Easton Stealth RS Skates: Fit and Sizing Question

[Mario123 2]

Looking at possibly getting these skates. Just wondering what the fit and sizing of these skates are like. I can't try them on because no retailer in my province carries them.

Hockey Supremacy has them on for a great price. I used to have Easton 1500C skates in a size 6.5D, currently wear Reebok 11K in a 6.5D. Also have worn Bauer Vapor XXXX in a 6.5D.

I have a little wider than average forefoot, average heel, and moderate instep.

I tried on EQ 50's on before in a 6.5D, and they were fine length wise, and arch was fine, but I found the boot cut, and tendon guard too high.

Any help/insight is greatly appreciated .

[Mario123 2]

Also, is this a rarely stocked skate. I always buy my skates from my lhs, but this is like the only high end skate that no one carries. It's strange.

[AIREAYE 248]

You would likely stay in 6.5D for RS. And it's not strange at all. Easton skates don't sell, especially everything above entry level, which is basically everything lol.

[Mario123 2]

What about depth? Are they much shallower than the EQ 50?

I passed the pencil test in the EQ's. Just concerned about potential lace bite. Also, how wide are they compared to the EQ's in terms of forefoot width, heel, and mid foot?

I think the RS's are supposed to fit a lot different than the older Stealth lines (S15 and S17). I think I would have needed a size 7.5 in the old stealth lines, which is a full size up from pretty much what I wore in all other brands. I wonder why that was?

[AIREAYE 248]

They're not a particularly shallow skate. You need to try them on to be sure of course, so why not opt for skates that you can try on instead of guessing?

[Mario123 2]

No retailer within a 5 hour drive of me carries them. I would definitely try them on if I could. The online retailer will ship them for free, but I assume I would have to pay to ship them back if they don't fit. Just would like to get as much feedback as possible from people who have, seen, or tried them on.

[Mario123 2]

In general, you find Easton skates don't sell well?

Quality issues, or fit issues?

I found the shell of my 1500C's broke down, but my Z-Air Comp's from 10 years ago were good comfort, and durability wise.

[AIREAYE 248]

Quality issues. Their reputation sank when their Synergy/Stealth skates fell apart on nearly everyone in the mid 2000s and from which they never recovered. The EQ lines were decent, but by then, nobody wanted Easton.

Even the Makos are too 'out there' at the moment with the general market, too different, even though it's apparently a great skate. We've had to return I think over half our original purchase stock to the company because they weren't selling.

If I had to give you a fit comparison, I would suggest maybe Supreme with a narrower midfoot

[Mario123 2]

As long as they aren't as narrow as Vapor. I find the EE Vapor's too wide. They must have changed the Vapor fit from the XXXX to the X:60. My D width XXXX's were great.

[jsykes 35]

Even the Makos are too 'out there' at the moment with the general market, too different, even though it's apparently a great skate. We've had to return I think over half our original purchase stock to the company because they weren't selling.

We must have gotten some of your return skates. My last order of Makos came in boxes that had obviously had someones price tags on them previously.

You guys just arent trying hard enough. We've done great with Makos and virtually everyone we get them on buys them. The hardest part about selling these skates is just convincing someone to try them on. Once they do that, they're hooked.

I'm dying now as Easton is getting very low on stock, I cant get sizes I need and they wont have any more till the Mako 2 comes out.

[Mario123 2]

JSykes, do you carry the RS skate as well?

[AIREAYE 248]

We must have gotten some of your return skates. My last order of Makos came in boxes that had obviously had someones price tags on them previously.

You guys just arent trying hard enough. We've done great with Makos and virtually everyone we get them on buys them. The hardest part about selling these skates is just convincing someone to try them on. Once they do that, they're hooked.

I'm dying now as Easton is getting very low on stock, I cant get sizes I need and they wont have any more till the Mako 2 comes out.

