Skate sizing help

[Redandy 0]

Does anybody have any idea how much of a difference there will be in depth terms between a size 8.5ee and 9.0ee CCM super tacks?

[Vet88 674]

It's not much, around 2mm at most. If you are buying a larger size to address volume but getting a boot that is a larger width, length and heel pocket then you are buying it for all the wrong reasons.

[Redandy 0]

I posted before I had a chance to trace around my feet again. Sadly I have awkward feet. I have one foot one size and the other foot half a size bigger. Sadly both feet fail the pencil test in the 8.5ee and I'm not sure they would pass on a 9.0ee. but I'll be trying on the 9.0ee tomorrow seeing as though its cheaper to drive the long trip to the shop than post a return

[althoma1 575]

If you're looking at paying full price on something like the Super Tacks and have two different sized feet then you should really consider going the True/VH route. For about the same price they'll build boots based on your scans and/or measurements. So you'll get two different sized boots with the right depth for your feet for around the same price as a pair of Super Tacks.

[Vet88 674]

OP, not wanting to have a dig at you but ffs, you are looking to spend significant money on a pair of retail skates that 1: is guaranteed to be too long for one foot and 2: is going to be marginal for volume???? Pardon me whilst I go find a brick wall to bash my head against.....

As althoma said, given your foot requirements then True is one choice that should be top of your list - width, volume, length etc for both feet, ticks all the boxes you are after. Or Verbero as I see you can buy skates in different sizes from them but whether or not a Verbero will fit your foot shape is another matter. Or CCM customs if you can afford them and find somewhere to get a foot scan done.

[Redandy 0]

I'm not paying full price for the tacks thats why I ordered online (incase they sold out and based on first measurements) they're costing $518 (exchange rate I'm in the UK) VH skates over would cost considerable more for the boot before I add a holder and blade to it. And then there is the possibility of import taxes. I do not know anywhere that sells Verbero. Based on my measurements I should be in tacks but my awkward feet seem to not want to. But as I said I will be going to the shop I'll try on other sizes to see what they fit like. I will not be purchasing skates that are not right and uncomfortable as that's the reason I'm buying new skates. Otherwise my NXG's would still be good. It's only because I've lost alot of weight and my shoe size has dropped that meant my current skates are too big 

[Vet88 674]

Then I sympathise as I'm in the same boat. I'm in NZ with even less options than the UK. But by the looks of it there are 3 custom fitting centers in the UK for True

https://www.true-hockey.com/find-a-retailer/?location=United Kingdom&location_id=ChIJqZHHQhE7WgIReiWIMkOg-MQ&skate=false

Yes you will pay import taxes and top dollar but for skates that are custom measured and made for your odd shaped feet then.... Otherwise all I can suggest is research the hell out of any skate you are looking to buy. btw congrats on dropping weight, add some hard ice training to that and it will go a long way to keeping it off 

[althoma1 575]

8 hours ago, Redandy said:

I'm not paying full price for the tacks thats why I ordered online (incase they sold out and based on first measurements) they're costing $518 (exchange rate I'm in the UK) VH skates over would cost considerable more for the boot before I add a holder and blade to it. And then there is the possibility of import taxes. I do not know anywhere that sells Verbero. Based on my measurements I should be in tacks but my awkward feet seem to not want to. But as I said I will be going to the shop I'll try on other sizes to see what they fit like. I will not be purchasing skates that are not right and uncomfortable as that's the reason I'm buying new skates. Otherwise my NXG's would still be good. It's only because I've lost alot of weight and my shoe size has dropped that meant my current skates are too big 

You can get Verbero directly on their site (hockeymonkey also carries some Verbero skates too, but I don't know if they offer the "custom" option). There wouldn't be anywhere to try them on in Europe so that's definitely a gamble, but they do make it possible to order two different sized skates for each foot with their custom Vortex II skates and are much cheaper than the True skates. They just aren't built completely off your measurements. They do have a sizing document you can print though to try to determine your size: https://www.verbero.com/collections/custom/products/vortex-ii-custom-ice-skate

