Skate boot wear/durability/stiffness question

[spam_and_eggs 0]

Hi everyone. I just started ice skating and playing hockey about 1 1/2 years ago. I'm a 25 year old 5'1 165lbs C and below beer league player. I bought a pair of new Reebok 6k skates last summer and have recently noticed some tearing and creasing going on in the boot, right below the ankle where it flexes. I can easily flex it down with my hands. I was just wondering if this was normal or not, and if I might need a stiffer hockey skate. Here are some pictures:

Notice the tear/crease right below the eyelet. Also, the eyelets around the tear are beginning to break and/or fold in on themselves

Wearing the skate and putting some weight into it, the sides flex outward causing the eyelets to bend

The boot creasing when I put weight on it

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[TeamHonda401 54]

I have a buddy that had the exact same thing happen to him, but he was wearing a supreme one20. In his situation, the boot was waayyy too soft for someone of his size. In your case, I'm pretty surprised that the boot would flex out on you. I have been using the 7k's in the same line as you for about 2 years without incident (5' 10" 145lbs). Only causes I can think of for a person of your size, is that you either have a defective pair of skates, or that your skates don't fit you well. Are the creases on the outside of your skates?

[jimmy 194]

Skates are not defective, rather they are a lower end model thats not very stiff to begin with, and not really designed for anyone who plays more than once a week. If they are used a lot, they can break down quick. Similar to the One20, another lower end skate. The eyelets problems I see in pics can be related to improper drying, as well as overall breakdown of the skate itself. Drying is so critical. The creasing is likely because the skate doesn't fit correctly. Creasing is usually because foot doesn't have enough volume for the skate, so laces cave skate down to reach the foot. I also have to say that skates in general do not last very long, made to be lighter, they just break down quick. When you finally get new skates, consider a higher end skate.

[spam_and_eggs 0]

Are the creases on the outside of your skates?

Yes, they are on the outside and flex outward. It has only torn on the quarter package outer part, not yet the inner lining of the boot.

Skates are not defective, rather they are a lower end model thats not very stiff to begin with, and not really designed for anyone who plays more than once a week. If they are used a lot, they can break down quick. Similar to the One20, another lower end skate. The eyelets problems I see in pics can be related to improper drying, as well as overall breakdown of the skate itself. Drying is so critical. The creasing is likely because the skate doesn't fit correctly. Creasing is usually because foot doesn't have enough volume for the skate, so laces cave skate down to reach the foot. I also have to say that skates in general do not last very long, made to be lighter, they just break down quick. When you finally get new skates, consider a higher end skate.

I had been under the impression that the 6Ks were mid-level skates. Perhaps they are lower mid-level.

I always thoroughly dry my gear, it never stays in the bag for more than an hour after a game and hang dries for at least 12 hours in the garage. For the skates, I take out the insoles and open the tongue out. Hopefully improper drying didn't cause the eyelet damage because I'm not sure how I can improve the drying besides having a dehumidifier or heater near by.

These skates seem to fit me pretty well as I have wide feet. However, I do like to lace the lower part of the boot looser than above the lace lock. Could this have contributed to the creasing?

Any suggestions as to what my next skate should be, something other than Reebok? From my research, it seems that a Supreme or a U+ would be my best bet.

I really appreciate the advise and insight! Thanks

[jimmy 194]

That's a good drying routine. So many don't and the sweat eats away at them. I have 6 yr old RBK's (play 4 times a week when I don't have a concussion) and all eyelets are still perfect. Yet every day, someone comes in needing new eyelets, so it has to be something other than the eyelets themselfs.

If you had last years 6k's, there were 3 models above them, 8, 10, and 11ks. The 6's were a $200 skate. I think if you went up 1 model in price, or got a closeout top end, you'd be better off than the 6k range.

[AIREAYE 248]

I've been seeing more and more damaged 6Ks in lately, enough to be a bit skeptical.

[jimmy 194]

I've been seeing more and more damaged 6Ks in lately, enough to be a bit skeptical.

I could say that about many different model skates, regardless of brand. I think a lot of it comes down to level of play, frequency of play, and maintenence habits.

[AIREAYE 248]

True, it doesn't mean much, it's just that this particular skate stood out recently.

[jazz4all 9]

i wonder if 7k or the new 14k is much stiffer than 6k.

[Hoopster 0]

Looks to me as if the skates are too big for you. As Jimmy says it looks as if your feet don't have the volume to fill the boot, hence the collapsing of the sides.

[spam_and_eggs 0]

Looks to me as if the skates are too big for you. As Jimmy says it looks as if your feet don't have the volume to fill the boot, hence the collapsing of the sides.

