Help deciding between RBK 6k, 8k or CCM U+ 9

[shaolin95 0]

Hi all!

I currently own to pair of entry level skates.

Bauer ONE05 and the Easton Stealth S3.

The Bauer killed my feet forever and I had to wear them very loose in order to not hurt but that killed my stability. I am a rookie, started skating 3 months ago btw.

The Eastons are better as I can tight them more but still hurt and the top of my feet stay numb pretty much all the time now...not good.

I skate about 5 days a week for many hours so I need to protect my feet.

I was thinking on getting the RBK 6K or maybe 7K or even 8K (I am a huge Mario Lemieux fan thus now I am a Crosby fan too and of course he wears RBK) but the horror stories about the pump issues, scare me.

My other choice is the CCM U+ 09 or maybe others that you can suggest.

Any ideas on what is a good upgrade if either of those, from my current Eastons?

I am trying to buy from Players bench as they are my local store and I want to support them. They price match too.

Thanks guys!

[fsuhockeystar97 0]

I have a pair of the older Reebok 9Ks with pumps and have never had a problem. I don't particularly care for CCM skates. I would go with a pair of the Bauer Vapors, if you're not going top of the line, the X40s would work or you could try finding the Vapor XXXXs from a couple years ago. The Vapor skates are much lighter than anything CCM or Reebok make, to a point where its noticeable. They're also really sturdy skates. The ankles in Bauer skates hold up forever.

[shaolin95 0]

I have a pair of the older Reebok 9Ks with pumps and have never had a problem. I don't particularly care for CCM skates. I would go with a pair of the Bauer Vapors, if you're not going top of the line, the X40s would work or you could try finding the Vapor XXXXs from a couple years ago. The Vapor skates are much lighter than anything CCM or Reebok make, to a point where its noticeable. They're also really sturdy skates. The ankles in Bauer skates hold up forever.

Because of the problems I currently have with both of my current skates someone suggest trying CCM or RBK as they are a bit wider...then again, it may just be the cheap skates hurting me.

[fsuhockeystar97 0]

Prolly the best thing you can do then is go try any of them on and see how they fit and just go with what feels best. Also, with the higher end Bauers you can get them baked and they'll mold to your feet and fit better which is something to consider. I think CCM does it too, not real sure and don't know if theirs works as well. I don't believe the Reeboks are heat moldable though.

[Cove 39]

If you're just a beginner a skate that is too stiff for you may cause you some problems. Go with mid range, ignore price and company and get something that first and foremost fits properly.

[doodman 0]

At this point ALL the major brands can be baked, even the RBK pumps. (for clarification not sure about if the lower end skates are tho)

So as someone said above, go try on all the skates in your price range and buy the ones that feel RIGHT. Even skates by the same manufacturer but different price points can feel different, so try them all. If you end up trying on ten pairs of skates so be it.

I'm in RBKs now and I love em. I've skated in Bauer and CCM as well.

Another thing, since you said you're a newer skater, make sure you get the right SIZE (read up on the pencil test)

[shaolin95 0]

At this point ALL the major brands can be baked, even the RBK pumps. (for clarification not sure about if the lower end skates are tho)

So as someone said above, go try on all the skates in your price range and buy the ones that feel RIGHT. Even skates by the same manufacturer but different price points can feel different, so try them all. If you end up trying on ten pairs of skates so be it.

I'm in RBKs now and I love em. I've skated in Bauer and CCM as well.

Another thing, since you said you're a newer skater, make sure you get the right SIZE (read up on the pencil test)

I don think based on m research that Easton is as highly regarded as CCM, Bauer and RBK yet many people and the sales guy at Playersbench mentioned the Easton Stealth SE16 ...is that a nice skate too?

[MLSman 22]

Welcome to the game!

Don't let this frustrate you...with 28 years of playing experience...I have struggled with fit for many years. You are certainly not alone.

The best thing you can do is ignore ANYONE that talks about a particular brand or model. Shop around and look for every skate in your price range. Do not pay attention to brands. Then, try on every skate that fits your price. There is NO reason to NOT consider a high end skate. If you can find them at the right price and the skate fits your foot...why would you not want to try it? I don't get that logic. With the multitude of high end skates on closeout right now (Vapor XXXX, One 95, etc...), if the price is right...try it on and see if it is comfortable for you.

