A new pair of skates, eh...any advice?

[iamca]

I grew up playing hockey and I always wore Bauer skates. The last pair I wore and liked were Bauer Supreme 100's...which are now worn out and then some.

I'm just starting to look for a new pair as I will be playing in a league one night per week.

What skates should I be looking at and trying on?

[return to the red]

I've been out of the loop for a while but I hear Micron makes a beauty

sorry didn't mean to be an ass. I've been looking to purchase a new pair as well and have no idea how much I should be looking to spend

[LChoy]

Just bought a new pair myself. Depending if you are a pro or not, really just get the pair that fits the most comfortably. Places like Sportschek are pretty good with their exchange policy so get a pair and try them out once to properly field test it. I really like the Easton Synergies, but after 1 afternoon, I found it really pinched my Achilles heel. Returned them for a pair of Nike Vapours, which seem fine so far.

[Hack&Lube]

I just bought a pair of CCM Tacks but I'm afraid I will hardly ever get to use them.

[HOZ]

If you are a Bauer person you will likely not like CCM and vice versa. The boot fit is slightly different. Enough to cause great discomfort in most.

Basically, go to a decent shop with a good selection of skates. Be honest with them about what kind of player you are, etc...and they should fit you fairly comfortably.

[FlamesKickAss]

I wear missions. I was originbally in bauers and switched to ccm, i liked ccm alo but these missions are nice too!! Good advice so far, try a bunch on

[Hack&Lube]

Get ones where they can heat mold to your feet at the store (CCMs don't I think).

[604flames]

Just bought a new pair of Vapors after playing on 15 year-old Bauer Custom Pros. At first I had to totally re-do my stride because of the angle at which the boot put my feet, but now I love 'em, I feel way more sturdy and have a lot more power in my stride.

[Rhettzky]

I just picked up a pair of these...

http://www.sportchek.ca/sportchek/do...&styleId=44777

It's the Easton Synergy 1300 and they are light as hell and extremely comfortable. When I was first looking to buy skates I saw these at a local hockey shop around two years ago for $699.99. When I bought them in August they were $299 and now they're going for $279.

They are heat mold and if you go to the sportchek in Sunridge mall there is a girl that works the hockey pro shop that was a huge help. Most places I went to just asked what size you were looking for and buggered off. She helped with the whole process from technical questions to calling four stores to reserve the correct size I needed.

[return to the red]

so about the 300 range a good estimate for costs on a decent pair?

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by return to the red

so about the 300 range a good estimate for costs on a decent pair?

It depends really. For $300 that is a really great pair. But if you only want to spend in the $100-150 range you can get a "decent" pair. Main differences that you will notice if you are a beginner to intermediate skater will be weight and comfort.

I bought a new pair of mission skates ($100) six years ago, they were okay but heavy and would dig into my ankle. Then three years ago I bought some used CCM Vector Pro's from the Flames equipment sale. They were worth $700 and I got them for $150 but they were beat up pretty bad (Stephane Yelle's old skates). But I really liked the feel and the weight. So this year I bought new skates focused solely on comfort and weight, this skate really delivered in both area's. I'd base what you want to spend on how often you'll be skating.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

I just picked up a pair of these...

http://www.sportchek.ca/sportchek/do...&styleId=44777

It's the Easton Synergy 1300 and they are light as hell and extremely comfortable. When I was first looking to buy skates I saw these at a local hockey shop around two years ago for $699.99. When I bought them in August they were $299 and now they're going for $279.

They are heat mold and if you go to the sportchek in Sunridge mall there is a girl that works the hockey pro shop that was a huge help. Most places I went to just asked what size you were looking for and buggered off. She helped with the whole process from technical questions to calling four stores to reserve the correct size I needed.

I have an older pair of Easton Synergies--and in terms of fit and power and comfort, I love them. I do have one complaint, which is that in about 4 years of owning the skates I've had to replace both frames and both blades, along with some unexpected rivet repair once. Now my blades seem to chip and scratch really easily, so I'm always having to have them re-sharpened. I might be paranoid, but it just seems like the holders and blades might be a little over-engineered on this skate, which sacrifices durability. Just my 2 cents.

