Ice Hockey Skates

[Thrizzl3]

Hey everyone,

I will be playing ice hockey this winter, but my bauers are on their way out. Does anyone know which hockey skates would be best?

thanks,
phil

[kevcol74]

Thats a matter of opinion there, and preference! Just get them vacuum molded if possible!
Personally I like CCM Tacks, although there are different levels of just those... Lots of variables, mainly price! But keep in mind, like anything else, you get what you pay for! Penny oinch, and you will get cheap ass pond hockey skates. On the other side, you aren't likely getting drafted into the NHL, so you don't need those $900 skates that also cook you dinner!
Go to a REAL hockey store, and ask them for help... Don't buy them from CanadianTire or Walmart! Even SportMart, National and Sportchek are a little week... SportCos are usually more knowledgeable... Talk to KPao, he works at Sportco in Kitchener.... I'll be seeing him for my next pair and my boy's next pair.

[Thrizzl3]

well im only playing small pickup games..so ill need a basic pair but as long as it keeps my ankle staright (hate ankle biting no matter how tight i tie them):chuckle

[dj_chinaman2097]

You should be able to try on a bunch of different pairs at Pro Hockey Life. There's one at Vaughn Mills. Then price shop when you find a pair you like most.

The one thing to keep in mind is get skates that are comfortable. I had to get my goalie skates in the extra wide sizing since the regular skates are a bit too narrow for my liking.

[condor888000]

Yeah never ask for advice on something like this over the net. Way too personal an opinion. Go find someone who knows what they're doing and deal with them.

For example, kevcol says he likes Tacks, I can't stand them. Feel like they're pinching my ankles every time I try them on. On the other hand I love Bauer Supreme's, just an awesome lineup of skates. Fit me well, are light, good protection, and in all I just love them. It's all personal opinion.

[LockOut]

+1 on comfort. I've been playing in my Grafs for a few years now, and they took some getting used to and breaking in (as ALL skates will, even with vacuum moulded), but once I got over that initial little bit, i've loved them ever since...

[kevcol74]

Yeah never ask for advice on something like this over the net. Way too personal an opinion. Go find someone who knows what they're doing and deal with them.

For example, kevcol says he likes Tacks, I can't stand them. Feel like they're pinching my ankles every time I try them on. On the other hand I love Bauer Supreme's, just an awesome lineup of skates. Fit me well, are light, good protection, and in all I just love them. It's all personal opinion.

Thats hilarious, I can't stand Bauer Supremes! lol Had them once, for about a month, went back to Tacks ASAP! But, thats our point here exactly, too personal a choice to get net advice from!

Phil, try throwing a couple rounds on tape around the top of your skates/ankles to keep them stiff if you like, I do that myself... never used to, but tried it once and have been doing it ever since.... Give it a try anyways.... I've nevr had ankle injuries with it, and I've been doing it for almost 15 years now... last couple years of competitive when I was a teen....

[condor888000]

Yeah, I've been wearing Supremes the last....bout 12-14 seasons. Pretty impressive considering I'm only 20. :chuckle

Need a new pair this year though, thinking I"m gonna look at Easton and Graf a bit more...only time will tell.

[kevcol74]

Yeah, I've been wearing Supremes the last....bout 12-14 seasons. Pretty impressive considering I'm only 20. :chuckle

Need a new pair this year though, thinking I"m gonna look at Easton and Graf a bit more...only time will tell.


Let me know what you go with and if you like them, then I will know what to avoid! :chuckle

[Thrizzl3]

Let me know what you go with and if you like them, then I will know what to avoid! :chuckle

+1 need to know which ones are worth their price

[Dave_The_BMXER]

If you like supremes, the switch to CCM's will be a little weird.

Tacks pitch you a little forward where as bauers are more neutral.

I wore Bauer's for as long as I could remember until my last pair gave up the ghost. Then I got a really good deal on 1152 super tacks through working at sport chek. But it took some getting used to, my old boot was basically mush.

I think the tuuck holder on Bauer skates is superior to pretty much everything though. I have actually put them on different boots for customers when I worked at sport chek. A lot of people (bigger dudes) came in with bent blades/holders from different companies but never Bauer.

