Skates for fat guy

[Thunder_Dad 3]

Hello,

I have looked through all the posts and did a search (every possible way to say fat ass essentially)but I haven't seen a thread or post that pertains to my question.

My kid (kids next season when my daughter starts)plays youth hockey and watching him has given me the itch to get some skates again and get out there with him.

I'm 6'3" approx 325 give or take a couple. In the process of dropping about 50 or more. I never played organized hockey except for on the pond as a kid, hell I've never skated on a rink. I also haven't skated in 25+ years so I am going to have to bite the bullet and either take a couple lessons or go to free skate and take my licks.

Here is the question. Do I have to worry about my skates crumbling under my weight? I know I'll have to spend more so I am prepared for that. I'm figuring $300+ and will try for used but with a size 14 wide sneaker, my amount of choices get slimmer.

Ideally I would like to buy soon and start but if I had to wait a little to drop more weight then so be it.

I actually stopped in Pure Hockey today to try some on and the kid was very helpful. He was honest and showed me what would be a good skate for me. It really came down to me asking him to bring out every 12ee he had. He skipped the $600+ plus skates and left it to the elite section they had. He came back with 2. One were some Vapors that I knew weren't going to cut it and some CCM JetSpeeds. I at least got my foot into the CCMs but were slightly tight on the sides. The main concern was that my leg was outside of the lacing holes.

I know it's not ideal but I think I am going to have to go online and just try them that way. I am looking at the RBZ line because they seem to have the widest fit.

I was hoping there may be one or two people out there that are/were in the same boat but any and all opinions or suggestions are appreciated.

[x-axis 44]

You're fine with a middle of the line skate or higher. My coworker is a bigger gentleman at 6'1" 250ish and he had his holders crack in less than 6 months of heavy use. He had a pair of Bauer Vapors that were the 2nd or 3rd from the lowest. Shortly after, he switched out skates after consulting with our manager whose an even bigger guy.

I wouldn't go with used skates. If you can figure out your frequency of use for the skates, that should help you to decide how much to invest.

[IPv6Freely 2093]

One thing worth noting is that even if it doesn't feel like you need it while trying skates on, if you're fat you may want to look at EE width skates. Just because your foot will widen as you step down (unlike skinny people) and you may get arch or outstep pain from it.

Make sure when you're getting fitted that you have them check the width of your foot while standing as well to see how much it changes.

[z1ggy 81]

There's a guy on my team who's shorter than you, but probably in the upper 200's, potentially even 300lb. He's in the older model of Reeboks (before they got taken over by CCM, and changed the foot shape). If you could find a very very lightly used or even a still new pair of those, it's potentially worth checking out.

[sss1987 55]

One thing worth noting is that even if it doesn't feel like you need it while trying skates on, if you're fat you may want to look at EE width skates. Just because your foot will widen as you step down (unlike skinny people) and you may get arch or outstep pain from it.

Make sure when you're getting fitted that you have them check the width of your foot while standing as well to see how much it changes.

Nope this happens with everyone. And a different amount for everyone..

[IPv6Freely 2093]

Yup exactly

[Thunder_Dad 3]

I'm hoping to skate at least once a week at the start. I'm debating on signing up for an adult learn to skate. That is contingent on actually finding skates. Also public skating is $3 and is every day (during work of course) and Sunday for 2 hours. My son goes every Sunday when he' not playing so that gives me opportunity. I'm also hoping that skating and other activity and my better eating will shed the fat. From there I am hoping I'll be a little lighter and play pick up once a week. That is not for awhile though.

I definitely need the EE. Sitting they were tight and standing obviously a little tighter. It was mainly my forefoot that was tight and not my arches or heel.

The length was perfect and I am not sure but I may be able to go to a 11.5 but his main concern was my shin wasn't bulging out of the front but enough to notice. I think going smaller would make that even worse.

I'm going to hit every store I can, it's just finding the time.

[flip12 715]

What about the Nexus line, did you try any of those on? From what I've read they're supposed to be high volume, so you may get a better fit at the ankle.

[Thunder_Dad 3]

That's one I will try on also. He literally brought out the only 2 12s he had that weren't $600+

[MThockeydad 469]

The Bauer Vapor and CCM Jetspeex are not high-volume skates.

Try the Bauer Nexus or CCM Tacks

Or find a store that carries Graf. They seem to have models that fit feet that wont fit any other skate.

Good for you. I'm a dad who started three seasons ago because my kid started playing. I freaking love it.

There was a lady in my adult beginner class who was 300 or so and she shed 50-75# because she wanted to start playing. She got hooked bigtime.

I would argue that hockey is awesome for fitness. It is a great workout and playing is its own reward. Start now.

Good for you. Keep us posted.

[IPv6Freely 2093]

Try the Mako also.

[Goonsquad 209]

I'm hoping to skate at least once a week at the start. I'm debating on signing up for an adult learn to skate. That is contingent on actually finding skates. Also public skating is $3 and is every day (during work of course) and Sunday for 2 hours. My son goes every Sunday when he' not playing so that gives me opportunity. I'm also hoping that skating and other activity and my better eating will shed the fat. From there I am hoping I'll be a little lighter and play pick up once a week. That is not for awhile though.

I definitely need the EE. Sitting they were tight and standing obviously a little tighter. It was mainly my forefoot that was tight and not my arches or heel.

