Help me buy some skates?

[egrus 0]

Looking to buy my first pair to get into hockey and looking for some advice on what to get.

Right now there is some sales online for White K, 14k, and 16k Reebok skates all for under $200, seems like good deals.

Also, the Stealth 75-85S in the same price range.

These are all previous year models, similarly I could purchase the new RBZ60-70 in the similar price range.

Also, one.6's are in consideration

These are going to be my first pair, and i'm a little confused on where to go. A lot of people tell me for beginners that I should not get a stiff skate, but then also people tell me since I'm a heavier build (220lbs) that I SHOULD get stiffer, higher end skates.

There aren't a lot of pro shops where i'm at, I did go to one to try some stuff on, but they didn't really have anything in my size to try on. My foot doesn't seem too wide, but a pair of RBZ60s I did get to try on felt a little bit tight on the sides.

Any and all advice on what I should order is appreciated!

[mc88 160]

From watching beginner skaters (I work at a rink), I'd recommend a mid-level skate. Majority of the skates I see in the beginner hockey classes are either RBZ or Supreme. Very few RBKs since the boot is just too soft... and in about another 6 months, it'll be dissolved into CCM anyway.

Most of it comes down to fit and personal preference, but my recommendation would be to stick to a Bauer Supreme (or Nexus if your foot is wide) or CCM RBZ. Easton would be last on my list.

Don't be stupid and order a pair of skates thinking they'll fit based on your shoe size. Get properly fitted (even if you don't buy at your local hockey shop, have them figure out your dimensions and try the closest thing to what you want)!

[Chadd 916]

You should be fine in just about any mid level skate that fits your foot. Going with an extremely stiff or soft boot would be less than ideal but anything in the middle should be fine.

[egrus 0]

Anyone have any experience with Reebok sizing? I'm thinking of actually going down 2 sizes rather than the suggested 1 and 1/2 since i've heard they are a little bit bigger.

I wear a size 12 shoe, but I have an older pair of CCM Intruder 55's (around 10 years old) that are a size 9 and I put them on just for kicks, turns out although my toe is smashed up against the toe box when standing, I actually could fit in them, wouldn't be able to skate them, but I was surprised I was able to squeeze in. So i'm thinking of going with a size 10 in the reeboks rather than a 10.5... or maybe the older CCMs just ran big?

[egrus 0]

You should be fine in just about any mid level skate that fits your foot. Going with an extremely stiff or soft boot would be less than ideal but anything in the middle should be fine.

I'm mainly considering the White K-14k because of the good deals on them now, but I've read some things about them having a not so stiff boot.

As I said im 220lbs, and i've read that people with heavier builds need stiffer skates. Would the stiffness of the 14k or White K be significantly less than say a Supreme one.6, RBZ70 or Stealth 85s? Any reccomendations from your experience?

Again, i'm a bit concerned about sizing as well, as I've said I wear a size 12, so that puts me in a 10.5 for most skates, but I measured my foot and it is 11.2 inches, so most charts put that as being a 10.5 skate. I also have a 4.2 inch width at the widest part, so thats right on the border of being a wider skate as opposed to a normal skate.

Unfortunately, trying anything on or getting properly fitted isn't really an option.

[Stewie 721]

id strongly recommend looking at a pair of clearance CCM u12 or u10. I think they are great skates for the price. If you cant be properly fitted, i recommend going with a retailer with a good return/exchange policy.

[totalchaos 10]

For Reebok sizing I'm actually 2 1/2 sizes down. I'm a 12 shoe and a 9 1/2 skate. As far as Reebok being a softer boot I have the 28k and they are really stiff. I weigh 250 and they work great for me

[egrus 0]

From what i'm reading the white k, 14k, and 16k have the same quarter panel? Would that mean they all have the same stiffness? If so, as a beginner, should I go with the cheapest White K vs the 14k or 16k?

As I've said i'm trying to get something that would be good for me as a beginner, as well as being a heavier build.

[HDHockey 19]

I have the same sizing as totalchaos, I wear a 12 dress shoe, but in my 11k's my size is a 9.5

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

Where do you live? Where do other hockey players in your area buy hockey gear?

[JoshV 20]

Shoe size is inaccurate, measure your foot in cm for a more accurate size

As for which skates, it depends what is available in your size. Someone mentioned U+12, which would be the best skate, but probably overkill

I would suggest a mid-range skate until you learn to skate better. It will be a more enjoyable experience that way

[egrus 0]

Well I ended up buying the 16k, basing off what the couple of people said in here I went down 2 sizes rather than 1.5 sizes... hopefully it fits well...

[JoshV 20]

The 16K should be a good skate to learn on. The only thing I am not 100% sure on would be the sizing, which I guess we will find out once you receive them.

Hope it works out well for you!