 

 

[Playmakersedge 58]

On 12/8/2017 at 4:28 AM, Redandy said:

I posted before I had a chance to trace around my feet again. Sadly I have awkward feet. I have one foot one size and the other foot half a size bigger. Sadly both feet fail the pencil test in the 8.5ee and I'm not sure they would pass on a 9.0ee. but I'll be trying on the 9.0ee tomorrow seeing as though its cheaper to drive the long trip to the shop than post a return

Try a jet speed  I think it will come higher on your  foot and give you a better wrap  . The tack boot is very boxy   I caught a hockey tutorial after another video That he was showing  Bota or Bato was the name.  Made in check . Gorgeous skate , fit finish etc . Was cheap  255 Euro 

[Playmakersedge 58]

On 12/9/2017 at 12:16 PM, althoma1 said:

You can get Verbero directly on their site (hockeymonkey also carries some Verbero skates too, but I don't know if they offer the "custom" option). There wouldn't be anywhere to try them on in Europe so that's definitely a gamble, but they do make it possible to order two different sized skates for each foot with their custom Vortex II skates and are much cheaper than the True skates. They just aren't built completely off your measurements. They do have a sizing document you can print though to try to determine your size: https://www.verbero.com/collections/custom/products/vortex-ii-custom-ice-skate

 

 

There are some verbero at sideline that are pro return 

[Playmakersedge 58]

Also enabay I have been seeing VH and verbero for ale 

Fit finish an structure  that Bota skat was good.  You can just see the quality work support  . They are probably on the heavy side but those skates  will be able to dig hard 

[Playmakersedge 58]

Also enabay I have been seeing VH and verbero for ale 

Fit finish an structure  that Bota skat was good.  You can just see the quality work

[Redandy 0]

Sadly the cheap super tacks were not an option. So they were returned in store. 

Managedto hop on the Bauer scanner while I was there. Basically it's my instep that screws me over. Leaving me with only the Nexus line for Bauer. As for a CCM alternative I was told there wasn't one as CCM had changed the fit profile on their skates for this current line up. 

I'll check out bota but I've never heard of them before. So thank you for the recommendation. 

I reckon I'm more likely to go for the n9000 one step down but a massive drop in price. And for the level I play i reckon it will be more than enough

[Playmakersedge 58]

You are welcome, no big deal.  The hockey tutorial dude Chris did a video comparing skates and the Botas* was one of them .  Look into it . I really liked it.  When I did the search for the brand the site was in Czechoslovakia . So do your home work on your sizing. The fit is supposed to be like the nexus line. 255 in that currency I don't know what it is in exchange rate.  

 Another way to think about skates as a adult rec league player is an investment , if you buy your self a pair of custom VH skates, or Bauer they will be built exactly to your feet and skate fitment issues are over for every.  

Another thing I would try is skating bare foot . I do ,, and what it does is makes things feel more positive like the foot doesn't slip it sticks to the boot.  With socks I feel like my foot is sliding in the skate.     Graf has a skate model that is designed for your style foot . West Side Skate and Stick has a cache of Graf skates speak to David.  The dude is no b s  kind of guy that tells you straight.  I can't remember the model  graf 703 comes to mind but I would do your home work.  There is a graf fit chart that I looked at last night while trying to best advise another mhs member 

[psulion22 402]

2 hours ago, Redandy said:

Sadly the cheap super tacks were not an option. So they were returned in store. 

Managedto hop on the Bauer scanner while I was there. Basically it's my instep that screws me over. Leaving me with only the Nexus line for Bauer. As for a CCM alternative I was told there wasn't one as CCM had changed the fit profile on their skates for this current line up. 

I'll check out bota but I've never heard of them before. So thank you for the recommendation. 

I reckon I'm more likely to go for the n9000 one step down but a massive drop in price. And for the level I play i reckon it will be more than enough

If volume is an issue, go with the Nexus anyway.  It probably has the most vloume of any skate on the market.  And Bauer has the tabbed footbed in their skates now, so that may help with filling a little of the extra space.

