Question about Vapor X 3.0/4.0

[McDugan 89]

Yeah, i know, not the kind of stuff that usually gets talked up here. I tried to search and check the old catalogue, but couldn't find anything helpful.

So I'm a pretty intermediate skater, defintiely not a beginner, but still learning proper technique and strictly a low-level adult-rec guy.

I have a pair of Kor Shift 1 which I really like and which I'm sure will last me a long time, but I do get frustrated because I think there are some things I'm having trouble learning because the bot is stiffer than my technique allows me to take advantage of. So I'm thinking about trying a more flexible boot. Looking at the 2011 Vapor line, since they fit my feet well and they're cheap on clearance, I'm having trouble with one thing. Some sites say that the X 3.0 has Lightspeed Pro holders and some say that it has Lightspeed 2. Big difference for me, as I pretty much want to get the lowest-end boot that has the LS2's - I want to be able to replace the steel with quality.

Does anyone know why it is that, for instance, Monkey lists X 3.0's as having LS Pro, and Giant lists them as having LS2 (and is very explicit about that; it's in the Q&A too!)? I've found a couple other sites that fall on either side, too. Don't think I can ind them at LHS in my area anymore, so I'm hoping to find out from the MSH knowledge-bank. The $50 or so savings on the 3.0 vs. the 4.0 would make this a much more easily justified experiment, and I figure I don't need them to last all that long because I don't play a lot and they're cheap enough that if they last a year, that's good. Hopefully by then I'll have gotten my skating up to a level that would allow me to take advantage of the Kors better.

[mickz 107]

All the X3.0 I've seen come with the LS Pro Holder. The X4.0 comes with LS2 and stainless steel runners. Assuming the Vapors fit you, given the choice I'd pay a little bit more as well and get the X4.0 over the X3.0. It's a noticeable jump in quality and with them being on clearance for $189 in my area, it's a solid boot for the price. Not everybody needs to buy a top of the line stiff skate.

[bandits_5 18]

Yea, 4.0 is a world of diffrence in quality over the 3.0. The 3.0 has the lsPro runner and you canNOT change the steel. The ls2's on the 4.0 will let you change the steel and the boot quality will last you far more than a year or two.

[McDugan 89]

Thanks to both of you! I'm glad I didn't trust what I saw. Definitely going with the 4.0.

Edit: I should say, probably going with the 4.0, regardless. But it's just so weird. If it were just one place I'd seen them listed with LS2, especially some oddball outlet, I'd just write it off as bad info.

But... http://www.hockeygiant.com/bau11vx3sktsr.html

AND http://www.hockeyworld.com/index/page/product/product_id/7925/category_chain/1,23/product_name/Bauer+Vapor+X+3.0+Hockey+Skates-+Sr

AND http://www.totalhockey.com/product/Vapor_X_3.0_Ice_Skates/itm/5863-41/?mtx_id=0

And the pictures all show LS2 as well!

While http://www.hockeymonkey.com/bauer-hockey-skates-vapor-x3-sr.html and a bunch of other places show them with LS Pro.

I wonder if Bauer started using LS2's in production to get rid of them after developing the Edge holders?

[MrData 93]

Just checked my X3.0s and they have LS2's.

[McDugan 89]

Curiouser and curiouser...

[boo10 323]

If you're choosing between the 3.0 and 4.0, you should consider the tongue. The 4.0 has the hard plastic metatarsal guard, which does not bend much. As a result, when you flex the skate, the guard will push down on the top of your instep. For most this doesn't seem to be an issue, however some people like myself have a problem with it as it makes my foot go numb. Not lacing the top eyelet relieves it for me, but many people feel that they don't get enough support without the top eyelet. Note that I'm skating in the X:30, but the tongue is the same in the X4.0.

[bandits_5 18]

Very interesting. Bauer couldve put remaing stock of ls2 on the 3.0 to move them..... Ice warehouse also lists the 3.0 as the heritage of the x60 and the x60 has the edge runner. Intersting to find out. Maybe you could give HD or HW a call and have them confirm it before you order. I still think youll be sorry if you dont go with the 4.0. IW also lists the 4.0 as the heritage of the x70 which is a $320 skate..... Just saying. Good luck.

[McDugan 89]

Thanks to all. And yeah Bandits5, I'm pretty well set on the 4.0 for the overall increase in quality. I just found it so fascinating - certainly the 3.0 with LS2 represent a much greater value for the same price than the 3.0 with LS Pro.