Begginers Hockey Skates ?

[geshnyc 3]

I am trying to get onto the ice. I don't want to splurge and would rather get the high end when I am ready to upgrade. as a starter skate: x30, Nexus 400, something cheap but practical to get me through the first few months????

Appreciate it .. I am an 8D so all the older models are sold out and I am not left with much.....

[jonesy9020 77]

Good call on staying somewhat low-end. For a beginner, regardless of how much you want or have available to spend, you should start with a bit of a softer skate anyway. The softer boot will allow you to build ankle strength and will be a lot more comfortable. If you buy top-end too early, it'll be stiff and you'll be in lots of pain trying to break these things in for months. Some of that is mitigated by baking or thermoforming on high end skates, but just starting out, you won't see any benefit from spending that much money, and your performance and enjoyment will usually suffer.

That said, depending on your height and weight, often a mid-level skate is more appropriate for bigger players, even if they're just starting out. If you're okay with giving your height and weight I could give better advice. They'll give you more support and will last a lot longer. It'd also be helpful to know if you're coming from an inline background, which would get you on your feet and requiring a better skate a lot sooner (looking at your profile, you seem to have a lot of experience in inline).

A soft boot is one thing, a flimsy boot is another. I wouldn't recommend the x30 unless you're very, very light. Even then, with your inline background, I wouldn't go near that skate. If you do, you'll be looking for a skate with significantly more support very shortly

The Nexus 400 isn't a bad all-around skate, but, within the Bauer line, I'd also take a look at Vapor x50s/x60s, and Supreme one5/one6. One thing to note about Bauer's three lines is that a D-width is not the same across all three lines (Vapors are a "true" D, but run narrow compared to a "D" in most other manufacturers; Supremes and Nexus skates run slightly wider)

Your best bet is always to go out and try on as many skates from as many brands as possible within your price range. I know Bauers are the hot brand right now, but you might fit much better in a Reebok, CCM or Easton skate. I'm guessing you're from NY based on the name and photo, so there should be some decent pro shops within driving distance (unless you don't have a car up there, which could prove problematic).

Usually I'd say go to a local hockey store and support small business, but the stores right in your area don't seem awesome (just going off websites) and one has a bizarre selection of only graf skates, which for you are way too expensive and too stiff at this point.

My advice is to drive or take the train down to HockeyMonkey's retail store in Woodbridge, NJ one weekend when you have a few hours to kill (http://www.monkeysports.com/woodbridge/). In addition to being pretty close, they'll have a wider selection of skates for you to check out than pretty much any small shop. Try on every skate by every brand within your price range. Bauer, CCM, Easton, Rbk, everything.

So to sum up:

1) Don't buy x30s. Just don't. You have skated inline too much and they will be sloppy and soft and give you awful ankle support. Don't do it. You're not saving money, you're wasting money on skates you'll have to replace in a month.

2) Within Bauer line: x50/x60, one50/one60, nexus 400/600 are the skates you should probably look at. Go for the higher end options of these skates if you're on the bigger side or decide to splurge a little. If you're not a big guy, you're probably okay with the 400, x50, or one50 skates.

3) Look at other skates by other manufacturers within your price range. Can't hurt, and you might be surprised by what you end up liking.

4) Always try on skates in person if possible. Spending a whole day at HM trying out skates and walking around would be a great move for you.

Hopefully this helped some. Good luck in your search!

[jonesy9020 77]

One last thing -- if you can't get out to a dedicated hockey store, go to a Dick's or similar sporting goods store. They won't have a huge variety of skates, probably won't carry Reebok or Easton skates, and definitely won't have top end models. Usually, however, the best skates they'll stock are models you should be looking at in Bauers and CCMs.

Don't expect much help. Employees in these stores generally don't know much at all about how a skate should fit, and I wouldn't be surprised if they gave you the same size skate as your shoe size.

[Cosmic 178]

If I were on a budget, and not in a rush, then I would hold out for Mako M8.

I am a bit of a novice skater, getting back into hockey after 17 years off, and never having been much good when I used to play. I find that Mako is so comfortable, and just makes skating a bit easier for me. Backward skating actually is a bit harder for me (it was easier in Bauer Supreme, which has a flatter/ less aggressive stance), but I play Center so I am usually going forward.

