Skate Shopping Help

[benson 8]

I haven't shopped for skates in years (almost 10 to be precise). I'm still skating in some 2005 RBK 3k skates (funny enough, I looked at the brochure on here to see what was said about them since I bought them so long ago). I bought them long ago when I was going to start playing again, but have basically used them for recreational skating up to now. This past season I used them coaching my son's mite team. I've used them for a couple of drop-in sessions too. And now I'm starting beer league. I'm fine going in with them as they are comfortable. But last week in a drop-in game, I realized they felt heavy at the end of the night. And I know from reading here and looking in shops that the newer skates are much lighter. Plus they are really soft boots (really flexible, which makes them comfortable, but I'm sure a stiffer boot would help my skating). At the beginning of the coaching season, they were really tight, but they stretched out nicely and are tight, but comfortable now. Probably a little small yet, but I'll get sized again when I go in to try stuff on.

Anyway, I'm not looking for specific skates as you guys don't really know what fits my foot. I'm looking for model/price ranges to look at. I'm a lower-intermediate level skater (I'd be D-League in AHA if that helps anyone). I'm also 5'10", and about 205 lbs. I figure at my skill level and size, I will be looking at mid-level skates like Reebok 14k-16k or Bauer Supreme One.6 or One.7. But with the deals available since it is end of the season and new stuff is coming, I could get better skates for my money. I guess I'm asking here to know if it would be worth it or not. You know, like the Easton Mako at closeout prices, or the new Reebok 30k or something. I just want to know what to look at when I go in.

[tomh7 2]

Try on every skate you can within the price range that you are willing to spend. Get the ones that fit the best. Higher end skates will generally be stiffer and more durable with better materials, however, the middle range skates these days should still serve you well for several years if properly cared for.

As far as what to look for, typically, when i put on a new (unbaked) pair of skates, before lacing, I like it to be snug (but not tight) in the fore foot and heal with fairly even contact along the arch. Generally, my toes are hard against the toecap but not curled. After lacing (still unbaked), I look for even pressure all around the foot, toes barely touching the toecap (when standing), laces slightly wider than parallel from the toecap to the top (they will come together a little after baking, ideally to parallel or slightly narrower).

Some people mention the pencil test to gauge the depth of the boot and I'll let someone else explain that since I have never worried about it.

Hope this helps.

[mc88 160]

Pretty much what Tomh7 said in terms of fitment.

To answer your other question about the skates worth... I wouldn't necessarily jump to the conclusion that newer is better (depending upon brand). The Bauer lines are top knotch. They invest a lot into their skate line, so you know you're going to get a good skate if you go mid-level. However, Reebok on the other hand, is not invested as much. Since the early 2000's, they have kept the same line up, but just added to it. For example, their 9K or 11K skates were top of the line for 4-5 years (I believe from 2006-2011, but don't quote me on that) until they finally came out with the 20K (attached to the 20k was the 18k, 16k, 14k, etc; and, they did update their 11K/9K boots to their "DSS" boot when they came out with the 20K, but overall the stiffness and quarter package remained unchanged). So, depending on which brand, it pays to go older (Bauer) because it not really that old, whereas older could be rather old in terms of life on the market (Reebok), and in that case I'd go newer.

[benson 8]

Try on every skate you can within the price range that you are willing to spend. Get the ones that fit the best. Higher end skates will generally be stiffer and more durable with better materials, however, the middle range skates these days should still serve you well for several years if properly cared for.

As far as what to look for, typically, when i put on a new (unbaked) pair of skates, before lacing, I like it to be snug (but not tight) in the fore foot and heal with fairly even contact along the arch. Generally, my toes are hard against the toecap but not curled. After lacing (still unbaked), I look for even pressure all around the foot, toes barely touching the toecap (when standing), laces slightly wider than parallel from the toecap to the top (they will come together a little after baking, ideally to parallel or slightly narrower).

Some people mention the pencil test to gauge the depth of the boot and I'll let someone else explain that since I have never worried about it.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for the advice on fitment. I guess I am unsure if I go higher end, would that be too stiff, and what would be the downside of that?

Pretty much what Tomh7 said in terms of fitment.