[Playmakersedge 58]

37 minutes ago, psulion22 said:

If volume is an issue, go with the Nexus anyway.  It probably has the most vloume of any skate on the market.  And Bauer has the tabbed footbed in their skates now, so that may help with filling a little of the extra space.

This is definitely the easiest solution and probably as good as any .

[Vet88 674]

And this is a problem with the Bauer scanner, it fits you based on your BIGGEST measurement, not your smallest. So volume is your biggest issue ergo it gives you a Nexus recommendation. Yet you can fit your heel into supertacks and possibly a Jetspeed? Then there is no way you should be in a Nexus, end of story. You need to solve your volume issue another way if you want to buy a retail skate that will fit the rest of your feet correctly. There are ways to do this, I have dealt with it for the last 10 years or so. Forsberg pads (cheapest solution and it works, used this for years), option B laces, eyelet extenders (buy or make your own, I can tell you how), bunga pads / lace bite pads (I never had any long term success with these), different lacing patterns or the ultimate fix is skate with no laces. It's just a matter of how much time and effort you want to put into it to get back onto the ice.

[Playmakersedge 58]

5 minutes ago, Vet88 said:

And this is a problem with the Bauer scanner, it fits you based on your BIGGEST measurement, not your smallest. So volume is your biggest issue ergo it gives you a Nexus recommendation. Yet you can fit your heel into supertacks and possibly a Jetspeed? Then there is no way you should be in a Nexus, end of story. You need to solve your volume issue another way if you want to buy a retail skate that will fit the rest of your feet correctly. There are ways to do this, I have dealt with it for the last 10 years or so. Forsberg pads (cheapest solution and it works, used this for years), option B laces, eyelet extenders (buy or make your own, I can tell you how), bunga pads / lace bite pads (I never had any long term success with these), different lacing patterns or the ultimate fix is skate with no laces. It's just a matter of how much time and effort you want to put into it to get back onto the ice.

Really?  Wow you would think with the baking they would go with the shape of the foot.  I thought the scanning was a digital version of a cast mold ?  

[Vet88 674]

5 hours ago, Playmakersedge said:

Really?  Wow you would think with the baking they would go with the shape of the foot.  I thought the scanning was a digital version of a cast mold ?  

The materials used in skates has memory, you can press it in all you like but after time it will expand out again. Over time the return to original position happens quicker and if you have any foot alignment issues (eg pronate slightly so you exert pressure onto the sides of the boot as you corner, accelerate etc) then the boot will expand out fast. 

Bottom line is you need a boot that fits you properly from day 1. A boot that fits small in certain areas and gets stretched out is acceptable but you must use it constantly otherwise the stretch will shrink, especially if any heat is applied like direct sunlight.

I've spent the last 7 years stretching / shrinking / fitting / clamping boots for players, basically turning retail boots into customs. I've yet to see a skate that begins too big in any area end up with a perfect fit and that perfect fit remains.

Yes, the scan will render a digital version of a cast mold but the recommendation it gives is for the closest fitting retail boot based on particular measurements. So if you have a large volume foot but a vapor heel it won't suggest vapours, it will recommend Nexus. The one thing it shouldn't get wrong is your length and width, the other parameters are trade offs between the 3 ranges Bauer offers. But if you go for customs then that is a different issue.

[Playmakersedge 58]

Ah I gotcha.. So the scan is also for off the shelf skates. I was thinking the scan was just for custom.  

With your experience with forming of your skates have you tried cooling the material rapidly;  like a wet towel?    

I don't know enough to make a sure statement. I am questioning what is better about these composite skates?   I don't know how many years you have been skating and playing ; but the skates I played on they creased about five eyelets down on the outside when broken in and there was  support but also freedom of movement.  Your body told the skate where you wanted it the skate didn't force your body.    I don't know if you played then . 

    Maybe they need to make relief cuts so you can get flex from the boot?       

[Playmakersedge 58]

I stumbled on this tutorial on skate fitting in case someone wants a visual. 

