first skates

[Amazinmets73 70]

Hello all, I'm an adult male who's interested in learning to ice skate (and possible play ice hockey in the future if I achieve sufficient proficiency.) I have a max budget of $125 for my first pair of skates, and have been browsing the Web for deals.

I'm 5'11" and fluctuate between 165 to 170

I wear size 12 or 12.5 in sneakers

Here's what I've found so far:

Reebok ribcor 26k $103

CCM RBZ 70 $100

Easton stealth 65s $100

Reebok ribcor 24k $65

Sorry for lack of links, but for some reason my phone won't c&p

Any other perspective skates or reviews of what I've listed?

[IPv6Freely 2100]

Whatever fits your foot the best.

[Amazinmets73 70]

So you recommend buying from a b&m where I can try on before purchasing?

[jonesy9020 77]

So you recommend buying from a b&m where I can try on before purchasing?

If that is an option for you, that's always much better than buying by guesswork. You can also get much better skates than that for not much extra money. Where are you located?

[DirtyDangle 7]

That; or go in and try on a few different pairs, get fit correctly then buy online (but that's kind of rude). Most b&m stores will price match, not only with other stores but webstores as well, best of both worlds.

10 times out of 10 you'll skate better with a $100 pair of skates that fit vs a $800 pair that don't.

[Amazinmets73 70]

If that is an option for you, that's always much better than buying by guesswork. You can also get much better skates than that for not much extra money. Where are you located?

I live in Philadelphia

[jonesy9020 77]

Me too. Check out Total Hockey in North Wales or Hockey Giant in Cherry Hill. Both have a huge selection and will help you get the right fit.

[shoot_the_goalie 282]

Yes. Skates are very finicky. I will never buy a pair of skates online, unless its the exact same model/year/size of a pair that I've skated in before. Since this is your first foray into buying hockey skates, I highly suggest getting properly fitted by a knowledgeable shop even if it means you have to spend a little more. A lot of the LHS will be competitive in pricing with the online stores, plus, they'll bake your skate for free (though this might not apply to you if you are buying a lower tier skate), and also give you an initial sharpening (or more) for free as well.

I highly suggest:

-do a search and become knowledgable on how a skate should fit (i.e. volume/length pencil tests, feathering the toe cap, etc) and what you should look for in skates (stiffness, thermoforming, etc.) - I believe the user AIREAYE has a great guide about this on the forums somewhere.

-go to a shop that has a wide variety of skates in lots of different sizes.

-find a salesperson who knows what they're doing. How do figure that out? Look for signs. Once you know the general guidelines to fit a skate, they'll end up repeating a lot of those same guidelines to you. If they just talk about a popular brand/bestseller, or they just ask you for your shoe size (but don't actually measure your foot), go somewhere else. These are just examples.

Remember though. A skate fitter is only as good as the responses you give them since they can't see your foot in the boot. So you do need to do a little homework before you go.

Hope this helps.

[Amazinmets73 70]

I tried on some skates today. CCMs RBZ series were way too wide for my feet, whereas Bauers Vapor series fit snugly. However, these skates weren't offered at a discount and I balked at paying full retail price.

[Amazinmets73 70]

The Hockey Giant employee said I had narrow feet and skates such as CMM and Reebok run wide and wouldn't fit. He recommended I stick to Bauer or Easton

[Amazinmets73 70]

I tried on the Makos and Graf 703s regular. They fit like a glove, but unfortunately out of my price range.

I can grab the graf 705s narrow for 205$, but the employee said they wouldn't have as good a fit as the 703s regular.

Meh, maybe I'll just have to bite the bullet. I'm triple socking the vapors just so I'm not swimming in the boot

[Justin 1933 134]

Don't wear more then one pair of socks ever. You will get blisters. Use as thin of sock as you can for the best fit.

[Amazinmets73 70]

Don't wear more then one pair of socks ever. You will get blisters. Use as thin of sock as you can for the best fit.

If I don't multiple sock my current skates I'm swimming in them and can barely stand up straight

[Justin 1933 134]

If that is the case, your skates are way to big on you. You really should look at picking up a pair that fits. It will make your time on the ice more enjoyable.

Good luck,