billy

I'm getting back into skating and I'm having trouble deciding on new hockey
skates. I'm debating between CCM and Bauers. I have a 9 foot and a D width.
170 lbs in weight. I'm an intermediate skater and definitely want good
hockey style boots. I have nearly flat feet, which sux, but can't change.

I had Bauer Turbos back in the 80's as a kid. I remember having a lot of
foot pain in them. Now, I really have my eyes on the CCM's. I'm looking at
the Tacks or Vapors, yet I'm really confused of the differences in their
line. What is the differance, say, between a CCM Tacks 252 and 852? The
prices vary considerably, yet the boot to me looks identical. Is it simply
the ankle stiffness?

Can anyone tell me why there are so many models and what constitutes the
varying prices? What factors doe I want to shop for when selecting a good
boot?

rich m

Bauer's are known for being narrow with a high arch, probably not a good
fit for your type of foot. The different models usually get more
expensive with better blades and stronger boots.

jeffrey burns

I've used both Bauer and CCM skates.... I recently switched to Mission Fly
skates (last years model) and I love them. I'll get missions again when
these wear out.

J

billy

Thanks, in my recent research, I believe that I agree with you.

I'm focused on the CCM's now, but undecided between the Tacks vs. Vectors. I
definitely need a 7.5 D boot, because these seem to fit my size 9 foot best.

Interesting though is that most say that the CCM's run wider than Bauers.
However, I took the foot pads out of a Bauer Vapor V and a CCM Vector 6.0
and they nearly match. The same size in the Tacks were wider. The Vector
also seemed to fit my foot very snug like a Bauer and appears more narrow
than the Tacks.

I like the feel and the weight of the Vector 6.0 vs a Tacks 452, of which I
both tried on. However, the Tacks seem better built, as the Vector front
part of the boot was dislodging from the boot and you could see the glue and
such. They seem poorly made compared to the Tacks, which is contrary to the
CCM literature. The nice thing about the Vectors is that they are light, and
have that snugging loop for the laces, which really helps in tightening.

Is it true that if you are lighter, you should not go with the larger number
Tacks or Vectors, as they are too stiff and you will never break them in
unless you are a heavy person? Is a Vector 6.0 a good skate for a 170lb man
in the Novice/Intermediate level?

rich m

The stiffer boots will take longer to break in but I don't think your
weight has much to do with it, it's more about time spent on the ice.
They will also last longer because of this. A flimsy boot that breaks in
fast will also break down fast. I have some Bauer 6000's that have a pro
level boot and they took about a half a season (skating 3 times a week)
to break in even after thermal fitting (baking in an oven) and I weigh
190. My old cheap Bauer Supreme 100 skate boots wore out before the
blades needed replacing.

The Tacks are a time tested design that a lot of Pro's have used for
many years. The Vectors, like the Bauer Vapor, are relatively new and
their popularity is based on being a few ounces lighter than the older
styles. While light skates are nice I would go with what has the best
fit and feel and it sounds like the Tacks fit you better. Remember, what
you feel in the store will be amplified 10 fold when you actually skate
in them. Good luck.

jim

I skate on GRAFs - 703s to be exact - and I can skate for hours in them
"right-out-of-the-box". I also have a pair of 501s setup with wheels for
summer roller blading. Same thing - right out of the box - no feet
problmes. I can't skate in CCMs - they hurt my feet to even look at them.

I know others who hate GRAFs and love CCMs.

Moral of this story:
Get a skate that is comfortable and geared toward how you skate and what
level you are.

Beginning skaters through intermediate level don't stress their boots as
much as an advanced level skater and could do very well with a softer boot.
Some pros still skate on soft boots because this is what they started on and
prefer to the "newer" models.

Good luck

Jim