 

 

[Vet88 674]

On 12/13/2017 at 5:07 PM, Playmakersedge said:

Ah I gotcha.. So the scan is also for off the shelf skates. I was thinking the scan was just for custom.  

With your experience with forming of your skates have you tried cooling the material rapidly;  like a wet towel?    

I don't know enough to make a sure statement. I am questioning what is better about these composite skates?   I don't know how many years you have been skating and playing ; but the skates I played on they creased about five eyelets down on the outside when broken in and there was  support but also freedom of movement.  Your body told the skate where you wanted it the skate didn't force your body.    I don't know if you played then . 

    Maybe they need to make relief cuts so you can get flex from the boot?       

I have friends who work with carbon fibre and rapidly cooling the material doesn't alter its properties that much. The "better" with todays skates is lighter, stiffer and faster drying. They still break down over time though and go soft. I stopped playing 30 years ago then got back into inline and ice 10 years ago when my kids started. Lots had changed, leather skates to composites lol. Graf recently (before they collapsed in NA) introduced a line that are designed to flex where you mention the crease but if a recent Bauer / CCM etc boot starts to do that at that point then it is breaking down. This is one of the biggest complaints I hear about new boots today, limited forward flex when laced up hence I encourage players I coach to drop eyelets. A relief cut should work but I think it would accelerate the break down of the boot, it's a hard sell to ask a player to chop up their $1000 boot and have it last on them for only a year.....

[Playmakersedge 58]

3 hours ago, Vet88 said:

I have friends who work with carbon fibre and rapidly cooling the material doesn't alter its properties that much. The "better" with todays skates is lighter, stiffer and faster drying. They still break down over time though and go soft. I stopped playing 30 years ago then got back into inline and ice 10 years ago when my kids started. Lots had changed, leather skates to composites lol. Graf recently (before they collapsed in NA) introduced a line that are designed to flex where you mention the crease but if a recent Bauer / CCM etc boot starts to do that at that point then it is breaking down. This is one of the biggest complaints I hear about new boots today, limited forward flex when laced up hence I encourage players I coach to drop eyelets. A relief cut should work but I think it would accelerate the break down of the boot, it's a hard sell to ask a player to chop up their $1000 boot and have it last on them for only a year.....

Agreed.    That's cool you have friends that work with carbon.   Yeah I think a series of relief cuts would have to be designed into the construction.    I'm not so sure the change in the boot is for the better  .  I think there is going to be hip,knee ,and back issues as a result of the construction .  I don't think they are going back  . 

[Playmakersedge 58]

4 hours ago, Vet88 said:

I have friends who work with carbon fibre and rapidly cooling the material doesn't alter its properties that much. The "better" with todays skates is lighter, stiffer and faster drying. They still break down over time though and go soft. I stopped playing 30 years ago then got back into inline and ice 10 years ago when my kids started. Lots had changed, leather skates to composites lol. Graf recently (before they collapsed in NA) introduced a line that are designed to flex where you mention the crease but if a recent Bauer / CCM etc boot starts to do that at that point then it is breaking down. This is one of the biggest complaints I hear about new boots today, limited forward flex when laced up hence I encourage players I coach to drop eyelets. A relief cut should work but I think it would accelerate the break down of the boot, it's a hard sell to ask a player to chop up their $1000 boot and have it last on them for only a year.....

Oh I watched the review of the super tack by hockey tutorial.  The dude made that boot sound like it had the ability to actually form to the foot in all ways .  I thought about it . If that were the case the boot changing to the foot would distort the blade.  What ya think? 

[Vet88 674]

2 hours ago, Playmakersedge said:

Oh I watched the review of the super tack by hockey tutorial.  The dude made that boot sound like it had the ability to actually form to the foot in all ways .  I thought about it . If that were the case the boot changing to the foot would distort the blade.  What ya think? 

The super tack is an interesting boot, 1 piece so it is much harder to work with in terms of punching / stretching etc. The blade holder is stiff enough to hold the boot shape but if you heated and formed it without the holder on then that might be interesting. The Rbk 70k is the next level of wrap / moldability from CCM,