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fleadeluxe

Buying new hockey skates

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Apologies if this is in the wrong forum, it is about equipment but also meanders into other topics. Please move if needs be!

I'm an inline player, have been playing competitively for the last 10 or so years. My city (Melbourne, Aus) was lucky enough to have this new facility completed. I'm going to make the move over to ice, and am after a new pair of skates. Only problem, prices in Australia are incredibly inflated (quick example, pair of X:60's on IW are $599 USD, which converts to about $660. Add shipping on top of that, and you'd probably be looking at around $700AU all up. They're $1150 in the shop at the rink.) Compounding this problem is that stores in the US and Canada can't ship the majority of brands out to Australia, as the brands themselves won't allow it. This leaves me with pretty much only eBay as an option (i've tried services such as BongoUS, and was more than upset with the incredible amount of shipping, ~$200, they charged us for 6 sets of revisions variants.)

Anyway, that's beside the point. My real problem is that with such a lack of decent stores over here, I can't get much of an idea of what skates I should look at. I'm a short, stocky guy (6'4", 160lbs) and am currently skating on these babies:

268b_1_sbl.JPG

(Actually, Quest 5's, but they're from 2002 and I couldn't find a picture)

Bought these ~6 years ago when I was in Canada, skated on them about twice, then pulled them out this month for Icehouse. They're not awful, but they're pretty uncomfortable and i'd really like to get some newer skates. My inline skates are:

31-1828.jpg

With the rocker frame, and I <3 these. Had them for about 5 years and they're probably the most comfortable thing I own that I could put on my foot (even beating my slippers).

Price range is low to medium ($200-$350 US). Being a smaller guy I'd like lighter skates, and I plan to be playing up front, probably right wing.

So yeah, long post, thanks in advance for any recommendations!

A suggestion on IW was that, because I was comfortable in the Nike's, I should look at the flexlite range. I did, and they look pretty nice, but i'd like some more suggestions before I decide on one. Part of my problem is that it's near impossible for me to try on any of these skates, the range at the shop at Icehouse isn't very extensive, and I'm not sure they'd take kindly to me trying on a whole bunch, then purchasing them over the internet (I'd love to support my local shops, as I would've done with my inline gear, but it's just not feasible). It also turns out i've been skating on skates that are too big for me for the majority of my playing time (i'm a size 9, and both of my skates are a size 9. Although as stated, I haven't encountered any discomfort from my inline boots). So, a few new questions for you MSH'ers:

  • What is the best way to get gear over here from the US/Canada? I have friends over there that could ship them out to me, but i'm not sure about the shipping they'll charge.
  • On the subject of shipping, what's the usual cost for a pair of skates? (Also, the usual box dimensions/weight).
  • What skates would you guys suggest?
  • What can I do to ensure I get a boot that fits well, given my current situation?
  • Do any of you guys know of any stores in the US/Canada that will ship to Aus? (Places that don't mind pulling a relatively small dodgy that is).

Thanks in advance for the responses guys.

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Two important things to note:

1. The Nike Quest skates fit nothing like the Nike Flexlite skates. I've owned both. The Flexlites have a much wider forefoot area.

2. The Quest and Flexlites are also sized differently. The Quests were sized closer to shoe size (so you may not be in skates that are way too big), but the Flexlites fit approximately 2 sizes below shoe size (at least that was my experience).

As far as what to get. If you're looking for value, if you can find a pair of KOR skates (Shift 1 or Shift 2) in your size they're a great value. The prices on ebay seem to range between $50 and $200 depending on the model and condition. They are top level skates that are fully heat moldable and work for a wide variety of foot types. Do a search on them here - there's a tonne of information on them. They used to be around $500 US or as high as $799 Canadian when they first came out. Based on your Quest sizing you may be looking for a size 8 KOR, but you'll probably be better off tracing and measuring your feet to get a better idea of the sizing. There are KOR sizing charts around that you can compare that measurement with (I think I have one saved on my computer somewhere so you can PM me if you can't find one and decide to look for KORs).

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Fleadeluxe, welcome to the board and welcome to Ice! It's a great sport to play and even better now we have the rink setup in Melbourne we have always dreamed of.

Your question is one we all deal with in Aus when it comes to gear. the ideal situation is obviously to try on gear, pick the brand that is best fit and go from there. In Aus we just don't have that luxury and it can mean that buying new skates is a gamble.

I skated on Nike's a few years back for inline, they were good skates but broke down very quickly. I don't know about the new line of Flexlites but you don't see allot of them around on players here in Ice. It maybe the stigma that they aren't traditional enough or simply that ppl just don't like the fit. Either way get into the Icehouse proshop, try on some pairs and do the same in Bladeworx. I know that Bladeworx is against it, but Andrew or Mike at the IceHouse may let you try on pairs and ask for a fitting fee. Some of the North American shop owners on here charge to fit only and its not a bad idea.

In terms of buying skates, I use Ebay. Personally my best fitting skates have been the Bauer Vapor line since the XX's moving upwards and now ONE75's. Due to the international sales embargo on most online shops Ebay is the only way to get them in the country. Don't be afraid of the site, if you ever see a pair of Easton, Bauer or Tour skates in Aust. the odds are that they were bought online. In fact Bladeworx claims that Addlon(Distributor for Easton, Bauer, Mission etc. in Aust.) has stated that 98% of gear bought in Australia is done so from North American retialers/Ebay. So everyone does it here.

Its not ideal for building a retail industry, but when one shop is charging 2-3 times what the internet is selling at (inc shipping) well there's no competition, sadly.