[North East Goon]

Graf is my favourite by a long shot...but they are pricey$$$

[calculoso]

Just know going in that different manufacturers have different boot / blade angles. Some make you feel like you're standing on your heels, some on your toes, some in the middle. It's all dependent on what you like, what you're used to, what kind of effort you want to put into changing (none, lots, etc)...

I started with Bauer, went to Graf and never really felt comfortable in them (even though I had them for 3 years) and went back to Bauer. Feels great.

[Flashpoint]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Get ones where they can heat mold to your feet at the store (CCMs don't I think).

I second the molding option - way more comfortable, and only takes like 20 mins, instead of 3 weeks to break them in.

CCM (the brand I swear by) does have some that can be molded. Typically they are the higher end models ($300+). Try to find last years models if you can, as it will save you a fistfull of cash. I play twice a week, so I find buying a higher cost pair provides higher quality and a longer life. Usually I get 2 years out of my skates.

I tend to squeeze into a pair 1.5 sizes smaller than my shoe size, as I find it really increases my mobility on the ice. That said, it does hurt pretty good after the game. If you are playing a lot of outdoor hockey, you might not want to do that, as frostbite becomes a risk.

[metal_geek]

I've wore bauers forever... now they've changed and 1 version of the Nikes are actually rebranded Bauers. The XXII Vapours are the same setup as the old bauer supreme's... I went from one to the other and other then weight, barely noticed a difference in fit or comfort..

Goto a good skate shop like B&P cycle, Tuxedo or something and tell the guy you want the "replacement" for the Bauer Supremes
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Infant Depakote

[Mike Oxlong]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

I just picked up a pair of these...

http://www.sportchek.ca/sportchek/do...&styleId=44777

It's the Easton Synergy 1300 and they are light as hell and extremely comfortable. When I was first looking to buy skates I saw these at a local hockey shop around two years ago for $699.99. When I bought them in August they were $299 and now they're going for $279.

They are heat mold and if you go to the sportchek in Sunridge mall there is a girl that works the hockey pro shop that was a huge help. Most places I went to just asked what size you were looking for and buggered off. She helped with the whole process from technical questions to calling four stores to reserve the correct size I needed.

I just bought a pair of those as well right after Christmas. The guys at Sport Chek told me not to heat them up because it will wreck the carbon fibre.

Keep in mind these were young kids that didn't know that much. I would love to be able to mold those to my feet. Anywhere else in the city that will do it and do a good job?

[Rhettzky]

Originally Posted by Mike Oxlong

I just bought a pair of those as well right after Christmas. The guys at Sport Chek told me not to heat them up because it will wreck the carbon fibre.

Keep in mind these were young kids that didn't know that much. I would love to be able to mold those to my feet. Anywhere else in the city that will do it and do a good job?

Go to Done Right Sports. They are awesome there...

http://www.donerightsports.com/doner...sFrameset.html

Lots of great tips in the FAQ section on the website as well as some information on their heat oven and custom skate fitting. Highly recommend them, they are located on at 3571 52 Street SE.

[metal_geek]

^^^^ thoes guys are great there, I reccomend them as well.

B&P Cycle on 17th and 52nd st SE is just up the road. Another good option, thats close if you are out to done right and wanna compare prices. They also have a fanstastic selection.
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Green Crack Pictures

[disco_inferno]

havent seen them in awhile (i dont think they make them anymore) but i have a pair of CCM Tack 1152 Pro Customs, i got them at a random stop in Regina at a sportchek for like 180.00 (reg. price was much higher), and they are AMAZING.

i would say definitally spend the money to get molded skates, they make a huge difference in the break-in period, and make your feet much happier too.


EDIT: and if you can get PUMPS from the ninties, or the Nike ones that were white and black (like the air jordan shoes) DO IT casue they look so badass.