Looking into Easton skates (SE16 and S12)

[gerbe3:16 19]

OK so I've seen some closeouts of SE16 and started wondering about Easton skates. Basically I'm looking at those SE16 and S12 Stealths and looking for some insight into the differences of these two models and what type of fit they are and what not.

My Vapor XIXs right now are serving me well but I don't have a perfect heel lock and I'm always looking for greener pasteurs (humans are never satisfied) to get a perfect fit and I've heard about a great heel lock for the Eastons as well as them being absolute tanks for taking shots off of.

I've tried to read up but can only get so much information without just starting my own thread here. They get very good reviews on HG and it seems that the problems with the prior Eastons falling apart isn't much of an issue (not to mention I'm a small guy skating once a week). So I'm looking for information on the type of fit, width (currently regular width in Vapors), volume, and any other comments anyone can give me. Also interested on hearing about the tongues because for whatever reason I block a boatload of shots on the tongue.

Appreciate the help in advance.

ps - anyone know where I can find the Easton 2009 catalog? I just see 2010 ones in here unless I'm bad at the internet.

[rinkrat94 1]

The S12 is going to be narrower in the heel. Other than that, the fit of both skates is on the wide side. I am wearing Easton's right now and the heel lock is great, if they fit you properley. I take a lot of shots in the skate and I have been very happy with the protection. I would try both on (or at least a skate in the synergy line and one in the stealth line) and see what fits you best.

[gxc999 7]

The white version of the SE16 had the toecap issue fixed, so get those if you can instead of the regular se16.

[phonak 0]

I just got the SE16 White skates and while I only skated with them twice, they're absolutely great(maybe because I'm coming from mission skates)! I have pretty wide feet but went with regular width and a size down from my regular shoe size for a tighter fit. The skates are very wide in the toe but tight in the mid section and heel for me. For me they fit right out the box so I didn't care about baking them. As far as protection goes, the SE16 seems very protective. I took two shots off the side of the boot last game and I didn't feel a thing. The tongue seems short but thick(compared to my missions) so there should be no problems.

[goaliemanshark 6]

I have black SE16's and compared them to Phonak's whites the other day, and another one of my teammates used to skate on S12's.

I love my skates, and for 250 bucks they were a real steal. The fit is wider in the forefoot but narrower in the heel, overall much more volume (compared to vapors) . The only way to tell if its a good fit is to try them on though. The shot blocking is nice, and aside from the toecap (changed on the whites) the durability has been fairly good. The tongue on the blacks are a little different then the white tongues but both are molded, which took some getting used to. The whites looked a little better tongue wise, but everyone has a different preference. Just make sure you avoid the parabolic steel! ITS HORRIBLE! Once i replaced them with step steel i really enjoyed the skates. They are light as can be and if they fit you properly then you should be happy with them. I can really feel the coil technology giving me a little more bounce, they dry really quick and the heel lock is fantastic. They are also a very stiff skate, so keep that in mind. Oh, and Phonak, BAKE YOUR SKATES! Phonak's whites came with elite steel not parabolic. Lucky him!

The s12's are a good skate as well, lower end though, my teammate's lost stiffness after a while, he ended going to XXXX's because he has some hotspots with the Eastons that wouldn't bake out. He likes the XXXX's better overall because he can punch out the hotspots. You dont want to punch out a composite boot. The stealth line is a little less volmous then the synergy line, but overall very similar in fit. The durability on his were great!

[stick9 903]

I’ve been pretty happy with my S12’s. The boot is cut a little high forcing me to skip the top eyelet, no biggie. Great heel lock and a pretty decent level of comfort. Fit wise in comparison to my RBK’s, higher cut (as noted) narrower heel, higher arch, and a touch more volume…forefoot seems to be about the same.

Something to note. They come with fairly thick heel lift under the innersole. When I tried them without it, my ankle was too deep into the boot creating a few hotspots around the ankle area. Fortunately I like the lift so it wasn’t an issue.