In terms of online stores; I am a fan of Icewarehouse. Good deals, decent shipping rates and a choice of shipping costs as well. I have ordered about 2-3 shipments from them and they have always been on time and correct to what I ordered. Avg cost of shipping skates is about $40-$70 USD.

I do not recommend the KOR's, the worst skate I have encountered personally.

Hope that this helps abit matey...

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Thanks for the reply! I might go to the shop at Icehouse and let them know the situation, offer to pay a fitting fee etc and see what happens from there.

I have been looking on eBay, but the selection seems pretty thin at the moment.

Still keen on model recommendations for middle of the range skates! (and of course any ones to steer clear of)

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flea, welcome to the board... like you, aussie_joe and a few others, I'm also in Australia (on the other coast in Perth but that might change soon....)

if you have got friends over in the US, they should be able to help you with getting some skates. Ebay is a good option, might want to check craigslist (but there are scammers there). Most of the time you should be able to get skates at $40 shipping, but some companies only insist on using Fedex or UPS which would drive the cost up.

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So i tried on a few pairs at Icehouse last night (another insanely busy Tight Arse Tuesday at the rink), and really like the feel and fit of the vapours. Probably going to get a pair of the X:40's, really liked the ankle support. Apparently i'm a size 6EE in the vapours, nice to know i've been skating on boots 3 sizes too big. I thoroughly expect to fall over forwards a lot when getting used to a much shorter blade.

I have also found a mate in the US who is willing to send them over to me, so now i'm just trying to estimate some shipping costs. You guys indicated that it's between $40-$70 a pair, but I'm going to need a bit more of a concrete price so I can let my mate know. What are the dimensions of the skate box usually (i'm assuming the weight is that of a skate x2 plus a little bit extra for the box, so around 2.5kg)? And do you all recommend USPS? FedEx and UPS looked super expensive.

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Shipping to Aussie should almost always, 99% of the time be USPS. Otherwise the cost is insane.

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Shipping to Aussie should almost always, 99% of the time be USPS. Otherwise the cost is insane.

agreed. Just shipped some skates to Germany via usps. It cost him $200 for the skates and $40 for shipping. Plus he had me mark the value at $80 and say they were used so they would speed through german customs

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agreed. Just shipped some skates to Germany via usps. It cost him $200 for the skates and $40 for shipping. Plus he had me mark the value at $80 and say they were used so they would speed through german customs

Did you just ship the box the skates came in, or use a USPS supplied box? In both cases, what size was the box? I'm also getting some other pieces as well as the skates, nothing too bulky. Pants covers (because i've already got a girdle from inline) and a jock strap/compression shorts thing. I guess I'd probably have to throw these in another box I guess...

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Did you just ship the box the skates came in, or use a USPS supplied box? In both cases, what size was the box? I'm also getting some other pieces as well as the skates, nothing too bulky. Pants covers (because i've already got a girdle from inline) and a jock strap/compression shorts thing. I guess I'd probably have to throw these in another box I guess...

BOX skates came in. Something like 18 by 6 by 14

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Just a quick question for any of you regular long-distance USPS users. I had the skates shipped out to me about 4 weeks ago now, and the shipping time said 6-10 days. They still haven't shown up. I asked the person who mailed them for me to go into the PO and ask them what was up, they said they should be here today/tomorrow (this was 4 days ago). Anybody have any ideas as to what the hold up could be, and when i'm likely to see my skates?

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Did the sender provide you with a tracking number? If not, ask him for it. Every USPS shipment that leaves the US has to have a confirmation number, that should give you more info as to the status of your package.

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Did the sender provide you with a tracking number? If not, ask him for it. Every USPS shipment that leaves the US has to have a confirmation number, that should give you more info as to the status of your package.

I did ask, and they said they didn't provide one. I'll ask her to go get it off them.

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i have shipped nearly 4k worth of gear to sydney from the US so far this year. mainly for team mates at my club, any brand. i just go through bongo us and get it all sent from there to sydney. icewarehouse, hockeymonkey and hockeygiant are all happy to ship to my bongo address. prices for shipping are very reasonable and no restrictions on what brands i can get. usually its 2 weeks from order to getting to me here in sydney.

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Do Bongo US charge a flat fee? Were they ok to deal with?

I am looking at getting some stuff shipped to UK, I do know someone in Canada, could send it to his address, and he ship it to me with a nice gift value!

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Do Bongo US charge a flat fee? Were they ok to deal with?

I am looking at getting some stuff shipped to UK, I do know someone in Canada, could send it to his address, and he ship it to me with a nice gift value!

Can't help you there.

But hello to my fellow Aussie's on this thread!

Yes, getting gear in Australia is very much an investment. All gear is around double or more in the (very few) local hockey stores than ordering online from overseas, and that is including taking the shipping into account!

Tough call... to support your LHS or have an extra grand or more in your wallet every couple of seasons. But then buying online is a risk... I've had quality issues... where as in a store you can just say "I'd like a pair without the wonky rivet job thanks", it becomes expensive and difficult to return them to an overseas address. I'd probably never buy a pair of skates online again, having returned a pair... $87 return postage to US, incl tracking and insurance via EMS at Australia Post, I made up a custom box just the right size to fit the original skate box inside. Then the online seller charged me another US$50 or whatever to send the correct size back to me.

Personally I think a balance is the way to go... buy some stuff from your LHS, buy some of it online, that way your LHS is still getting business, and will still be there next time you need them for socks, tape, emergency stick replacements etc etc.

The current shipments the Australian local shops are getting should be a bit cheaper on the shelves early next year... due to the dollar...

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