Equipment: SKATES - Buying Guide and Advice

[AIREAYE]

baking can only help with break in though some opt to skip. for skates of a certain caliber and above, there's no reason to recommend skipping this procedure.

[ccarrigan]

Originally Posted by ccarrigan

I currently have CCM U+ 10s and they are too small in the toe box and volume wise (heel to mid skate, depth). The Nexus 400s I tried on were just a little pinchy in the toe area and a little off on the pencil test. Problem is that I can't try on any higher models unless I order online... Do you think it's worth it to order in some Nexus 800s to try?

Ok, so I went to my LHS today as they had a Nexus 600 in a size 9 available. I tried it on and it failed most eyelets, some by a large margin. Especially around mid and lower. There was a Supreme as well that was better (it was a regular width, so too narrow, but only a couple of eyelets failed).

The guy said that the area my foot is larger in isn't one that is easy to get more volume for. He measured my foot and said that it's one of the widest he had seen, and the height was bad. His suggestion was to go from my CCM U+ 10 size 9D to a CCM model size 9.5E. I looked online and they have good clearance prices but there's no returns. I'm at a loss... Any ideas anyone?

[lilphill23]

OMG!!!! It has been said a million times on these boards. TRY ON YOUR SKATES!!!! Don't just use your LHS as a fitting station.

[ccarrigan]

Originally Posted by lilphill23

OMG!!!! It has been said a million times on these boards. TRY ON YOUR SKATES!!!! Don't just use your LHS as a fitting station.

Umm... I tried on a Supreme, Easton lower end model, Nexus, and RBK skate when I was there. So I tried on a bunch of skates? What are you saying?

[SacredPetra]

Took a chance on a pair of Grafs (couldn't return or try on before buying, but were a really good price), and they are perfect! I did a bunch of research on the fit of this specific model, and it totally paid off. I finally feel like I have skates that are working with me, rather than against me. The only problem is the t'blades, which feel awesome to skate on, but theu make me sound life a car with bad brakes. I don't mind the crunch sound, but the squeal every time I turn is ridiculous. Still, can't wait to play a game on these skates, I just feel so much more agile and thats a great feeling!

[AIREAYE]

He's saying to not just use you store as a fitting station only to waste their time and rob them of the sale by buying online. They spent the time and effort to fit you properly, so you should buy from them. Also, I don't know why he put you half a size up in a wider skate as well. You shouldn't compromise length for width normally.

[ccarrigan]

Originally Posted by AIREAYE

He's saying to not just use you store as a fitting station only to waste their time and rob them of the sale by buying online. They spent the time and effort to fit you properly, so you should buy from them. Also, I don't know why he put you half a size up in a wider skate as well. You shouldn't compromise length for width normally.

Ah, gotcha. The store is the place that told me to go online, that they didn't have any and wouldn't be ordering that model. He used the CCM measuring tool in the store and that's why he sized me up in length. I was tempted to take his advice but the skates are only on clearance so no returns. Maybe I should wait for the release of the new CCM RBZs?

[AIREAYE]

I don't know when the rbz price point skates will be released though. and their sizing scheme is different.

[jsykes]

New RBZs seem to be running a bit large. Best to wait and try them on if you're going to go for them.

[ccarrigan]

Originally Posted by jsykes

New RBZs seem to be running a bit large. Best to wait and try them on if you're going to go for them.

Good to know, I think I'll stick with my current CCMs and see what comes out soon. It'd be hard to drop $400 on a pair of CCM CLs just to have them not be much better.

[soldier0829]

Anyone using the new Easton Makos? I tried them on this weekend and I was impressed with the super low volume of the boot and how moldable they felt. In the end I couldn't bring myself to go so unconventional, but I was wondering if anyone had any experience with them(?)

BTW, IMO the experience you get at the LHS is well worth the premium you pay for the skates over finding them online. I went to WESCO in CT and the guys there were awesome.

[AIREAYE]

check out the huge mako thread over on mesh.