Need some new skates, opinions wanted!

[PGids 0]

First post, so I'm just going to wing it..

I've had a pair of Bauer One.7s for two years and they are worn out and after the summer hockey season is over they are getting shelved. That being said, I'll be looking for some new ones soon.

I'm 15 and primarily play forward for my highschool's team. I stand about 5'10 and weigh around 170lbs. I've never been the fastest skater, but I'm not the slowest either. These will probably be my second to last pair of skates I'll need, if not the last pair, so I would also like something that is fairly durable.

Anyway, my price range is about $400 or less, although that can be bent a little. I've always been a fan of Bauer stuff, as well as Easton but I'm open to pretty much any brand. I've been looking at TotalOne's as a bunch of kids on my team rant and rave about them, and as much as I like my 6's, these could only be better. The new Nexus line looks promising too.

[jrbrown092 0]

I'd stick to Bauer. The feel of a Bauer skate is much different than an Easton skate, or any other brand skate, because the Bauer slants your foot differently. I went from a CCM to a Bauer, and boy was the first time out harsh!

If you are looking for something cost effective, I'd suggest looking at the now obsolete Supreme models before the NXG skates come out. Most of them are on clearance now, and probably work just as well as the NXG skates.

In short, buy a skate that you are used to. Since you had a Supreme skate, get another Supreme skate. Stick to what you are used to.

[PGids 0]

That's what I was thinking, my local proshop is having a blow out of what they have left in stock. I'll have to go see if they have any in my size.

[VIPERS96 1]

I would look at the RS Skates if I were you. It sounds like you want a top of the line skates, but it may be hard for you to adjust to the stiffness of a totalone coming from a lower end Bauer skate. The RS is not quite as stiff as the total one ( which are too stiff for most people outside of the NHL.) Stiffness does not equal speed.

You also may want to look at Graf skates.

[sickwilly 37]

Love my 11ks. You can score a pair new for around 400 bucks now. I've seen them for less, too.

[Chadd 916]

try on as many skates as you can and go with the ones that fit the best within your budget. If multiple brands/models feel the same, then none of them are the right fit in that size.

[romdj 26]

I'd personally try as many pairs at a store and them purchase online if you can find your size, lightly used second hand skates usually sell for 40-50% of the retail price (from my experience)

[PGids 0]

Thanks for the info guys!

I'm leaning towards a pair of Supreme One.9's, Total Ones or RS Seniors even though they are out of my price range.

Could anyone give me some info on the durability of these? As much as I could be paying, I have a feeling they stand up to use very well, but I just want to be sure and make sure none of them have specific weak points.

[Arkainium 1]

I'm also curious about the durability. The Supreme One.9 and Total One both have the Curv Composite boot. I wonder if this material is less cut-resistant than the tech mesh in the Supreme One.8. If so then you may be sacrificing durability for weight reduction in the top models.

[wrangler 157]

I'd personally try as many pairs at a store and them purchase online if you can find your size, lightly used second hand skates usually sell for 40-50% of the retail price (from my experience)

Not cool.

[hockeymass 11]

I'd personally try as many pairs at a store and them purchase online if you can find your size, lightly used second hand skates usually sell for 40-50% of the retail price (from my experience)

This is kind of a dick move, since you're knowingly wasting the store employee's time. In my experience, skates aren't usually deeply discounted online anyway.

[AIREAYE 248]

Not cool.

It seems pretty obvious that this guy hasn't worked a day in retail, or any sort of customer service.

hockeymass is right, factor in shipping, wait time, need for a bake, need for a sharpen and the possibility of warranties and return...

[romdj 26]

Not cool.

Let me rectify my post,

Just for the record, I've never done that.

I agree that this is not cool for the retailer, but (@hockeymass & AIREAYE) here in canada prices are 20%higher + higher canadian taxes....so it would be a significant economy buying online, new or used. And don't even mention Europe...

If I were to do try all the pairs of skates, I won't leave with empty hands and would certainly tip the guy a 20.

Now I made some research and barely used items are rather 60-70% of the usa msrp price, although good research & negociation could bring it down to 40-50%.

AIREAYE: maybe what I said sounds shocking but you have no proof supporting your statement, it's a random example and I hope you'll understand my point but voting in favour of social laws does not necessarily mean you're a better individual.

Even though I have worked as a seller, I am still in favour of a free market approach where price competition wins. And each individual should be free to define whether or not the time taken is worth the saving.

[j cal 1]

Thanks for the info guys!

I'm leaning towards a pair of Supreme One.9's, Total Ones or RS Seniors even though they are out of my price range.

Could anyone give me some info on the durability of these? As much as I could be paying, I have a feeling they stand up to use very well, but I just want to be sure and make sure none of them have specific weak points.

