Is skate tech. of today much better than 6-7 years ago?

[z1ggy 81]

I've got a pair of Vapor XXV's that I've been in now for about 6-7 years. There's really nothing wrong with them aside from a few threads coming loose here or there and typical wear and tear. I generally only play 1-2 times a week in a beer league. I've noticed some guys, even the ones who are very good are still in older Tacks or skates that I know are probably around 10+ years old. Now I know the skate does not make the player, but I wonder if it can make small improvements in their speed and ability to turn sharply, etc.

Would a player like me really benefit at all from trying to get into new skates? I'd probably be looking at X100's but I am totally open to new brands like the CCM Tacks, possibly C width NXG's, Graf's & possibly Mako II's although I'd likely be putting the Tuuk holder on it. I don't get a 100% perfect fit out of my Vapor's, but I feel like I am so used to them, that they fit me well enough that I can't complain. My feet are like D and 1/4-1/2 width, with a low-medium volume, so Reebok and most CCM's are out of the pic for me. Same with Supreme's but I'd likely fit into a C width.

Thanks for reading.

[redwing634 1]

I'm interested to find this out as well; my skates are probably 15 years old..

[laserrobottime 149]

If you're in a vapor 25, you won't really see much difference in skate construction in Bauer's line until you hit the Curv boots (x100, supreme 180, etc). The fit of those boots is quite different than your current skate, however, so be sure to try them on.

They are lighter, yes, but that's not terribly important unless you play at a very high level. If what you currently have is comfortable, why upgrade? Every year skates "improve" marginally from a marketing standpoint, but from a functional point they really don't move much up the scale.

Holder technology, on the other hand, HAS changed. I've noticed a major improvement in my knee bend and turning radius by switching to the taller holders available now. I use Easton's CXN holder on my Bauer skates and will be putting them on new boots from here on out.

[kovalchuk71 212]

I've got a pair of Vapor XXV's that I've been in now for about 6-7 years. There's really nothing wrong with them aside from a few threads coming loose here or there and typical wear and tear. I generally only play 1-2 times a week in a beer league. I've noticed some guys, even the ones who are very good are still in older Tacks or skates that I know are probably around 10+ years old. Now I know the skate does not make the player, but I wonder if it can make small improvements in their speed and ability to turn sharply, etc.

Would a player like me really benefit at all from trying to get into new skates? I'd probably be looking at X100's but I am totally open to new brands like the CCM Tacks, possibly C width NXG's, Graf's & possibly Mako II's although I'd likely be putting the Tuuk holder on it. I don't get a 100% perfect fit out of my Vapor's, but I feel like I am so used to them, that they fit me well enough that I can't complain. My feet are like D and 1/4-1/2 width, with a low-medium volume, so Reebok and most CCM's are out of the pic for me. Same with Supreme's but I'd likely fit into a C width.

Thanks for reading.

Only YOU can determine if you will benefit from buying new skates or not. From what I am reading, you have no problems with your skates. Does the reduction in stiffness bother you? If not, I'd say replace the steel (If you haven't already), and have your LHS repair whatever minor problems they have.

The Vapor XXXX Skate series was a good one!

[bunnyman666 445]

z1ggy- if you have a pair of skates that isn't giving you horrible foot pain and lacebite, stay with them until they are toast.

[z1ggy 81]

I currently like the stiffness my skates have. I certainly would not want it to be less. Yeah no real foot pain other than on my right pinky toe due to that foot being slightly wider. I'm sure it can be solved with a little bit of heating and pushing that part out a touch.

So all in all, given I found a skate that fit me as well, I wouldn't notice much of a difference then? No sense in spending hundreds of dollars for barely any gain.

[kovalchuk71 212]

I currently like the stiffness my skates have. I certainly would not want it to be less. Yeah no real foot pain other than on my right pinky toe due to that foot being slightly wider. I'm sure it can be solved with a little bit of heating and pushing that part out a touch.

So all in all, given I found a skate that fit me as well, I wouldn't notice much of a difference then? No sense in spending hundreds of dollars for barely any gain.

No. Keep your skates. Nothing better than a nicely broken in pair of skates.

[raganblink 82]

What's funny, you say this now but when you do upgrade you'll wish you would have done it sooner.

I went from mid-line skates before I started working at the LHS to top-end, and my skating improved greatly. Later on I went from the One100 to the Nexus 800 and it was significantly heavier and less stiff and while the skate was more comfortable, I could tell my skating wasn't as good. Then I got the Nexus 8000, back into composite skates, and skating is a ton better. Could be placebo, could be the new holder (I did have Step on the Nexus 800s from day 1), but I feel like a more comfortable skater.

There are some buddies of mine too who went from 3-5 year old mid-line skates to top-end composite skates and their skating has improved significantly as well. Again, could be weight, could be placebo, could be taller holder, but they've gotten better.

If you're not hurting for money I don't think it would a bad thing to at least go look and try them on. If they feel like slippers I'd definitely start considering it.

