Skate Fit Comparable to Reebok 20K

[kesamj 6]

I'm a fairly new player so I don't have experience with a lot of different skates.

My first pair ever was a low end Bauer Supreme which I wasn't crazy about but I knew very little about skates at the time. I was told to consider upgrading to a stiffer boot due to my weight and I ended up in the 20K which have been great. I assumed that I could move to the CCM 50K but when I tried it on it felt more narrow and was a bit snug on my forefoot.

Are there any currently produced skates with a fit similar to the 20K? There aren't any LHS particularly close so by I'd like to have a list of skates to try to on to make sure they have them in stock before I make the trip.

Thanks!

[Vet88 674]

The 20k and prior models were a large fit, the new ribcor line changed to the narrowest heel in the ccm range and slightly narrower forefoot. Wide heel and forefoot look at nexus or RBZ's (if they still have them). But you are finding it only a little bit narrower on the forefoot and your heel still fits? If so stay in that boot and get the forefoot stretched (or do it at home yourself for about $20 of tools), heel lock + the pump is a really good start. Heel fit is a good place to begin and suggesting a boot is dependent on a narrow / medium or wide heel fit.

[Davideo 99]

1 hour ago, Vet88 said:

... If so stay in that boot and get the forefoot stretched (or do it at home yourself for about $20 of tools), heel lock + the pump is a really good start. ...

I've done DIY boot punching, but not stretching. With what sort of tools/setup can this be done for $20 bucks?

And to the OP, I skate in a mid-range RBK pump skate with good heel lock and slightly tight forefoot. I used RBZ's for a season and while the forefoot width was pretty good I struggled with heel lock. Based on my experience, I would not recommend it if the RBK 20K fits well.

[Vet88 674]

53 minutes ago, Davideo said:

I've done DIY boot punching, but not stretching. With what sort of tools/setup can this be done for $20 bucks?

Here is a post I made with the tools I used and various pics of a spot punch and a stretch: a frame made from wood cut offs, 2 c clamps and some garden scavaging for the right shaped stones. Lately with added c clamps I've done stretches and punches in the heel area for haglunds bumps and other heel issues, the heel is really hard to work with and ideally I should make up a wrap around template so the heel shape is held better but i use what I have and it works.

 

[Davideo 99]

Thanks! I think I'll try stretch out the forefoot a bit.

[kesamj 6]

17 hours ago, Vet88 said:

The 20k and prior models were a large fit, the new ribcor line changed to the narrowest heel in the ccm range and slightly narrower forefoot. Wide heel and forefoot look at nexus or RBZ's (if they still have them). But you are finding it only a little bit narrower on the forefoot and your heel still fits? If so stay in that boot and get the forefoot stretched (or do it at home yourself for about $20 of tools), heel lock + the pump is a really good start. Heel fit is a good place to begin and suggesting a boot is dependent on a narrow / medium or wide heel fit.

The heel on the 20K is great so I'd like to stay as close to that as possible. I honestly don't remember how the heel felt in the 50K because I was so focused on the forefoot. I'll give them another shot. Does having skates baked have any effect on forefoot width or is stretching them the only option?

 

[Kgbeast 195]

Baking does not affect with of the  boot. It just change curvature a little to hug the foot better. You have to use something harder than foot to improve on width. I have used a 25' tape measure and pressed it in the boot with a c-clamp while the heating the sore spot with a heat-gun. Leave the tape in for over night and there is an improvement. The tape measure fitted just right into my left Graf 535S which had a sore spot just in front of the arch on the outer side. Obviously, it depends on the size. I think using the Vet88 method, although more involved, is a more of a precise method and most importantly, size independent.   

[Vet88 674]

Baking can change the width, it depends on the boot, Mako and, Alkalis are the boots that come to mind that will open up from a D to over a EE by baking and putting your foot into them. For the 50k's the bake will help but eventually you may need a stretch. I can't say for sure as I haven't worked on any 50k's but jetspeeds and tacks I have done needed a stretch.

[kesamj 6]

I went ahead and got the 50Ks and I'm wondering if I'm going to miss out on anything if I don't bake them. Does this particular skate change shape very much from heat molding? I haven't skated on them yet but they're not uncomfortable wearing around the house. My old 20Ks which were never baked. I don't mind breaking them in "old school" but if there's anything to be gained from baking aside from a shorter break-in  time then I may look in to it.

Thanks!

[Vet88 674]

The ribcor was the softest boot CCM made in those lines (ribcor / jetspeed / tacks). Some people have a foot that fits a boot fine and no baking is needed but with the materials that the latest generation boots are made from (eg carbon fibre) baking is recommended. As well as helping shape the boot around the forefoot it can help to wrap the boot around the top of the foot and ankle area. But as I said earlier, some people have feet that are very close to the mold they used to build the boot so go for a skate and see how they fit.