Heel Width - A vs B? Help!

[SCATMAN 33]

Howdy all,

Is there a significant difference between A and B width heels?

Reason I ask.. I'm currently wearing retail Bauer MX3's in size 9EE (I wear size 11US shoe) and have been getting some terrible lace bite recently, so I've been having to skip the 3rd top eyelet and that seems to work but my heels don't sit as well in the boot anymore.

I suspect I should actually be in a size 9.5EE and the lacebite is due to not having enough wrap around my foot.. I bought the size skates based on my toes just touching the toe caps when seated and they felt good in the store. But a couple dozen games in and now the bite is getting bad and I'm starting to really notice the low profile eyelets..

Anyway, been offered some pro stock 9.5EE Vapors with classic eyelets and a B width heel. Do people think this might solve my lace bite/fit issue? Would going up in heel width and half a skate size help with instep/volume of the boot or not really? Also are retail supreme boots A or B width heels?

Sorry for the heap of questions, I know this is the best place to ask though!

Cheers

[althoma1 575]

If your toes are just brushing the cap it sounds like size 9 is the right length for you. The lacebite issue could be caused by a skate that is too shallow or a broken down tongue and the heel lift by a heel that's too wide and is exaggerated by the padding compressing after break in and tying the skates looser due to the lace bite.

Vapors are generally shallower than Supremes (of course this could be different with a customized pro skate), the B width heel would be the same as what you currently have and they'd likely be a half size too long which would potentially make the heel lift worse.

I don't think the Vapors or going up half a size in any Bauer skate will solve your issues, but here two options:

1. Use lacebite pads or replace the tongues on your current skates so you're able to tie them tighter again and lock in the heels
2. Buy new skates, but try on various brands, models and sizes until you find something that's the right length, depth and locks your heels in well. Then sell your current skates to recoup some of the cost. The good news for you is that Bauer skates are popular and generally retain their value a little better than other brands - if your MX3's are in good condition then upgrading to new skates should be too costly if you can find some on clearance that fit you well.

If you go the new skate route I'd go to a store (or 2 or 3) where you can try on several brands, models and sizes. Even if you have to drive several hours, make sure you can try on as many options as possible. When you've found a few skates that you think fit OK, wear them around the store for 30 minutes or so and pay attention to heel lift, pressure on the tongue and other hot spots. If you can't decide between a couple skates at that point and you're serious about buying that day then ask if it's possible to have the skates baked (especially if they're a skate that's extremely responsive to heat like the Mako).

[SCATMAN 33]

If your toes are just brushing the cap it sounds like size 9 is the right length for you. The lacebite issue could be caused by a skate that is too shallow or a broken down tongue and the heel lift by a heel that's too wide and is exaggerated by the padding compressing after break in and tying the skates looser due to the lace bite.

Vapors are generally shallower than Supremes (of course this could be different with a customized pro skate), the B width heel would be the same as what you currently have and they'd likely be a half size too long which would potentially make the heel lift worse.

I don't think the Vapors or going up half a size in any Bauer skate will solve your issues, but here two options:

1. Use lacebite pads or replace the tongues on your current skates so you're able to tie them tighter again and lock in the heels
2. Buy new skates, but try on various brands, models and sizes until you find something that's the right length, depth and locks your heels in well. Then sell your current skates to recoup some of the cost. The good news for you is that Bauer skates are popular and generally retain their value a little better than other brands - if your MX3's are in good condition then upgrading to new skates should be too costly if you can find some on clearance that fit you well.

If you go the new skate route I'd go to a store (or 2 or 3) where you can try on several brands, models and sizes. Even if you have to drive several hours, make sure you can try on as many options as possible. When you've found a few skates that you think fit OK, wear them around the store for 30 minutes or so and pay attention to heel lift, pressure on the tongue and other hot spots. If you can't decide between a couple skates at that point and you're serious about buying that day then ask if it's possible to have the skates baked (especially if they're a skate that's extremely responsive to heat like the Mako).

Thank you so much for the detailed reply althoma1, huge props to you! I've been considering new skates for the last few weeks, I think getting to a couple of stores will be the way to go. All the stores in my area stock the same brands (Bauer, Easton, and limited CCM/Reebok) so we will see how it all goes. Would you suggest to try and use the pencil test I've been reading about or not so much?

Also has anyone heard of many negative reviews about the fit of the bauer skates using the new eyelet system? I'm curious if other people are having the same issues..

[althoma1 575]

Yes, I'd use the pencil test to determine if the depth of the skate is appropriate for your foot, but keep in mind that the critical area is around the 3rd and 4th eyelet from the top (likely around where you're getting lace bite now). Ideally, you'd pass the pencil test through the entire skate, but a skate where you pass in the 3rd/4th eyelet, but fail much lower down can potentially work without causing lacebite.

I know there were recent comments in another thread about the new eyelet system not allowing as much wrap as the traditional system. I don't recall anyone specifically mentioning that this caused lacebite issues though.

Try on every brand and model available in a few sizes and widths (9 is a good starting point, but each skate has a different fit profile and sizing can vary from brand to brand). I'm very happy with the Easton Makos I recently bought and they feel great on my feet; so I'd recommend at least trying those on to see how they feel (it'd be even better if the store was willing to bake them as it's hard to truly judge that skates fit without baking it), but of course another brand and model may work better for your feet.