18 replies to this topic

[JJFIVEOH]

I'm looking for recommendations for a new pair. Haven't played roller hockey for years, and decided to go down to our local rink and get back into it. The set I had broke within minutes so I'm looking for a new set. I don't want anything high $$ until I know I'll stick with it. What brands should I look at for a hockey/recreational skate?

[d4rksabre]

Bauer makes inlines that utilize the same hockey boot as their Vapor series. I have a pair and I dig em, but I don't play too much roller hockey because somehow I always end up hurting myself

[JJFIVEOH]

d4rksabre, on 05 February 2013 - 06:21 PM, said:

Bauer makes inlines that utilize the same hockey boot as their Vapor series. I have a pair and I dig em, but I don't play too much roller hockey because somehow I always end up hurting myself

I see they've got seven different models. Is their base model really cheap? I know you get what you pay for, just wondering if the lower models of a brand name is better than middle of the road of a lesser brand.

Anybody else?

[d4rksabre]

JJFIVEOH, on 05 February 2013 - 08:36 PM, said:

I see they've got seven different models. Is their base model really cheap? I know you get what you pay for, just wondering if the lower models of a brand name is better than middle of the road of a lesser brand.

Anybody else?

I've been using the lower end of their Vapor (Vapor 20s) line for ice hockey for four years now without a problem. I guess it's about what you think you feel like spending and what is comfortable. I'm not sure I'd go below the lower-middle end bracket but I see no reason to shell out for anything above high-mid unless you're playing competitively.

[Robviously]

JJFIVEOH, on 05 February 2013 - 06:19 PM, said:

I'm looking for recommendations for a new pair. Haven't played roller hockey for years, and decided to go down to our local rink and get back into it. The set I had broke within minutes so I'm looking for a new set. I don't want anything high $$ until I know I'll stick with it. What brands should I look at for a hockey/recreational skate?

[IKnowPhysics]

d4rksabre, on 05 February 2013 - 06:21 PM, said:

Bauer makes inlines that utilize the same hockey boot as their Vapor series. I have a pair and I dig em

This.

I used to play a lot of roller, but I cut that down when I picked up ice about 9 years ago.  I have a pair of Bauer ice skates that rock (2009 X60s), and if I ever decided on a new pair of inlines, I'd get the same boot or a cheaper version of the same boot.  The new Bauer inlines have similar features that I enjoyed on my old mission skates too (Bauer bought Mission).  Just taking a quick look, I'd probably take a long look at the XR2s, XR3s and maybe XR4s.

Much of my content with Bauer is all based on the skates fitting both my foot and the way I skate extremely well, but the durability of my skates has been great too.  YMMV.  Bauers may not fit you the best- and a great fit is the most important thing.  If you're just getting started at it again, maybe examine the next-to-cheapest in the line of skates that fit you best.  If you're not playing more than twice a week or so, you're probably not pounding the hell out of them, so as previously deduced, it's not worth the money.

[d4rksabre]

IKnowPhysics, on 05 February 2013 - 09:44 PM, said:

This.

I used to play a lot of roller, but I cut that down when I picked up ice about 9 years ago.  I have a pair of Bauer ice skates that rock (2009 X60s), and if I ever decided on a new pair of inlines, I'd get the same boot or a cheaper version of the same boot.  The new Bauer inlines have similar features that I enjoyed on my old mission skates too (Bauer bought Mission).  Just taking a quick look, I'd probably take a long look at the XR2s, XR3s and maybe XR4s.

Much of my content with Bauer is all based on the skates fitting both my foot and the way I skate extremely well, but the durability of my skates has been great too.  YMMV.  Bauers may not fit you the best- and a great fit is the most important thing.  If you're just getting started at it again, maybe examine the next-to-cheapest in the line of skates that fit you best.  If you're not playing more than twice a week or so, you're probably not pounding the hell out of them, so as previously deduced, it's not worth the money.

Yup, fit is everything. I had a pair of Eastons for a while and when I switched to the Vapor line I found myself how I had ever even managed to skate in the Eastons. My feet love the Vapor boot.

[JJFIVEOH]

Doing a search earlier I also came across K2 and Mission. Most of these are new to me so I'm not too familiar with them. Although what you guys have said makes sense, a brand that's been making ice skates for decades would probably be better.

