RBK 5K vs. CCM U+7

[<TJ> 0]

OK... here's the deal.

I need to decide between the two mentioned models by tomorrow afternoon, no exception, and I cannot seem to be able to make up my mind. Something to take into account is that I'm buying these skates through a friend who is traveling to the States, since I live in Argentina and we have no stores here. I was wondering, in terms of features/performance and durability, which way you would tilt the scale.

I was able to try on the 5K, but my ankle was a bit loose and I don't know if I'd feel that comfortable relying on the pump for support (if possible to avoid it).

These are the only two models that my friend can get his hands on, so Flexlites, Eastons, and Mission are almost completely out of the question.

BTW: Is anyone able to tell me whether CCM and RBK sizes match (in lenght at least)? like, would a 6D in RBK be as long as a 6D in CCM.

Thanks all!!

PS: Sorry if this has already been discussed.

[Hradsky 1]

Okay well from what I know they should both be the same size. The only skate that uses different sizing should be Mission.

I hear that the pump is good for support, but I also hear about how they can stop working after some time, and that you just end up carrying around the extra weight for the whole pump mechanism.

I would probably go for the CCMs, the U Foam should be very easy to mould and it should be a good skate overall.

I had the choice between a 9K and CCM U+ Pro Reloaded skates and I chose the CCMs because I'm too scared of the risk of buying pump skates, so maybe you should do the same :P

Just my opinion, wait for someone else to reply though before making a decision.

[canesrun 0]

Having skated in both models, I prefer the RBK 5K. I had no problems with the pump and it locked in my ankle well. I did have some problems with the CCM U+ 7 mostly because it seemed to have less volume than I needed and just didn't fit my foot at all (even after baking twice). Again, these differences may just be the result of my own needs rather than generalities. Both skates are quality skates and will hold up for a while. The sizes between the 5K and CCM U+ are generally the same--although the 5K felt wider in a way.

[<TJ> 0]

Thanks for the input guys!!

So... would you say, as far as the tech stuff goes, that they are pretty much "even"? I've read a few disencouraging thing about the heel lock on the CCMs (bare in mind that these would need to be home baked).

Has anybody actually had problems with the pump, to the point it became a disadvantage more than a feature??

I hate to be pushy but I've only got a few hours to decide.

[Big Jim 1]

I'll give you my 2 cents, hopefully you still have time, but take it for what it's worth as I'm a complete newb.

If the skate felt good other than being a little loose in the heel I would go for it as you can probably fix this with baking it and the use of the pump.

I bought these skates(my first pair) just a couple weeks ago and I really like them for the little use I've had them so far. I don't know if I'd want to risk another skate that you've never tried on at all.

As far as the pump breaking- I really haven't heard of this much at all. Of course it's always a risk. I would make sure to remember to deflate them after you take them off everytime though- that should help.

Best of luck man.

[<TJ> 0]

I'll give you my 2 cents, hopefully you still have time, but take it for what it's worth as I'm a complete newb.

If the skate felt good other than being a little loose in the heel I would go for it as you can probably fix this with baking it and the use of the pump.

I bought these skates(my first pair) just a couple weeks ago and I really like them for the little use I've had them so far. I don't know if I'd want to risk another skate that you've never tried on at all.

As far as the pump breaking- I really haven't heard of this much at all. Of course it's always a risk. I would make sure to remember to deflate them after you take them off everytime though- that should help.

Best of luck man.

Thanks bro!!

What you're saying actually does make a lot of sense (to me at least) and it helps a lot. I just don't know that much about skates, so I didn't know if the CCM might be a better skate for the same price (bit less actually).

I still got about 5 hours till I call the guy so, if anyone else has an opinion, I'm all ears. :)

[Big Jim 1]

Thanks bro!!

What you're saying actually does make a lot of sense (to me at least) and it helps a lot. I just don't know that much about skates, so I didn't know if the CCM might be a better skate for the same price (bit less actually).

I still got about 5 hours till I call the guy so, if anyone else has an opinion, I'm all ears. :)

No problem dude, but like I said I am a total newb. Did you not use the pump at all when you tried them on? If you didn't, well using the pump will for sure tighten and help lock your heel up.

What skates did you end up going with?

[jsykes 35]

Any chance he can buy and bring both then take back and return the ones you dont keep? Skates are so dependent on fit and they all fit differently it would be great for you to be able to try both.