Remember the three dimensions of skate fitting- length & width (which everyone knows), and volume (which I find people do not consider). I had volume issues in my Supremes, plus the fact I was in a stiff, high end skate, and it just made playing literally impossible due to foot pain. I was off the ice from September 2013 (after having gotten back on the ice in August 2013) until December 2013 (when I could go back to US and get fitted for Easton Mako).

[jonesy9020 77]

The M8 should be a great skate when it comes out, and it will definitely make the close fit, thermoformability, and flexibility of the Mako line a lot more affordable for those of us who can't quite stomach the idea of shelling out $800 on a pair of hockey skates. I was very excited when I saw them in the Easton catalog.

However, I think the original poster had something quite different in mind when he said he was looking for a cheap pair of skates. The M8s are expected to retail for about $600 and are still a pretty high-end skate. The skates OP mentioned he was considering were closer to $100-200.

All that said, Cosmic brings up a very good point. The Mako M8 is a high quality skate that most beginning skaters should be able to work with in terms of still being comfortable while having a high quality boot that should last you years. It is, however, much more expensive than the skates you're looking at right now.

It comes down to what you mean when you said you're looking for a starter skate before splurging on the high end stuff. If by high end, you meant good skates in the 300-400 dollar range, then stick with a $150-$200 skate now and upgrade when you feel you don't have enough support. The $200 skates at this point should be able to provide sufficient support to a beginning skater for a looooooooonnnnggg time. If by high-end, you mean you fully intend to buy a skate within the next year that costs $600-$850, you like the fit of the Mako line, and you can wait a few months, then you should absolutely consider just getting M8s (or discounted original Mako) from the start, and skipping the "starter" skate.

This advice only applies to Easton's Mako skates because, like cosmic said, they're so comfortable and don't require much break-in at all. I would not advise any beginning skater to jump right into an APX2, NXG, or CCM RBZ right from the start. Even non-mako skates in the $300-400 range are likely a little too stiff for a beginner to buy right off the bat.

[LupoFiasco 1]

I bought Bauer Supreme One40's last year on closeout for $100 at a LHS. They got me on the ice and now to the point that my skating ability requires a stiffer boot. I am now looking at CCM U+ 12 or CL, but I could definitely appreciate what these entry-level skates have gotten me to. Now once I get a better skate for my rink purposes, I can use my Supremes for pond use.

One thing I WOULD recommend, is to try and find something that is thermoformable. I know while not easy at this price point, it will definitely hel with the break-in process.

[grnmtnvt 18]

I would take a look at some of the lower-mid end Reebok stuff. I had a pair of Reebok 16k and they were a VERY good skate for the price. They aren't a lower end skate, more mid, but they are on clearance right now and you can get them at a very good price- 250$ish. They aren't incredibly stiff, so they are a skate you can use to start and keep for a while as you progress. Not too stiff to start with, IMHO, and something that will last. I'm sure the 14k would be a good option too and probably under 200$ right now.

[grnmtnvt 18]

14K is on for 229$ and I play with a bunch of beer league guys that really like the skate. Definintely not a beginners but will last you for a while.

[LoneStar77 25]

I started with Bauer Vapor X:40s (back when that was the 2nd step down from the top, X:60s). I had really stiff inline hockey skates (Mission RPMs, I think they were one or two steps down from the top) after breaking down a cheap pair in less than 2 years. I'm very happy I upgraded to a much higher level/quality skate in inline & I wanted a similar level of skate when I started playing ice. My X:40s are still going strong & I am very happy I spent the money on them. I might upgrade to a higher level skate when they finally need it or I may just stick with the same level, but I won't go lower/cheaper that's for sure.

[geshnyc 3]

Good call on staying somewhat low-end. For a beginner, regardless of how much you want or have available to spend, you should start with a bit of a softer skate anyway. The softer boot will allow you to build ankle strength and will be a lot more comfortable. If you buy top-end too early, it'll be stiff and you'll be in lots of pain trying to break these things in for months. Some of that is mitigated by baking or thermoforming on high end skates, but just starting out, you won't see any benefit from spending that much money, and your performance and enjoyment will usually suffer.