[d4rksabre]

JJFIVEOH, on 05 February 2013 - 10:46 PM, said:

Doing a search earlier I also came across K2 and Mission. Most of these are new to me so I'm not too familiar with them. Although what you guys have said makes sense, a brand that's been making ice skates for decades would probably be better.

Mission should be fine. I don't know anything about K2.

[JJFIVEOH]

d4rksabre, on 05 February 2013 - 10:58 PM, said:

Mission should be fine. I don't know anything about K2.

All I have to base it on is Inline skate review searches. http://k2skates.com/inline-skates

[IKnowPhysics]

Mission has been in the inline game for many years and was responsible for a lot of innovation seen in most modern inlines; they're fine.  I seem to remember K2 making a recreational inline skate back in the day but not a hockey skate.

Edit: And your link confirms that.  If you want to play hockey, get a hockey skate.  If you want to skate along the beach in a white leotard like you're in a tampon commercial, get a recreational skate.

Edited by IKnowPhysics, 05 February 2013 - 11:34 PM.

[716]

Mission makes good skates. You can get them on clearance on hockeymonkey. Beware though you better know your size because there's no exchanges or returns. Each one of these clearances are limited in sizes and list reviews.

http://www.hockeymon...eoutinline.html

[JJFIVEOH]

Thanks everybody for the input! I'm going to look around and see if there is anybody locally who stocks Mission and Bauer and try them out. Maybe Incredible Ice has roller hockey equipment.

[detoxsmurf]

I have a pair of Mission T7 skates and im pretty happy with them.  They are (now) in the $200-$300 range, perform well, and have held up for 3 hockey seasons.    I got them from 5 hole sports in Raleigh and they baked them for me on site.

[JJFIVEOH]

Quick question. Aside from the obvious differences of offset wheel sizes and a designated boot like an ice hockey skate, is there any signifcant difference between recreational roller blades and roller hockey skates?

[SwampD]

JJFIVEOH, on 08 February 2013 - 05:57 PM, said:

Quick question. Aside from the obvious differences of offset wheel sizes and a designated boot like an ice hockey skate, is there any signifcant difference between recreational roller blades and roller hockey skates?

I have a pair of Koho Revolution 4000s.  12 years later they are still awesome.  I don't think they make them anymore.

I think the biggest difference between inline hockey skates and regular rollerblades is the ability to take a puck.  I've seen guys get hit in the skate with a puck and the buckles (is that what they're called, those ratchet thingys) just exploded and he couldn't use his skate.  Go with laces.

[drnkirishone]

the plastic boots ones are meant to offer your ankle no flex. Kinda like a ski boot imo. I will say if you plan to play any hockey outside on pavement then make sure your inlines have some type of plastic on the toe and the inside where the toe part ends.

[IKnowPhysics]

JJFIVEOH, on 08 February 2013 - 05:57 PM, said:

Quick question. Aside from the obvious differences of offset wheel sizes and a designated boot like an ice hockey skate, is there any signifcant difference between recreational roller blades and roller hockey skates?

Rec skates are designed to be cushy comfortable (like a hiking boot) and as much like speed skating ice skates as possible.  They have long, tall chassis with uniformly large wheels.  They're soft-sided to be comfy and stay cool.  Some rec skates have brakes, which, depending on how you skate, could be a hindrance.

Hockey skates are designed to take pucks and sticks and are as much like hockey ice skates as possible.  The have compact chassis designed to be fast and efficient, but not be so long- so that they feel like a hockey blade instead of a speed skate blade- this makes them capable of being more agile than longer rec chassis.  The boot uses laces to stay tighter than rec skates and is hard and durable enough to take pucks.  The stiffer boot also transfers energy better than a rec skate (this is compensated by the longer chassis on a rec skate).

Edited by IKnowPhysics, 08 February 2013 - 08:28 PM.

[JJFIVEOH]

Thanks everybody for the input. All your posts are very insightful. Excuse my ignorance, I haven't really skated much for several years, when I bought the skates that I just had to toss there wasn't much of a selection on the market in the early 90's. I have to assume the Mission Inhalers are what replaced the Axioms? There are no T's or A's any more, just the Inhalers AC (1-6). From what I've read, Mission is owned by Bauer.

I'm getting the impression they are pretty much identical with the exception of aesthetics. There are exactly 7 models for each and it seems each upgrade is the same.

Edited by JJFIVEOH, 08 February 2013 - 10:28 PM.