I was in the market for some new skates, tried on the one.9s, felt amazing. but didn't want to spend the money. Tried on the same exact numerical size in a lower model (one.8...) and it was too small. Tried more supreme line skates but nothing felt as snug but right as the one.9s.

Had to pull the trigger on those one.9s.

No regrets at all.

Moral of the story, purchase the skate that feels best. There are discrepancies with the same boot/size # from skate to skate.

[hockeymass 11]

Let me rectify my post,

Just for the record, I've never done that.

I agree that this is not cool for the retailer, but (@hockeymass & AIREAYE) here in canada prices are 20%higher + higher canadian taxes....so it would be a significant economy buying online, new or used. And don't even mention Europe...

If I were to do try all the pairs of skates, I won't leave with empty hands and would certainly tip the guy a 20.

Now I made some research and barely used items are rather 60-70% of the usa msrp price, although good research & negociation could bring it down to 40-50%.

AIREAYE: maybe what I said sounds shocking but you have no proof supporting your statement, it's a random example and I hope you'll understand my point but voting in favour of social laws does not necessarily mean you're a better individual.

Even though I have worked as a seller, I am still in favour of a free market approach where price competition wins. And each individual should be free to define whether or not the time taken is worth the saving.

Depending on store policy, especially at a big box store like Hockeymonkey, the employee probably wouldn't be allowed to accept a tip. All I'm saying is that the ability to try the skates on and get help with fitting is an aspect of the price.

[stick9 905]

To the OP, do your feet, your game, and your wallet a favor and take Chadd's advice. Fit is by far the most important aspect. A proper fitting skate will give more of an advantage then a higher end poorly fitting one.

I've bought a poorly fitting skate because I wanted a certain model/brand and my feet and my game suffered.

[wrangler 157]

Let me rectify my post,

Just for the record, I've never done that.

I agree that this is not cool for the retailer, but (@hockeymass & AIREAYE) here in canada prices are 20%higher + higher canadian taxes....so it would be a significant economy buying online, new or used. And don't even mention Europe...

If I were to do try all the pairs of skates, I won't leave with empty hands and would certainly tip the guy a 20.

Now I made some research and barely used items are rather 60-70% of the usa msrp price, although good research & negociation could bring it down to 40-50%.

AIREAYE: maybe what I said sounds shocking but you have no proof supporting your statement, it's a random example and I hope you'll understand my point but voting in favour of social laws does not necessarily mean you're a better individual.

Even though I have worked as a seller, I am still in favour of a free market approach where price competition wins. And each individual should be free to define whether or not the time taken is worth the saving.

You should realize that competition is not simply on price; consider what you get for what you pay. Your LHS competes on service, also. If enough customers buy elsewhere, the LHS will go out of business, and you won't have a place to try on skates. The knowledge, service, inventory availabliity for inspection and trial, walk-in product returns, etc., will be gone. Your tip to an employee won't affect this; it's worthless to the business.

[flyguy1 1]

I never knew finding the right skate would be so hard. I found a high end skate lightly used for cheap and my size, i haven't gone to try on yet, but its been years (15 to be exact) since i bought skates. I want to buy them but advice from here is to try on as many skates and pick the best fitting skate. Im not ready to spend alot of money on skates and I don't want to go to LHS and BS them and waste their time, just to compare the cheap higher end ones i found someone selling in my area. And i bet after trying on so many skates in your price range, its gotta be hard to pin point the best fitting if some higher end skate fits the best but out of price range.

[AIREAYE 248]

Nope, I don't know or care what background you have, your post kinda ticked me off a bit, so I replied in kind. The other gentlemen here echo my reasoning.

[PGids 0]

One the pro-shop gets more stuff in stock around the beginning of the season, I'm going to go nuts and try a bunch of skates on. If the rin hadn't collapsed last season, I'd go now. I'll probably get a pair of One.9's if the stiffness of the TotalOne is too much.

[slapshotz44 0]

customers where I work tell me beforehand their just "looking" at skates and that they'll buy online. I try and tell them that they'll be charged for baking and sharpening if they're not purchased with us, and that the prices are usually a MAP price and all the same. I still fit them correctly and take my time so they know what they're getting, but part of me gets pissed that they aren't giving us business. I scooped up a pair of 11K's at my store for 55% off, $258 bucks after tax. CRAZY deal. I told them about the reeboks on sale and they said they could probably find them cheaper on the interwebz. NOPE.

and to the OP: the one.9 is a very solid skate. the boot may show some scars over time but unless the boot suffers a very large blow, those skates are extremely durable. they seem to retain their stiffness over time with the CURV composite. I had APX's all last winter, and even at 250lbs they still were solid as a rock when I sold them. good choice.

[OpenIceHit42 2]

I was a long time CCM user on ice, switched to the Bauer One 60's a few months ago and I won't be going back. Skates took awhile to break in but they feel great now and I'm extremely happy that I did.