High End Skates for Rec League Player

[tdowns12 0]

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking a few weeks and finally worked up the courage to post.

I'm a rec league B player that sometimes sneaks onto A level teams by fortune of being friends with great players. I've been playing in CCM Externo E-40's I picked up about 4 years ago on super sale when I was a broke college student. I'm now able to treat myself to any skate I want, but I'm seriously wondering if I'll notice the difference between, for instance, Bauer one80s to one100s to totalOnes. I am going to goto my LHS to purchase where I'm sure they'll sell the crap out of me because they know me pretty well and know I've been eyeing the top of line skates.

In summary, in modern skates, where will a rec level player max out?

[raganblink 82]

Based on a customer this year, its quite a huge leap for them going from old mid level worn down skates (tacks 692) that were shredded to one70s to one100s. He went from these three skates in about a two month span. He reported a quantum leap in performance and comfort.

Based on personal experience (by trying on anything I want really if it comes in on warranty) its a pretty noticeable difference in comfort and skating ability.

What I recommend to you is to go to ur shop, try on whatever you want and go with what feels best. If you're looking specifically at supreme skates, the one80 liner will break sown sooner and will be slightly less stiff then one100s. Those compared to the totalones will be about 10% heavier (still lightest 600 skate though) and won't have reflex tongue and a different liner. Same high quality durable quarter panel.

But anyways I'd recommend trying on w.e ii want from any brand, but based on experience you'll notice a difference between 80 & 100, so across the board you'll like the cl 11k s17 over the u12 10k s12 respectively.

If you could wait id ask them when their new easton skates and vapors come in to try as well

[tscharf 0]

You won't notice a difference if you don't buy cheap skates... ;) I say go for it.

[reverseit 0]

I went from Graf 735s that were going soft after 5 years or so straight into one100s. The difference was gigantic. Heavy, improperly sized, going soft skates into properly fitted, light, stiff skates. I could tell myself that I was faster and quicker, people commented as well.

Now with that said, would I have seen a benefit from going into one70/80s? Most definitely. But I THINK (a conjecture here), you'll definitely see incremental increases in performance as you go up the product range. With that said, are the increments worth the $100-200 increase in price? That's up to you to decide.

With that said, I'm probably a B player as well. But being a smaller guy I'm much more mobile and better on my feet than most guys I see.

And at the end of the day, when you've got the cash in your pocket and it won't break your back to spend it, why not?

[$m0k3 0]

Try top of the line skates on closeout.

[t6lock 24]

I went from some tacks made sometime in the late 90s to x40's and my skating improved drastically.

[OldCY 94]

do it. treat yourself. I went from x15s to one80s and I notice a big difference. Get what you want, what fits and you'll be happy.

[bandits_5 18]

Chances are , if you buy a high end skate , it will last you the rest of your playing days or close to it ( im not sure how old you are and what age you wold like to "retire" ) . But if a 600 dollar skate lasts you 15 yrs. , is it really a waste of money? I say no , its not a waste. So find the one thats right for you, be it the one100 , x60 , 11k etc...........and pull the trigger!

[stick9 905]

I find one model down from top of the line to be the best bargain. You're usually getting a top of the line skate minus a few features. It really comes down to, do you want to spend $600-$800 on a pair of skates...that's a lot of money. Are you going to notice the difference between a 3D Anaformable tech mesh(One80) and ALIVE Composite(One100) uppers and is the difference worth the extra $200...

Now if you can find that top of the line skate on closeout...now were talking.

[TeamHonda401 54]

I made the jump from CCM v06's to the RBK 7k, and I noticed quite a difference between those two, which were only $50 apart. If you are going from an older, beat up skate to a brand new top of the line skate, the difference is going to be huge. I would compare it to trying to run a marathon in work boots, then trying it again with the best running shoes on the market.

[tdowns12 0]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I really appreciate it.

I think I'll be the proud owner of a new pair of skates within a week or two!

[sickwilly 37]

Try top of the line skates on closeout.

+1

I've gotten some awesome deals this way. You can always use the cash you save on gloves, sticks, etc.

[TeamHonda401 54]

You can get Vapor X:60s for $399.98 on Great Skate. Not bad considering they were $800 when they came out.

[bandits_5 18]

You can get Vapor X:60s for $399.98 on Great Skate. Not bad considering they were $800 when they came out.

really? wow! i have NEVER seen them at more than 599.99

[tide94 0]

I started skating around a year and a half ago. Started in crappy horribly unsupported Easton Sy60's. They didnt fit my feet well, they were a pain to skate in. But i had no money and figured once i learned to skate I'd be able to warrant getting better skates. After skating 3 times a week during public skates, and falling over a 100 times i learned to skate and i recently (February) purchased Bauer Vapor x40's. Greatest feeling ever. They fit perfectly. They are stiff. And they improved my skating dramatically. I say go and get the skates you want. If it feels good on your feet, and makes you confident and helps your skating then get whatever skate. Whether it's the one80, one100, or T1.

[th6252 25]

You can get Vapor X:60s for $399.98 on Great Skate. Not bad considering they were $800 when they came out.

800? where were you see them going for that? that's what the total one's are going for. x60's were introduced at 600-650 as far as i can remember. at least that's what i paid for mine at the lhs a few months after they were introduced.

[Andoy 5]

800? where were you see them going for that? that's what the total one's are going for. x60's were introduced at 600-650 as far as i can remember. at least that's what i paid for mine at the lhs a few months after they were introduced.

He could be living outside the US

[th6252 25]

He could be living outside the US

right, but he quoted great skate which is a us shop.

[wrangler 157]

How much do you weigh? That can be an important factor, and I haven't seen it mentioned yet. The heavier you are, the better skate you may want.

[chippa13 1844]

Chances are , if you buy a high end skate , it will last you the rest of your playing days or close to it ( im not sure how old you are and what age you wold like to "retire" ) . But if a 600 dollar skate lasts you 15 yrs. , is it really a waste of money? I say no , its not a waste. So find the one thats right for you, be it the one100 , x60 , 11k etc...........and pull the trigger!

If a skate lasts you 15 years then you either don't skate very much or you are skating on some seriously broken down skates that have zero support left in them.

[AIREAYE 248]

+1

I've gotten some awesome deals this way. You can always use the cash you save on gloves, sticks, etc.

another vouch. I'm going to add to the bonfire and say that you WILL notice a drastic increase in performance, assuming you get skates that FIT. I went from 10 yr old mid-level Mission AmpFlys, which fit me and had decent stiffness, even after 10yrs, to brand new S15s on closeout for $300. Huge leap in stiffness and performance, not to mention weight haha. I think the S15s are still the lightest skates out there, even lighter than the new S17s

[TeamHonda401 54]

right, but he quoted great skate which is a us shop.

I live in the US, but I coulda swore that when they first came out they were going for $800. I may be mistaken though.

[raganblink 82]

Some places put "retail price" as 800 then "their" price as 600.

They were like 600 almost everywhere

[TeamHonda401 54]

Gotcha. Either way that's still $200 bucks less by just waiting for the next model to get announced. Solid move.

[reverseit 0]

another vouch. I'm going to add to the bonfire and say that you WILL notice a drastic increase in performance, assuming you get skates that FIT. I went from 10 yr old mid-level Mission AmpFlys, which fit me and had decent stiffness, even after 10yrs, to brand new S15s on closeout for $300. Huge leap in stiffness and performance, not to mention weight haha. I think the S15s are still the lightest skates out there, even lighter than the new S17s

They're lighter than the T1's?