Between Vapor and Supreme Skate - Fitting Suggestions Please

[ridindirty 11]

Let me preface this with although i dont have many posts, I have read the board for a while and I do understand that some members of the board that professionally fit will not give internet suggestions, and I respect that. I am hoping some will weigh in, as this is not a 'Fit Me Via the Internet' thread. I have gone to my LHS three times now and tried on boots, each brand on the wall, .minus the Makos (unfortunately). We are working together to find a fit, and they seem fairly knowledgeable. Not the best fit I have every gotten for something to wear on my feet, but certainly guys that know the differences in the skates. This may sound corny, but I think I am the point where the science becomes an art, and I need some additional advice from someone with more experience. There are no other LHS's in my area, so I turn to you guys.

My foot: I have a flatish arch (wore orthotics back in my younger days for my soccer shoes that gave zero arch support... I prefer an aftermarket insole when I play bball); Skinny heel; normal width. I plan to wear Superfeet, unless I learn of something better for me.

The APX2 feels good on my feet, but I feel a lot of my weight resting on my arch. Back in 2004/2005 I tried (unsuccessfully) to get back into Hockey, and bought some Vapor XXX's (I think). They *killed* my arches. I could hardly walk after 20 mins of skating. My foot fit into them great in the showroom, because my foot isnt wide and I got a great heel lock, but the arch destroyed me. I am very hesitant to go with a Vapor again because of this, I have a really strong feeling this will happen again. My LHS doesnt really know what to say. He thinks since todays boot will mold a lot better it will hopefully relieve any pressure in that area, but it seems more like a talking point rather than actual experience to me. He wasnt confident of it, thats for sure.

The TO NXG feels much better, in regards to the the arch area. No pressure when I stand up on the arches, or very little at least. Im sure there would be a little break in period on the arch, but from standing around in them, I dont feel anything that would lead me to believe they kill my feet. But the bad part: The fit doesnt feel as nice and tight as the APX2, which I suppose goes without saying, but I like how tight the APX2 feels in the heel and the forefoot. theres less free space without it feeling way too tight. The toe box on either is doable, but the APX2 is tighter, in a good way. The heel is a big difference too. In the NXG my ankle is secure, for sure, theres no freedom and my heel cant lift... however, I can fidget my foot around in the NXG and the bottom of my heel can move side to side slightly. I asked my LHS about this and he kinda just looked at me... didnt know what to say I guess. I think this means I need a tighter heel, but Id like some feedback.

Can anyone weigh in? Am I being too picky and the Supreme is the right fit for me? WIll the Vapor break in nice in the arch when I heat them? Should I wait to try on a Mako? Is an EA Vapor what I should really be in? These are a few of the questions I have that my LHS really seem to know how to answer.

I am not sure how this thread will go, and whether people feel like giving me any feedback, but any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks for taking the time to read it.

[Chadd 916]

It sounds like you need a Supreme in a true D width and not the E width of the "D Retail" skate. Using half of an insole in the font of the APX2 may also relieve some of the pressure in the arch. It sure wouldn't hurt to try the Mako. You will likely feel some pressure in the arch, but that can be manipulated, as others have discussed in Mako topics.

[McDugan 89]

Try the supremes on with Stable26 socks, maybe?

[ridindirty 11]

It sounds like you need a Supreme in a true D width and not the E width of the "D Retail" skate. Using half of an insole in the font of the APX2 may also relieve some of the pressure in the arch. It sure wouldn't hurt to try the Mako. You will likely feel some pressure in the arch, but that can be manipulated, as others have discussed in Mako topics.

How will a Supreme in a D fit compared to a standard APX? Also, are you suggesting an extra half an insole? Sorry, im confused.

Try the supremes on with Stable26 socks, maybe?

Never really thought of thicker socks, I normally wear a very light polyester Wigwam sock.

Can anyone weigh in on the amount the arch will flatten after I mold them? Thanks.

[strosedefence34 179]

How will a Supreme in a D fit compared to a standard APX? Also, are you suggesting an extra half an insole? Sorry, im confused.

Never really thought of thicker socks, I normally wear a very light polyester Wigwam sock.