That said, depending on your height and weight, often a mid-level skate is more appropriate for bigger players, even if they're just starting out. If you're okay with giving your height and weight I could give better advice. They'll give you more support and will last a lot longer. It'd also be helpful to know if you're coming from an inline background, which would get you on your feet and requiring a better skate a lot sooner (looking at your profile, you seem to have a lot of experience in inline).

A soft boot is one thing, a flimsy boot is another. I wouldn't recommend the x30 unless you're very, very light. Even then, with your inline background, I wouldn't go near that skate. If you do, you'll be looking for a skate with significantly more support very shortly

The Nexus 400 isn't a bad all-around skate, but, within the Bauer line, I'd also take a look at Vapor x50s/x60s, and Supreme one5/one6. One thing to note about Bauer's three lines is that a D-width is not the same across all three lines (Vapors are a "true" D, but run narrow compared to a "D" in most other manufacturers; Supremes and Nexus skates run slightly wider)

Your best bet is always to go out and try on as many skates from as many brands as possible within your price range. I know Bauers are the hot brand right now, but you might fit much better in a Reebok, CCM or Easton skate. I'm guessing you're from NY based on the name and photo, so there should be some decent pro shops within driving distance (unless you don't have a car up there, which could prove problematic).

Usually I'd say go to a local hockey store and support small business, but the stores right in your area don't seem awesome (just going off websites) and one has a bizarre selection of only graf skates, which for you are way too expensive and too stiff at this point.

My advice is to drive or take the train down to HockeyMonkey's retail store in Woodbridge, NJ one weekend when you have a few hours to kill (http://www.monkeysports.com/woodbridge/). In addition to being pretty close, they'll have a wider selection of skates for you to check out than pretty much any small shop. Try on every skate by every brand within your price range. Bauer, CCM, Easton, Rbk, everything.

So to sum up:

1) Don't buy x30s. Just don't. You have skated inline too much and they will be sloppy and soft and give you awful ankle support. Don't do it. You're not saving money, you're wasting money on skates you'll have to replace in a month.

2) Within Bauer line: x50/x60, one50/one60, nexus 400/600 are the skates you should probably look at. Go for the higher end options of these skates if you're on the bigger side or decide to splurge a little. If you're not a big guy, you're probably okay with the 400, x50, or one50 skates.

3) Look at other skates by other manufacturers within your price range. Can't hurt, and you might be surprised by what you end up liking.

4) Always try on skates in person if possible. Spending a whole day at HM trying out skates and walking around would be a great move for you.

Hopefully this helped some. Good luck in your search!

Thank you Jonesy! I am 205 / 5'10'' - Thank you for the thurough and interesting review. I am taking my friends One.4s which he gotten and are too small for him. If they turn out to be "Flimsy" as you say, than it is a donation waiting to happen. For $50 its a no brainer. I like the X60s and the Makos. I will wait until the 14 models come out whcih should be soon and cop a 13 model aat discount already when Im nice and comfy on the ice. I am super excited ... scared a bit but I think with propper padding 'll be fine eating ice pops for a bit there till I get a handle on things. I fell on my tail bone when I was a kid and it stuck with me. Funny though how a broken wrist, nose, back herniation + surgery, and a plethora of other injuries as an adult playing inline leave less of an subconcious fear than the physical damage versus the one time I fell on my bum and stayed away from ice because of it as a kid. Where Dr. Freud at lolol...

In regards to softer / stiffer boots - agreed! I have a pair of rollerblades that I used to skate in and recently took them out because I was too lazy to change my hockey wheels from indoor to out. I fell so fast it was just comedy, I did not get past my driveway before I went back limping. Once you get used to that stiffness it is just something that becomes a part of you. I play in X60Rs and vapor XRs.. they are both stiff. Nothing like. I do want to try the Alkali RPD Pros as I hear guys love them. But in all reality Im going to get a Sprung chassis put on one of my skates and do the bannana set up on the second.

I'll keep you guys updated.. My plan is to just get out there, be easy, not lok for the 8 Seconds on the bull untill im solid, than start playing cause thats the only way to learn..

[Buzz_LightBeer 974]

Reebok. Pump, Nexus, and some Supreme skates should be showing up discounted all over. I know you're looking for cheap, but I'd shoot for the $200 price range to get a solid, comfortable, durable skate. You may have a little trouble finding a size 8, that's a fairly popular size. Best of luck!