Hockey Gear Whoring Thread and Reviews

[Preemo]

^ That's an interesting setup you got there. Sometimes when I start to power skate on the first stride (going after loose puck) I lose my balance like I'm about to fall back. I'm currently on the traditional 72/80.

What bearings do you use?

EDIT: Also, does anyone know if you can REMOLD a boot after it's been heat molded to someone elses feet?

[True.True]

80mm all the way!!! was difficult on the first day but now its all gravy

[Leopold Stotch]

Originally Posted by Preemo

^ That's an interesting setup you got there. Sometimes when I start to power skate on the first stride (going after loose puck) I lose my balance like I'm about to fall back. I'm currently on the traditional 72/80.

What bearings do you use?

EDIT: Also, does anyone know if you can REMOLD a boot after it's been heat molded to someone elses feet?

i had a chat with a guy at Cyclone about this

it depends on your skates. and also how long you've been using them.
some skates aren't true heat moldable skates. and also after sometime, (2 years in the case of my ice skates) the glue and stitching sstart to wear in and heating it up would ruin them.

[Leopold Stotch]

Originally Posted by 6thGear.

You can start with 72/80. It will help you because new players tend to ride on their heels. As you get more into advance skating, you can start to change out your back wheels. I started out with 72/80. Just this yr, I started with 72/76, but in sharper turns, this combo allows you to carry your speed into your turns, I couldn't keep up, so I switched out my last wheel to a 80. So now I'm on 72/72/76/80. So far it's working good for me.



Yup, vt333 isn't good at all. I have the VT333, which is a cheaper alternative to the hotshot/hornets. How heavy you are will also play on which wheels to get. Lighter players won't really benefit on the dual compound hotshot/hornets as a heavier player would. Just because you simply don't have the weight to expand the outer compound to maximize the full dual compound technology. The VT333's are pretty good. I had my doubts, but after I broke them in during the 1st period, they've been sticking since then.

i'm not too new, just new to roller. i tend to ride on my toes cause of my ice skates.

anyhow, i'ma little confused because you said the VT333's aren't good. then you say they are.

but i'm a consistent 155lbs. or so. i'll going to try the Labeda Grippers

[Leopold Stotch]

Haven't had a chance to whore out my gear yet so i'll go ahead, mind you some of my gear was handed down to me, others are just bought on how they felt if whether or not i could afford it


Helmet: Bauer 4500 with Itech Visor
Gloves: Bauer Vapor XXV much better than my old easton's
Pants: Some old Bauer ones (From Cousin)
Shins: Some random comfortable Koho ones (From Cousin)
Elbows: CCM Vector 04
Chest: Itech 655
Skates: Bauer Vapor VII
Sticks: Bauer Vapor XVI and XXXX both intermediate Naslund Curve.

[6thGear.]

Originally Posted by Preemo

^ That's an interesting setup you got there. Sometimes when I start to power skate on the first stride (going after loose puck) I lose my balance like I'm about to fall back. I'm currently on the traditional 72/80.

What bearings do you use?

EDIT: Also, does anyone know if you can REMOLD a boot after it's been heat molded to someone elses feet?

I don't want to come off as an ass, but if your on 72/80 and have that "falling back" balance problem, then no wheels will help you. Your skating form probably isn't the best. I don't know exactly why your having that problem, but I'd say your upper body isn't centered properly. Possibly knee's not bent enough as well.

Bearings...I think its Abec5?

You can remold boots safely 2-3 times, but it can only be done when the boot is still new. How old are your skates?

Originally Posted by cakeTech

i'm not too new, just new to roller. i tend to ride on my toes cause of my ice skates.

anyhow, i'ma little confused because you said the VT333's aren't good. then you say they are.

but i'm a consistent 155lbs. or so. i'll going to try the Labeda Grippers

Yes, I realized my mistake. VT333's are crap, I have VT733. haha..oops. For your skating, a hi - lo 72/80 is fine or you can try 72/76 or you can do what I'm doing. I find I can still carry speed into my turns, but having the 80mm at the back allows me to ride my heels a bit. I know I'm not supposed to, bad habit I'm trying to fix.

We weigh about the same. Dual compound wheels won't work for us.

