Budget Skate (around 250$)

[slitcher 0]

Hi guys,

I may get flammed for starting such a topic but I basically wanted to know your take on a good budget skate. I DO have the weirdest feet ever so I DO plan on heading to the LHS to try them on and see but since my LHS doesn't carry a huge stock, I wanted to aim towards a few pair and maybe even keep a distance from others.

Basically, I am 23 years old, 6'0'' 150lbs, I used to play hockey from 5yo to 16yo and after a long period of inactivity i'm back on the skates. I play most of the times once a week but sometimes twice. Recreational league only. The budget is 250 $

So here is what I've been looking at for the moment :

- Reebok 7K

- Bauer one70

- Bauer Vapor X:30

- Graf 370

Easton and CCM have nothing in that price range from what i've seen.

That's about it ! Any sort of help will be really appreciated

[IceBuckeye88 0]

What do you mean when you say you have the weirdest feet ever?

[slitcher 0]

These are my feet after 1 game in U+ Pro baked and punched.

I have very large bunions, pressure point where the blisters show on the picture, wide front foot and narrow heel.

[interpathway 9]

wide front foot and narrow heel.

I know they're not in your range, but Easton's lasts produce narrow heeled wider forefoot boots that have always worked for me.

[CAmmon 2]

Making a day of it going to a well stocked/knowledgeable lhs is a big recommendation in my book. I got my skates 18 hours away, but I was also on vacation at the time. It was part of the plan in the vacation because I trusted who I saw.

[DolomaticDangles 13]

Eastons have a decently wide forefoot and a narrow heel. You could check out the S12, they are a good alternative to the S17 and you should be able to find them in your price range. Also maybe try to find some skates on clearance from last year as opposed to the new line. You can get Reebok 9k and 8k for under $300 on clearance, which are better than the new 7k. But get what fits.

[Buzz_LightBeer 975]

What size? SOmeone help me but don't SE16's kind of fit that description? perhaps with an upgraded footbed

[slitcher 0]

I tried on the followings :

- Bauer Vapor X:30

- Bauer Supreme One70 (actually tried the one80 because the one70 wasnt in stock in 8EE

- Reebok 7K

- Graf 370

- Easton EQ4

and found out the one70 fitted me the best. I had to have the skate shipped because they did not have the one70 8EE in stock....

I set my mind on the One70, I can't wait to try it !

[pass the bisk 0]

Hey buddy, if your feet are getting torn up you might want to try putting tape over where the wound usually is or try these pads that some people wear over their socks to prevent lace bite

[GoBucky 0]

Looks like you definetly need a D width. I have bunions like your's too and wide feet and I found that Reebok/CCM fits me the best.

Ive got a pair of CCM Vector 05s and I love them. Get them baked and if you still have issues with discomfort, get them punched out where they hurt.

[pass the bisk 0]

I would advise getting your feet measured so you know exactly what size you will need

[slitcher 0]

Where and how can I get my feet measured precisely in order to properly ''fit'' my skate. Is there any apparatus that will measure the width of the forefoot, the width of the heel, the arch, the volume, etc. and than rank the measurements on a certain scale ?

I went to Rousseau Sports in Montreal, which is a reputable hockey store in Montreal and to tell you the truth, the kid didn't bother measuring anything else than the lenght of my feet. He saw the huge bunions and came back with Supreme EE.

I still haven't bought the skates yet so I can still change my mind. I would have loved to try the Bauer Flexlines but I could not find a store in Montreal that would carry this line .... If anybody can help me tho I will be glad to give them a try,

[Chappie 0]

IF you custom order Bauer skates, they literally send a rep out and he measures each foot exactly, and they build a skate for you based on that measurement. Don't know if they'd do it for a one70, and I don't know if they could do it in your budget, but supposedly it's a very nice service.

I have the same foot as you, though I have a bit more of an arch that collapses. I am a 7.5 and bought Flexlite 12's off of ebay in August. Usually like to buy E but these were in D and were cheap enough to justify trying them out. I've found that, while slightly snug, they work very well. I don't tie tight at all on my forefoot and like to tie it pretty snuggly (yes, I did just make up my own word) right when I pass the apex of my arch, aka about where the upper and lower boot meet, maybe slightly before, and that seems to keep me good. I still notice some foot pain, but I think that has more to do with my collapsing arches and beer belly.

I'd recommend them, they were a foot saver for me. If I could afford em, I would've gone out and gotten the 4.0's, they are a sick looking and feeling skate.

[CAmmon 2]

Customs are only available on top of the line skates. So take that price and add a custom fee of 50.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

IF you custom order Bauer skates, they literally send a rep out and he measures each foot exactly, and they build a skate for you based on that measurement. Don't know if they'd do it for a one70, and I don't know if they could do it in your budget, but supposedly it's a very nice service.

I have the same foot as you, though I have a bit more of an arch that collapses. I am a 7.5 and bought Flexlite 12's off of ebay in August. Usually like to buy E but these were in D and were cheap enough to justify trying them out. I've found that, while slightly snug, they work very well. I don't tie tight at all on my forefoot and like to tie it pretty snuggly (yes, I did just make up my own word) right when I pass the apex of my arch, aka about where the upper and lower boot meet, maybe slightly before, and that seems to keep me good. I still notice some foot pain, but I think that has more to do with my collapsing arches and beer belly.

