Is it noticeable when a skate "breaks down"?

[Kessel'sOversizedSuit 18]

background: I'm 5'9'" about 195lbs and I have been skating on a pair of supreme one70s about twice a week (minimum) year round for nearly the past three years. These are the first pair of quality skates I've owned since returning to hockey as a 30 year old.

The question: I often hear about skates "breaking down" and needing to be replaced, but I'm not really sure what that means. The skates are definitely looking worn with the usual scuffs, cuts and scrapes on the boot and holder, and the liner around the top eyelets has completely worn away exposing the padding and plastic inserts, but when I flex the boot (squeezing it from the sides to try and make the eyelets touch) it still seems plenty still to me, although likely nothing near as stiff as the top end boots (not that they ever were).

So, when people speak of it breaking down, are they referring to the boot literally falling to pieces or is it something more subtle then that. If I bought a new pair of 0ne.8's (for instance) would I notice a difference?

I'm not really looking for a reason to buy new skates, but if it would make a noticeable difference in my play, of course I'm always interested in that.

I should also say that I love my current skates and would definitely stick with the supreme line if the fit and finish is consistent with my current pair. They are still super comfortable and I believe the performance is good (aside from user error) but again I don't have much experience, so what do I know?

So... any ideas modsquaders?

[customskateworks 39]

Yes boots can and will breakdown. Just a matter of how hard they are used and how well they are taken care of. When they fall to pieces they are beyond the point of breakdown. People can have different definitions of "broken down", but here is mine. A skate is broken down when it can no longer return the amount of energy it was designed to. Basic, but I believe it to be fairly comprehensive. Energy is lost when the boots become soft and crease, stitching begins to wear (especially where the toe caps meet the vamping), the insole/outsole begin to delaminate and/or lose rigidity, the holder becomes waterlogged and soft, etc. The holder is most likely not an issue since the One70 came with the clear blue power holders, which don't absorb water(unless you changed them, like many did, in which case you increased the speed of breakdown). Given the skate model, your size, frequency of skating, and length of ownership, I'd say they are due for replacement.

[Kessel'sOversizedSuit 18]

Thanks CSW.

Just to clarify, my one70s don't have a clear blue holder. They look like this:

Not sure if that changes your opinion about them being due for replacement...

[customskateworks 39]

^{Thanks CSW.}

^{Just to clarify, my one70s don't have a clear blue holder. They look like this:}

^{Not sure if that changes your opinion about them being due for replacement...}

^{Ah , I misread that. Confused them with the Nike Bauer Supreme 70 skate. I'd still say you are due.}

[armada 0]

I agree with customskateworks in what I look for when skate starts breaking down. For me it was the lack of rigidness in my One95's on turns and coming out of them was the biggest notice. I could just feel them losing energy due to the boot softening up after few years.

[Kessel'sOversizedSuit 18]

I agree with customskateworks in what I look for when skate starts breaking down. For me it was the lack of rigidness in my One95's on turns and coming out of them was the biggest notice. I could just feel them losing energy due to the boot softening up after few years.

Its this point about feeling the difference where I lose the thread on this one. I'm not sure I feel any loss of energy in the boot, but then maybe its simply my lack of experience. Or maybe its like how you don't notice your hair growing, then one day you look and say, "whoa, I need a haircut." Maybe I'll have one of those moments with my skates, but I can't say that's happened yet. I suppose I should just keep chugging along with these bad boys until I notice a negative difference...

[Souldriver 64]

The biggest thing I see happen is guys play untill the bottom outsole starts to seperate to the boot. See if you can see this by putting pressure on the holder side to side and see if it's coming apart. Besides that if you notice a big lack of stiffness or other things breaking apart it may be time.

[mcne0101 17]

I've played 3-5 times a week on my Nike/Bauer One95's, I'm 6'5 225 and they're going strong but starting to look like they're close to the edge. Generally with me the out soles start separating from the boot like souldriver mentioned and the tuuk starts getting loose on the boot. After awhile the sole is too messed up to get a tight fit with the tuuk on the boot. Right now they're making some funny noises when i'm walking to the locker room off the ice. I've also had the eyelets just completely crap out on me with skates before.

I don't want to discredit anyone but I highly doubt someone would be able to feel a loss of energy in the boot. I guess it could happen if the Tuuk is loose on the skate or something, But with the material on the One95's i'm really not sure how it would lose rigidity.

[customskateworks 39]

I've played 3-5 times a week on my Nike/Bauer One95's, I'm 6'5 225 and they're going strong but starting to look like they're close to the edge. Generally with me the out soles start separating from the boot like souldriver mentioned and the tuuk starts getting loose on the boot. After awhile the sole is too messed up to get a tight fit with the tuuk on the boot. Right now they're making some funny noises when i'm walking to the locker room off the ice. I've also had the eyelets just completely crap out on me with skates before.

I don't want to discredit anyone but I highly doubt someone would be able to feel a loss of energy in the boot. I guess it could happen if the Tuuk is loose on the skate or something, But with the material on the One95's i'm really not sure how it would lose rigidity.

It is hard to notice the loss. Either one day you will be skating and think "damn these feel soft", or one day they will just crap out on you completely. And they will lose rigidity, it's just polypropylene plastic. Same thing plastic soda bottles are made from, only woven and "welded".

[Souldriver 64]

Oh you can notice it in turns. With your full weight on it it ampliphies things much more than you know. My reeboks weren't fully toast but I started noticing my turns and initial push offs weren't snappy and my feet felt like I was pushing off mush. I can't tell you how many games, especially in roller where a guy is in the locker room at the end of the game and goes "that's why I couldn't turn!" And his outsole is starting to seperate. I mean in some of mybolder boots even ones that I havnt used much I can squeeze the quarters a round the ankle and I hear it cracking.

[Stewie 721]

If your still getting the performance you want out of them for the level you skate at, then just hang onto the money.