flexlite 4.0 or reebok 9k?

[ramensandwich 1]

Hi guys, it's been a long time since I've been on MSH.

Anyway, I am a level 3 referee with USA Hockey, looking for some new skates. I currently skate in Vapor XXV's, but they are a bit narrow for my feet and the boot is not quite deep enough for my instep. At the time I got them, I was more concerned with flashy skates than fit, but now as an official I need a well-fitting skate which is also majority black.

There is no LHS within a 3hour radius of my house, so obviously I will be ordering online. I am looking at the Bauer Flexlite 4.0 and the RBK 9k Pumps, both are black, acceptable appearance, supposedly more my fit, and most importantly I can get a good deal on my size in either of them for about the same price.

Can you point out any pros/cons of them or any information specific to how the fit of the two skates differs?

Thanks a bunch!

[chippa13 1844]

One thing to watch out for with the 9K's, the liner can be a little iffy. On mine I've got tears at the inside and outside of my ankles on both skates.

[fatwabbit 93]

arent the 9k supposed to be a shallower fit? That was one of teh reasons why i didnt go with RBKs...

[Race4LastPlace 31]

I went from the 9ks to 4.0 pros. Both fit wider than the vapors, which I have never been able to wear. I found the flexlite to have more volume and be wider in the forefoot than 9ks. Heel seems a lil narrower and heel locked in a bit better in the 4.0. Arch feels a lil higher than in the 9ks but not by much. There is no substitute for trying them on in person, but if you can manage a good fit, both are quality skates.

While I liked the 9k, I found the 4.0 pros to be better for my foot type

[Law Goalie 147]

I definitely noticed that the Flexlites had a more 'contoured' last. The 9Ks (and Reebok skates in general) felt like a relatively straight, 'boxy' last; the Flexlite last is a very curvy, varied last, with a much wider forefoot and a narrower heel, a wider and deeper toe-box, a pronounced displacement of the forefoot from the midfoot, considerably more depth over the arch, and more volume overall.

As R4LP suggested, the Flexlite last is more about a specific shape than overall measures like 'width' and 'depth.' From what I understand, Asian and European feet are much more likely to fit the Flexlite, while the feet that came over to North America are, for the most part, straighter.

[ramensandwich 1]

Race4lastplace, can you comment a little bit on the difference between the 4.0 and 4.0 pro skates?

It sounds like the flexlite is going to be more my fit, which actually pleases me because I find it to be the better looking skate for an official, and I wasn't sure about the durability of the pump. I wanted to stick with the TUUK holder because I like it, I have skated on the E-pros before and found them to be inferior. Also, my ankle bones are rather pronounced (most skates don't have enough foam there), and I've heard the Flexlite has more padding in that area.

As for fit of the skate, I have worn vapors, tacks, and Z-air skates and none of them fit. But, of course at that time period, I was more concerned with appearance than peformance. I have a wider forefoot, narrow heel, deep instep, medium height arch, and rather thick ankles. I have always experienced problems with toe caps on skates, mainly because they are either too narrow or not long enough. It sounds like I need to go with the Flexlites, which was my initial impression to begin with as well.

I've heard the 4.0 are rather soft, while the 4.0 Pro are stiffer. I would call myself an intermediate skater and I am 160 pounds. I believe the stiffness level of my vapor XXV is stiff enough if I could get a decent fit, so I'm thinking the plain 4.0 will be fine, but I'd like a second opinion on that. I am beginning to really work on power skating and technique in preparation for obtaining Level 4 official certification next year, so I'm looking for the best thing to improve my technique, which in this case I don't think stiffer is necessarily better. I am eyeing both the 4.0 and the pro in my size, I just want to know what I would be getting for the extra $150 and whether I necessarily need it or not.

Thanks so much for the help!

[Race4LastPlace 31]

I have no experience with 4.0 only the pro's. Other than being stiffer i am not sure on any differences. If i remember right, the 4.0 was based off the flexlite 18 lasts, while the 4.0 were off the 12's. maybe a thinner tongue?

The heel may be an issue. I dont have wide heels, and found myself having to pump it up quite a bit in the 9k's, and still kinda sliding around. The flexlite just locked in a lot better. The liner on the 4.0pros is an improvement over the 9k IMO.

[the_sock 1]

I have tried both skates and I currently wear the Flexlite 4.0. The difference of the skates:

Flexlites are wider in the forefoot and narrower in the heel.

9K are not as wide and wider in the heel.

Flexlite has more volume.

Both have about the same width of toe box.

I would fit the Flexlites if:

You have a wedge or duck feet (narrow heel with wide forefoot and toes...like me)

You have a higer instep (I wear Superfeet so this is a mute point for me)

Want a much softer skate

If you are willing to buy two skates and return them you can always go through hockeymonkey.com or inlinewarehouse.com.

The Flexlite 4.0 and Flexlite 4.0 Pro are the same skate I've found. Only read difference is Bauer is supposed to sell the Pro version in Europe only.

[ramensandwich 1]

The Flexlite 4.0 and Flexlite 4.0 Pro are the same skate I've found. Only read difference is Bauer is supposed to sell the Pro version in Europe only.

I've decided on the Flexlites, just waiting on my paycheck to get here. Funny thing about them though, I see the pros for $400 and the regular 4.0 at $300 both from stores in the USA. I'm thinking there has to be some sort of difference besides the word pro on the back...

[pody37 3]

I've decided on the Flexlites, just waiting on my paycheck to get here. Funny thing about them though, I see the pros for $400 and the regular 4.0 at $300 both from stores in the USA. I'm thinking there has to be some sort of difference besides the word pro on the back...

From what I can gather the 4.0 pro model is much stiffer skate than the 4.0 As Race4LastPlace mentioned before thats pretty much the only difference.

I tried the 4.0 on and they felt a little soft to me, so I'm waiting for some money so I can get pair of pro's.

You can find more info here: Flexlite Thread