Getting back into Hockey...

[-venom- 0]

Hey all, long time no see. Haven't been around much since I sold all my gear 2 years back (regretted it ever since). Now that my wife has finished school, I'll have the time to start playing again, and obviously I need to pick everything up again.

I've been playing for like 20 years now, and at most levels, short of NARCh Pro - and all this new gear has totally blown me away with all the different models and options, etc. Basically, I've always been a mission guy, but I've got nothing against Tour or anyone else, really. Heck, Nike FLexlite 12 with Sprung A8s were the best skates I've ever been on... but my dilemma is pretty much deciding on the best way to break down the $ I've got set aside for gear. And that all depends on the skates....

Basically, I have around $1000 to cover the costs for my gear. I used to always run out and drop a ton of money on the newest (and most expensive) skates, but being on a budget, I've been looking at a few options in the $300 range.

Mission Boss SE/Black OR the New Axiom T7s...?

Tour Cobalt Q/9.9...?

Or... been looking at some potential Sprung Conversion-worthy boots (like my FL 12s), but nothing so far has really caught my eye.

I've got a relatively flat, but wide foot. 11.5-12 shoe size.

Suggestions? Experiences (positive or negative) with the skates above?

Would the T8 be THAT much of a step up? Or conversely, the option below, THAT much of a step down?

I've also found a pair of Mission WIcked 3s for $90 on ebay, and a pair of CObalt Q boots... both would make decent Sprung combos, but I don't really know what the deal is with the Qs as far as fit and quality, and same goes for the quality question on the Wicked 3.

If I could source some Flexlite 12s, I'd be happy as a pig in mud. But no luck, so I'm in need of a push one way or the other.

Thanks in advance.

It's amazing how fast things progress when you've been out of the loop for a while....

[Hammers44 4]

Out of the the three you mentioned I'd go with the Boss Blacks if you can find them in your size. Thats a pretty sturdy boot for the price. The Boss SE's aren't a bad boot either I just haven't had a lot of experience with them, heard a lot of good stuff though. I'd personally recommend some Revision Vanquishes. The boot fits more like a ice boot which is one thing that I always look for and they have a pretty beastly chassis to back them up. That 100mm wheel works awesome with getting that little extra bit of grip to.

[pby 0]

Hey all, long time no see. Haven't been around much since I sold all my gear 2 years back (regretted it ever since). Now that my wife has finished school, I'll have the time to start playing again, and obviously I need to pick everything up again.

I've been playing for like 20 years now, and at most levels, short of NARCh Pro - and all this new gear has totally blown me away with all the different models and options, etc. Basically, I've always been a mission guy, but I've got nothing against Tour or anyone else, really. Heck, Nike FLexlite 12 with Sprung A8s were the best skates I've ever been on... but my dilemma is pretty much deciding on the best way to break down the $ I've got set aside for gear. And that all depends on the skates....

Basically, I have around $1000 to cover the costs for my gear. I used to always run out and drop a ton of money on the newest (and most expensive) skates, but being on a budget, I've been looking at a few options in the $300 range.

Mission Boss SE/Black OR the New Axiom T7s...?

Tour Cobalt Q/9.9...?

Or... been looking at some potential Sprung Conversion-worthy boots (like my FL 12s), but nothing so far has really caught my eye.

I've got a relatively flat, but wide foot. 11.5-12 shoe size.

Suggestions? Experiences (positive or negative) with the skates above?

Would the T8 be THAT much of a step up? Or conversely, the option below, THAT much of a step down?

I've also found a pair of Mission WIcked 3s for $90 on ebay, and a pair of CObalt Q boots... both would make decent Sprung combos, but I don't really know what the deal is with the Qs as far as fit and quality, and same goes for the quality question on the Wicked 3.

If I could source some Flexlite 12s, I'd be happy as a pig in mud. But no luck, so I'm in need of a push one way or the other.

Thanks in advance.

It's amazing how fast things progress when you've been out of the loop for a while....

