C/AA width in Bauer - General sizing questions as well

[ridindirty 11]

A little background:

I got back into Hockey about a yr ago for the first time in 15+ years. I bought some slightly used retail one100's (D width, so E/A iirc) about 9 months ago after skating on some old Tacks for 3 months. These were a big upgrade, but I constantly feel like I am fighting for forward flex if I tie them tight enough in the ankles. They also felt loose in the toe box, and slightly loose in the heel but that never bothered me a ton.

I got sick of this and bought some pretty used (still life left, though) Vapor APX's in D/A and skated on them last night. First period was the best skating I have done since I got back into skating/hockey, bar none. Felt myself really getting on my toes and using the first couple inches of the steel to accelerate, especially from a stop. I really liked the additional forward flex and any additional forward cant I get from these skates. Even more would be better IMO. The ankle is skinnier on these that the Supremes which really helped as well. The heel didnt feel any tighter, even though I had read it would be.

However... as the game went on the skates seemed to loosen a little and I stopped skating as well. I still have room in the toe box, which annoys me. I feel like I want my skates *TIGHT* below the ankle with almost no negative space, then a lot of forward flex in the ankle while still being able to lean on the sides of the boot and not move left and right a lot in the ankle.

So I was thinking of trying a C/AA in Vapors. But I have some concerns:

- My foot is a little flat. With the CCM footbeds I dont get any real arch discomfort, but with a standard footbed a D width Vapor hurts my feet. I am concerned about if a C/AA would as well even with the CCM footbeds.

- It seems likely some of the additional performance could have been the more aggressive pitch the Vapors have, and not the boot itself.

- To be honest, I dont feel much of a width difference on the footbed between the D Vapor and D Supreme, even though there should be. I am concerned I wont notice anything in the C/AA Vapor.

- I am thinking that thicker socks might help with the D Vapors I already have, but that seems to be highly frowned upon around here.

- Lastly, I wonder if I am chasing a Unicorn. Seems like everyone else likes a wide toebox and it just might be that I am not going to get what I want in todays skate design.

Thanks for any help/comments. Questions welcome.

[Chadd 916]

Maybe you should look into a different brand? Based on your desire for a form fitting boot and more forward flex, it sounds like you should be trying a Mako. With Bauer, a C/AA supreme with some lifts or profiling is probably your best bet.

[ridindirty 11]

Maybe you should look into a different brand? Based on your desire for a form fitting boot and more forward flex, it sounds like you should be trying a Mako. With Bauer, a C/AA supreme with some lifts or profiling is probably your best bet.

Why a Supreme over a Vapor?

i thought long and hard about Makos. But I have 2 friends in them and both have serious durability issues. I cant sign up for that.

[Chadd 916]

Vapors aren't designed as much for the zero negative space fit and the arch issues that you mentioned. That means the Supreme is the better option. However, you will need more forward pitch than the Supreme offers out of the box. That's where the lifts or profiling come in. You can get closer to the pitch you want with Vapors, but you will never get the fit you want out of them.

As for the Makos, I've had mine since before they hit retail and haven't had any issues. You've been through three pair of skates in a year. I can understand not wanting to waste money on skates that may eventually have a durability issue, but nothing trumps having the right fit.

[icewalker_bg 126]

Vapors aren't designed as much for the zero negative space fit and the arch issues that you mentioned. That means the Supreme is the better option. However, you will need more forward pitch than the Supreme offers out of the box. That's where the lifts or profiling come in. You can get closer to the pitch you want with Vapors, but you will never get the fit you want out of them.

As for the Makos, I've had mine since before they hit retail and haven't had any issues. You've been through three pair of skates in a year. I can understand not wanting to waste money on skates that may eventually have a durability issue, but nothing trumps having the right fit.

QFT. Nothing beats that.

You want almost zero negative space? Get the Mako and enjoy them while they last. 300$ is not bad at all for high end skates.

[DarkStar50 679]

If Vapor retail is narrower and has less volume, I don't think Supreme will solve your problem. Given your positive response to Vapor in your original post, I think you are on the right path already. Regarding the footbed/arch issue, a pair of Superfeet would be a good investment.

[ridindirty 11]

If Vapor retail is narrower and has less volume, I don't think Supreme will solve your problem. Given your positive response to Vapor in your original post, I think you are on the right path already. Regarding the footbed/arch issue, a pair of Superfeet would be a good investment.

Thanks. I am coming to the same conclusion. Theres just too much volume in the Supreme, especially depth-wise. If a Supreme was as shallow as a Vapor I think I might be better with a C/AA because it does seem to have a slightly skinnier toe box, but the Supreme has *a lot* more depth in the boot.

I am using the 'high end' CCM insoles. I have superfeet for other sports but liked these better. In a DA vapor with their standard insole my arches would kill, but I had zero pain after skating on them this week. So I am hoping the insole will do the trick with a C/AA Vapor as well.

Question: Should the C/AA had less width in the toe and ankle, or is it just the footbed that is different?

[ridindirty 11]

Wanted to update this for anyone wondering or searching in the future...

They fit really well. I havent had a skate fit like this yet. Very tight in the heel, nice and tight in the forefoot. I can actually back off lacing on these, because my feet start to hurt a little when I tighten the hell out of them. In fact, during my first (and only so far) skate I backed them off after the first period and my foot was securely in place the entire time. With the Vapor or Supreme in D I would have been squirming all around... and that was with double (albeit sorta thin) socks. I only wore one thin sock with the C/AA's. I could go barefoot if I wanted. The CCM custom insole supported my arch well, and I had no arch discomfort or pain at all. After trying them on at home before skating, this was definitely my biggest concern. I could tell the rest of the skate would fit well, but the potential for arch pain worried me... the CCM insoles took care of it.

These skates were optioned with a tongue that has a shotblocker built in, which so far I dont like that much. Its not horrible, but I feel like I have to keep the ankle pretty loose to get the forward flex I want. If I dont get used to it I might have it taken out or look for some tongues to swap. If anyone is familiar with this tongue, I am curious what weight tongue it is. Its definitely not quite as thick as my 52oz one100 tongue. I am wondering if its highly likely I get lace bite if I take the shot blockers out.

For future reference the Vapor C/AA's actually measure wider than the DA's I have. However these DA's have been baked and the C/AA's havent, so I am pretty sure there is no difference in the width of the ankle between a C/AA and DA, although its a guesstimate. They also have a size 7 toe cap, so obviously the toe box has less width than a standard width.

[Davetronz 109]

Where'd you pick up your C/AA Vapors from?

[ridindirty 11]

i bought them used. Kept my eyes on the forums and ebay and they popped up.