Maybe, but we do too much Bauer business to put the effort in. Much easier to sell closeout APXs and such than to convince someone to try Makos. I don't think any one of my colleagues have tried the Makos and we only ever see our rep about a handful of times each year. Tough to get behind it when we've all had great experiences with Bauer, Reebok and CCM.

We used the credit to stock up on some low inventory in other key areas, so it works out.

[chippa13 1844]

Sounds like a chicken/egg thing going on. You don't push Eastons because you don't see your rep that much but I bet you don't see your rep that much because you don't do much Easton business.

[customskateworks 39]

I have a pair of RS skates in a 7.5 EE that fit and feel great. I also have a pair of Graf G75's which are a moderately deep fitting skate, but the RS depth fits just as well. IMHO the RS is well built and a great pickup for $300. Spot-on with the comment about just getting people to try them on. That's the biggest challenge at the retail level. My grandmother could sell Bauer skates to most of our customers. It's the retail store's job to stay educated on all brands that they carry and recognize a solid product when it comes through. The more options a shop can offer, and sell effectively, the better it is for the shop and the customer on numerous levels of the business chain.

I've digressed... RS is a great skate if it fits your foot properly. And I like the adjustable Giro footbeds, option I'd like to see more of.

[AIREAYE 248]

Sounds like a chicken/egg thing going on. You don't push Eastons because you don't see your rep that much but I bet you don't see your rep that much because you don't do much Easton business.

I don't want to speak for my store, but that might be a small part of the reason.

Without getting into too much detail, we're one of Bauer's most distinguished customers and that shows, but at the same time, we are no big box store with their inventory levels. Any Easton skate we carry is always going to come with a much higher relative opportunity cost (by not carrying more Bauer, Reebok or CCM, which are ahead of Easton) than other brands. If they don't sell, than that total cost is even higher.

Simply put, while they may be an intriguing skate, I don't think (and it has been proven so) that it's the right fit our store (excuse the pun), based on many dimensions.

[jsykes 35]

JSykes, do you carry the RS skate as well?

Yes we do. It has been a decent selling skate. Again, like the Mako, its just a matter of getting people to try them on. If the RS fits your foot shape its a very comfortable and good skate. I have one employee in them and has had them since they came out and they're still holding up just fine for him.

Though like Aireaye said, Bauer is still tops just do to name. Anyone can "take and order" for a Bauer. It takes someone actually selling the other brands.

It can also depend on locale as well, for instance I've had to order Makos three times since they've come out, however, I still have EVERY 20K skate in stock that I ordered on my original booking order. We cant sell a Reebok skate to save our lives.

[MThockeydad 469]

Easton skates don't sell, especially everything above entry level, which is basically everything lol.

Local shop told me that Easton is pushing mostly higher-end skates next year, so they're dropping them and going with Bauer's full line.

[AIREAYE 248]

To be honest with you. I have no idea what Easton's trying to do. They need a clearer and more compelling direction, but I digress.

[Souldriver 64]

Easton is also dropping their jersey/team apparel which I wish they would continue. Their bio-dri is very good feeling and has held up for me. The problem is full retail is a little highly priced, on closeout the two sweatshirts I got for $15 each was an absolute steal

[jsykes 35]

Who told you they were dropping that stuff? That is not what I've been told. Maybe some changes, but not going away.

[Souldriver 64]

A couple of people. I don't see any new production jerseys from them and all the off ice/training stuff seem to be on clearance. I would like to see them back though.

[adam14 182]

These are actually a skate I've been intrigued by, the s17's were one of the best fitting skates I've owned

[AIREAYE 248]

They don't fit like the old Stealths. I find them closer to Supreme. I was intrigued as well at first, coming from S15s and fitting well into S17s.

[hunt3rsean 44]

They don't fit like the old Stealths. I find them closer to Supreme. I was intrigued as well at first, coming from S15s and fitting well into S17s.

Agreed. For me they fit a lot like Supreme but with a more narrow heal. Which was perfect for me.

[Mario123 2]

Does anyone know why the older Stealths fit really small?

I'm normally a 6.5, and my friends 7 wasn't long enough for me (S15).