Best Skate Fitting in Vancouver or Lower Mainland?

[bosshogg18 0]

I am heading up to the Vancouver, B.C. area and was wondering which LHS is best known for their skate fittings. I know that a lot of the shops up there, such as The Hockey Shop and Cyclone Taylor carry the most current gear, but do they always provide the most knowledgeable employees? I was kind of skeptical the last time I was in Cyclone Taylor. Employee was a young kid and didn't seem very knowledgeable and was more about making a sale then helping me. Please let me know of your experiences in and around Vancouver...good or bad on a proper skate fit. Thank you.

[NextBobbyOrr 0]

If you go to Larry's sports on Lonsdale, their pretty good with their facts.

[adalbort 1]

At "The Hockey Shop" they have always been incredibly attentive to me, even thought it was an online sale, which it always is a little less personal than face-to-face encounter.

[SolarWind 23]

I am heading up to the Vancouver, B.C. area and was wondering which LHS is best known for their skate fittings.

I wonder where you're heading from since you might find better experience at home (ie if you're coming from NY or FL areas for instance there're pretty good guys around ;))

Realizing it sounds negative I personally haven't had any luck locally and had to consult with the gurus on this forum (thanks for all your advice btw!), but in any case it's hard to suggest a particular store since it's not the store that matters, but the person doing the fitting, and all Lower Mainland stores do employ a fair number of young kids that don't even know what the pencil test is all about.

Having all that said my advise would be if you have to buy locally then make sure you do your homework & prepare so that you're at least aware of the basics, then go by feel - if you feel the person fitting you doesn't have a clue then simply walk away.

[ktang 34]

Ice-Level Sports in Richmond fitted me very well for my skates.

[Krev 86]

Back when I was younger my parents would drive me up to The Hockey Shop over in Surrey for my skates. They were nice and knowledgeable from what I remember. Also had a golden lab that would run around the shop and chase the balls I would shoot around for it. Not sure if that dog is still around though.

[bosshogg18 0]

I wonder where you're heading from since you might find better experience at home (ie if you're coming from NY or FL areas for instance there're pretty good guys around ;))

Realizing it sounds negative I personally haven't had any luck locally and had to consult with the gurus on this forum (thanks for all your advice btw!), but in any case it's hard to suggest a particular store since it's not the store that matters, but the person doing the fitting, and all Lower Mainland stores do employ a fair number of young kids that don't even know what the pencil test is all about.

Having all that said my advise would be if you have to buy locally then make sure you do your homework & prepare so that you're at least aware of the basics, then go by feel - if you feel the person fitting you doesn't have a clue then simply walk away.

I live in the Seattle area, which doesn't have any reputable shops anymore, let alone any knowledgeable employees. I know it isn't always the shop, but the particular employee that works at the shop that makes all the difference. I guess I should of elaborated and asked if anyone knows of a great skate fitter? If so, do you remember their name and what shop do they work at?

As I mentioned, I had a bad experience at Cyclone Taylor, but a few years back when I bought skates there, the employee who helped me was very knowledgeable. So I guess if any of you know of a PARTICULAR PERSON WHO FITS SKATES, please let me know. Also thanks to those who have already answered. A few of those shops I have not even heard of. I will have to check them out.

[Krev 86]

I live in the Seattle area, which doesn't have any reputable shops anymore, let alone any knowledgeable employees. I know it isn't always the shop, but the particular employee that works at the shop that makes all the difference.

Even with the shops that were reputable, if only you knew about what was going on behind the scenes with the main store at the time that every other shop was closing down. Nothing is ever what it seems.

[bcboy 0]

Ask for Toby at Cyclone Taylor - Easily the most knowledgeable guy in Vancouver...he does the skates for a lot of the pros. He was working on Evander Kanes skates when I was there last time. I think he only works on Thurs, Fri and Saturdays now so call ahead.

[bosshogg18 0]

Ask for Toby at Cyclone Taylor - Easily the most knowledgeable guy in Vancouver...he does the skates for a lot of the pros. He was working on Evander Kanes skates when I was there last time. I think he only works on Thurs, Fri and Saturdays now so call ahead.

Thanks bcboy. Like I had mentioned I have had a great experience at Cyclone Taylor, but the last time I was in, it was a bunch of kids and they didn't know much about skates at all. They all seemed to be just fooling around, waiting for quitting time. I will make sure I ask for Toby if I there.

[jbyun04 7]

Ask for Toby at Cyclone Taylor - Easily the most knowledgeable guy in Vancouver...he does the skates for a lot of the pros. He was working on Evander Kanes skates when I was there last time. I think he only works on Thurs, Fri and Saturdays now so call ahead.

Toby!! :D

Back when I was younger my parents would drive me up to The Hockey Shop over in Surrey for my skates. They were nice and knowledgeable from what I remember. Also had a golden lab that would run around the shop and chase the balls I would shoot around for it. Not sure if that dog is still around though.

Nope, doggy doesn't come to the shop anymore :(

[Andoy 5]

+1 for The Hockeyshop. Larry's is alright but when trying on skates, I find that the people there tend to gravitate you towards the high end skate regardless of your ability.

Jbyun do you still work at the hockeyshop?

[HattrickSwayze 3]

Does anybody know if there's any reps or individuals that could do custom fitting in the WA area? I'm also in the Seattle-ish area, but once I get my passport, drive to Vancouver, pay Canadian skate prices, etc, the cost goes way up for me and I'm not sure it's worth it. I asked at the local Play it Again, but they just said they'd do a trace and didn't seem too sure about it. My Reebok's aren't working out quite how I'd hoped, and my odd-sized feet don't help with retail skates.

[Krev 86]

The only local hockey rep out here for the big three is Randy from Easton, and he does both the baseball and hockey rep stuff out here. Emphasis is mostly on baseball. Getting custom fitted skates in this state is almost impossible unless you're with one of the WHL teams.

Unfortunately, my recommendation to you is to make the more expensive trip to The Hockey Shop.

[HattrickSwayze 3]

I kinda figured that was going to be the case... I would consider going through Play it Again or another local shop (if any others even do customs) but if I'm paying that much money, I want it done 110% right. I'm not so concerned about the drive to Vancouver, I'm more concerned about how much skates and other high-end equipment costs there. It seems to be quite a big difference. Thanks for the help though.

[Krev 86]

I'd only go to PIAS if Chris was still there, however he left this summer and has gone to Concordia for hockey (D3 school).

All the other local shops were owned by FirstLine, formerly Northwest Pro (old employer). They went out of business. As it is now, Castle has a makeshift store, and Lynnwood and OV are privately owned, and I doubt they do customs.

If you're going to be paying that much for customs anyway, might as well go to The Hockey Shop. You may be able to talk them out of $50-$100 if you explain your situation to them. They're usually pretty nice about that kind of thing.