New skates - are Mission still the way to go?

[white91 0]

Finally my '98 vintage Mission VSi Team Carbon look to be on the way out.

The chassis is cracked, combined with needing new wheels and wanting something new means I am on the look out for some new skates, rather than changing the chassis (I am based in the UK and its quite a bit of hassle to get it done here)

I am around 200 lbs, fairly quick and agressive skater, I play around twice per week, on a wooden floor and on sportcourt. After a few ankle injuries years ago I prefer a stiff supportive boot.

My choices seem to be '08 Boss, '09 Boss Black, re-issue VSi or the Wicked Light. I did try a friends Wicked 1, while very supportive also very uncomfortable, made my VSi feel like slippers in comparison!

Are the Boss skates in a different league to the VSi/WLs? I like the feeling of nostalgia with the re-issues, however do love the look of the Boss Black.

Performance is the most important thing to me, also durability they need to last around 3 seasons. Would the wheels on the '09 Boss be worth the extra money over the '08 Boss' Hypers?

Finally I have wide feet, how do these fit? Should I look at the Tour skates?

Lots of questions, cheers

[fatwabbit 93]

Either of the boss skates would work, but the Hypers arent really reknown for being great.

From what I know, I've heard that the Commander Blacks are actually a very good skate... I just wish they had them in my size now.

[dreww 0]

Neither wheel on the syndicate Boss, or the Boss black are that great. Not to say that they are bad though. I'd prefer the Boss Black over every one of your choices none the less. It has the newest tech, mag chassis, fiber composite additions to the boot and outsole, and is fairly lightweight. If your foot is wide you may need to look into the Mission EE sizing, or alternatively look into a Tour or Reebok boot.

Tour has been doing some good things lately with their skates. Check out their 9.9, Q, or Tabu, depending on what kind of cash you wanna spend.

[white91 0]

Apart from the colour scheme, and the wheels, how does the '09 Boss Black differ from the '08 Boss?

[start_today 770]

Skates have changed a lot since 1998 (that's 12 years, holy crap, where does the time go) I would recommend trying on skates from every company that you can. I like mission's technology a lot, but they quit fitting my feet right for a while (I haven't tried the most recent few lines).

Mission definitely used to be "the way to go" but I think every company is putting good research and development into their skates, and I don't think any one brand is head and shoulders above everyone else. You can find someone in the know who will vouch that every brand is "the best."

As far as the "re-issues," do some research into those. I didn't follow them that closely, but I think those were essentially a specific model from whatever Missions current line was at the time, made up to look like those older skates. I'm almost certain it was not the same molds and technologies as those skates, and the chassis is the new vanguard instead of the old hi-lo. These might not have been sold anywhere besides hockeygiant, which makes them suspect to me.

[white91 0]

Trying skates is not easy in the UK, no shop I know of carries the '09 Boss Black, and usually no shop will carry half sizes either!!!

The reason I wanted to stick with Mission is because of good experiences and I am more familier with the sizing.

I think I have on the Boss Black, in either 8.5D or 8.0EE (due to stock levels).

I used a 9D in the '98 Proto skates, I also have a 8.5D '08 Boss converted to ice (ebay purchase) which do fit although my feet dont reach the toe cap, I have tried a friends Wicked 1 8.0D and it didn't fit across the toes (really hurt my little toe) but was ok in length.

Not ideal, I know a 8.5D would fit, but guess a 8.0EE would be a better fit.

Does anyone have experience of the Mission sizing?

Also I have found a 10% voucher for HockeyMonkey which sems to be the best deal?

[Chad Seibel 2]

Neither wheel on the syndicate Boss, or the Boss black are that great. Not to say that they are bad though. I'd prefer the Boss Black over every one of your choices none the less. It has the newest tech, mag chassis, fiber composite additions to the boot and outsole, and is fairly lightweight. If your foot is wide you may need to look into the Mission EE sizing, or alternatively look into a Tour or Reebok boot.

Tour has been doing some good things lately with their skates. Check out their 9.9, Q, or Tabu, depending on what kind of cash you wanna spend.

Thanks for the plug dreww. If you have a wide foot, then Tour may be the way for you to look at. We do not fit every person and that is why it is good to have Tour and Mission on the mind of roller players. Between the 2 companies we got ya covered.

As far as Tour sizing and skates go, you can size down from your shoe 1 to 1.5 sizes. If you want a little more performance than comfort go down 1.5 sizes.

By the way, the VSI team was probably the best skate that Mission ever made, I was in those at the time, and I loved them.

[white91 0]

I will always love my VSI, mine are the leather ones, all the eyles have pulled, they are well used but still love them.

As everything tho I feel the need to move on as 12 yrs is a long time in skate development. Looking for a lighter, stiffer boot, with a better chassis, as the cyan aluminium are so difficult to use!

How do I access the classified section here?

[DMT 0]

I will always love my VSI, mine are the leather ones, all the eyles have pulled, they are well used but still love them.

As everything tho I feel the need to move on as 12 yrs is a long time in skate development. Looking for a lighter, stiffer boot, with a better chassis, as the cyan aluminium are so difficult to use!

How do I access the classified section here?

I was in the same boat as you. Albeit my Mission boots aren't as old as the VSI's. Anyways, I just recently got a pair of Tour Code Carbon's and the fit and ankle support is more than I could ever dream of. The light weight construction also won me over.

Go out and do what I did and try them all on.

[hockeyplaya9769 0]

I was in the same boat as you. Albeit my Mission boots aren't as old as the VSI's. Anyways, I just recently got a pair of Tour Code Carbon's and the fit and ankle support is more than I could ever dream of. The light weight construction also won me over.

Go out and do what I did and try them all on.

Hi,

I am looking into buying new inline skates and I am looking at the Mission Wicked Light's, but have always been intrigued by the Tour Carbon's. How does the stiffness of each skate compare? Durability? I know the price difference is fairly negligible between to two (like $30 or $40) so I'm not too worried about that. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Addison