Buying new skates

[tcc 9]

Hey everyone. Looking at getting new skates to replace my old school bauer supreme comps and have narrowed it down to supreme 190, supreme matrix, vapor x900, and vapor x shift pro.

Does anyone here have any feedback with these skates?

Is it worth it to get the higher models over the "amped up" lower ones?

I play 2-3 times a week if that helps :)

tia

[Dizzyg12 27]

What size? I'm selling brand new x900s in a 7D.

[tcc 9]

Actually not sure. The current ones I have are 8.5D I believe.

[strosedefence34 176]

I have 190s and love them. It really comes down to which ones fit your foot the best. Go try on as many skates in your price range, and walk around in each pair for a while. Grab the ones that feel the best on your feet.

[althoma1 575]

Hey everyone. Looking at getting new skates to replace my old school bauer supreme comps and have narrowed it down to supreme 190, supreme matrix, vapor x900, and vapor x shift pro.

Does anyone here have any feedback with these skates?

Is it worth it to get the higher models over the "amped up" lower ones?

I play 2-3 times a week if that helps :)

tia

If you're playing 2-3 times a week the n getting something in the mid-high end range makes sense. I think all the skates you've listed meet that critera; so buy the ones that fit your feet the best. Try on multiple sizes and spend a good 20 minutes walking around in the sizes that feel right to see if there's pain, pressure points or heel lift. You can also do some lunges with the skate and skating type motions to really test the heal lock.

Beyond the skates you've listed I'd try on other brands and models if you haven't already. Don't only focus on one brand like Bauer as CCM or Easton skates may be a better fit for your foot. I see you're in Toronto - it's very easy to find Bauer and CCM skates in Toronto, but more challenging to find the Easton Mako line. In the Mako line (there's a huge thread on them here and most people love them; I wear them and also love them) the second from the top of the line M8 is in the price range you're looking at with a $599 MSRP. I do know of a couple stores in the GTA that have the top of the line Mako 2 for less than that though.

Here are the stores that I know carry the Mako line:

• Sport Chek Leaside (full MSRP the last time I was in there and I only saw the Mako 2 and not M8 - they fit the same though) - this is the only Sport Chek in the GTA that I know of that carries the Makos.
• Just Hockey Source for Sports on Don Mills Rd (also full MSRP, but I believe they carry both the Mako 2 and M8)
• Majer Hockey (same as above)
• Corbett's Source for Sports in Oakville (have an ad on Kijiji advertising the top of the line Mako 2 for $499...could be worth a trip to Oakville if you end up going with the Makos)
• Pro Hockey Life (only Mako 2 - have them listed on their site for $549. Limited sizes and mostly online only)
• HockeySupremacy.com based out of Montreal carries the Mako 2 and M8 and has them listed at full MSRP, but has a 20% off sale code for most items on the site right now and have free shipping for orders over $149. They'll also have the original Mako for $199 with free shipping as part of their boxing day sale, but have very limited sizes left (some people had some ankle and durability issues with the originals - they added more ankle padding and made the heel out of more durable material with the Mako 2. With that said, I've had the originals since March and have used them extensively and have not had ankle issues or them crack.)
• I'm guessing Duke's may have them as well since most Source locations seem to carry them, but have not confirmed this in person.
• None of the National Sports or Play it again locations I've been to in the GTA carry the Mako line.

You obviously don't have to buy Makos, but I think you should try as many brands and models as possible and the Makos are a unique skate that's definitely worth trying (there's a whole thread with more details). Since you mention some Source specific SMU skates I'm guessing you're looking at a Source location anyway - most of them carry the Mako (the exception is the Just Hockey on Steeles that has the lease expiring; I stopped there last week to see if there were Makos on clearance and there were none to be found); so you should be able to try them on. All the stores that carry Makos also have an extensive selection of CCM and Bauer skate models.

[tcc 9]

Wow, thanks for all that info althoma1. Appreciate it.

I know you're not suppose to base you're purchase on looks but never thought the mako's were "sharp". You'll be spending some time with them on so I think you should like how they look. But that's just me :)

I think my only two options for places which have the above skates are either Just Hockey or National, with national having both the 190's and x900. Pro hockey life (vaughan) doesn't have the x900.

Now just depends which place has the best Boxing Day sale :)

[Dizzyg12 27]

Wow, thanks for all that info althoma1. Appreciate it.

I know you're not suppose to base you're purchase on looks but never thought the mako's were "sharp". You'll be spending some time with them on so I think you should like how they look. But that's just me :)

I think my only two options for places which have the above skates are either Just Hockey or National, with national having both the 190's and x900. Pro hockey life (vaughan) doesn't have the x900.

Now just depends which place has the best Boxing Day sale :)

Looks are 80% of my game.

The 190s and 900s are the same tier of skate and share some features (holders, steel) so I would definitely go where you can try them both. I didn't get along with the fit of the 900s but the 190s were a much better fit. I also tried the 800s and although the boot is technically the same construction, it was softer due to less materials/layers being used. So the 800 for better to me than the 900 but still wasn't the fit I was after.

Try on as many as you can really. That's the best thing you can do.

[tcc 9]

Would you guys ever consider the amped up versions (matrix, x shift pro)?

