Q: Stiffness and Protection of skates

[Sisko 0]

Hi,

Im gonna soon upgrade my X:30 skates that dosn't fit me well (novice mistake and misplaced trust in LHS). This time I want take my time, try all brands/product lines available +/- half of a size and both widths. This will take a while since local LHS's are rather small and except Vapors or Supremes it is mirracle to find say Easton skates in "your size", let alone "your size" AND half size up and down to compare. In the meantime, could you answer two questions I have pls?

My budget contains U+12, 10k/9k, One70/80, Flexlite 4, X:40, EQ40, S12.

1) Stiffness. Im looking for somewhat stiffer skates than X:30, or at least definetelly not softer. How would you order above models regarding stiffness and compare them to X:30?

3) Protection. Unfortunatelly (I guess lol), I've found a joy in placing my skates and stick into shots what of course carries some.. risks. Excluding pro stock or customs out of equation (and budget), how would you rate protectivness of above models comparinig to each other and X:30?

Thank you for any feedback, much appreciated.

PS: MSH is really gr8 forum with tons of useful info. I just wish I had found it before I've bought my first equipment, heh.

[mtc 0]

i dont really own any of those skates. but i heard great things about the ccm u+12 skates. But the most important aspect is the fit. I suggest trying them on and seeing which one fits you the best.

[Hermans 9]

Try the clear shot blockers on your current skates; borrow a pair if you can. If you find that after a skate or two that you don't notice them then you have a solution to the protection issue and can make that less of a priority and you can focus on fit, fit and fit.

I use them for my g735 and when people ask me how much I feel through them my reply is that I havent noticed if I have been hit.

My one caution is that the Velcro strap system is rather poor so if you do try them, start by taping them on to make sure they don't move and bother you.

[AIREAYE 248]

Maybe it was less 'misplaced trust' in the LHS than you not knowing as much about fit as you might now.

Try them on, get whichever fits the best. Additional protection like skate fenders can always be added on but if it doens't fit, it WILL compromise protection slightly too.

Apparently you're going to experience a noticeable jump in stiffness form the One70 to the One80, at least that's what they say over on the aforementioned thread. Flexlite is built more traditionally so it's supposed to have the bit of give; not sure about the 4's though so another poster can chime in.

[Sisko 0]

Good point Hermans, ty. Although finding someone wearing them here would be quite tricky at best..

Maybe it was less 'misplaced trust' in the LHS than you not knowing as much about fit as you might now.

Ultimately, thats the same thing. Once you don't have knowladge (as I did't at the time), you put your trust in hadns of proffesionals (in this case supposedly LHS). Comparing with info on this forum, all fitting tips I've got from them was 'is the boot long enough or I'll give ya half size up'. Anyhow, it's an OT.

And of course, I'll go for fit first, but those secondary criterias come to a decision as well.

[Hermans 9]

I hear you. It's difficult to try things out without committing to the expense of purchasing the product I saw the skate guards in a store on display. I took them and tried them on a similar sized skate to what I had and they didn't fit and I asked some questions. The ones I have come in different sizes and I found one that worked with a skate I have (NB One55) but it wasn't a tight fit and I wasn't comfortable buying them.

I brought in the skate I wanted to use them with, the G735 and tried different sizes. Ultimately I realized that if the skate guard was "tight" I could see it working and then I went and looked for a solution. I have since found two.

1) A guy I know through a regular pick-up tapes his down

2) I use something like this (http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cycling/Pumps/PRD~4000-448/cactus-creek-cycling-pump-straps.jsp)

Just make sure any velcro strap like this is static and not elastic. It works a charm and allows me to chinch down the skate guard nice and tight.

If you find a skate you like and have the opportunity to match it up to a skate guard in a store, take some time and check it out and don't rush it.

I like my Grafs but was ready to give up after playing D at a higher level and taking a lot of blocked shots off of them. I went and bought the NB One55's on sale and they certainly gave me a lot of protection for the use I got from them. However I never felt comfortable skating in the One 55's. I am happy to have the combination that I have because I have a skate that is a better fit for me and that I enjoy skating in.

Now only if I can get that explosive start out of my Graf's that I seem to get from the Bauers... hmmmm....

For me the skate fenders were a well used option that let me keep the fit and add the protection and since fit is generally considered to be more important... I am happy to have the option and to keep a pair of skates that grab my chicken bone ankles nice and secure.

Good luck!

[Sisko 0]

Ok, I'll take the advise and shift my attention to skate guards. Thanks.

[coffeebreak 0]

Reviving an older thread. I have the same question on protection. I am a classic beer leaguer so I wear a RBK 6K skate, but have had my foot battered and bruised from shots and slashes. Does a higher end skate e.g. 18 or 20K offer more protection as well or just more stiffness.

Thanks MSHers!

[AIREAYE 248]

Yes on both, though I would go for the 18K for the thicker sidewalls and outsole.

[flyers10 57]

If your current skates are fine you might want to consider getting a pair of skate fenders. Will help a lot on the shots and slashes.

[Zorlac 22]

to Coffebreak.. the 11Ks, and 18's offer much more protection than the 6Ks. I tried a pair of 6's on before I got the 11's and they felt very Vulnerable....

[wrangler 157]

Buy skates for skating -- performance, longevity, etc.

Buy protection for protection, e.g., skate fenders for feet.

[retroXvertigo 4]

I picked up a set of skate fenders after getting hit with a slapper and breaking a toe in two places. And this was in a pair of $600 skates.

I've found as a shot blocking D guy I have a lot more confidence getting in front of stuff like that when I know it won't hurt. I've been hit across the laces with a shot that literally knocked my skate out from under me and felt NOTHING.