates have changed dramatically, and they are much more comfortable. Skates dont need to be uncomfortable anymore so definitely pick which skates fit you the best in your price range.

As far as the Easton skates durability is concerned, I believe the synergy like is generally thought to be more durable than the Stealth line. I have taken a ton of shots off the Easton composite boots, and not only do you not feel them, they havent shown any instance of breaking. Also, I dont think Synergy skates are generally thought of as having a lot of volume. Be sure to look up the "pencil test" and use it when trying skates.

Hope this helps, and remember to buy what fits best. I think you probably already have your answer :)

[leonzhu 7]

welcome back to the wonderful world of hockey! my 2c would be to go with the vapors and bake them, mold them to your feet and punch if necessary. they would be the best for the type of foot described.

I have a similar kind of foot, normal heels, but they just keep getting wider and wider. yes, i have triangle feet. the vapors, designed exactly in such a shape, have suited me well since i got the XXIIs, and now i'm using X:60s. My fiancee just got X:30s from me for christmas and she loves them. great stiff yet comfortable boot, and once baked, no blisters and no break in period!

[williesparkem 0]

Thanks for the follow up guys - I really appreciate it . I'm excited about getting involved again !

Re: Eastons :

Well , I dont know if I could ( or SHOULD ) try and get a lower model Synergy Skate ( e.g. : S9 or S5 (?)) . Should I look @ one of these instead of the X30 ? . As much as I'm being cheap about the re-entry expenses I still want to get the best possible skate I can (with the best fit) for the money . The SE's "fit" well but ...as mentioned but they end up being the same cost as the Bauers (with less features ) . An S9 seems pretty equivalent in cost - but not really feature rich compared to the Vapor . I wasn't planning to but do you think I should try to find one and compare to the X30 ?

Re: Bauer ( Vapors ) :

Just a bit concerned over the elasticity of the boot in the forefoot area ( not the toe box - which is fine ) . The area where I feel a bit of pressure is the only problemt. My casual concerns over the ankle support can likley be addressed with a set of new insoles (IMO) .

Should I expect the Vapors ( @ the X30 level (for me = the best mix of features, cost and fit right now) to soften ? Any experience here ?

X30's also do not have gel inserts or moldable padding ( to my knowledge ) that would be traditionally " bakable " - right ? I'm also thinking that at this level , the boot ( in general) will be far easier to flex over a shorter period of time than a higher end model .

Thanks again

[beerleaguecaptain 999]

Recently went through a similar process when changing skates and I had similar experiences. I eneded up with the Vapor XXXX's and I've been thrilled ever since. I'm also a big guy with fat feet and I was shocked that they fit so well (8EE). I'd say try the X-40s or x-50s. You can't go wrong. They'll break in and you'll be fine.

[kredmore 2]

The Supremes ( 55 +75 ) while significantly better quality than most listed (IMO) were a little TOO tight on the bunions but felt really good in the heel. I've tried to consider the size I've tried on ( 10.5 ) and maybe some width adjustments but I really feel like my feet are pretty standard width overall and going wide ( or finding one available ) would be adding too much in an area that actually felt good. I actually loved the Supremes OTHER than the pressure on the bunions ...surprised as I thought they were the wider of the Bauers too . As much as I like the features and look I just think these may not be for my foot

You might look at this again, as I found the 75s fit great but had a bit of a bunion problem the first few times on the ice. But it went away, and the skates are wonderful!

[leonzhu 7]

Re: Bauer ( Vapors ) :

Just a bit concerned over the elasticity of the boot in the forefoot area ( not the toe box - which is fine ) . The area where I feel a bit of pressure is the only problemt. My casual concerns over the ankle support can likley be addressed with a set of new insoles (IMO) .

Should I expect the Vapors ( @ the X30 level (for me = the best mix of features, cost and fit right now) to soften ? Any experience here ?

X30's also do not have gel inserts or moldable padding ( to my knowledge ) that would be traditionally " bakable " - right ? I'm also thinking that at this level , the boot ( in general) will be far easier to flex over a shorter period of time than a higher end model .

Thanks again

AFAIK the X:30s are thermoformable i.e. bakeable. At least my fiancee baked hers at the LHS and it turned out great! I do find that my XXIIs are less stiff than my X:60s but then again i've used them almost daily for 2 years now (college hockey), and the 'softness' isn't bad enough to bother me. Yet.

[eric42434224 1]

Just buy the skate that fits best....period.

[cptjeff 0]

And don't worry about the SE10 shell or toecap (all part of the same body) breaking. The rest of the boot will fall off and decompose before you can get those things to break. The one piece composite shell is solid chunk of short fiber glass fiber composite. Some other uses for that exact same material include structural aircraft parts, 95% of all boats, support bars for bridge decking, bulletproof shielding (but no, the stuff on your skates isn't thick enough to stop more then a .22- not that I've tried).

