CCM U+ Pro vs. Pro Reloaded?

[Hradsky 1]

I'm deciding between these two pairs of skates, the CCM U+ Pro (2008) Skates, and the CCM U+ Pro Reloaded skates.

Which are better between these two from people that have used either or both?

Since CCM dropped the Rocket Runner on the Reloaded skates, does that make a big difference weight wise?

Are the Reloaded's worth an extra $100?

Any comments or opinions are appreciated.

Thanks,

[matix218 11]

I have had both ( I am currently in the reloadeds).

If you are on a strict budget that would be the only way i would recommend the original ones for several reasons.

1. The quarter package is HORRIBLE on the originals. It WILL delaminate and bubble and even tear after 2-3 times on the ice, i promise. The reloadeds have that glossy golf ball material which is pretty much bomb proof, way better.

2. Liner was terrible on the originals. Mine were only used for a season of mens league and the liner sucked so bad that it tore through in the upper (flex) areas exposing layers of plastic and other materials. New ones have a glossier different liner material that I have been using for half a season now and it still looks as good as new.

3. The tongues in the originals.... THE WORST. I actaully had to replace it with a felt tongue (like the reloadeds include from the factory) because it was so uncomfortable and wafer-thin.

4. The heel lock in the reloadeds is much, much better then the originals, if you compare them side by side it is easy to see why, there is way more upper ankle padding that creates a kind of cup for your heel in the Reloadeds, but the originals just go straight down and there is no defined "heel" area.

5. I think they are still running the free U+ CL stick deal when you buy the reloadeds, and that alone should be a good reason to spring the extra money for the reloadeds, because the CL stick really is an awesome twig, i love mine.

The only thing i did like on the originals was actually the rocket runner which i thought held an edge really well and was VERY light. I know some sharpeners complained it was hard to lock into the machine but as far as skating on it I found it to be really a good product. I am using the regular perforated runners on my reloadeds though and I dont feel that they are all that heavy at all even when coming from the RR's on my previous skates

*Quick note, whichever ones you get make sure you bake them for at least 7.5 mins at 200 degrees to get the proper mold. If you do the typical 175 for 2 mins in a pro shop oven they will NOT mold correctly (or really even at all). I baked both of my pairs at home after having no luck with the shop ovens.

Honestly man, if you can afford it get the reloadeds and never look back. They are a MUCH better product.

[Hradsky 1]

Alright that was quite convincing.

Reloaded - 1

'08 Pro - 0

If I do get the Reloadeds then you've got to give me a better guide how you baked yours at home, since my LHS is about 40 minutes away it's probably worth it for me to just do it myself :)

Thanks for your response!

[matix218 11]

No problem man, honestly What I did was really simple and the results were perfect. (for both the original U+ Pro and the Reloaded I used the exact same method)

I put the skates on a cookie sheet with aluminum foil on it.

Preheated the oven for 200

Put in the skates with the timer set to 7.5 mins

Took them out when it beeped and laced both skates up and sat for about 10 mins.

Just MAKE SURE you are careful when pulling the skates tight, you can pull them nice and snug but DONT tug really hard on the laces, just pull them smoothly with even pressure until you get them as tight as they would be when you skate. I have heard of people pulling our or damaging eyelets on these because the foam gets so soft when heated.

They will mold to your foot like no other skate you have ever owned.

[heybrady 0]

As far as baking at home is concerned, IceWarehouse has a youtube video up that is step by step how to bake at home. Very good video.

[fatwabbit 93]

one point to note, is that its a PREHEATED oven, and when you put your skates in the oven is OFF.

[matix218 11]

Acutally my oven was on the whole time

Our home oven loses heat so fast that if I preheated it and turned it off by the time the skates were in there for 3 mins it would barely even be warm anymore.

I guess it depends on how good your oven is at holding heat but I did both of my U+s with the oven on (holding at 200 degeres) for 7.5 mins with perfect results. No damage to the skate and they molded perfectly.

[heybrady 0]

Be careful with the oven on, unless it is a convection oven. A traditional oven concentrates the heat on the side of the skate on the cookie sheet, so it will not heat evenly. A convection oven has a fan to evenly distribute heat.

[Hradsky 1]

Interesting how this thread turned into a conversation about ovens, but yeah I have a convection oven.

I'll probably go for the Reloaded skates since I can get them for around $350, just need to see if I have enough money...

[heybrady 0]

Haha, you're right about the oven thread. But, nothing worse than melting a pair of $350 skates.

Good luck.

[furlanitalia 1]

Yah I would never bake my skates at home for fear of damaging them. But thankfully there are a bunch of places around that have skate ovens.

[matix218 11]

Wow, you can get the reloadeds for $350, that is a really good price!

