Junior skates too stiff

[shepfu 0]

I recently bought my son a new pair of CCM JetSpeed junior skates. He is a squirt and plays at the "A" level. He has always worn hand me down skates, both pairs he has used happened to be Bauer Supremes. We got the new CCM skates and the boot is just too stiff for him to skate in. We gave it almost 2 month's and approx 25-30 skates and they were still WAY too stiff. His agility was gone, he was noticeably slower, and his legs were getting tired really fast. We went back to the old skates and he looks like his old self out there. Is this a normal thing or is he just used to skating in already broken in skates. Also I have heard that the Bauer Vapors have a softer shell and are not so stiff. Is that true.

[vinprun71 61]

The Supremes he was given previously, were those top of the line or mid-range skates? Likewise, when you say Jetspeed, are you referring to the top of the line as well?

[shepfu 0]

No the supremes were mid range skates. The Jet Speed were more top end skates.

[EJB 488]

Just as one hockey parent to another, I don't claim to be an expert on this stuff. Just been doing it with my kids for +/- 12 years, so have a little experience.

I'm not 100% clear on the question, if it's can a skate be too stiff for a kid, yes. In fact, I think with kids it's better to error on softer side.

For me, I've always tried to buy level of skate to match their size and strength/power. My experience has always been they grow out of a skate, before they break it down.

With that, my '05 daughter is just over 5' tall & around 100lbs, been playing travel for 3 years, hockey for 6. Currently plays with the boys on a Squirt A team and on girls 12U & 14U teams. She averages 4 practices a week and has played in 10 tournaments this year. She's been wearing Jetspeed 290s the entire season and I feel like I hit a sweet spot with them.

[shepfu 0]

This is my first time buying skates at all. I never skated so I have very little experience. I thought that if I bought a skate that was stiffer it would equal more support and would help his skating. Well just the opposite happened. It looks like I could have saved myself some money and bought the less expensive, softer skate. Now i am stuck trying to sell the 2 month old CCM's for half what i payed and put it towards new, more suitable skates. Do you think it would be a good idea to stick with the Supremes? He really likes them but says he wants to try the Vapors?

[tpedersen3118 58]

I would have agree with EJB's comments above. If your son has been skating in them 2+ months and they still aren't broken in, then yes, they r too stiff. The other thing to remember is that he has been skating in skates that have been broken in by someone else thus expecting a certain level of comfort. If he likes the Supreme fit look at the 160 or 170, Vapor look at the X500, X600, X700, but know they are a different fit than the JetSpeed and Supremes so depending on his foot type they may or may not work. Ultimately he's is going to want to try on as many skates and brands as possible, just stay away from the top end given their stiffness.

[vinprun71 61]

I'd stick with what works. Buy a mid-range Supreme boot. The Jetspeeds are a similar fit, but a stiff boot can definitely negatively impact his skating. If he can't roll his ankle in the boot or flex it, then he's going to skate poorly. The combination of a broken in skate plus less boot is what attributed to his success previously. Now that he's working with a stiffer boot, he's having a hard time with it responding to his skating. He probably doesn't have the strength yet or weight to take advantage of the stiffer boot.

While it sucks, you're going to have to chalk it up, sell them, and start over. As a side note, Vapor skates start out wide at the cap and get narrow until it hits the heel. Think of a V shape. If he was comfortable in a Supreme boot, again, I'd stick with that similar feel (Supreme or Jetspeed). Stick with what works. My suggestion, get him the newer version of the Supreme boot he had. If you post his last model, we can suggest a comparable Supreme boot. That way, you can get his size, bake them, and get him going again.

[shepfu 0]

Thanks for all the advice guys! It really is appreciated. He is currently using the Supreme One.6

[GreatestAmericanBeardo 258]

theres a post here about pitch and radius and hollows and all that fun stuff.

the first thing i see if the difference in brand. i believe the CCMs come with a different radius then Bauer. that could be your first (well, your kid's) problem. it may just take some getting used to. i know when i bought my new CCMs i was asked what i skated on before. luckily, i've always skated CCMs (with a small stint in Langes, which were awesome)

theres a lot of guys no here that can give you a better explanation on all that (or search for the post)

[chromechaser 5]

Thanks for all the advice guys! It really is appreciated. He is currently using the Supreme One.6

the one.6 is a pretty flexible skate. My 12 year old son is about 5'5" and 120 lbs. and recently went from Supreme one.8 (size 7) to Supreme 190 (size 8). That took some adjustment and I'm not sure he wouldn't be better off with a slightly more flexible boot.

[Larry54 243]

Has he tried leaving the top eyelet unlaced? I don't know how it would be for a child, but as an adult when skates started getting stiffer I started lacing them up to the second eyelet. Otherwise, I felt like I was wearing casts. The only reason I lace to the top now is because VH skates are cut lower.

[chromechaser 5]

The Easton M8 might be a great option if the fit is good. Lighter weight, lower cut, flexible boot with great performance features. My son had a pair of the original Mako's that we bought used and his skating had never been better than when he was in those. Unfortunately the ankle padding packed out really quickly and he was getting bruises around both ankles. Should have gone the M8 route this time but found a great deal on the supreme 190's. stupid me. Seriously thinking about getting some Mako 2 or M8's and selling the Bauers.

[vinprun71 61]

Thanks for all the advice guys! It really is appreciated. He is currently using the Supreme One.6

The comparable boot in the most recent line is the Supreme 160. Out of curiousity, what Jetspeed did you get him?

