Skate advice - getting back on the ice after 9 years

[jonesy9020 77]

I'm not looking for specific models, as I know it's all about fit, but I was recently surprised by the quality of decidedly midrange (current, not old top of the line) X60s on a visit to Dick's Sporting Goods of all places. Composite outsole, pretty stiff boot, and LS Edge holder for 199 was impressive.

I guess my question is this -- I used to skate in top end skates or just one step below, e.g. old skates were Mission Pure Lite, Bauer 6000s, CCM 652, Mission L7. I'm not that big, about 6'0" 175. I've avoided getting new skates as the price for that range of skates is now between $650 and $850 and I don't have near that kind of money.

What I'm wondering I guess is if I could get by on a midrange or just above midrange skate today because the entire range for all manufacturers has moved up so much. Specifically pretty interested in some deals out there on the Reebok White Ks or skates just above them - I think 16k but it might be 14k (too many numbers in that lineup).

Advice?

Again, just to clarify -- looking for advice on the price range/stiffness range that would be appropriate in today's skates, not fit advice.

[CodyTC21 1]

Try the rbz line

[jonesy9020 77]

Not looking for what line everybody favors. Looking for what level range I should go for as far as stiffness. Ideally, I'd try on a bunch of skates from different manufacturers within the just above midrange price area. I'd try for example RBZ 80, 75, Rbk 14k, WhiteK, Bauer x70s, one70s and Nexus 600, and Easton 75/85s. Want to know if these skates are "enough skate" for me given improvements in skate tech since I last bought. If not, would like to know how high up I have to go.

[boo10 323]

Everyone's different, but I've been skating on a pair of x:30's (more or less equivalent to the current x70's) for a few years, (roughly 200 games) and they are holding up extremely well. I'm looking at replacing them, but it has nothing to do with the quality or durability of the skate. For reference, I'm about 5'11", 190lbs and an advanced skater.

Even after all that use, these things are still stiffer than my old Micron Mega 10-90's or Daoust 301's ever were. I hate the new ultra stiff skates, but the softer ones don't hold up very well because they're plastic, not leather. By "softer", I'm referring to the current gen. low-end, not the mid-range that you're talking about.

[MThockeydad 469]

Depends on what level of skater you are.

I found a screamin' deal on X7.0's ($149 on clearance). They are probably too stiff for me as a newer skater. X5.0's (X60's) would probably have been a better fit.

If you were skating in top-end skates because you're a powerful skater or skate 4-5 days a week, is the same still true? Maybe hold out and try to find some closeout 2-3 year old top end skates.

Do you need skates now to get back on the ice? Are you just skating 1-2 nights a week in an adult league? Grab those X60's or 14k's or whatever and get skating and watch for higher end skates if you blow out these.

You know your feet aren't growing anymore, so whatever you invest in today will still work well for you for several years to come.

[CodyTC21 1]

Depends on what level of skater you are.I found a screamin' deal on X7.0's ($149 on clearance). They are probably too stiff for me as a newer skater. X5.0's (X60's) would probably have been a better fit.If you were skating in top-end skates because you're a powerful skater or skate 4-5 days a week, is the same still true? Maybe hold out and try to find some closeout 2-3 year old top end skates.Do you need skates now to get back on the ice? Are you just skating 1-2 nights a week in an adult league? Grab those X60's or 14k's or whatever and get skating and watch for higher end skates if you blow out these.You know your feet aren't growing anymore, so whatever you invest in today will still work well for you for several years to come.

I agree

[strosedefence34 176]

Not looking for what line everybody favors. Looking for what level range I should go for as far as stiffness. Ideally, I'd try on a bunch of skates from different manufacturers within the just above midrange price area. I'd try for example RBZ 80, 75, Rbk 14k, WhiteK, Bauer x70s, one70s and Nexus 600, and Easton 75/85s. Want to know if these skates are "enough skate" for me given improvements in skate tech since I last bought. If not, would like to know how high up I have to go.

you're in the right ball park. I have been in the one70s for 2 years now. A great skate and still pretty stiff. Im usually on the ice 2-4 times a week for about 2 hours at a time in these. They have held up just fine. The supreme line is starting to drop in price you could even get a better deal if you act quick and they fit right.