I'd recommend them, they were a foot saver for me. If I could afford em, I would've gone out and gotten the 4.0's, they are a sick looking and feeling skate.

They send a rep out? And only charge $50? Will they do that even though I could be a thousand miles from the nearest bauer rep?

[stick9 905]

Eastons have a decently wide forefoot and a narrow heel. You could check out the S12, they are a good alternative to the S17 and you should be able to find them in your price range. Also maybe try to find some skates on clearance from last year as opposed to the new line. You can get Reebok 9k and 8k for under $300 on clearance, which are better than the new 7k. But get what fits.

If the fit is good the S12's are a good buy at $299. I've had mine for a year now and I am very pleased.

[Jackal_17 0]

If the fit is good the S12's are a good buy at $299. I've had mine for a year now and I am very pleased.

Wide forefoot, narrow heel:

Try Bauer flexlite 4.0. Fits your feet profile without measuring. The D width is the same width if not wider than Supreme EE. If you can wait around, you can find a pair for $250 shipped BNIB.

Of course, nothing beats having your feet properly measured by a pro and going custom.

[slitcher 0]

Yah well I'd sure love a custom skate but sure can't afford ... Broke university student ...

Yah well I'd sure love a custom skate but sure can't afford ... Broke university student ...

[Chappie 0]

Wide forefoot, narrow heel:

Try Bauer flexlite 4.0. Fits your feet profile without measuring. The D width is the same width if not wider than Supreme EE. If you can wait around, you can find a pair for $250 shipped BNIB.

Of course, nothing beats having your feet properly measured by a pro and going custom.

This.

I honestly don't think a skate has ever fit me as well as the flexlites have.

[DolomaticDangles 13]

oops please delete

[GoBucky 0]

Where and how can I get my feet measured precisely in order to properly ''fit'' my skate. Is there any apparatus that will measure the width of the forefoot, the width of the heel, the arch, the volume, etc. and than rank the measurements on a certain scale ?

I went to Rousseau Sports in Montreal, which is a reputable hockey store in Montreal and to tell you the truth, the kid didn't bother measuring anything else than the lenght of my feet. He saw the huge bunions and came back with Supreme EE.

I still haven't bought the skates yet so I can still change my mind. I would have loved to try the Bauer Flexlines but I could not find a store in Montreal that would carry this line .... If anybody can help me tho I will be glad to give them a try,

Some shop use a device much like when you shop for shoes where you put your foot in it and it shows you the length and width of your foot.

[pby 0]

Some shop use a device much like when you shop for shoes where you put your foot in it and it shows you the length and width of your foot.

There are apparatus that will help you measure the width of your forefoot and length. Thats the Brannock device.

Brannock device aren't very useful because manufactures use different lasts and sizes vary from company to company and it even applies to skate lines within a brand. Look at the supreme/vapor/flexlites for example, they used a different lasts and the width and length varies quite a bit despite being the same "size".

Custom mold aside, there isn't any apparatus that will find and fit skates for you feet based on arbitrary numbers. If you can't afford customs, then you really have to take your time to slip into every skate within your budget and get a good feel of it.

[GoBucky 0]

There are apparatus that will help you measure the width of your forefoot and length. Thats the Brannock device.

Brannock device aren't very useful because manufactures use different lasts and sizes vary from company to company and it even applies to skate lines within a brand. Look at the supreme/vapor/flexlites for example, they used a different lasts and the width and length varies quite a bit despite being the same "size".

Custom mold aside, there isn't any apparatus that will find and fit skates for you feet based on arbitrary numbers. If you can't afford customs, then you really have to take your time to slip into every skate within your budget and get a good feel of it.

True, but that device will give you a ballpark idea of what size your feet are and anyone at a skate shop should be able to find skates that fit a person fairly well and then from that point get the skates to fit them really well through baking and punching the skates.

You are right that there isnt a set number that fits everyone and that a person needs to try on various skates to see what fits their feet the best. Thats why Im not a believer in buying online.

Dealing with knowledgable people at a skate shop makes a huge difference in how skates fit and how happy a customer is with them and thats something you cant get online.

The shop that I deal with bakes and punches skates for free and will work with a customers as much as possible to get their skates to fit properly and comfortably.

[slitcher 0]

Oh

My

God

I just slipped my foot in a pair of Bauer Flexlite ! Those skates feel like they have been custom made for my feet. I was shocked. I never had a skate that wouldn't hurt my feet but the flexlite felt so good, I was very impressed.

However, they did not have size 8 in stock. I tried 7.5 which was too tight... I had to order a pair of size 8.

[Krev 86]

Oh

My

God

I just slipped my foot in a pair of Bauer Flexlite ! Those skates feel like they have been custom made for my feet. I was shocked. I never had a skate that wouldn't hurt my feet but the flexlite felt so good, I was very impressed.

However, they did not have size 8 in stock. I tried 7.5 which was too tight... I had to order a pair of size 8.

So long as you found the right skate for your foot, order what you have to. Comfort is number one when it comes to skates.