[beetea]

Originally Posted by cakeTech

i had a chat with a guy at Cyclone about this

it depends on your skates. and also how long you've been using them.
some skates aren't true heat moldable skates. and also after sometime, (2 years in the case of my ice skates) the glue and stitching sstart to wear in and heating it up would ruin them.

you remember who you talked to ?

[Leopold Stotch]

Originally Posted by nammerboi3

you remember who you talked to ?

White guy from the richmond Ice branch. don't know his name

[taylor192]

Any recommendations for skates for someone getting back into ice skating from rollerblades? Goal is to eventually get into hockey (never played), yet need some skates this winter for lessons. I sucked at ice skating and decided it is finally time to learn properly.

Comfort will be the ultimate factor for me to stick with lessons. Ice skating never stuck cause I hated my skates, yet I love my K2 rollerblades. The soft boot is sooooooo comfy, would love something similar for skates yet understand I need a hard boot for hockey.

The RBK pump skates sound good cause I usually have to readjust my rollerblades tighter, and a few quick pumps sounds better than re-tieing. Plus I see Sportchek has the 7Ks on sale.

[SumAznGuy]

Originally Posted by taylor192

Any recommendations for skates for someone getting back into ice skating from rollerblades? Goal is to eventually get into hockey (never played), yet need some skates this winter for lessons. I sucked at ice skating and decided it is finally time to learn properly.

Comfort will be the ultimate factor for me to stick with lessons. Ice skating never stuck cause I hated my skates, yet I love my K2 rollerblades. The soft boot is sooooooo comfy, would love something similar for skates yet understand I need a hard boot for hockey.

The RBK pump skates sound good cause I usually have to readjust my rollerblades tighter, and a few quick pumps sounds better than re-tieing. Plus I see Sportchek has the 7Ks on sale.

I have the 9K's but they are not the same as my old 852 supertacs.
Best bet would be to go in and try them on. Depending on how your foot is shaped, the 7K's or RBK's might or might not work for you.

I have very little arch on my foot, so Mission/Bauer skates are no good for me. I need a bit more padding on the ankle part so the lower end RBK skates don't work for me as good as my old 852's did.

[Gumby]

Originally Posted by taylor192

The RBK pump skates sound good cause I usually have to readjust my rollerblades tighter, and a few quick pumps sounds better than re-tieing. Plus I see Sportchek has the 7Ks on sale.

Although ice skates are generally cheaper at places like Sportchek, the problem is that the staff know very little about fitting hockey skates. I'm guilty of going to Sportchek and getting something cheap, but super uncomfortable.

Skates are the most important piece of equipment in hockey, so in the future, I will go to a dedicated hockey store (such as Cyclone Taylor) and get fitted properly for skates. Sure, you might pay a bit extra, but it'll be worth it.

[SumAznGuy]

Originally Posted by Gumby

Skates are the most important piece of equipment in hockey, so in the future, I will go to a dedicated hockey store (such as Cyclone Taylor) and get fitted properly for skates. Sure, you might pay a bit extra, but it'll be worth it.

That and they have the heating ovens to help mold the skates to your feet which will help the break in process.

[mickz]

Originally Posted by SumAznGuy

That and they have the heating ovens to help mold the skates to your feet which will help the break in process.

Sportchek has them too, just not sure if they have staff knowledgeable enough to know what temp. and how long to bake for.

Originally Posted by taylor192

Any recommendations for skates for someone getting back into ice skating from rollerblades? Goal is to eventually get into hockey (never played), yet need some skates this winter for lessons. I sucked at ice skating and decided it is finally time to learn properly.

Comfort will be the ultimate factor for me to stick with lessons. Ice skating never stuck cause I hated my skates, yet I love my K2 rollerblades. The soft boot is sooooooo comfy, would love something similar for skates yet understand I need a hard boot for hockey.

The RBK pump skates sound good cause I usually have to readjust my rollerblades tighter, and a few quick pumps sounds better than re-tieing. Plus I see Sportchek has the 7Ks on sale.

Which ice skates were you using last? Sounds like the rollerblades you were using had too much volume for your feet if you're always having to readjust it.

