Help , Buying Hokey boots

[Magicalneo]

I'm a new skater , I used a 3.0 vector before and I just decided to order a new ice hockey boots online , anyone can tell me a good one?

I seem more intrested in the nikey brands ,
http://hockeymonkey.com/iceskates-nike-sr.html

I wonder if I should get the Nike Quest V-Force Sr. THG or others..

I'm new to ice skating , have been skating just a few weeks ago , have gone to ice skate about 7 times now...

My Size is 7.0 (E) current but I'm buying a 8.0 (D) , wonder if it fits =)

[Mrs Redboots]

While you couldn't be more welcome here, we are all really more into figure skating - the jumps and spins and dancing and stuff like that - rather than playing ice hockey. Skaters do learn the very basic skills together, of course, as they are identical - you need good edges and turns in hockey just as much as you do in ice dancing, but they diverge rather fast!

If you think you might fancy either ice dance or free skating (jumping and spinning, among other things), then you'd be better off buying figure skating boots from the outset, rather than having to change.

And don't forget what we figure skaters say - if it were easy, they'd call it ice hockey! ;)

[phoenix]

Hi,

I know nothing about hockey boots, but I can tell you it's never a good idea to have skates that are too big for you. It can lead to all kinds of foot problems & injuries, and you don't have as much control on the ice. Your best bet is to go to a skate shop & be fitted by someone who's knowledgeable in fitting.

[Shinn-Reika]

You also have to think what you're goals are. If you're serious you might want a better quality skate that will last you, and is more comfortable, but if you're just being recreational than a sub-100$ pair will do you fine.

My presonal favorite company is bauer. They lasted me for 4+ years when I used to play. And that was after multiple practices and games. The only thing that really made me quit using them was that they got too small, and then I could sell them to play it again sports. CCM is a close second, and I reallywould trust Nike.

Things might have changed, but I never saw people wear them too much

And yes you should definately contact your local skate shop for fitting.Once you break them in, hockey skates are more comfortable than figure skates. But they can rip your foot to shreds if they're not fitted right.

[sk8er1964]

If you are a new skater (ie just learning) you might want to go with figure skates to start - they're easier to learn on.

That said, hockey skate brands are like figure skate brands - they each have their own little differences that make them better for some skaters and worse for others. My son has a very narrow heal, and does ok in Bauers. Regular CCM's were too wide for him, and we would have had to order special ones.

Also, different skates have different stiffnesses. My son is in the Vapor XX skate, because he has very deep knee bend and he managed to break his Vapor XV's down on the sides. I don't know for absolute sure, but I think with the Bauer Vapors, the lower the # (and the lower the price) the less stiff the boot.

I have contacted Bauer directly in the past, and they were very very helpful. Also, a good dealer (such as Perani's or Ace in our area) will be able to tell you which brand is best for you based on you needs. They usually carry all the brands and styles.

Good luck!

ETA - I have yet to find a really good site like this one that discusses hockey. All the ones I've seen are either pro-team based, or are too busy slamming each other's youth teams :roll: .

[Melzorina]

Bauer are VERY popular at my rink, everyone seems to have them :D

[TashaKat]

I had CCM's, they were great boots. My ex-git and most of his team mates wore CCM's and he used to play semi-pro.

I wouldn't, however, buy online unless you know that they fit you. You're better off going to a proper skate shop and getting them fitted properly as different makes will suit different people.

Don't make the mistake of buying the highest spec either as they'll probably kill your feet.

[mikawendy]

ETA - I have yet to find a really good site like this one that discusses hockey. All the ones I've seen are either pro-team based, or are too busy slamming each other's youth teams :roll: .

Is there a discussion group similar to RRSIR (sorry if I got the acronym wrong) but that's devoted to hockey?

[Magicalneo]

So which is better , bauer or nike , I like the flexlite and bauers xxx

[Melzorina]

My ex-git...

Hahaha! :D That's very very funny! :bow:

[sk8er1964]

So which is better , bauer or nike , I like the flexlite and bauers xxx

Unless you are a really big, tall man, I would suspect that as a beginner the Bauer XXX's would be too stiff for you. I don't know about the Nike brands, since we haven't tried them. Again, go to a good dealer that sells all brands. They can help you the best. 8-)

[sue123]

So which is better , bauer or nike , I like the flexlite and bauers xxx

I think it personally depends on you. I know a kid who plays hockey just about every day, and he swears by nike, even thiugh he started in bauer. There are players much better than him who wear bauer, and some other brands as well. The only thing you can do is try them both on and see which fits better. Although from what I hear, isn't Bauer usually for people with narrower feet?

[doubletoe]

So which is better , bauer or nike , I like the flexlite and bauers xxx

Try both and see how they feel. Nike actually owns Bauer, so I'm sure they are made by the same people using the same technology.