If not you can probably work with the 5k and know it will work for you. If you try to go for the CCM it might be completely wrong and you'd be stuck trying to make something worse fit.

Good luck.

[<TJ> 0]

Any chance he can buy and bring both then take back and return the ones you dont keep? Skates are so dependent on fit and they all fit differently it would be great for you to be able to try both.

If not you can probably work with the 5k and know it will work for you. If you try to go for the CCM it might be completely wrong and you'd be stuck trying to make something worse fit.

Good luck.

That would be the best option. But I'm afraid it's not possible. We're in Argentina, so there's no chance of returning the second pair. I was actually inclined towards the CCMs, since they are a better deal, but after reading your post I having second thoughts again.

Big Jim: Haven't heard from the guy yet, so nothing is settled.

[Big Jim 1]

I think you're most intelligent choice is to go with the RBK 5k's. That's not at all to say picking the CCM's means you're stupid, I'm just saying I think that's your safest bet. Again, did you use the pump at all when you tried them on?

[<TJ> 0]

I think you're most intelligent choice is to go with the RBK 5k's. That's not at all to say picking the CCM's means you're stupid, I'm just saying I think that's your safest bet. Again, did you use the pump at all when you tried them on?

You're probably right on that about the 5Ks. I actually didn't get the chance to really try out the pump system (or not at all really).

My only concern about these is something my coach said about seeing a bunch of guys with issues with them, which is what made me look into the CCMs in the first place.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Specwise the 07 is a better skate than the 5k. But that's all for naught if they don't fit.

[duch 0]

My two cents. I'd go with the CCM. You mentioned your ankle is loose in the 5K. Yes, the pump will lock that ankle in fine but if something happens to it where the air bladder fails, your stuck with a pair of useless skates with a wider heel, not good. With the U+ your foot will mould to the skate and the heel is slimmer. Also the U+ doesn't have the lace lock and pump system, so there's less to go wrong with the skate as it gets older. For my money and in my humble opinion I'd personally go for the U+ but it's your decision guy.

[thehomez 0]

I've tried both of the above on and found that my ankle was a lot looser in the CCM's for some reason. Didn't make sense to me considering the CCM's have a narrower ankle but I'm assuming it had to do with the RBK having the pump and also I believe reading somewhere that the RBK is a bit of a higher cut boot thereby giving you more ankle support

[<TJ> 0]

OK... First of all I want to thank everyone who pitched in here. Hockey isn't big at all in my country so having you all to consult with means a lot.

In the end I went for the CCMs. I took a pragmatic approach from a financial point of view. The RBKs have a wider profit margin for the guy who's bringing them over, while the CCMs are much closer to what they would cost if I was in the States. I figure that if they aren't a great fit I could still sell them over here without taking that much of a loss.

The thing about the RBKs is that they did not "fit like a glove", and I think I might have given a bunch of you the impression they had. If that had been the case it would have made my decission a whole lot easier. I got a chance to try on a pair of older CCMs that a friend has and, while the size was wrong, the type of fit seemed pretty good for me. We'll see I guess.

Besides, I might maybe get the chance to travel to Denver in a few months (all my fingers are crossed) and, if it happens, I plan to go and get propperly fitted once and for all. Maybe I'll get to skate in a regulation size rink too, which would be awesome.

[Johan Santana 0]

you are getting "more bang for the buck" with the CCM, as the 5K's are made of cheaper materials on the actual skate to compensate for added price of the pump. If you don't like the pump feature then absolutely go with the 07

[Big Jim 1]

You know better than us and while part of me is like "dude wtf are you doing" the other part of me thinks you are a lot like me....lol. Went with your gut. I hope they fit you man but please, don't get your hopes up too high. Hopefully you DO get the chance to come to the states and get properly fitted.

[<TJ> 0]

Ok... I have and update just in case anyone is actualy interested.

Fate actually decided for me on this one. As I said before I was all set on the CCMs. A couple of days ago, however, this guy called me and told me that his supplier, whoever that is, was out of stock on the U+07, and that he did not know when they were gonna be available again. So, after cursing for a little while, it was decision making time again. Long story short, I took it as a sign and came home today with a brand new pair of RBK 5Ks.

All that's left now is actually learning how to skate properly. :P

Thanks everyone for your help with this.

[duch 0]

Glad to hear you finally made up your mind and I really hope you enjoy your new skates. Good luck with them and have a blast with them on the ice.