To answer your other question about the skates worth... I wouldn't necessarily jump to the conclusion that newer is better (depending upon brand). The Bauer lines are top knotch. They invest a lot into their skate line, so you know you're going to get a good skate if you go mid-level. However, Reebok on the other hand, is not invested as much. Since the early 2000's, they have kept the same line up, but just added to it. For example, their 9K or 11K skates were top of the line for 4-5 years (I believe from 2006-2011, but don't quote me on that) until they finally came out with the 20K (attached to the 20k was the 18k, 16k, 14k, etc; and, they did update their 11K/9K boots to their "DSS" boot when they came out with the 20K, but overall the stiffness and quarter package remained unchanged). So, depending on which brand, it pays to go older (Bauer) because it not really that old, whereas older could be rather old in terms of life on the market (Reebok), and in that case I'd go newer.

Thanks, this is the kind of info I'm looking for. Since I haven't looked at skates in years, I am looking for advice on what is current, what's changed, and what to look at/for.

Thanks again!

[Chadd 916]

Pretty much what Tomh7 said in terms of fitment.

To answer your other question about the skates worth... I wouldn't necessarily jump to the conclusion that newer is better (depending upon brand). The Bauer lines are top knotch. They invest a lot into their skate line, so you know you're going to get a good skate if you go mid-level. However, Reebok on the other hand, is not invested as much. Since the early 2000's, they have kept the same line up, but just added to it. For example, their 9K or 11K skates were top of the line for 4-5 years (I believe from 2006-2011, but don't quote me on that) until they finally came out with the 20K (attached to the 20k was the 18k, 16k, 14k, etc; and, they did update their 11K/9K boots to their "DSS" boot when they came out with the 20K, but overall the stiffness and quarter package remained unchanged). So, depending on which brand, it pays to go older (Bauer) because it not really that old, whereas older could be rather old in terms of life on the market (Reebok), and in that case I'd go newer.

That's not such a bad thing. It's funny how many people online are always pushing stiffer, stiffer, stiffer when it comes to skates, yet a lot of pros are using the vapor skates with traditional boots and not the newer style boots. there is nothing wrong with a company not making their boots so stiff, as the vast majority of hockey players really don't benefit from that extra stiffness, and it actually hampers the performance of quite a few as well.

Thank you for the advice on fitment. I guess I am unsure if I go higher end, would that be too stiff, and what would be the downside of that?

Thanks, this is the kind of info I'm looking for. Since I haven't looked at skates in years, I am looking for advice on what is current, what's changed, and what to look at/for.

Thanks again!

A boot that is too stiff won't allow you to get good extension on your stride and often causes lace bite problems down the road. I see a lot of guys skating far too upright because they are locked in due to the ski boot stiffness of some top end skates. If you don't have the leg strength to make the boot flex with your stride, it's like trying to run with your feet tied together.

The most important thing is fit. Before baking pressure is ok, pain is not. Make sure you spend 15-20 minutes walking, crouching and just standing in a pair of skates before you buy them. Especially if you are going to be coaching and standing in them for an hour at a time. Also, make sure you try on smaller sizes when you think you have a good fit, it's amazing how many times someone actually fits better into a smaller size than they think. Even when they already have a "perfect fit", a lot of people can still go down a size. If you feel pressure, note where it is. You may not need a longer skate, you may need a wider one if the pressure is on the side of your foot.

I am a huge fan of the Mako and if you can score a pair that fits on closeout, it's worth stretching your budget a bit. They have as much support as any boot on the market without the restriction of movement that often comes along with that support. The boot is fairly stiff around your foot, but also has a thin layer of padding that helps with the comfort immensely. There is good lateral support on the sides but you can still fully flex forward.

[benson 8]

That's not such a bad thing. It's funny how many people online are always pushing stiffer, stiffer, stiffer when it comes to skates, yet a lot of pros are using the vapor skates with traditional boots and not the newer style boots. there is nothing wrong with a company not making their boots so stiff, as the vast majority of hockey players really don't benefit from that extra stiffness, and it actually hampers the performance of quite a few as well.

A boot that is too stiff won't allow you to get good extension on your stride and often causes lace bite problems down the road. I see a lot of guys skating far too upright because they are locked in due to the ski boot stiffness of some top end skates. If you don't have the leg strength to make the boot flex with your stride, it's like trying to run with your feet tied together.