I don't think they're too big for me, my toes to right up to the toe caps and I got an E width. I tend to tie my laces looser in the forefoot, tightest around the flex area (lace lock), and tight up at the top. Perhaps I have them too loose at the bottom?

[jimmy 194]

Ahh, E width. Do you wear E shoes and did you easure a E on the scale?

[tekst 0]

For what its worth, my 6ks did the exact same thing.. Although i weigh around 185lb and play 2-3 times a week. At the time of purchase I wasnt sure how long I'd end up playing for as Im getting back into hockey after a loooong hiatus. Looking at getting high end Bauers now.

[spam_and_eggs 0]

Ahh, E width. Do you wear E shoes and did you easure a E on the scale?

I wear wide shoes and have no arch. My first skates were Vapor XX in a 5EE and they were still way too narrow; bought them without really knowing too much about skate sizing. So I did research and figured I would try out Reebok E sizes. Haven't had any sizing problems, at least any that cause pain in my feet.

For what its worth, my 6ks did the exact same thing.. Although i weigh around 185lb and play 2-3 times a week. At the time of purchase I wasnt sure how long I'd end up playing for as Im getting back into hockey after a loooong hiatus. Looking at getting high end Bauers now.

That's probably what I'm going to do now, looking in the one80 range. Almost got a one100 on clearance ($250) but it was half a size too big

[Chadd 916]

The creasing is likely because the skate doesn't fit correctly. Creasing is usually because foot doesn't have enough volume for the skate, so laces cave skate down to reach the foot.

That was my first thought when I saw the pics.

That's a good drying routine. So many don't and the sweat eats away at them. I have 6 yr old RBK's (play 4 times a week when I don't have a concussion) and all eyelets are still perfect. Yet every day, someone comes in needing new eyelets, so it has to be something other than the eyelets themselfs.

Some people have more acidic sweat than others. I know guys that can play the same guitar strings for months without problems and others that turn the strings black in just a couple hours.

[bagsbie 8]

I wear wide shoes and have no arch.

That sounds like the cause of the creasing, right there, having a lower arch foot, so the top of the skate does not feel up and creases at the arch. I wonder if a thicker skate sock and/or a lace bite protector (so you can tighten the laces at the lower of the boot better) help?

[gxc999 7]

I'm also guessing that it's like a bad fit. However, you may also need a stiffer skate at 5'1 and 165 lbs, especially if you have big legs and/or are a strong skater.

[tregobo 4]

Hi everyone. I just started ice skating and playing hockey about 1 1/2 years ago. I'm a 25 year old 5'1 165lbs C and below beer league player. I bought a pair of new Reebok 6k skates last summer and have recently noticed some tearing and creasing going on in the boot, right below the ankle where it flexes. I can easily flex it down with my hands. I was just wondering if this was normal or not, and if I might need a stiffer hockey skate. Here are some pictures:

My 12 year old son has the exact same issue with the exact same skate. He is only 5ft, 100lbs - also has no arch. I got his RBK 6K's this summer and he has the same tears as in these pictures on both the left and right skate. He is on the ice 4 times a week, but I don't see how a skate like this should not hold up better. Weren't 6K's a pretty decent mid-range skate? It is pretty disappointing. It is tough to spend money on a high end skate for a 12 year old when he is growing at a full size per season. I would think that a mid-range skate should at least last for one season. The skates are dried and hung up after each use. I think that it is a defect with the 6Ks.

I am going to take them to a shoe repair place, but I am guessing the cost to repair will be to high. Anyone have any luck with this type of repair?

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

Lets see pictures of the insoles in all case's that would help on sizing issues.....

[tregobo 4]

Lets see pictures of the insoles in all case's that would help on sizing issues.....

I don't have a picture of the insoles. I have looked at the toe prints on the insoles and they look to be the right length. Anything else the insole would reveal?

Reebok has offered to send me a knew pair of 12K's, but I would first need to ship the current ones back. Not sure how that is possible given that we are in the middle of a season.

Here are some pics of the damage:

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

wow there beat...wrong size or not thats bad!

[tregobo 4]

wow there beat...wrong size or not thats bad!

They fit properly. He got them in June. He plays travel, so 2 practices a week and usually 2 games a week since mid-september. Lots of ice time, but even a low end skate should hold up longer than this. This is the 6'th pair of RBK's in our family and the first one with issues. I am going to say it was a lemon pair (if that is possible)

I have to give credit to Reebok. After explaining that I could not send these skates back and wait for a new pair in mid-season, they said they would send me a brand new pair of 12K's and let me send these ones back afterwards. Can't ask for more.