Looking to buy new junior size skates

[Muck and Grind 0]

Hey all,

I’m a 160 pound adult with intermediate level skating skill and have been properly sized as a 5D in One95s (I’ve got flat feet, average heel, slightly wide forefoot). I currently wear 5.5EE Nike Quest 1 which is a little shallow in the boot, but the high cut and stiffness is what I like. I’ve also tried the One75 and Mission 500S without success.

For cost reasons, I’d like to buy retail and with my small foot, finding any pro stock in my size is highly unlikely. From what I understand, skate makers downspec their junior skates so what is stiff for a senior skate is not necessarily as stiff for their junior sizes.

What models (I don’t mind buying an older model) can anybody suggest? I’d like to get a more recent model as it will probably be lighter than an older model, however, whatever fits my foot and is super stiff takes precedence.

I’d like to hear from other adults in junior skates or those with an understanding of the differences in junior/senior skates.

Thanks.

[shoeshine boy 249]

I bought some junior Bauer Vapor XXXX skates recently and found the boot to be pretty stiff. it's a good skate, especially for $135 on clearance.

[tro 4]

I am also 160, good skater, I use the one95 in a 5.5. The skate is plenty stiff and after 1 yr it hasn't lost much at all. The only issue I had is the size of the holders, not enough steel, so I just put some size 6 holders on.

[furlanitalia 1]

The one95 is the stiffest skate i've ever worn. And in almost two years it's barely lost any of its stiffness.

[jsykes 35]

Just as an option, I know you said you wanted to buy retail and mentioned cost as a reason, well, with Bauer its only $75 to have a custom skate made. If you're already looking at full price retail skates (no closeouts), adding on $75 is pretty minor to make sure you get what you want. Then you can get them fitted perfectly and specify extra stiff boots, etc, etc.

Just a thought in case you didnt know the upcharge for custom.

[IniNew 53]

Just as an option, I know you said you wanted to buy retail and mentioned cost as a reason, well, with Bauer its only $75 to have a custom skate made. If you're already looking at full price retail skates (no closeouts), adding on $75 is pretty minor to make sure you get what you want. Then you can get them fitted perfectly and specify extra stiff boots, etc, etc.

Just a thought in case you didnt know the upcharge for custom.

X:60s and Total Ones are the only ones you can order custom at the moment. Total ones would be pushing $900 custom, while X:60s about $700. Not very cost effective when you can pick up the One95s for $400 (which is what I did) VERY stiff boot, loving it so far. No experience with Juniors though, however, judging by the features/specs listed on a few websites they seem to be the same skate.

[Larry54 243]

Just as an option, I know you said you wanted to buy retail and mentioned cost as a reason, well, with Bauer its only $75 to have a custom skate made. If you're already looking at full price retail skates (no closeouts), adding on $75 is pretty minor to make sure you get what you want. Then you can get them fitted perfectly and specify extra stiff boots, etc, etc.

Just a thought in case you didnt know the upcharge for custom.

If I'm not mistaken, the upcharge for a custom skate is added to the cost of the senior model even if you order a junior size. So the difference between a retail 5D and a custom 5D would be much more than $75.

[jsykes 35]

X:60s and Total Ones are the only ones you can order custom at the moment. Total ones would be pushing $900 custom, while X:60s about $700. Not very cost effective when you can pick up the One95s for $400 (which is what I did) VERY stiff boot, loving it so far. No experience with Juniors though, however, judging by the features/specs listed on a few websites they seem to be the same skate.

I realize that, I have a pair of custom X60s shipping next week. My local charges $549 for them so I paid $624. If he is looking at new skates, as in current models, then $75 upcharge is minor. Who knows if he can find the proper One95 size or not, I know the stores around me are VERY limited on sizes and widths of those, so its no guarantee.

Additionally, I could be wrong I guess, but I cannot see that a One95 junior is the same stiffness as an adult skate. Do they really think that a normal 125 person that might wear a size 5 is really going to need the same stiffness as someone that is 230 wearing a size 9 or 10? With a custom, he can get an adult stiffness in a junior size. Additionally, if they are the exact same skate, how can they justify the huge difference in price between junior and senior?

Even still, if he is looking stiff, you can get extra stiffness when going custom, which is what I did with my X60.

Lastly, not sure about junior pricing. I guess if he is counting on that pricing and Bauer does charge on top of the adult size, then it is more than $75, but if he really wants to get exactly what he needs, it should still be a good choice as the rest of us are paying adult prices already, just sounds like he has a small foot and its not growing so paying what the rest of us do for skates shouldnt be that big a deal to him. ;)

Anyway, just threw that out there as an option as it sounds like he is in a unique position and a custom might really solve a problem for him.

[KABAROV 0]

i wouldn't bother with a custom. I wear a junior size one95 and they are stiff as shit! I weigh about 150lbs and there is no way I would need anything stiffer.

[Muck and Grind 0]

Thanks for the responses. I tried the Vapor line of skates and they didn't fit my foot well. Of the newer model skates that I tried on, the One95 was the one that I figured I would eventually buy if I couldn't find anything better.

As mentioned, cost is a factor and I suspect that the retail junior One95s will be closeout priced later this year which would be significantly cheaper than a custom (particularly if I had to buy from the Company at their price plus the charge for custom). Getting the TotalOne is not an option to me.

Does anybody have any experience with junior Easton skates. They have a reputation for stiff boots and was wondering if that translates to their juniors too?