Have you tried the flexlite 3.0s and 4.0s? I put some sprungs on the 4.0s and am pretty happy with mine. They should fit just like the flexlite 12s.

If you wear EEs in flexlites I'd probably avoid the boss blacks, they are a narrow fitting skate. Though they have a little more depth in the instep than the flexlites.

The SEs are on the bauer supreme lasts I believe so they won't be as deep and wide as the flexlites. The SE should be a better bet than the blacks.

Not too sure what hammers44 means by fits like an ice boot. They either fit or they don't.

Ideally you should try them on before you purchase.

[-venom- 0]

Have you tried the flexlite 3.0s and 4.0s? I put some sprungs on the 4.0s and am pretty happy with mine. They should fit just like the flexlite 12s.

If you wear EEs in flexlites I'd probably avoid the boss blacks, they are a narrow fitting skate. Though they have a little more depth in the instep than the flexlites.

The SEs are on the bauer supreme lasts I believe so they won't be as deep and wide as the flexlites. The SE should be a better bet than the blacks.

Not too sure what hammers44 means by fits like an ice boot. They either fit or they don't.

Ideally you should try them on before you purchase.

Thanks for the quick replies, guys.

I've never strapped on a pair of revisions, primarily because I really never knew much about the skates, just the wheels. Definitely something I'll look into. (looked into it - I'd have to try them on to decide, but something about that damn big wheel...LOL)

As for the Flexlites, that's good to hear - I LOVED my Sprung FL12s. Now I need to decide whether or not I can justify the cost of a pair + conversion + roller setup > Boss SE.

And I appreciate the info on skate fit - it's one thing I've never really paid much attention to, as I've always just dealt with torn-up feet as long as I had a skate that performed well. Usually, I'd be cramming my feet into something a little too narrow and getting wicked pressure points just by the toe box. Something that this time around, I'm planning on accounting for and buying the correct size right off the bat.....lol.

Also, so far no love for the new Axiom line or new-ish Tour skates, huh?

It seems that most people actually prefer a 1-2 year old model top-of-the-line over a brand new mid-level skate. Interesting. (Generally the way I've been approaching this as well).

[pby 0]

Assuming you get the flexlite 4.0 which is the closest to the FL12, that is over 300 already. Sprungs and installation will put it over 450. Plus wheels and bearings, you're looking at well over 500.

Even if you have wheels and bearings lying around, its going to be hard to beat the boss se. HM from time to time does an 25% off on the mission closeouts. If you're on a 300 budget I'd probably lean towards the missions. You should really try both the blacks and SEs if thats possible because they fit differently from one another especially if you come from a flexlite. The axiom supposedly fits like the the SEs so you're just paying a premium for this year's skate.

[-venom- 0]

Assuming you get the flexlite 4.0 which is the closest to the FL12, that is over 300 already. Sprungs and installation will put it over 450. Plus wheels and bearings, you're looking at well over 500.

Even if you have wheels and bearings lying around, its going to be hard to beat the boss se. HM from time to time does an 25% off on the mission closeouts. If you're on a 300 budget I'd probably lean towards the missions. You should really try both the blacks and SEs if thats possible because they fit differently from one another especially if you come from a flexlite. The axiom supposedly fits like the the SEs so you're just paying a premium for this year's skate.

Well, the $300 is my version of an attempt at self-control. Normally I'd just go blow a wad on the T9s and call it a day :)

But considering that I'm *attempting* to completely re-stock the gear supply with $1,000 total, I can't go completely bananas on skates, unless I want to use a Franklin Street Lightning as a stick.... :)

[LBinlineJOEJOE 0]

based from my own experiences with skates (i have a 10.5-11 wide flat foot) the skate which perfectly fit my foot a pair of ice boots, bauer one95's, size 9.5 with a regular width. i've never gotten them baked, and they fit so nicely with my foot, with minimal break-in time.

with mission's (based off the boss se, haven't tried the axiom series) i tried the wide length, and they were just too wide for my foot, and the narrow width was TOO narrow, sadly. a few of my teammates are using axiom's (one is using t9's, another t8's, and another with t7's); but none of them have wide flat feet, but they all love the skates.

tour skates just don't satisfy my tastes and look a little too flashy for me, although the labeda hum'er's are excellent.

i wouldn't go with reebok's anymore just because my foot was too wide for them, even the wide length. they screwed with the nerves in my feet, and parts of my feet were numb for about a month AFTER i got new skates.

i'd say go with an ice conversion (something along the bauer supreme line), and with the budget you've stated, maybe the bauer one60's or one70's.

