Got some Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX's coming in the mail...what to expect?

[tarmogoyf 2]

So, I got an unbeatable deal on some Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX skates. I know the fit should be just fine, because I currently skate on some Bauer Vapor X2.0s. So, my question is:

What should I expect? I decided to pick these up because I'm a bigger guy, and I don't feel that the 2.0s were stiff enough for my weight. Not because I'm a really strong skater, but my worry was that they were not supporting me correctly.

Anyone have any good or bad experiences with the skate?

Any tips for breaking in a stiffer skate for my foot?

Thanks again!

[AIREAYE 248]

Be careful of the fit. Jumping from an entry level skate to a top end skate opens up a larger possibility that the skate will not fit properly, regardless of whether or not it is in the same line. The stiffness jump is huge. I would definitely get them baked properly, perhaps compensate a local store for use of their oven.

[tarmogoyf 2]

Oh, absolutely, I'm going to pay the I think $15 for my local LHS to bake them.

I could also be wrong, but I do believe the fit has changed slightly in the vapor line over the last 4-5 years.

Here's to hoping!

[beerleaguecaptain 999]

They will be stiffer and more supportive. Like Aireaye said, they might fit differently but shouldn't be too far off. The XXXX was not quite as stiff as the X60 or 7.0 so I think you will find it rather responsive.

[tanner48 2]

I had them and they were pretty great but I had a problem with the plastic in the tongue. Towards my last year in them It kinda creased near the top and it hurt really bad. I think my dad used a heat gun to mold it back. I had a rivet pop in the toe of the skate. Took a hard hard slapshot to the toe and the rivet poped up into my toe that sucked. Had to unlace them and use a hammer and a screw driver to pound it down flat again. Nothing terrible though great skate while they fit me!

[HockeySavants 5]

You're going to see a huge difference in stiffness, I hope you chose the right width.

On lower end skates I can wear D width, I learned the hard way with a pair of XXXX I thought I was going to use.

[tarmogoyf 2]

Got them today, sharpened em and skated. Here are my thoughts:

Very responsive, like I've never felt in a skate.

The stiffness didn't bother i actually quite liked it.

I felt like I had a lot more speed out of the corners. Maybe it's the LS2 steel, or the combination of multiple things.

Only a couple of minor pressure spots that should be easily resolved with a baking.

Everything was going great with them until my ice time was cut short when I caught an edge and my knee popped out of place.

Talk about a bad ending to a good day.

The knee is alright though, no structural damage, just swollen and sore.

I'll have to do a better review once my knee heals up.