Don't buy into that Reebok marketing garbage though, try on as many skates in your price range as you can and pick the one that fits best. If you have a more narrow foot you might pick a Bauer line of skate, wider feet maybe CCM or Reebok.

[Jgresch]

Originally Posted by mickz

If you have a more narrow foot you might pick a Bauer line of skate, wider feet maybe CCM or Reebok.

QFT

I couldn't buy the one90's when they came out because my feet were to wide

[mickz]

Originally Posted by Jgresch

QFT

I couldn't buy the one90's when they came out because my feet were to wide

Luckily you didn't buy those, the ONE90 had so many problems with it.

I was in your boat too, I didn't fit the ONE90, even after baking, didn't fit the ONE95... but I fit the Total ONE.

[taylor192]

Originally Posted by mickz

Which ice skates were you using last? Sounds like the rollerblades you were using had too much volume for your feet if you're always having to readjust it.

I honestly couldn't tell you which skates I had last, it was over 15 years ago now.

I usually adjust my blades once after about 30-60 mins of blading, the laces seem to loosen up. I had the same issue with hockey skates, never able to get them as tight as I'd like.

[Jgresch]

^ ccm/reebok have that lock system on one of the upper loops so they can't loosen... and buy wax laces too

[Rated_R]

Anybody here use TOUR brand roller hockey skates?

[True.True]

Originally Posted by Rated_R

Anybody here use TOUR brand roller hockey skates?

i had a pair of tour code 1 ex or whatever. tongue sucked and would always dig into my shins. the labeda chassis would always get bent whenever it took a puck, to the point where my wheels would rub like crazy. i've since replaced them with a pair of mission axiom T7. nice light skate but wish it came with stickier wheels

[js]

a combination of wax laces and lacing your skates outside in will stop your laces from getting loose. My laces used to get loose about half way through a game and iw ould need to re-tie them.

Originally Posted by taylor192

I honestly couldn't tell you which skates I had last, it was over 15 years ago now.

I usually adjust my blades once after about 30-60 mins of blading, the laces seem to loosen up. I had the same issue with hockey skates, never able to get them as tight as I'd like.

[mickz]

^^ Those are waxed? Looks like the stock Bauer ones?

[m3thods]

Originally Posted by mickz

^^ Those are waxed? Looks like the stock Bauer ones?

Definitely stock.

[G]

Hey all,

I have a problem.

I recently got new skates (Mission) for 49.99$ (pretty good deal at SportChek). Anyways, When I tried it on (8E Size) it felt kind of tight all around, and more specifically, underneath and a little to the middle of my foot from my ankle. I told the rep this and he said that it should fit "snug" and that it might expand after they Bake it, and after you break it in. With this, I decided to get them and bake it on the spot (after you bake the skates you cannot return it). Since I just started playing ice hockey, why not get cheap skates? So, after baking them, they felt amazing (mainly cause it was hot and warm in the shoe and it felt really perfectly fit).

The next day I went to stick and puck and they definitely weren't as confortable as they were during baking. So I skated for around 2-2.5 hours and they felt like they were pinching the same spot (underneath ankle, a little to the mid of the foot). After I took them off, the spot was all red and there was also a blister (only the right foot though). I was recommended that I should buy something called Super Feet, which might help lessen this rubbing. So, two days after, I put in the Super Feet and went to a public skate for 1.5 hrs, felt a little pinching again in the same spot, and after the 1.5 hours, my left side was red, around the same magnitude as the first day, and my right foot had ripped the first layer of my skin off (circular shape), so that hurt like a bitch.

My question for all of you is, is there anyway to help attain to this? Should I sell the skates and get new ones? Is there a way to tape my feet so that they wont rip the skin or get blisters? I am around a size 9-9.5 in normal shoe size and these skates fit perfect length wise, and for width, it seems perfect except for that spot, which, is on the inside of the foot only....

Help!

[mickz]

Were you actually sized up when you bought your skates or did the sales person just ask you what your shoe size was and gave you a skate based on that? Did you try on any other skates?

[dim_sum]

Originally Posted by mickz

^^ Those are waxed? Looks like the stock Bauer ones?

def. stock i think he meant to show which way the laces were supposed to go in.