Which Vapor skate for 12yo

[karlpenney 0]

My 12yo is about 5'7" and 115 lbs. Last season he was skating only 2 times per week on Bauer Vapor X:20. This season he is skating 5 times per week. He is still on the X:20, but his feet have pretty much outgrown those. The Vapors seem to fit his foot well, so he will want to stay with that line. He is looking at the Vapor X5.0, but will they be too stiff for someone his size? The X4.0 may be better suited, but the extra weight penalty is nearly 100g per skate.

[Chadd 916]

I wouldn't consider his age much of a factor when buying skates, other than the potential for continued growth. Being on the ice 5x a week would indicate a need for a higher level pair of skates, or to plan on replacing the skates again over the course of the season.

[AIREAYE 248]

The 4.0 and 5.0 isn't a bad level to be at. Just be sure he fits into Vapor once more and don't rule out other skates either.

[karlpenney 0]

The X5.0 feels a fair bit stiffer than the X4.0 due to the tech mesh quarters. I just don't know if it will be too much for someone his size.

[AIREAYE 248]

For that frequency, probably not. Is he into SR skates now? Or still JR?

[karlpenney 0]

He's been into SR for a couple of years now. This next pair will be around size 8.5D.

[AIREAYE 248]

Haha cool, these kids are getting bigger, I think I put an 11 year old into 10s this one time. To answer your previous question, given his frequency of play, the 5.0 is a great level to be at. Sometihng like a 7.0 or APX would be overkill I think, given that he will probably be growing out of those 8.5s in due time.

[raganblink 82]

Based on his weight & frequency, the 5.0 will NOT be too stiff of a skate for your son. The X4.0 is very similar in stiffness compared to the X20 and given that frequency + weight the 5.0 is where he should be IMO. Once he adds on some weight (around 130-140) and if hes still at that frequency, then i'd consider stepping up to the 6.0/7.0. He most likely wont get any benefits out of the apx until hes around 160-170 pounds (and again still skating that often) at a minimum because the curv composite is exceptionally stiff.

[AIREAYE 248]

Based on his weight & frequency, the 5.0 will NOT be too stiff of a skate for your son. The X4.0 is very similar in stiffness compared to the X20 and given that frequency + weight the 5.0 is where he should be IMO. Once he adds on some weight (around 130-140) and if hes still at that frequency, then i'd consider stepping up to the 6.0/7.0. He most likely wont get any benefits out of the apx until hes around 160-170 pounds (and again still skating that often) at a minimum because the curv composite is exceptionally stiff.

X:30 you mean.

[raganblink 82]

they're similar, no? I know the x30 and x4.0 are basically the same skate. I can't remember what those felt like 2 years ago! haha. Wasn't the x20 fairly close to the same stiffness?

[AIREAYE 248]

I find the newer Vapor line has narrowed the upper ankles/upper quarters. The X:60 line was a bit too wide there so people couldn't get the boot wrapped close enough to the upper ankle and you'd have (kids mainly) feet who fit well into the boot, but a pronounced side to side wobble. Stiffness shoudl be the same but due to that change, people will notice better lateral support.

The X:20 takes a proportionate step down in stiffness, though I actually find them to be a bit stiffer than the X 3.0 which replaced it. Now that jump (4.0 down to 3.0) isn't proportional, it's pretty significant.

[karlpenney 0]

We went to the store today to try on the X5.0. But, I didn't really like the way they fit at the top of the forefoot. They seemed to have a lower volume what he has now. The X7.0 were on sale for only $30 more than the X5.0, so he tried them on and they fit much better. Comparing the two side by side, the X7.0 boot was definitely a bit deeper. We brought them home, but didn't get them baked or sharpened yet in case he changes his mind.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

There is no difference between the 2 in depth. There may be an appearance of such due to the differences in padding.

Now that being said the only thing that threw me right off is with his height and weight he is a 10.5 shoe at 12? He must have huge feet!

I say 10.5 shoe as that would be roughly the right size for a 8.5 skate.maybe a 10 but still that is big feet for such a young guy! He is taller though.

[karlpenney 0]

I didn't expect the depth to be different, but it sure looked like it.

He wears 9.5/10 shoes now. He is still debating between size 8 or 8.5 for the new skates. His current skates are 7.5. The 8 seems to fit him best right now, but I'm not sure how long before he'd grow out of them.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

I would if that was the price go with the 8 I recommend trying them with the Superfeet as well and then if you go to sell them because he does grow it is a lot easier to get close to what you paid because of the original cost!

[karlpenney 0]

He decided to stick with the 8.5. I measured his feet and they are 10.8125" in length and 3.9375" wide. So, according to the skate size charts, 8.5 should be good for him. I might pick up some Superfeet beds, never tried them before though.

[Neo5370 132]

I get that his feet are senior sized, but no one thinks the 7.0, a PRO level skate isn't too much/stiff for a twelve year old who doesn't even weigh 120lbs? Alright then.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

I get that his feet are senior sized, but no one thinks the 7.0, a PRO level skate isn't too much/stiff for a twelve year old who doesn't even weigh 120lbs? Alright then.

Of course they will be to stiff but if you had the option in getting a pair of 7.0 for $30 more thean 5.0's?? What would you do? Even if they ended up beingso hecould probably get his money back selling them privately!

[hornethockey21 3]

I would tend to agree that too much skate can be a bad thing for a young kid learning and improving his skating stride The best skate is not always the most expensive one... I like the 5.0 or maybe the 6.0 for a kid his size.

[Neo5370 132]

Of course they will be to stiff but if you had the option in getting a pair of 7.0 for $30 more thean 5.0's?? What would you do? Even if they ended up beingso hecould probably get his money back selling them privately!

Would it be worth it to give a kid that size 120 flex top of the line stick instead of a middle of the line stick w/ the proper flex stick just b/c it's on sale?

Thought I understand he could probably resell them, it still doesn't solve the fact that he needs skates.

Also, it wouldn't be as big a deal if his previous skates weren't X20's. Going to 7.0's is like jumping from a 55 flex straight to a 90-100 flex stick.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

Would it be worth it to give a kid that size 120 flex top of the line stick instead of a middle of the line stick w/ the proper flex stick just b/c it's on sale?

Thought I understand he could probably resell them, it still doesn't solve the fact that he needs skates.

Also, it wouldn't be as big a deal if his previous skates weren't X20's. Going to 7.0's is like jumping from a 55 flex straight to a 90-100 flex stick.

Hes also going from 2 days a week to 5.So if he is going to 5 days a week he is probably going into a much higher level of hockey. I am also lookng at this from the parents side as well not just from the fit and performance side. If we all had a crystal ball we would never make mistakes. IF THIS is a mistake the gentalman wont be out a ton of cash getting rid of them and going back to the 5.0's and yes I agree the 5.0 would be the better fit here.

[karlpenney 0]

I'm sure we would have gotten the X5.0, but I could see the fit was not right as soon as he laced them up, noticeable bulge around the center eyelets. Maybe we should check another store to compare, There is also another a place here which carries the Vapor X:Shift (an X5.0 with X6.0 liner, footbed and outsole) which we might have a look at.

Aren't the X6.0 quarters the same as the X7.0?

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

They are almost identical not exactly the same though I can not remember the exact differences.