[jonesy9020 77]

Anyone with experience with EQ40/50 that can comment on sizing? Great deals out there on those now, but seems like Easton skates sometimes vary from model to model. For reference, I'm a 9.5D in Bauers, 10D in older Missions, 11.5D in sneakers, and wondering if the 10D in Easton will be a good fit or at least worth a relatively cheap gamble.

[stnlycup67 38]

I came from Bauer Supreme comps(9.5E) and just picked up a pair of CCM U+12(9.5E) for right around $200 shipped from hockeymonkey.. Pretty nice skate for the $$$. Stiff boot and the fit is great. Size length wise is pretty close in both boots with the CCM being a bit wider than the bauer E width

[Vet88 674]

Anyone with experience with EQ40/50 that can comment on sizing? Great deals out there on those now, but seems like Easton skates sometimes vary from model to model. For reference, I'm a 9.5D in Bauers, 10D in older Missions, 11.5D in sneakers, and wondering if the 10D in Easton will be a good fit or at least worth a relatively cheap gamble.

I found the EQ40/50 fitted similar in length to Bauer. The EQ50 is a pretty good skate, it is a significant upgrade on what you have previously been on and isn't ultra stiff. If you can pick a pair up cheap then they are as good a buy as anything else to get back into the game.

[bmess6 2]

I have a pair of RBZ 60 so a low end skate because these are what im getting started on and i highly recommend them. They have held up great and fit a wide foot really well too.

[moreoutdoor 6]

can't really give specific skate advice because my feet are on the outside of the foot shape bell curve. But I would note that, for me, a boot, less stiff than the newer top line skates, is way better both for comfort and performance. I've had some time in bothe APX and RBZ, and fit aside, both were hard for me to get nuance of control. I've also had considerable time on my Graf 605's and recently some CCM U+ 06 (which many would consider on the lower end of middle). The Grafs were/are great for skate control, but give me constant lacebite, an issue I'm constantly addressing. The CCMs were borrowed over the Holidays, and when I got the width fit handled, they skated fabulously. I was very surprised. ENough so that I'm again shopping to replace the Grafs.

Depending on your body size, I think many can overdo the skate stiffness thing. For reference, I'm 162 lbs (heading to high 150's) at 5' 10 1/2". Started hockey in '64 and had a long hiatus in all of the '90s and early 2000s. Back in on a purely 'social' hockey vibe. It's all about the fun and challenge of keeping up, somewhat, with the much younger guys.

Anyway, I'm still a pretty strong skater, just a lightweight when it comes to scrappin for the puck. I'm focusing my skate search to the mid line skates, which seem perfect to me.

[jonesy9020 77]

Thanks everyone for your advice.

Moreoutdoor, I think that's the route that I'm headed. I actually prefer a slightly less stiff boot in terms of comfort, and while I needed stiffness for competitive play in the past, hockey for me at this point is all social, pretty much no contact. I'd rather be comfortable for the entire ice time than thinking about my skates and sacrificing comfort for a split second of speed that I probably can't take advantage of at my level anyway. Good to hear some feedback that the skates should hold up.

[BrondonZA 0]

I would go for a intermediate to advanced level skate for your feet are still abit strong but they are not strong enough for the new generation of skates

[jonesy9020 77]

Has anyone heard of CCM U+ Xtra or U+ Xtra Pro skates? There are a few pairs out on ebay now that the description states were made special for a retail location and are similar to the U+06/U+08(Xtra) and U+10(Xtra Pro) skates.

[jonesy9020 77]

Ignore -- Found an old forum with the info I was looking for with a google search.