The length was perfect and I am not sure but I may be able to go to a 11.5 but his main concern was my shin wasn't bulging out of the front but enough to notice. I think going smaller would make that even worse.

I'm going to hit every store I can, it's just finding the time.

What about the Nexus line, did you try any of those on? From what I've read they're supposed to be high volume, so you may get a better fit at the ankle.

I was about to say .. Sounds like a Nexus kind of foot. If thats too much room look at the Supremes. the vapors are generally the lower volume of the skates for Bauer

[Thunder_Dad 3]

The Bauer Vapor and CCM Jetspeex are not high-volume skates.

Try the Bauer Nexus or CCM Tacks

Or find a store that carries Graf. They seem to have models that fit feet that wont fit any other skate.

Good for you. I'm a dad who started three seasons ago because my kid started playing. I freaking love it.

There was a lady in my adult beginner class who was 300 or so and she shed 50-75# because she wanted to start playing. She got hooked bigtime.

I would argue that hockey is awesome for fitness. It is a great workout and playing is its own reward. Start now.

Good for you. Keep us posted.

She shed down to 300 or shed 75 from playing. either way that's great.

She shed down to 300 or shed 75 from playing? either way that's great.

[MThockeydad 469]

You know that's the kind of thing you never directly ask a girl?

I think she lost 50 before playing and another 25 during the season.

Hockey was the core of a huge lifestyle change for her. She said it really used to hold her back. Now she's out living life-both on the ice and off it.

You are putting a LOT of weight on your ankles, so a stiff boot will help. Also try to avoid the beginner mistake of skating on the insides of your edges. We can refer you to some good Youtube skating videos to help.

[Thunder_Dad 3]

Try the Mako also.

Not gonna lie, I'm digging those.

You know that's the kind of thing you never directly ask a girl?

I think she lost 50 before playing and another 25 during the season.

Hockey was the core of a huge lifestyle change for her. She said it really used to hold her back. Now she's out living life-both on the ice and off it.

You are putting a LOT of weight on your ankles, so a stiff boot will help. Also try to avoid the beginner mistake of skating on the insides of your edges. We can refer you to some good Youtube skating videos to help.

This is true.

If you can believe it I am about 175 pounds lighter than I was. 8 years ago I went through gastric bypass and got down to 230ish. Gained some back (they "allow" 10% after the whole process) but 3 years ago I blew out my knee playing softball. Some major surgery and the fear of doing again made me stop playing sports and packing on the pounds.

[MThockeydad 469]

Try the Mako

Not gonna lie, I'm digging those.

They seem to have a wide fit range for hard-to-fit feet.

If you can believe it I am about 175 pounds lighter than I was. 8 years ago I went through gastric bypass and got down to 230ish. Gained some back (they "allow" 10% after the whole process) but 3 years ago I blew out my knee playing softball. Some major surgery and the fear of doing again made me stop playing sports and packing on the pounds.

I ain't here to judge you, brother. Hockey is relatively low impact on your joints (with the exception of your shoulders if you slide into the boards)...or your ass when you fall down. haha

You know the way your lungs and heart feel when you run? That good cardio workout? Hockey is as good or better.

Know the way your hips and knees and ankles and feet hurt after you run? Hockey is not like that. :) You'll feel quite a bit of soreness in your hips when you first start out, because you're developing muscles you rarely use...but it's a good sore, not pain.

[Tondog 12]

You're gonna love it and get hooked. While you're starting out....spend as much time as you can afford on the ice doing pickup games or just stick and puck time. You'll get your chops down quicker and get the feel for your skates.

[Thunder_Dad 3]

I can't wait to get out there.

My kid is asking "when are you getting a helmet?" "you should get this..."

He just got a shiny new Bauer 7500 from us and a 1X from his grandfather for his birthday so he thinks I should be getting the same.

[fbvnyc 12]

I commonly see overweight players in the Nexus line.

[Thunder_Dad 3]

I went to the Own The Moment Bauer store here in MA today. I got fitted with some Nexus. Fit great and after they heated them up they felt even better.

It's funny how different places get different sizes from each other. First place had me at a 10.5 and not wide. The second hade me at 11 and wide. Bauer had me at a 11.5 but tried me in an 11 which my toes touched the end more than they should have.

[The_Owl 1]

Nope this happens with everyone. And a different amount for everyone..

Exactly. The title of this feed is awesome btw

[fbvnyc 12]

I went to the Own The Moment Bauer store here in MA today. I got fitted with some Nexus. Fit great and after they heated them up they felt even better.

It's funny how different places get different sizes from each other. First place had me at a 10.5 and not wide. The second hade me at 11 and wide. Bauer had me at a 11.5 but tried me in an 11 which my toes touched the end more than they should have.

Glad the Nexus worked. They have the most volume to accomidate a thicker foot.

[Thunder_Dad 3]

Yeah I like them. I can't use them for another couple weeks till my class starts.

Now that I have the skates covered, I have been trying to pick up things piece by piece for when I start the adult instructional hockey in December.

[IPv6Freely 2093]

Yeah I like them. I can't use them for another couple weeks till my class starts.

Now that I have the skates covered, I have been trying to pick up things piece by piece for when I start the adult instructional hockey in December.

Helmet is second most important bit :)

[Thunder_Dad 3]

I had a helmet before skates :)