CCM RBZ Skates versus Reebok 20K Pump Skates

[GroovyDude 0]

I have been wearing whatever the best CCM Tacks were dating back to the 1950s. I haven't bought a pair of skates since 1995. I bought 2 pair of the first model of CCM Pump Tacks in 1995. The first pair fell apart in 2008 and I'm still wearing the second pair. They weigh about 2 pounds per skate which is double what current hockey skates weigh. I'd like to buy a pair of new skates. I think I might be long overdue. Here are my questions. I have read about the CCM RBZ and the Reebok 20K Pump Skates. I'd like to know the differences between the skates and which one is a better skate. I'd like to know about both their durability and support. I'd also especially like to know if either of these skates has the same feel as all the CCM Tacks models that I've worn over many decades. I'd like to buy a pair of skates that have as much of the feel of CCM Tacks as possible. I'd also like to know if I should consider skates from any other company such as Bauer or Easton. I have tried to get fitted in Bauer skates, but they never fit me well. It used to be that to have Bauer skates fit right that you needed a squarer, wider foot. I have a narrower, curvier foot and CCM Tacks always fit me perfectly through the decades. Money is no object. I want to buy the best skate possible that replicates the feel of CCM Tacks. Any help, opinions and advice will be appreciated.

[Monty22 835]

Set aside a couple of hours and go to a well stocked LHS. Try on as many different brands/lines as you can. Take your time and wear them, walking around for 15-20 minutes in the pairs that seem like a good fit. Go with the ones that fit your foot the best.

[chrisehyoung 14]

This was the same debate I had for quite a while. Both are a great skate. Though they're the same company now, they fit a little differently from each other. I preferred the RBZs out of the box as they were an extremely comfortable skate, perhaps a little more so than the Reeboks. I don't think you can go wrong with either skate. I ended up going with the Reeboks mainly because I have one foot that's almost a full size smaller than the other and I found that the pump feature helped me get a better fit on the smaller foot. I did also end up with an 18K because I liked them as much as the 20K and they were on sale for a great price.

[SCBlueLiner 19]

I still wear old Tacks as well. If you like the Tack boot go with the Reebok skate, it is the same thing. The RBZ's fit different. They feel great when you slip them on but after a while I started getting pain in my arches. Not the same feel as old Tacks. The Reeboks I tried on were the closest thing to the old Tacks I have found.

You might also want to wait until the new Tacks skate comes out in summer 2014. From early chatter though, the new Tacks won't fit like the old Tacks. Makes sense, no?

[Monty22 835]

Why limit yourself to one manufacturer? There are guite a few very good choices the op may be surprised by.

[sss1987 55]

I still wear old Tacks as well. If you like the Tack boot go with the Reebok skate, it is the same thing. The RBZ's fit different. They feel great when you slip them on but after a while I started getting pain in my arches. Not the same feel as old Tacks. The Reeboks I tried on were the closest thing to the old Tacks I have found.

You might also want to wait until the new Tacks skate comes out in summer 2014. From early chatter though, the new Tacks won't fit like the old Tacks. Makes sense, no?

doesnt CCm offer the 3 types of footbed to better match your arch?

[ntwusc 62]

Footbeds are key. I was not a fan of my current CCM U+12 skates when I first tried them on, then I switched the flimsy stock footbed for the new CCM Custom Support insoles, and they were way more comfortable.

[GroovyDude 0]

Would it be worth considering other companies skates such as Easton, Graf or Bauer to get a skate to fit and feel like a tack?

[Chadd 916]

Would it be worth considering other companies skates such as Easton, Graf or Bauer to get a skate to fit and feel like a tack?

Yes, it's always a good idea to give yourself as many fit options as possible. The new Graf and Easton skates are excellent boots, as are the CCM, RBK and Bauer boots. The best part is that there are a number of differences between all of the boots, so you should be able to find something that works for you.

[GroovyDude 0]

I wanted to ask about sizing. I've been told that a size 9 in a CCM 652 Tacks Pump translates to a size 8.5 in either the Reebok 20k Pump or the CCM RBZ. I'd like to know if it's true or not.

[Hooah4 12]

This past weekend I was getting fitted for new skates @ Totalhockey. Guy comes in across from me and sits down. Had a pair of vector pro's about 7-8 years old and wants to stay in CCM. Kid comes by and gets him in a pair of 90's, 100's, and RBZ's. Couldn't fit in them. His ankle didn't feel right

Guy helping me interjected that he should try on a lot of different skates as things have totally changed since he bought his last pair.

They brought him Vapor/Stealth/Reebok

He ended up buying 20k's in the end.

[SCBlueLiner 19]

I posted what I did because I have tried on every brand of skate. The closest thing to the old Tacks that I have found are the Reeboks. The post above this came to the same conclusion. I was just attempting to save the OP some time as he specifically asked for a skate that replicated the old Tacks fit.

[Hooah4 12]

Reebok heels are tighter than tacks were as well.

[Precision 4]

Lets not get too wrapped up in Tacks. Honestly nothing now a days is going to resemble them. BOTTOM LINE:

REEBOK/CCM:

Generally the go to for someone who has a wider foot. The CCM RBZ has a lot of volume in the boot. I dont have a narrow foot but still am a D width and they were too roomy for me but your foot is your foot. The taller speed blade holders will blow your mind and feel very weird for a while but are great once you get used to them, excellent turning radius.

Reebok 20k is a more conventional skate. The pumps are not a gimic they do work but I didn't use them on my 11ks. I would recommend you stay away from these though due to a lot of reliability issues. The skate buckling near the lace lock.

BAUER:

The Supreme line is very stiff if you're going with the totalone nxg or one.9 model. They are an anatomical fit with a very narrow heel. Next to zero negative space or moving room in the boot. I have the NXGs and love them but they are not a forgiving skate if you cant handle stiffness.

The Vapor line is a fast skate, wider toe box and typically narrow boot. Great as well

Nexus 1000 skate has a more traditional fit with a deep boot and generally wider fit. More like an E width even in size D width.

I dont recommend anything Easton due to quality concerns.

Do this: Go in and try on everything, keep in mind they will all feel much better after you bake/mold them to your feet. I put my foot in an unbaked Bauer TotalOne NXG skate and its miserable... I bake it and put them on and they were magical. The game has changed and so hasn't the gear. Try them all on and keep an open mind. Give Bauer a shot.

[Nealoc187 10]

I'm still rockin my Mega Air 90s that I found a few unused pairs of on ebay a few years ago. Been thinking of going for a new skate. They're so much lighter it's ridiculous. Then again my Air 90s are working fine and get lots of comments from people who recognize them.

A skate that weighs half as much might be nice though.