Can anyone weigh in on the amount the arch will flatten after I mold them? Thanks.

take an old insole or buy some cut it in half and place the front half under the insole that came with the skate.

[Chadd 916]

How will a Supreme in a D fit compared to a standard APX? Also, are you suggesting an extra half an insole? Sorry, im confused.

Most importantly, the Supreme in a true D will fit a little closer all the way around than the retail D and not have the arch issue.

And yes, an extra half insole in the front will raise the front of your foot up a bit and take some of the pressure off the arch.

[smcgreg 81]

How will a Supreme in a D fit compared to a standard APX? Also, are you suggesting an extra half an insole? Sorry, im confused.

Never really thought of thicker socks, I normally wear a very light polyester Wigwam sock.

Can anyone weigh in on the amount the arch will flatten after I mold them? Thanks.

What McDugan was probably getting at is that, since you don't get great heel lock in the supremes, but you like the arch, using stable 26 socks in the supremes will give you improved heel lock and a comfy arch. The Stable 26s wouldn't be any thicker than the Wigwams, I don't think, but they have adjustable inserts that improve heel lock.

http://stable26.com/products/

[Chadd 916]

What McDugan was probably getting at is that, since you don't get great heel lock in the supremes, but you like the arch, using stable 26 socks in the supremes will give you improved heel lock and a comfy arch. The Stable 26s wouldn't be any thicker than the Wigwams, I don't think, but they have adjustable inserts that improve heel lock.

http://stable26.com/products/

It sounds like the supreme wasn't all that snug in the forefoot either, I don't think the stable 26 product is a good choice in this case. I don't think thicker socks are the right solution either. The better option is to find a pair of skates that fit right and not try to make up for a skate that simply doesn't fit properly.

[McDugan 89]

It sounds like the supreme wasn't all that snug in the forefoot either, I don't think the stable 26 product is a good choice in this case. I don't think thicker socks are the right solution either. The better option is to find a pair of skates that fit right and not try to make up for a skate that simply doesn't fit properly.

Looking at this again, I agree with Chadd. I must have misread the description of the Supreme fit. For some reason I was thinking that the Supreme seemd to fit better but without the heel lock that had been achieved with the Vapor, which the Stable 26 might have helped to address. And remember kids, just say no to thicker socks.

[ridindirty 11]

Yeah I can't stand thick socks. I didn't know what the Stable 26s were though and just assumed, my bad.

As to the Supreme in a 'real' D... Chadd, how will that fit differently than a Vapor in an EA? And is that marked a C width in the Supreme?

[Chadd 916]

Yeah I can't stand thick socks. I didn't know what the Stable 26s were though and just assumed, my bad.

As to the Supreme in a 'real' D... Chadd, how will that fit differently than a Vapor in an EA? And is that marked a C width in the Supreme?

I'm not as familiar with the Bauer models as I used to be, I don't want to lead you astray. If the supreme C is a retail C, then it would probably be a "true D" width. If it is pro stock, it may very well be a "true C"

[ridindirty 11]

Thanks guys. I'm not really sure how to handle this, I don't want to order skates I've never tried on, I'll have to talk to my LHS. I will try you suggestion with half an additional footbed in the Vapor, Chadd.

It's not that I'm swimming in a Supreme in the toe box, but the Vapor feels more snug. If anything I'm skinny, so the fact the boot had less volume is probably a plus, I've never gotten lace bite and doubt it will ever be a factor.

[thawu 5]

You can always try one of those new CCM footbeds with the low arch and see if that helps. I switched to that from my Superfeet yellows and noticed a big difference.

[ridindirty 11]

You can always try one of those new CCM footbeds with the low arch and see if that helps. I switched to that from my Superfeet yellows and noticed a big difference.

I did, they felt worse than the yellow superfeet in the Vapor.

Do you have a flat arch?

[ridindirty 11]

Also hoping someone can weigh in about the baking question; RE: How much it affects the arch. I know theres a lot of people on here do this every day and have an opinion. I'd like to think this is far enough from a 'fitting' question that it doesnt get in the way from you sharing general information on a forum.