[flip12 717]

I know you're not suppose to base you're purchase on looks but never thought the mako's were "sharp". You'll be spending some time with them on so I think you should like how they look. But that's just me :)

A lot of people feel the same, I imagine. But isn't it possible that the look could grow on you? If it feels amazing on your foot, I imagine you'd appreciate the look a lot more after building that relationship with the design.

I was annoyed every time I walked by Wassily Chairs before I finally thought of sitting in one. The moment I sat down, I was immediately convinced by their comfort and my opinion of their appearance was completely reversed.

[seangriffin 0]

Would you guys ever consider the amped up versions (matrix, x shift pro)?

I've been sportin' the matrix for just over a year, I'm a fan because of the 190 features EXCEPT for the floppy tendon guard, those didn't feel right for me at all (also heard that the matrix was a result of pro requests for stiff-backed 190s). They've worn well, took a nasty cut to one inside quarter about a month in but no structural issues so far and I'm on them quite a bit, 3 times a week playing and another 2-3 coaching. Recommended here.

[althoma1 575]

Just noticed in the Sport Chek Dec 26-28 flyer that they have the Bauer Supreme 190s for $349. That sale ends today, but if that model fits your foot that seems to be a good price. If you use a team assist coupon book you could potentially save another $20 (there's a $20 off $100 in that book) and grab some Scene points as well. It's only a good deal if they fit you well of course and I'd still recommend trying various brands and models. I just know that's one model you were considering.

[EJB 488]

Just noticed in the Sport Chek Dec 26-28 flyer that they have the Bauer Supreme 190s for $349. That sale ends today, but if that model fits your foot that seems to be a good price. If you use a team assist coupon book you could potentially save another $20 (there's a $20 off $100 in that book) and grab some Scene points as well. It's only a good deal if they fit you well of course and I'd still recommend trying various brands and models. I just know that's one model you were considering.

Bauer Supreme 190's for $350 is a steal if they fit. I'd buy them today if I could, that's a steal.

[tcc 9]

Wow, that is a good deal. But probably wouldn't have had my size and the only place that would have sold them would be Leaside.

In the end I ended up trying the 190 and jetspeed. The x900 are too narrow for my foot. The 190 fit me the best and that's what I went with. Although I still got a pretty good deal, sport chek would've been sweeter.

When I got home and compared it to my current skates I was blown away with the difference in weight (night and day). I was probably working twice as hard and wasn't getting the foot/ankle support I needed. Can't wait to try these out.

Thanks everyone for your advice and input.

[tcc 9]

Just a quick update.

Was finally able to try the 190's at a game Friday. Stepped onto the ice and was totally suprised at how light they were. Weighing them in my hands were one thing but actually skating with them is totally different. Remember....I had 10+ year old skates so this was a holy sh$t moment...lol

As the game progressed I tried to get used to them. Fell down a couple of times...lol but at times too I felt a bit off balance (rocking back). By the third period my right foot was beginning to hurt (I have a bump near the back of my arch (Accessory navicular bone)). All in all I'm happy with them. But with the two issues I'm having, balance and pain, would these solve them:

1) apparently supremes have a 10' radius. Would getting a 9/10 combo profile and getting it pitched forward help?

2) the skates were baked when I purchased them at my LHS so I had in mind that it would help with that bump. A buddy of mine suggested heating up that inside area with a hair dryer on high heat and bump it out a bit with the butt end of a screwdriver or my thumb. Or should I bake that problem boot again? Or wait and skate a few more times before I try anything? Oh and just a note, I put in superfeet afterwards. Would this change the way my foot sat in the boot after baking at my LHS since the stock insole was used?

tia

[Vet88 674]

If you want to see what a pitch forward will be like try to put a little wedge of 1mm - 2mm under the heel of the superfeet then go for a skate. Experiment with different thicknesses and then this will give you a guideline as to how much heel lift / pitch your are after and you can either get your blades profiled or have a heel wedge added.

As to the bump, get the skate punched asap. Your LHS should be able to do it or I do it myself with these tools:

a c-clamp, steel kitchen measuring spoons (add a leather or cardboard ring to them to stop them pressing an outline in the boot) and a little rock that is a D shape and taped to the head portion of the c-clamp.

Heat helps but you don't need it if you do this over a couple of days, just wind the c clamp in a little bit each day and night..

You should rebake if you add superfeet, the volume and foot position changes when you put these in from stock insoles.

[tcc 9]

Thank you so much for the info vet88.

I only added the superfeet recently to see if it gave me more support in the arch since I wear custom orthotics in my regular shoes. I'm gonna try the stock footbeds and see if that helps any with the bump since the boot was baked with them in. If not I was reading good things about SIDAS or Foot Balance since they are molded and more custom compared to the universal fit of superfeet.

What's your thought on combo profile of 9/10 compared to either strictly a 9 or 10?

[tcc 9]

Update:

So I decided to go custom in the footbed and got fitted with sidas. The best decision I made. The arches are better supported. I also have an accessory navicular bone on my right foot and this has helped a lot. Got fitted with stable 26 too to help with the bone issue. Now my feet are no longer hurting after games where before the bone and feet would start to hurt half way through a game.

Next is figuring out if I need a pitch forward or a combo profile as I'm still feeling back on my heels a bit.