New skate questions

[DRR 112]

I'm looking to get a new pair of skates in the next couple of months and am looking for recommendations.

Background -

I'm a former high school player with 1 year of college club hockey. I am 6'0 and 165# and a good skater.

My best fitting skate was the Mega 1090. (Canstar size 8D)

After that I had a Bauer Vapor 8 (8D) and a Bauer Vapor 10 (with the perf steel, also size 8D)

Took a break from hockey in about 2003.

Fast forward to now, my Vapor 10's are still good but I have minor problems with them. Holders had been re-riveted and are now coming loose again. Also, my right little toe is feeling a little cramped. Stitching is coming apart above the top eyelets a little. All of these are fixable problems but since these are 10+ year old skates I thought I'd look at new.

Some questions first,

1) When my daughter was trying on skates at Sports Authority, I pulled down some Vapor x500s and tried them on for fun. I was surprised to find the 7.5D fit much better than the 8D. Has Bauer changed their last for the Vapor line recently? I have always been a Canstar/Bauer 8D in their thinner boot line and was a little surprised when the x500 8D didn't fit.

2) Would you say materials/weight/construction of skates in the last 10 years would make this a worthwhile upgrade? I'm playing rec league about 2x a week. (Sometimes once, sometimes 3x, depending on the schedule)

3) I'm thinking of checking out the Bauer Vapor x700 and possibly the Supreme 180 to compare fit. Also I hear the Mako IIs are on clearance at LHS? (I'm local to a Pure Hockey). Any other skates that may fit my foot well (based on past skates?)

4) My right outside heel has a bone that sticks out more than normal. This has in the past made breaking in skates a fairly painful process. I'm hoping new materials and heat molding will make this process a little better this time around?

Any advice/suggestions appreciated. I'll get fitted at my LHS but I want to be as prepared as possible (especially since i'm not so familiar with the new skates) when I get there.

[Zorlac 22]

As nearly ANYONE on this forum will tell you..

Try on as many skates as you can, starting with your last size as a reference. Toes grazing the cap, tight fit. Buy the most affordable skate you can, as you won't regret it. High school hockey and a year of college hockey? You may be disappointed in the performance of

the X500. It's a $200 skate no matter how you look at it. X700 and 180s are both a better choice for your skill level. Remember, 2 or 3 times a week on the ice is a lot. Be kind to your feet, they'll thank you for it. :)

[mickz 107]

I've gone down in Bauer sizing over the years. I still have a pair of Vapor 10 that are size 8.0D.

More recently, my last 3 pairs of skates have been 7.5D Supremes (Total One, NXG and MX3). The Total One and NXG both felt very similar but I feel I can almost go down to a 7.0D in the MX3. If you have issues with the heel you can always have it punched out.

[Zorlac 22]

Strange how the Supreme fits LONGER than the vapor huh Mickz? my 6.5 vapors fit perfect, but I have extra room in length in the 6.5 Supreme MX3.