looking for new skates (need some serious help)

[jazz4all 9]

okay im looking for a new skates under $300 (around $200 will be great). my current skates were NBH supreme one75 (for ice) and reebok platinum (converted for inline). really messed up the size since there's no LHS here (i'm in indonesia)

luckily i was able to try graf g35 and 20k from my friends and i found out that my correct size is 7E. looking for 30k ribcor but size 7 were already sold out. kinda interested with graf but the toecap just too narrow even on 7W. and now i'd like to ask you guys about easton stealth RS and ccm RBZ since nobody here using those. hockeymonkey got a nice price for these two but im not sure about how the skates will fit me. and also i've read that these skates have some issues.

To anyone that actually wears these skates, any info about the fit (and comparison to rbk) and issues will be really appreciated. THX!! (sorry for my bad english)

[chippa13 1844]

I've been in a pair of Easton RS for over 1 and 1/2 years with zero durability issues playing twice a week.

[Vet88 674]

luckily i was able to try graf g35 and 20k from my friends and i found out that my correct size is 7E.

Hmm, I'm not sure you have been fitted correctly if you find this is the case. I've had both skates and for the correct length I needed a 6 in Rbk and a 6.5 in G35. If you are fitting into a size 7 Graf then I suspect you are a 6.5 (or smaller) in a Rbk.

To find out if a skate fits you for length when trying it on you should: pull the laces out, pull the tongue right out, foot into the boot and toes brushing the toe cap, see if you can fit a pencil down the back of your heel between your heel and the boot. If the pencil slides down your heel then the skate is too long for you. Ideally you should have no more than a 2mm gap between the back of your heel and the boot. Once you get the length right then you can check for volume, heel lock, width and overall fit. With width, skates can be punched and widened.

[Cosmic 178]

Easton Mako I on clearance. Toe cap is pretty wide and anatomical, especially in EE.

[jazz4all 9]

Hmm, I'm not sure you have been fitted correctly if you find this is the case. I've had both skates and for the correct length I needed a 6 in Rbk and a 6.5 in G35. If you are fitting into a size 7 Graf then I suspect you are a 6.5 (or smaller) in a Rbk.

To find out if a skate fits you for length when trying it on you should: pull the laces out, pull the tongue right out, foot into the boot and toes brushing the toe cap, see if you can fit a pencil down the back of your heel between your heel and the boot. If the pencil slides down your heel then the skate is too long for you. Ideally you should have no more than a 2mm gap between the back of your heel and the boot. Once you get the length right then you can check for volume, heel lock, width and overall fit. With width, skates can be punched and widened.

in my case, i've tried graf size 8, 7.5 and 7. 7 fit me better but the toe cap is no go. with rbk i can feel only my 2nd toe lightly touchiing the toecap (is this the correct way?)

I've been in a pair of Easton RS for over 1 and 1/2 years with zero durability issues playing twice a week.

how's the fit compared to supreme or rbk? i found a video on youtube that the guy uses the same size in both RS and 18k, i wonder if the fit and length were the same.

Easton Mako I on clearance. Toe cap is pretty wide and anatomical, especially in EE.

mako is interesting but its beyond my budget at the moment. and i also noticed that the boot is somewhat really soft? correct me if im wrong

[Vet88 674]

in my case, i've tried graf size 8, 7.5 and 7. 7 fit me better but the toe cap is no go. with rbk i can feel only my 2nd toe lightly touchiing the toecap (is this the correct way?)

It depends on where your heel is. If you have jammed it hard into the pocket and your toe is brushing the toe cap and the skates are new then this is about near on perfect as the heel liner should compress by 1mm - 2mm with use.

I know the Supreme and Rbk line fit similar for length BUT note that a D width is slightly shorter than a EE width. I've never tried on the RS but other Easton skates I have had prior to the Mako line were a similar length to Supremes, fit (Rbk one of the widest, Supreme anatomical, Easton narrow heel to wide forefoot) is totally different though.

[Cosmic 178]

in my case, i've tried graf size 8, 7.5 and 7. 7 fit me better but the toe cap is no go. with rbk i can feel only my 2nd toe lightly touchiing the toecap (is this the correct way?)

how's the fit compared to supreme or rbk? i found a video on youtube that the guy uses the same size in both RS and 18k, i wonder if the fit and length were the same.

mako is interesting but its beyond my budget at the moment. and i also noticed that the boot is somewhat really soft? correct me if im wrong

Ah yes, I cannot believe that Mako is still listed at $400 on HM. I think they had a flash sale a month or two ago when you could have grabbed it for about $250, after the mark-down. Anyway, yes the boot is a bit soft, in certain places. The theory is that it is still where you need it (I believe in the forefoot), and then it gives a bit in the ankle.

So yes, with Mako, you can definitely flex the part of the boots that wraps the ankle, if you just choke it with your hands. However, down by where the boot wraps your forefoot, it is solid as any skate.

I'd reckon we may know each other- I play a bit in JKT also.

[IPv6Freely 2096]

The mako is still where it needs to be and flexible where you want it to be. Just squeezing the boot isn't a good indication with them.

[PSUIcersAlum 1]

My advice is to always try on as many brands as possible. I used to love my bauers, but realized how much better Reeboks (now CCM) fits!

[jonesy9020 77]

Stealth RS is a solid skate IMO, but never really caught on because it was noticeably heavier and more traditional than other skates at a comparable price point when it first came out. There have been some reports of durability issues but I think for the average user they will work fine. I recommend going up half a size in them from the reeboks.

It's hard to say specifically how they'll fit you. They're a medium volume, medium width skate, but I found they put a lot of pressure on the outer edge of my foot. You're always better off trying them on, but if you're trying to hedge your bets online, 7.5 wide is probably your best bet.

Graf also generally fits a half size larger than reebok, so that's why the 7s might feel small/tight. You need a 7.5.

RBZ will fit a half size smaller, and you might want to consider dropping down to a D width, as they're pretty wide.