[furlanitalia 1]

Especially considering they aren't bring out any new product this year. (at least in terms of skates)

[Hradsky 1]

Especially considering they aren't bring out any new product this year. (at least in terms of skates)

Yeah can't wait for the U+ Pro stick though, launch April 1st 2010!

[Hradsky 1]

Okay after reading a couple of reviews on these I'm a bit scared. I'm hearing a lot of "If your feet fit CCMs...". Is there anything weird about CCM skates? I'm currently in Easton SE6 Size 8.5Ds, anybody know if they will be completely different than 8.5D reloadeds?

I found SE16 skates in 8.5R for about $330 which is about the same price as the reloadeds, but if I'm in SE6s now then I'm 99% sure SE16s would be a very similar shape, and it's just not worth risking $350 for skates that won't fit.

So has anybody gone from CCM to Easton or vice-versa? How did it feel?

[Da Beez 0]

Matix218 gave excellent reason to choose the reloaded, I agree with all of the points he makes.

I went from a pair of Easton Z-Airs to my Reloaded and there hasn't been any problem. The Reloaded Pros will mold nicely to your feet despite feeling like a box when you first try them one. The only thing I recommend is to actually try them on prior to buying - I wear a 10.5 E reloaded and I was a size or a size and a half bigger in other brands of skates.

[cwlaw 0]

Interesting how this thread turned into a conversation about ovens, but yeah I have a convection oven.

I'll probably go for the Reloaded skates since I can get them for around $350, just need to see if I have enough money...

Wow, Where can you get them for $350.00. My LHS has them for 499 but I would buy today for 350.

[Hradsky 1]

Matix218 gave excellent reason to choose the reloaded, I agree with all of the points he makes.

I went from a pair of Easton Z-Airs to my Reloaded and there hasn't been any problem. The Reloaded Pros will mold nicely to your feet despite feeling like a box when you first try them one. The only thing I recommend is to actually try them on prior to buying - I wear a 10.5 E reloaded and I was a size or a size and a half bigger in other brands of skates.

Wow a size and a half eh... I wish I could try them on but I don't have any available near me. My closest sports store closed down and now my closest one is 40 minutes away, not only that but they don't carry Reloadeds anyways so no point in going there.

I guess I'm just going to gamble a bit and if they don't fit I can probably sell them to somebody here for around $350 and break even.

Wow, Where can you get them for $350.00. My LHS has them for 499 but I would buy today for 350.

Secret :D But only one pair left in one size. I'm lucky those should fit me.

But if anybody else has gone from brand to brand then keep posting, because I haven't quiteee bought them yet.

[duch 0]

I would recommend the U+ reloaded. It's a much improved skate from the original U+ skate.

[FuryHockey13 0]

Wow, Where can you get them for $350.00. My LHS has them for 499 but I would buy today for 350.

I picked up a pair of reloadeds for $305 with shipping included on e-bay. You just have to watch for when some come up for bid.

[Hradsky 1]

I picked up a pair of reloadeds for $305 with shipping included on e-bay. You just have to watch for when some come up for bid.

Ha! You're the one who outbid me there eh.

I knew I should have went higher than a flat $300 :P

Anyways, since those are no longer available I can still get the '08 Pros for $215... Are they just a terrible skate or are they still good for that money?

[rangers1234 0]

How's the sizing between Nike Bauer One 95 and CCM Reloadeds? I wear a 7.5 E in NB and I've heared REEBOK is about a 1/2 size down. Is CCM the same as the REEBOK fit or CCM fit.

And I don't live near a shop, so trying on anything is not going to happen.

[Hradsky 1]

How's the sizing between Nike Bauer One 95 and CCM Reloadeds? I wear a 7.5 E in NB and I've heared REEBOK is about a 1/2 size down. Is CCM the same as the REEBOK fit or CCM fit.

And I don't live near a shop, so trying on anything is not going to happen.

I've tried to do some research about skates and everywhere I read that they were all the same length-wise except for Mission.

But since I'm like you and can't try anything on, I have no actual experience.

If anybody knows, this would be great for me too as I can officially get either 8.0Ds or 9.0Ds (I'm in an 8.5D SE6) for $375 shipped to Canada.

So if CCMs are normal length, I'll get 9s, if they're bigger, 8s would be perfect.

EDIT: http://www.americanhockeycenter.net/hockey_skates.cfm Scroll down for charts that may or may not be correct, but those are what I'm seeing everywhere.

[Hockey40966 0]

I can get a pair of CCM U+ Pro Reloaded for $325 and I currently have 2006 Bauer Vapor XVIs.....you can bet your ass I am going to take advantage of this hookup, Im expecting a HUGE difference from the 2006 Vapor XVIs to the new Pro Reloaded...

[Hradsky 1]

Yeah that's a sweet deal. I ended up getting mine for $366. They should be here today, I'm excited!!!