[pby 0]

based from my own experiences with skates (i have a 10.5-11 wide flat foot) the skate which perfectly fit my foot a pair of ice boots, bauer one95's, size 9.5 with a regular width. i've never gotten them baked, and they fit so nicely with my foot, with minimal break-in time.

with mission's (based off the boss se, haven't tried the axiom series) i tried the wide length, and they were just too wide for my foot, and the narrow width was TOO narrow, sadly. a few of my teammates are using axiom's (one is using t9's, another t8's, and another with t7's); but none of them have wide flat feet, but they all love the skates.

tour skates just don't satisfy my tastes and look a little too flashy for me, although the labeda hum'er's are excellent.

i wouldn't go with reebok's anymore just because my foot was too wide for them, even the wide length. they screwed with the nerves in my feet, and parts of my feet were numb for about a month AFTER i got new skates.

i'd say go with an ice conversion (something along the bauer supreme line), and with the budget you've stated, maybe the bauer one60's or one70's.

I don't think you have wide feet if you're in regular widths one95. Currently supremes are wider than the one95. The axioms are built off supreme last so they should be wider than your one95s.

It'd be a real waste of money to convert supremes to inline. the top end SE will fit like supremes and still be more durable and cheaper.

[LBinlineJOEJOE 0]

I don't think you have wide feet if you're in regular widths one95. Currently supremes are wider than the one95. The axioms are built off supreme last so they should be wider than your one95s.

It'd be a real waste of money to convert supremes to inline. the top end SE will fit like supremes and still be more durable and cheaper.

true... i was just speaking from my own personal experience as i haven't tried any of the axiom's yet, and prefer ice boots.

[boozz35 0]

true... i was just speaking from my own personal experience as i haven't tried any of the axiom's yet, and prefer ice boots.

Well so you know not to long ago Mission was bought out by buer and not to long before that nike bought out buer but I Play hockey for a local leuge and skate alot and even did some speed skating that mission will beat any skate i have broket the boot in tours twice now so i wont get them any more i just replaced some bottom of line mission and that was just cause i needed new wheels also but the cheap missions last a long time for me and always have i never spend that much on skates i go with a cheap boot then good wheels and normally just abec 9 bearings i just bought the Axiom A2 once again bottom of the line but the boot needed next to none break in and a great firm boot which surpised me with how cheap of boot.

[pby 0]

Well so you know not to long ago Mission was bought out by buer and not to long before that nike bought out buer but I Play hockey for a local leuge and skate alot and even did some speed skating that mission will beat any skate i have broket the boot in tours twice now so i wont get them any more i just replaced some bottom of line mission and that was just cause i needed new wheels also but the cheap missions last a long time for me and always have i never spend that much on skates i go with a cheap boot then good wheels and normally just abec 9 bearings i just bought the Axiom A2 once again bottom of the line but the boot needed next to none break in and a great firm boot which surpised me with how cheap of boot.

You missed out the part Nike sold Bauer to Kohlberg.

I have never heard or seen an axiom A2 skate before. Though I'm happy for you that they're working out for you. A softer boot definitely helps build ankle strength but soft boots don't tend to last very long either in my experience, especially if you're a bigger guy who plays regularly.

[-venom- 0]

Just an update - I'm pretty much re-stocked head to toe, just waiting on the Sprung A7s to be back in stock.... went with Bauer One60 boots (may use them for ice, though - and use Vapors for Roller, we'll see.... I'm sort of between fit)