Tips on buying skates online

[Dr GonZo]

So here I am, a post-puberal student from Canada currently in exile in The Netherlands (my birth country, irrelevant story) for the past 10 years and I want to go do some hockey again finally.

Problem is, you have to be a millionaire or take out a mortgage if you want to buy your equipment in Dutch stores. Example: Bauer XVI skates (on sale, last pair!) going for 395 euro's, that's about 570 CAN$. When you consider you can get Bauer Supreme 8090's for under 250 US$ online, rationality pretty much takes over laziness...

Here's the bit tho... I am quite skeptical about sizing charts and all that, as the sizes in my shoes vary between 41 and 43,5 (european sizes). Obviously I don't want to get ill-fitted skates, so I am wondering if anyone knows a site or some rule as how you can accurately determine your skate size...

Sure hope you can help me out, I really need to be hitting the ice after the summer... thanks!

[Flashpoint]

1 size smaller than shoe size. Unless you have extra wide feet or something, you should be fine. Check and see if they need to be "baked" or not. If they do, check around and see if one of the local stores has the oven you will need, and if they will let you use it.

Alternatively, fly to Sweden or Finland, and go to a real hockey store!

[KevanGuy]

Can you go to a store there and try some on? Find the right size and order em up!

[Bobblehead]

Go into the stores, try on skates until you find the right size, then order that size online.

Edit: D'oh, KG beat me like a redheaded step-child.

[Dr GonZo]

I was thinking along that path, however I can't find any stores here in the country that have the 8090's in stock. Do all Bauer skates fit the same? Considering it's owned by Nike nowadays and knowing how much variance there is in their shoeline sizes, I don't feel comfortable trying on a different model in order to determine my size...

[Reaper]

What brands of skates have you worn in the past? Have they fit you well?

The reason I'm asking is that 8090's don't really fit the same as most Bauer skates. They have more of a wider fit. More along CCM skates type of fit but a tad smaller for overall volume. A good rule of thumb would be this: size 7.5 8090 is relatively equal to size 7 CCM Tacks sizing.

I wouldn't recommend buying skates without trying them on as sizing is always difficult with them. If you have no other option then I guess it's all you can do.

[StoneCole]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

1 size smaller than shoe size. Unless you have extra wide feet or something, you should be fine. Check and see if they need to be "baked" or not. If they do, check around and see if one of the local stores has the oven you will need, and if they will let you use it.

Alternatively, fly to Sweden or Finland, and go to a real hockey store!

I'd say closer to 1.5 to two sizes smaller. I wear my skates two sizes smaller.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by StoneCole

I'd say closer to 1.5 to two sizes smaller. I wear my skates two sizes smaller.

I wear mine 2 sizes smaller as well. Size 10.5 shoe and size 8.5 skate.

[Dr GonZo]

Originally Posted by Reaper

What brands of skates have you worn in the past? Have they fit you well?

The reason I'm asking is that 8090's don't really fit the same as most Bauer skates. They have more of a wider fit. More along CCM skates type of fit but a tad smaller for overall volume. A good rule of thumb would be this: size 7.5 8090 is relatively equal to size 7 CCM Tacks sizing.

I've always worn Bauers, as I have relatively slim feet. Considering your comment on the fact that the 8090's are broader, they seem to appeal less to me. I was taken by the fact that they have a bit higher ankle support than the XX for instance.

I'm in a predicament.