[boo10 323]

Larry54 has it right. First thing you should try is leaving the top eyelet undone. It will feel odd at first, but of he can adapt, it will give him good forward flex, while maintaining more lateral stiffness.

Has he tried leaving the top eyelet unlaced? I don't know how it would be for a child, but as an adult when skates started getting stiffer I started lacing them up to the second eyelet. Otherwise, I felt like I was wearing casts. The only reason I lace to the top now is because VH skates are cut lower.

[shepfu 0]

the one.6 is a pretty flexible skate. My 12 year old son is about 5'5" and 120 lbs. and recently went from Supreme one.8 (size 7) to Supreme 190 (size 8). That took some adjustment and I'm not sure he wouldn't be better off with a slightly more flexible boot.

My son is small for 9 yo. He only weighs 68 lbs. I am pretty sure he is not strong enough or heavy enough to break down a boot like the one he has.

Has he tried leaving the top eyelet unlaced? I don't know how it would be for a child, but as an adult when skates started getting stiffer I started lacing them up to the second eyelet. Otherwise, I felt like I was wearing casts. The only reason I lace to the top now is because VH skates are cut lower.

Yeah we tried leaving the top eyelet unlaced. Also tried leaving the top 2 eyelets unlaced but he still felt like his ankle was in a cast.

The comparable boot in the most recent line is the Supreme 160. Out of curiousity, what Jetspeed did you get him?

Thanks I will check those out. The Jet Speeds were the 271

[vinprun71 61]

Yeah. Those are a little stiffer than what he has I believe. Glad I asked.

[Innocent Bystander 5]

The real conundrum in getting comfortable skates for our kids is that we want a flexible skate that still has the other great features of a top end skate (footbed, tongue, protection, etc). However, it seems as though if you want those features, you need to go top end and that forces you into buying a skate that may be too stiff. It's a trade off, no question. I think the Easton Mako line may be the best compromise for a top end skate that is still flexible.

It's like saying you want navigation in your car, and to get it, you are forced to by a car with all kinds of other doodads that you don't care about.

[MThockeydad 469]

Maybe step him up to the Supreme 170?

They're only one step up from the One.6 and would give him slightly better protection but still reasonable flexibility.

At his weight, he may never break in a really stiff boot, even if he's a strong skater. You just have to compromise on protection.

...why are you upgrading at all? If he can still skate in the One.6, I assume they still fit?

[vinprun71 61]

In addition to what MT said, a Supreme 170 is equivalent to a Jetspeed 260. So as you can see, a Jetspeed 270 is similar to a Supreme 180. Therefore, the Jetspeed he just got is two levels above the One.6 he had. I hope that makes sense.

[moteef17 7]

My '04 peewee is currently in Supreme one60's (yes, 2 series older than the current 160's). Before those skates he was in a Vapor 4.0. As a general rule, I'm purchasing skates for $100 or less and often buy from friends / other contacts around hockey. The Vapor 4.0's were bought on closeout for a great price, and he got about 3 years out of them. He skates about 4-6 hours a week and those 4.0's were scuffed to hell, but still totally functional until he grew out of them. About 2 years ago I came across the Supreme one60's in 2nd-hand store - used perhaps 1 time and barely sharpened. They were his 'next' size up, and bought them for $25 and tossed them in a bin. He started wearing those about 10 months ago and loves the skate. They are stiff enough to offer good protection and after a few key 'punches', felt great around his ankles. He's scuffed the hell out of them, and they certainly look used, but the structure and key elements are all in good shape. He'll use them for another few months at least. Recently I bought a pair of Vapor x60's for $40 from another parent who's kid jumped ahead a full size. At the moment, it doesn't appear to be an issue for him to bounce between the Vapor and Supreme lines with 1-2 years between skate fittings. Eventually he'll probably prefer 1 over the other based on fit and other factors.

But, as 12 yrs old, we're not investing $1000's in skates - we're playing it smart and having fun.

Good luck in your search - hell, look for a pair of one60's on ebay!

[EJB 488]

Vinprun71, I'm not sure that information is correct. Where are you coming up with those comparisons?

[MThockeydad 469]

My '04 peewee is currently in Supreme one60's (yes, 2 series older than the current 160's). Before those skates he was in a Vapor 4.0...The Vapor 4.0's were bought on closeout for a great price, and he got about 3 years out of them.

I can't for the life of me figure out how my girls' skates fit even after their feet grow and they go up sizes in street shoes.

I bought skates for my '01 daughter last season and her street shoes went up 1.5 sizes.

My '03 peewee went up 2 whole sizes in her street shoes, but says her skates fit fine. I had her pull her laces and there's only 1/2 finger behind her heel.

They must have been a bit big and have compressed the padding. No complaints from either and they skate well. haha

[vinprun71 61]

Vinprun71, I'm not sure that information is correct. Where are you coming up with those comparisons?

Referencing both Bauer Supreme and CCM Jetspeed lines in two separate windows for Junior sizes. It appears they're in the similar wheel house. I could be wrong though. That does happen.

[rawkstar 45]

Jetspeed 270 is 5th level down from top of the line (jetspeed, 300, 290, 280, 270)

which is equivalent to Supreme 160 (mx3, 190, 180, 170, 160)

Same price point also, except supremes are discounted now.

[vinprun71 61]

One thing to note is the Jetspeed has a 260 and 250 as well where as the Supreme is left with a 150. There's not the same amount of skates in each line.