When I bought them last fall there wasn’t much better out there for the price. Now with One95 & One75’s being on closeout, the bang for your buck factor is sort of lost.

[gerbe3:16 19]

Thanks guys. If I'm having trouble finding the SE16s locally to try on, are the new EQs basically the same type of boot/fit?

Just make sure you avoid the parabolic steel! ITS HORRIBLE! Once i replaced them with step steel i really enjoyed the skates. They are light as can be and if they fit you properly then you should be happy with them. I can really feel the coil technology giving me a little more bounce, they dry really quick and the heel lock is fantastic. They are also a very stiff skate, so keep that in mind. Oh, and Phonak, BAKE YOUR SKATES! Phonak's whites came with elite steel not parabolic. Lucky him!

Is this elite steel --> LPSII shot-peened Swedish stainless steel? And do all whites come with them or was Phonak just a lucky guy?

[goaliemanshark 6]

That's the parabolic steel. AVOID AVOID. LPS stands for lightweight parabolic steel. The ELITE steel has different cutouts and is much stiffer. Look at a picture of the S17 skate and you will see the difference.

I don't remember where Phonak got his SE16's... Phonak?

Oh, and the EQ series has a different fit. More of a fit for my foot actually! Ice warehouse lists this as the fit. I can not verify this info FYI.

EQ skate line:

* Forefoot - Medium

* Volume - Medium-High

* Heel - Medium-Wide

* Stance - Slightly aggressive

Stealth:

* Forefoot: Medium

* Volume: Medium

* Heel Pocket: Narrow

* Stance: Traditional

Synergy fits similarly with slighty more volume. All around. My SE16's have pretty high volume and a pretty wide forefoot, especially after baking.

And EQ5's have vanished from the IW website... WEIRD

[gerbe3:16 19]

My wife says I'm going to look like a douchebag if I get the whites. She's freakin killing me.

[goaliemanshark 6]

I am not the biggest fan of the look of white skates either, but the improved toe cap is worth it. The only reason Phonak can get away with it is because he is Swedish and we call him Hank already!

[phonak 0]

haha, white is by far better looking than the black version IMO. "Zäta" all the way!

[duch 0]

Do you really care what the skate looks like to others who don't play the game? I don't think the whites look that bad, and they certainly have improved the toe cover with the rubberized toe coverage. I have the regular SE 16's and their great even without the rubberized toe coverage and I'd trade anytime for the whites ,in a flash, if the offer was there. Still love the skates I have though.

[festering 0]

I have the White SE16s and I absolutely love them. Especially after having issues in the past with skates giving me ankle problems etc and I definitely prefer white skates as well, but everyone has a preference.

[calishark28 0]

I love my x60 but in my opinion easton by far has the best ankle lock system

[duch 0]

Heel lock has never been a problem with any Eastons I've ever had, one of the best heel locks in the industry. I have had issues with the wider heels in the Reebok skates but the pump system pretty well cleared up that problem. Still it was one of the reasons I switched to Eastons from CCM's.

[gerbe3:16 19]

Reviving my own thread from the summer... still haven't done squat but have been totally into the pictures of the all black S12 on IW that are due in on 10/15. Curious on two things.

- I read in earlier Easton skate threads that the coil technology is fairless useless for the lighter players because they need some weight to be able to flex them. Is that going to be a problem for me at 150 lbs or have newer models been able to fix this issue?

- Similarly for the parabolic steel (if I was to grab an older model with the parabolic... I know it is advised to avoid), would it make much difference for me if they didn't flex under my weight?

Thanks in advance.

[duch 0]

Seriously friend,the coil technology and skate blades aside,the only thing that will make you a better and faster skater is practice and your own commitment to get better at skating. There are a lot of fine features on all major brands of skates but they don't mean squat unless you commit improving on your own regardless what is on your feet.