Starter skates for inliner

[default user 3]

I know there is quite a few of these threads and I didn't want to hi-jack someone's thread.

I have played inline for all of my hockey career/life I have wanted to start getting into ice now. I want to know whats a good skate for someone making the switch. It wont be an immediate switch so I am not looking at dropping mucho dollars on a mid to top line skate. I want to work on my skating first as i slowly gather the correct equipment for ice that I don't have from roller. I was looking at the x30 or x40 if it really is worth the difference. I have skated in Missions since I started and figured Bauers would be the most familiar fit for me, but I am open to anything.

[Gefiltefish 9]

If you are in a recent Mission skate - then Bauer Supreme would be the best place to start trying stuff on. The fit of the Supreme is closest to that of the Mission line over the past few years. A Mission D width and Supreme D width should fit fairly similar.

If you look at Vapor, then you may need to go EE width.

[AIREAYE 248]

Given that you know a lot of the basic skating mechanics, it would be much better if you target older models at sale pricing instead of current low end models. Like Gefiltefish said, I would begin by trying on Bauer Supremes and working from there.

[default user 3]

I currently have Boss SE, which I think are the first year they used the Bauer.

[Vet88 674]

Try to get to an LHS and find what fits you best across the various brands and models, paying attention to length, volume (pencil test for both), heel lock and overall comfort. Depends on your weight if you want to stay low end, a heavier person should really buy a better model skate so the boot does not break down as fast. If you don't want to drop a lot of money on a skate then look for a mid range second hand that hasn't had a lot of use, generally you will find them for under half price, places to look are here, ebay, craigslist, pro shops, equipment sell outs etc. Or as the previous poster suggests, older models mid to top end on sell out (however this does depend on your foot size as the most common sizes, 8 - 11, are often sold out). Then when you are ready to go to the next level and are after a new pair of good skates, go back to the LHS and make a wise purchase.

[default user 3]

Try to get to an LHS and find what fits you best across the various brands and models, paying attention to length, volume (pencil test for both), heel lock and overall comfort. Depends on your weight if you want to stay low end, a heavier person should really buy a better model skate so the boot does not break down as fast. If you don't want to drop a lot of money on a skate then look for a mid range second hand that hasn't had a lot of use, generally you will find them for under half price, places to look are here, ebay, craigslist, pro shops, equipment sell outs etc. Or as the previous poster suggests, older models mid to top end on sell out (however this does depend on your foot size as the most common sizes, 8 - 11, are often sold out). Then when you are ready to go to the next level and are after a new pair of good skates, go back to the LHS and make a wise purchase.

There really isn't much in the way of LHS around me. (I'm in central Florida area) The closest one is a pro shop at an ice rink and last time I was in there they were full blown retail prices and they didnt have a lot in skates selection. So trying on different sizes and models is a little limited and hard to do.

[Vet88 674]

I know a few people, myself included, who have worn Mission inline skates and vapour or supreme ice skates. If you can't get to a lhs with a decent range then you are going to have to take a risk online. Vapour X:60's (not to be confused with the current model X 60) are still to be found on eBay and as the model is now a few years old, going relatively cheaply for a top end boot. If they are cheap enough they are a good place to start as a quality boot will always resell if it doesn't fit you. Sizing should be the same until you get into some of the current models (like Easton Makos for example) where the sizings differ. And if you fit Mission skates then volume shouldn't be an issue in most other brands.

Older top end models that you may want to look at if you can find them at a decent price are Easton S15, S17, SE16 - CCM U+ and CL's - Rbk 7k, 9k, 10k and 11k - Bauer Vapour X:60, Bauer Supreme one80, one90, one95. And grafs if you can work out what would fit your foot the best (but they fit a 1/2 size up eg Mission 6 = Graf 6.5). Someone else may suggest something else I have missed from the last 4 years or so.

Note, CCM and Rbk fit the widest and the different brands all have different profiles that suit different styles of skating. And nothing I have listed may suit your foot shape, a lot depends on how you skate, what you are comfortable with and trial and error at this stage. Second hand is a good place to start as you can trial different boots without it costing a lot but you do need time and patience to look. Good luck with your transition, I did the same and have really enjoyed it.

[default user 3]

What about sharpening them? I know there is different patterns or profiles you can get but I know nothing about sharpening skates. Is there a way to get them sharpened that would benifit me better then another one?

[Vet88 674]

The choice of profile and hollow is really personal and nobody can tell you what is best for you. Here's a great site that explains what they mean and do:

http://home.comcast.net/~shshockeystats/hollowgrind.html

And then you have different hollow shapes such as FBV. Don't worry about it to much at the start, just find a good sharpener who you can trust and stick with the stock profile and I'd say a 1/2" hollow (but it does depend a lot on your weight). As you get better think about trying a different hollow and profile. Simplest way to do this is buy a couple of blades and get them sharpened / profiled differently then swap them around and find out what you like. And it never hurts to have a spare set of blades in your bag when, on that one off occasion, a blade breaks because of some reason. Little changes can make a huge difference so try and keep it simple and one at a time.