Skates are not about brand loyalty....they are about fit.

[Fisticuffs 0]

The best thing you can do is ignore ANYONE that talks about a particular brand or model.

This is great advice. There are guys who are very loyal to Bauer, others are brutally loyal to CCM. At the end of the day, what matters most is that your skates fit. Just because a Reebok works for Crosby doesn't mean it will be a good choice for you. His skates are fully custom, so even if the shelf model was a terrible fit for him, they'll make it right. For what its worth, when Crosby played in the QMJHL I'm pretty sure he wore Bauer Vapors.

Just go into it with an open mind, and try on as many skates as you can. If possible, arrange to meet with the shop's best skate guy and have him fit you. A 9D may feel okay, but a 9C or 9E might be a better choice, and he'll be able to help with that.

[shaolin95 0]

This is great advice. There are guys who are very loyal to Bauer, others are brutally loyal to CCM. At the end of the day, what matters most is that your skates fit. Just because a Reebok works for Crosby doesn't mean it will be a good choice for you. His skates are fully custom, so even if the shelf model was a terrible fit for him, they'll make it right. For what its worth, when Crosby played in the QMJHL I'm pretty sure he wore Bauer Vapors.

Just go into it with an open mind, and try on as many skates as you can. If possible, arrange to meet with the shop's best skate guy and have him fit you. A 9D may feel okay, but a 9C or 9E might be a better choice, and he'll be able to help with that.

I think you are right indeed.

I am just not so sure if one can learn much from trying a skate at the store and standing up since you wont be putting the same stress as you do skating though....then again, there is no other way .

[duch 0]

I agree with shaolin95. Try on a few brands at a local hockey shop and get the one that fits you the best. Do not be mislead by the manufacturers advertising claiming their skates are superior to other brands because of a superstar that wears them. Everyone is different and there are skate brands that will tend to fit your feet better than others. In my case it is Eastons but that is me, not you! You may fit better in Bauers or Grafs but it's something you need to take your time at. Get someone to take a bit of time at your hockey store and make sure your fitted properly and if that brand works for you stick with it. You should also be able to step up to a middle of the line or middle upper skate by now. This will give you a reasonably priced skate as well, with decent features so you can play relatively competative ice hockey . Don't be fooled thinking a top of the line skate will make you a better skater or player, that is a manufacturers ploy to help them sell their top end inventory. I usually go down one or two models from the top of the line and it has worked very well for me. Hope this has helped.

[TheHerminator22 0]

Well if you love Lemieux then maybe you want to check out the new skate company MLX. Lemieux is some sort of owner or investor, which is why it's called MLX skates. The skates haven't been made public yet, but they will be shortly, I think sometime this summer, and several NHL players used them this year, including Malkin, Fedotenko, Talbot, Gonchar, and Byfuglien.

The blade is adjustable so that you can customize it for any skating style. Most other skates have the blade directly under the boot, which can cause discomfort for people. These ones can also be baked multiple times. I think they also are made from a composite material, which supposedly helps with lace bite too. I was thinking about getting a pair of these to replace my Vapor X40s

Here's the site if you're interested...http://www.mlxskates.com/about.php

[Fisticuffs 0]

I think you are right indeed.

I am just not so sure if one can learn much from trying a skate at the store and standing up since you wont be putting the same stress as you do skating though....then again, there is no other way .

The other factor is that most skates need to be baked these days, so getting a true feel for fitment is difficult out of the box. I wear U+ Pro's currently, and they felt like cardboard boxes before baking, but fit my feet perfectly now.

On the other hand, if the skate is the right size, width, and volume for your foot, you should have a near custom quality fit once they're baked. The problem is that at some LHSs, the kids that work there don't know enough about the skates or feet to give you really good advice. That's where a great LHS sets itself apart from from an online retailer, or a big sporting goods retailer.

[raganblink 82]

I don think based on m research that Easton is as highly regarded as CCM, Bauer and RBK yet many people and the sales guy at Playersbench mentioned the Easton Stealth SE16 ...is that a nice skate too?

Even if the skate fits you, don't get it.

Skates that will fall apart on you: Old Synergys (SE16), Old Stealths (S15), older easton models (probably don't have to worry about this though), u+ Pro, old RBK skates. The new Reeboks have been holding up well.

Rest is fine.

Just go in, try everything on, get what feels best.