The most important thing is fit. Before baking pressure is ok, pain is not. Make sure you spend 15-20 minutes walking, crouching and just standing in a pair of skates before you buy them. Especially if you are going to be coaching and standing in them for an hour at a time. Also, make sure you try on smaller sizes when you think you have a good fit, it's amazing how many times someone actually fits better into a smaller size than they think. Even when they already have a "perfect fit", a lot of people can still go down a size. If you feel pressure, note where it is. You may not need a longer skate, you may need a wider one if the pressure is on the side of your foot.

I am a huge fan of the Mako and if you can score a pair that fits on closeout, it's worth stretching your budget a bit. They have as much support as any boot on the market without the restriction of movement that often comes along with that support. The boot is fairly stiff around your foot, but also has a thin layer of padding that helps with the comfort immensely. There is good lateral support on the sides but you can still fully flex forward.

Ok, what you said about boot stiffness is what I figured. I have strong legs, but as I'm a less skilled skater, I'm sure I'm not efficient with that leg strength.

And budget isn't an issue. But I think local availability of the Mako might be limited now. I see online places have plenty in stock. Total Hockey even has a couple in my area, though not in wide sizes, which I figure I will need (since my Reeboks are 7.5EE and are snug after having stretched out after a season of coaching). Based on what I currently have, and their fit, I'm guessing my next skate will either also be a 7.5EE or move up a half size, though length isn't really an issue, and I hear baking will stretch them. As I said previously, these were really tight at the beginning of the season, and are low level skates that were not baked when I got them. My LHS only carries Bauer, CCM, and Reebok skates so they wouldn't be much help there (in trying the Mako). I stopped in there today to pick up my skates after being sharpened and looked around their skates section. There are 2 Total Hockey stores within 15 min, so I can go to either and try on stuff (including the regular width Mako at one of them anyway). There's also a Hockey Giant about 5 min further down the road from one of the Total Hockeys.

That said, I guess I could order online from Total Hockey (or just go into the store and have them order it for me after being sized up) and take it to the store to make sure it fits right and have it baked if so, or return it there if not.

[Chadd 916]

I envy your options, there are only two local shops within 45 minutes of me and both are less than ideal in terms of selection. Go in with an open mind and try on as much as you can. You may find that you don't like the aspects that I do or that you like aspects that I don't. You should be ok in anything mid level or higher but comfort and fit should be your focus, especially with being on your feet coaching a full practice.

[benson 8]

Well, it is Minnesota. There are a couple of other local stores within that 15 min range as well. One of them offers free sharpenings as long as you own the skates if you buy them there. That place is actually highly recommended though I've never been there.

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'm not set on any brand, so I'll go in and try on a bunch of stuff to see what fits the best. I wasn't thinking about it as much, but you are right that I need something that will be comfortable for an hour of standing and coaching too when that starts up next fall again.

[strosedefence34 176]

That's not such a bad thing. It's funny how many people online are always pushing stiffer, stiffer, stiffer when it comes to skates, yet a lot of pros are using the vapor skates with traditional boots and not the newer style boots. there is nothing wrong with a company not making their boots so stiff, as the vast majority of hockey players really don't benefit from that extra stiffness, and it actually hampers the performance of quite a few as well.

A boot that is too stiff won't allow you to get good extension on your stride and often causes lace bite problems down the road. I see a lot of guys skating far too upright because they are locked in due to the ski boot stiffness of some top end skates. If you don't have the leg strength to make the boot flex with your stride, it's like trying to run with your feet tied together.

The most important thing is fit. Before baking pressure is ok, pain is not. Make sure you spend 15-20 minutes walking, crouching and just standing in a pair of skates before you buy them. Especially if you are going to be coaching and standing in them for an hour at a time. Also, make sure you try on smaller sizes when you think you have a good fit, it's amazing how many times someone actually fits better into a smaller size than they think. Even when they already have a "perfect fit", a lot of people can still go down a size. If you feel pressure, note where it is. You may not need a longer skate, you may need a wider one if the pressure is on the side of your foot.

I am a huge fan of the Mako and if you can score a pair that fits on closeout, it's worth stretching your budget a bit. They have as much support as any boot on the market without the restriction of movement that often comes along with that support. The boot is fairly stiff around your foot, but also has a thin layer of padding that helps with the comfort immensely. There is good lateral support on the sides but you can still fully flex forward.

not to hijack but my question could help the OP. Currently I am in some Bauer one 70s and its getting to be the time for replacement. I am happy with the fit, would I benefit / what are the benefits to going up the line to the One100/One.9/190? Aside from the materials used to make the skate.