I've taken 90 MPH slapshots off the side of my 800cs before (equivalent to the SE10, same boot and construction for the most part, a few upgraded glues and such are in the SE10, but for most purposes it's identical), and not only have I not broken my foot on shots that would typically break the foot and put you out of action for a while, I've not even had bruises. Soreness for a minute or two, then nothing.

I've said before that the SE10 is about the best deal on a skate you can get because of the way Easton deals with their price point lines. The top boots are all carbon shells, and lower models have more and more glass mixed into the composite, until the SE10 which is all glass. That and details like tongue and liner are really what differentiates the middle price points from the top end, so even thought the mid end won't be as light or stiff, nor will they dry out as fast or wick moisture as well, they will still perform almost identically to the top skates.

However, once you go below the SE10 it's not a one piece boot anymore, and they lose all that.

If the boot fits, wear it. Comfortable is good.

[williesparkem 0]

Once again - thanks for your insight into the matter

So...

SE series (SE10) = great value (SE10) for composition & build / very comomfortable / decent features .

Unfortunately I would have to purchase on line @ $ 165.00 as the LHS store no longer stocks the 10's ( only 6's )

OR

X30 = Great value / good fit /moldable , LS2 's , @ $ 130 .00 . * I have a new pair available locally at a significant discount ( from $179)

...BTW...this hunt shouldn't be that hard, right ? B)

any other votes ? ( or should I just quit making this so difficult ....!?!)

[stick9 903]

If you really like the S17 but don't like it's price tag, check out the S12. Should run you $300ish US.

[duch 0]

I agree with stick9. I'd go for the S-12's if you could swing it. It's going to be my next skate as well. Great value at a reasonable price and a very nice skate a little better than middle of the line.

[cptjeff 0]

Once again - thanks for your insight into the matter

So...

SE series (SE10) = great value (SE10) for composition & build / very comomfortable / decent features .

Unfortunately I would have to purchase on line @ $ 165.00 as the LHS store no longer stocks the 10's ( only 6's )

OR

X30 = Great value / good fit /moldable , LS2 's , @ $ 130 .00 . * I have a new pair available locally at a significant discount ( from $179)

...BTW...this hunt shouldn't be that hard, right ? B)

any other votes ? ( or should I just quit making this so difficult ....!?!)

SE10 is moldable as well.

The eastons are a $300 skate. The Bauers are a $200 skate. You would be getting the Eastons at nearly half off, they're a mid range skate. The X:30 are on the level of a skate like the S7.

In terms of value, the easton wins by far. Even at full price, they're a great value. In terms of price, the X:30 wins.

[jimmy 194]

Look also at the SE16W. Prices have come down a lot recently. Fit will be like SE10, perhaps more comfortable as its a nicer skate.

[williesparkem 0]

Again - thanks for everyone's input on this . I think its been pretty helpful to me as I've now questioned my decision to buy the relatively cheap X30's .

It just seems as though the Easton skates fit my messed up feet better ...

Unfortunately this also means that I've reopened this never-ending search -at least I think I've found a "brand" to focus on ? <_<

(EASTON - 10.5 )

SE10 = what initially drew me to the Eastons- (cost)good value if I can fine one cheap but I can't find a skate in my size - only an 11 (~$ 165 )

SE16's - just looking for the cheapest option in my size but another great value now . Prices seem to be all over the place for this model (~ $ 230 )

S12's= Nice if I can find a cheap pair in my size because of the materials , unibody, etc......only pair I can find (not local) is in a 10.5 EE ( not standard width ) ...I've tried on an S17 in a 10EE and it was a bit tight in the toe box -not in the width . Maybe I should try this option ? (~$250+)

S9's - good price point but not thrilled with the features = OUT ( $189 + )

SE16 -W - Nice ...but simply too much money for me to spend ( ~$300 )

S17's - great skate - too much $$ ($375-$500+ )

I hate to have to keep expanding my budget on this ..but that seems likely to happen given the choices as now I've probably jumped from $ 130 for the X30 to $ 220 + for an Easton....

Suggestions ?

[stick9 903]

If you have some flexibility in your budget, spending a little extra on skates is worth it in the long run.

[williesparkem 0]

Just a quick follow up :

I caved..... :) Returned the X:30's and bought a pair of Stealth S-12's instead ( @ only $ 80 more too !)

As much as I hated to admit it ( even though I knew it ) , the Vapors JUST didn't fit my feet-- tight , stiff in the wrong places, etc...

The S17 ( when I tried it on ) was the most natural feeling skate I've tried on during this entire process . I just wanted to believe I was making a better choice with a cheaper skate . Feel much better with the S12 choice ( even though I have YET to skate on them) all around as the boot simply fits better - good features and value for what I ended up spending also . Hopefully I wont have a durability issue with these and once I get over my concerns about the Razor Baldes II and the "Parabolic Stainless Steel" I should be fine with the exchange ...( crosses fingers )

Thanks again everyone - Hopefully these will last me for a few weeks ! B)

You just know when you try them on , right >? Should have listened the first time ...