[z1ggy 81]

Your last sentence is basically my mindset. I'm essentially going in with the thought of, "I am keeping my current skates unless I find a pair that fit me like Cinderella". My current Vapor 25's are composite (correct me if I'm wrong) so I don't think that will be the difference. I think I'd notice a difference in probably the lighter weight of the skates and probably improved holder. Perhaps a dif skate will fit me better than my current Vapors. I mean, when I think about it, I've only ever tried on 3 dif skates in my life. CCM vectors, my current Vapors, and a pair of mid range Supremes. I've also tried on roller hockey skates as well, and have had 3 dif pairs. Currently in a pair of Missions that fit just Okay.

[raganblink 82]

They aren't a composite shell, ala the Supreme TotalONE MX3/190/180, Vapor APX2/X100, Nexus 8000, Graf G75. These models will be stiffer than yours by a decent amount. Besides the Graf those would all be significantly lighter than what you are in, and the Grafs would still be lighter. They all have an improved holder IMO as well.

Some other ones I'd look into based on what you describe your foot shape - Mako2s & Graf 9035. That liner on the 9035 is money.

[z1ggy 81]

I see. Are mine still heat moldable at this point?

Yeah the 9035 are too much money for me, but I'd be willing to pay for the 8035 and also the Mako M8 as well. I simply would not need the top of the line pro level skate. I'll be trying these on along with the Tacks later this month at hockey monkey in Mass.

[raganblink 82]

Oh I gotya, in that case the differences will be a little less but still noticeable. You could still reheat yours I'm sure, but it will kill the life left in those by quite a bit.

Just try everything on, go into it with an open mind. I'm not saying you're diagnosing your feet wrong, but I've had people tell me they have a really narrow foot who are actually normal, and people who say they have a wide foot who actually have a narrow foot with a wide forefront.
When trying skates on make sure your toes just graze the edge, your foot will slide back a bit once you lace and bake them.

[z1ggy 81]

Yeah I'm only getting a new pair if I find something else that fits me better than my current, which I'm guessing isn't too probable. Last time I was at HM, I had my foot measured. My foot is a D width with the right foot being slightly wider, more like D and 1/4 to 1/2. Since the Vapor D is a true D, (unlike Supreme D which is more like an E Vapor) I feel like I am sized properly. Maybe my current skates just need some tinkering like a slight lengthen and widen of the right boot.

Anyway, thanks for the responses. Sounds like to me by going with near top of the line skates today, I would see some marginal improvements over my XXVs. However, unless I find something glove like on my foot, I'll probably just keep the XXVs and maybe get some new holders and runners.

Will update in a few weeks if I remember!

[kingofnooyork 30]

IMO unless you buy skates that are top of the line i dont think there will be any miraculous epiphany. If you were to go with a top end skate your skating will improve. Nothing drqmatic but youll feel some more power in ur stride as this seems to be the focus of every new skate that comes out. Making a skater more efficient and improving energy transfer. I could feel the difference from bauer 190s, to total ones, to mx3s. They all feel like they are working a little harder. Same nice fit just little improvements you can feel.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

What's funny, you say this now but when you do upgrade you'll wish you would have done it sooner.

I went from mid-line skates before I started working at the LHS to top-end, and my skating improved greatly. Later on I went from the One100 to the Nexus 800 and it was significantly heavier and less stiff and while the skate was more comfortable, I could tell my skating wasn't as good. Then I got the Nexus 8000, back into composite skates, and skating is a ton better. Could be placebo, could be the new holder (I did have Step on the Nexus 800s from day 1), but I feel like a more comfortable skater.

There are some buddies of mine too who went from 3-5 year old mid-line skates to top-end composite skates and their skating has improved significantly as well. Again, could be weight, could be placebo, could be taller holder, but they've gotten better.

If you're not hurting for money I don't think it would a bad thing to at least go look and try them on. If they feel like slippers I'd definitely start considering it.

Going to have to say placebo unless of course it is a better fitted size skate as well as being new!

[z1ggy 81]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I'm going to go to HM once the Tacks come out to try on the following (if they have them all in my size):

Bauer X100/X90

Graf G65

Graf G8035/7035

Mako M8

CCM Tacks 6052

If I still feel like my current skates fit the best, I see no reason to change. I might pick up a used APX2 holder & runner from a member here and call it a day and wait some more.

[Neo5370 132]

Going to have to say placebo unless of course it is a better fitted size skate as well as being new!

Also known as the honey moon effect.

[z1ggy 81]

I also think I'm going to try the Reebok Ribcor skates as well. My buddy has a friend who got a pair and said they were on the heavy side, but really nice skates.

Also, I tried on my friend's G75's last night. They were in width W ...Fit was too big, so I know I'm def. not a wide in Graf.

[stick9 896]

In my experience. I went from a RBK 8k to an Easton S12 and noticed a jump in performance and another jump when I went from the S12 to my current skates Supreme One9's.

I did have some adjustment periods but I believe that be the case with any new skate.