Roller Hockey Skates Recommedations

[wupmasta2000]

Hello all,

I've been playing ice hockey for about 12-13 years now. I've played a little roller, but I've always sported the same skates: My 1990something Black Rollerblade Lightnings! I don't have laces on them or anything, but those badboys have always gotten the job done.

I think it's time for an upgrade (or U-P-G-R-A-Y-Y-D-E, for the Idiocracy fans). Any advice would be helpful. Here's my situation:

(1) I'm never going to be a full time rollerblader/roller hockey player. Ice is what I play, but I like playing a little roller with friends.

(2) I've played in one or two roller leagues, but again, nothing sustained.

(3) I doubt I'll be using it mainly on sport court. I'll most likely be using them on both cement and sport court, so I guess I'd be looking for a middle of the road wheel density.

(4) I don't need the most super duper skate out there. Just one that will get the job done and not suck. I currently wear the Rebok 9K Pump Skate (I hate them and wish I would have gone w/ Bauer Vapors). It was the top of the line skate when I bought it, but I'm not looking to buy top of the line model for roller hockey. If anything, I want to go to Hockey Monkey and pick up an out of date model that all the "cool kids" won't wear but are just as good and for half the price.

Thanks for any help in advance.

Feel free to PM me.

[ianmonsta]

personally im a fan of anything mission, some people have had complaints about them falling apart, but ive never had any problems i use them for both ice and inline.

[Unruely35]

Ive been rocking Bauer Supremes since 1997.

Your best bet really is to do what you suggested. Roll to Hockey Monkey, tell whoever you find in a red shirt what you want and try on three or four of the cheapest pairs they have. Choose one.

[wupmasta2000]

Thanks,

I figured I could always ask those guys for help. They seem genuine over there. However, I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation of a "must have."

For instance, I've had my Rebock 9Ks for about a year and a half now (maybe longer) and they are just now starting to ease off on crushing my feet (I've had them punched out twice). Meanwhile, my teammate got his skates a couple of weeks ago (Bauer Vapors) and can't shut up about how great and comfortable they feel.

Or, even a "whatever you do, stay away from X brand." I wouldn't recommend 9Ks to ANYONE.

[Unruely35]

Thing is, skates are very personal. Every company molds their boot differently so its just how your foot is shaped will determine what company would be best for you.

For example, one of my teammates was breaking in skates and they were killing her feet (Nike/Bauer). Well, we were skating a tournament and the coach got tired of llistening to her bitch about her ankle (hahah) so with his little tiny midget feet, he's only a half size larger than her. He gave her a pair of RBKs that he absolutely hated and only wore once to try out. Well, they fit her perfectly and she ran out and bought some of her own the next day.

My husband has Barney Rubble/Hobbit feet. He swears by Grafs but theyre gone. He wears Mission Hi/Los but doesnt love them. He got a pair of Tours goal skates, tossed some Dr. Scholls Gel Soles in those and he's had fits of joy every game since.

bottom line is, everyone in the world can tell you their favorite skates but unless you have the exact same foot it doesnt make a bit of difference.

[freebass55]

I originally took my old ice skates and put on a roller frame, but I was looking for something new. I just bought a new pair (these) and I like them. They definitely weren't the ones I was looking at but they seemed to fit the best. I would go in and try a couple of different ones on and see what feels the best. I play on cement and the wheels that came with the skates are way too soft for it. I tore up the front wheels by the end of the second period in my first game. I had to buy cement wheels and hope they hold up. You are gonna need different wheels for different surfaces...too hard you'll slip on sport court, too soft you'll tear them up on cement. Good luck.

[VegasHockey]

I'm an avid supporter of Bauer skates. Mine, like Ruely's, are an older model though. They are 1997 Bauer H7's which I purchased in late 96 and still use to this day. Never used any of the Bauer skates after they merged with Nike but I would assume that they can't be too far in the comfort range from the skates that I know and love. If you look at the newer models, you'll see some similar design aspects to the older Bauers, so that's a good sign. I never cared much for CCM or Mission skates, never fit all that snug or anything. Does Easton make inlines? They're ice skates look like they might be pretty decent but I honestly have no idea.

[Butch 19]

Originally Posted by wupmasta2000

Hello all,

I've been playing ice hockey for about 12-13 years now. I've played a little roller, but I've always sported the same skates: My 1990something Black Rollerblade Lightnings! I don't have laces on them or anything, but those badboys have always gotten the job done.

I think it's time for an upgrade (or U-P-G-R-A-Y-Y-D-E, for the Idiocracy fans). Any advice would be helpful. Here's my situation:

(3) I doubt I'll be using it mainly on sport court. I'll most likely be using them on both cement and sport court, so I guess I'd be looking for a middle of the road wheel density.

There really is no middle of the road wheel.

You need hard wheels for concrete/asphalt and soft wheels for sport court.

If you try outdoor wheels on sport court, you'll slide everywhere, and if you try soft wheels on asphalt, they'll chunk out.

If you will be mainly on asphalt, get hard wheels, and if you join a semi-bi-annual LGK roller game, just switch out your hard wheels for soft ones to play at TSC.

I wound up getting 2 pairs of the same skate (Bauer Mega 40/70 - around $80) and keep soft wheels on one and hard wheels on the other.