Anyway ya just go in and try some pairs, try and find someone who isn't blowing smoke up your ass. Commission is a bitch that way.

[condor888000]

The best think about the Bauer holders IMO is the fact there are no screws holding the blade in them. I've seen so many guys with the blade flapping about because the screw is loose, but I haven't seen or heard of it with a Bauer skate.

[bigwood29]

Great point. I can hum a few bars of that tune - loose screws and my Easton's. It's a real pain in the ass but the skates themselves are very comfortable. I was always partial to Bauer but switched to Easton a couple of years ago. Most models of both are fine, just be sure to try them on at a knowledgeable store (not CDN Tire, Wal-Mart).


The best think about the Bauer holders IMO is the fact there are no screws holding the blade in them. I've seen so many guys with the blade flapping about because the screw is loose, but I haven't seen or heard of it with a Bauer skate.

[chinsterr]

Graf !

if your budget is tight , i recommened the Nike/bauer Line or Easton. Both have some quality skates that wont hurt your wallet. Trust someone who has been playing hockey for 10+years

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

... On the other side, you aren't likely getting drafted into the NHL, so you don't need those $900 skates that also cook you dinner!

Wow, even my wife won't cook me dinner. That said, I've never given her $900.00 to do it. For that price, I can think of better things she should be doing instead...http://img2.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/adult/quicky.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-adult-smileys.php)

As for keeping things on topic, I'm a Bauer/Nike guy myself and I've been playing hockey for about 30 years. Hence, I'm old as fark.















Man I hope my wife never comes on this forum and reads some of my posts...http://img2.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/innocent/innocent0002.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net/free-msn-smileys.php)

[Dave_The_BMXER]

The best think about the Bauer holders IMO is the fact there are no screws holding the blade in them. I've seen so many guys with the blade flapping about because the screw is loose, but I haven't seen or heard of it with a Bauer skate.

Ya its basically impossible for a Bauer blade to loosen up. However to replace the blades you have to remove the holder and re rivet everything. But at the rec level I doubt you will replace the blade before the boot.

[condor888000]

I ref about 250 games a year for the last few seasons, I'd estimate about 1100 games on these skates. That doesn't include playing one season or skating on the canal/public skating. They're getting to the end of their life. The stitching is actually starting to let go around the toe caps and the padding within the boot is starting to break down and create pressure points. Hence why I'm looking for replacements. Blade and holder is still in perfect shape. :bana2

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Thats a lot of games!

I correct my statement, it is possible for Bauer blades to loosen up. Its fixable without moving the holder (but a pain in the ass). But to replace the blade you have to remove the holder.

Sport Chek tech shop memories are flooding back.

[Swerny]

Go to a proper hockey shop and get their advice and a fitting.

Just like ski boots, certain brands will work for you, certain brands won't.

CCM works for me, Bauer doesn't.

To each their own.

[maplephin]

I'd give Graf's a try. A little more money, but well worth it.
Heck, my wife even gave them to me for an anniversary present last year! Guess she wants me out of the house:chuckle

On the serious side, Graf has a number of different boots to fit your foot. I could never get a pair of skates to not cut the circulation off across the front of my foot. Graf had the solution with a boot that had a higher instep, which meant they tied up higher on the foot. I probably didn't explain that very well, so I would go to their website for more info. (no, I don't work for them or at a sporting goods store)

[Thrizzl3]

I'd give Graf's a try. A little more money, but well worth it.
Heck, my wife even gave them to me for an anniversary present last year! Guess she wants me out of the house:chuckle

On the serious side, Graf has a number of different boots to fit your foot. I could never get a pair of skates to not cut the circulation off across the front of my foot. Graf had the solution with a boot that had a higher instep, which meant they tied up higher on the foot. I probably didn't explain that very well, so I would go to their website for more info. (no, I don't work for them or at a sporting goods store)

i've heard of Graf's and i hear good things about those but i dunno how much they would cost me?whats the approx price range of good skates?

[condor888000]

Good skates can be found for no more than $200 new. If you can find a used pair in good shape you could always grab those too. Only problem is they're not broken in initially for your foot. Might cause problems done the line if you wear them a lot.

After that you're paying for padding, light weight, and materials IMO. The more expensive skates tend to use a lot of real leather, while less expensive ones use less of the real stuff. Also, the more expensive skates tend to seem to have more padding from what I remember. I bought my current Supreme 5000's at the end of season, spend $300, regular $500.

If you can wait, go on boxing day and see what you find. Should be a few good deals out there then. I have see nothing wrong with buying from Sport Chek, just don't rely on them 100% for information. Find a hockey shop, try some stuff on, get an idea of prices and what model you like, then go to the box stores and see what sort of price you can get there, if they carry the same model odds are you'll save money.

[maplephin]

i've heard of Graf's and i hear good things about those but i dunno how much they would cost me?whats the approx price range of good skates?

I think they start around the 250-300 range, the ones that I have are around the 500. Not cheap, but if you have a problem foot like I do, they are well worth the money and the quality is absolutely amazing. I play defense and love the fact that the padding on the tongue is heavy. The first time I took a hard shot off of it, I barely felt it!

I think the most important thing on whatever skate you choose, would be to go to a good sports store. Not knocking the huge chains, but the smaller stores seem to want to help and not just make the sale.

I had skated on Supreme's for years and even though they where special made triple e's, they always seemed to cut off the circulation. Skates are such a personal thing, one guy likes Tacks, another Bauer, another Graf's. It really comes down to the comfort and what you like.

[Thrizzl3]

great now i know what kind of skates to look for. only one problem i don't know any hockey shops. where are the good ones?

[Swerny]

Yellow Pages would be a good place to start.

I don't know your location but "Just Hockey" on Don Mills just North of Eglinton is a good shop.

[maplephin]

great now i know what kind of skates to look for. only one problem i don't know any hockey shops. where are the good ones?

here's a website for a shop here in Milton. Very Knowledgeable & helpful if you are in the west end.

http://www.ieprosports.ca/

[Thrizzl3]

here's a website for a shop here in Milton. Very Knowledgeable & helpful if you are in the west end.

http://www.ieprosports.ca/

lol i went on the site and they didnt have any products up..and its long distance for me to call..o well ill keep searching. thanks for all the help guys:)

[condor888000]

Let me know what you go with and if you like them, then I will know what to avoid! :chuckle

So following your request here I am. Went to a great local Ottawa store today to see some prices and try some skates on.

Tried on the Bauer Supreme One55, One60, One70, Vapour XXV, XXIX, XXX, a pair of Grafs(awesome, but too much cash), couple pairs of Easton, a pair of RBK's, and a pair of CCM's(not Tacks, but were nice).

Yeah, CCM's were wide at the top of the ankle and tight at the ball of the foot. Easton's and RBK's had tight spots which really bothered me. Grafs were nice, but $150 more than the One70's. Vapours were really good, but either they didn't have the right size(XXIX), or something didn't feel quite right, wasn't sure what(XXV, XXX).

Ended up looking at Supreme's....like my last 4 or 5 pairs. One60's felt like they were a half size too small, and the store didn't have the next one up. One55's were great! They were my pick....until I put on the One70's.

Most comfortable skate I've ever tried on, INCREDIBLY far ahead of my old Supreme 5000's. They were still the old old style, 100% leather, felt tongue, heavy, solid, and you could take a shot off the outside of the boot and barely feel it. The One70's felt like air, I was in love. The One55's were good, but they weren't as comfortable, which is weird because the One70 felt like it had a lot more support and padding, but was more comfortable. Was worth the $150 over the One55's for me. And all skates were ~15-25% off too. :)

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/sportsplus4-store_2042_19082895

[kevcol74]

I think we get used to a skate early, then trying to change down the road is difficult, as like you said, something just doesn't feel right... I like my Tacks, and always have... You like you Bauers, and looks like you always will! Enjoy the new skates!

[condor888000]

I'd suspect that you're 100% right. Now I can't wait to get on the ice and give these a shot!