Alright, I have decided I need a new pair of Hockey skates as the ones I have do not fit properly, and well without a properly fitting skate your skating ability is hampered.

I have a pair of CCM Externo U9 skates, but they are just a bit big and I was never fitted for a pair of skates which is the first problem, but who's going to complain for free skates when you're 12 for Christmas?

As I now know I want to at least start playing some hockey and I need a good skate to do so. I was wondering what are some of the better skates out there and which ones do you members of Sabresjunkie recommend. I'm most likely not going to go out and buy a $600 dollar Pro skate, but I will settle for the next step down or two on those Pro version.

Which brand do you prefer?
Reebok?
CCM?
Bauer?
Easton?

I've been looking at skates tonight, and when I do get a new pair I will get them properly fitted and have been leaning towards the CCM Vector U series. The ones I had in mind were the CCM Vector U +09 skates.

But which are your preferences? Which have you fallen in love with? Should I just save up the cash and pony up for the Pro editions, or getting the bit cheaper ones be just as fine, as I'm going to try and skate as much as possible with them and in the summer take a learn to play class and such and hopefully get into some sort of pick-up league. Any help is greatly appreciated on this.

http://www.hockeygiant.com/ccm09vu09sktsr.html
These were the skates I was looking into, reading the reviews on them and most were great reviews.

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CCM's. I had a pair when I was a kid. Gave up the figure skates. No, I was never a hockey player, but I liked them for the ankle support and the blade was a bit wider, which made it easier for me to skate. But that's just my uneducated $.02

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"Sarcasm and cynicism: Just two of the many services I provide."
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I recommend sticking with the manufacturer you skate on now.

All skates have a pitch and center of balance, and they're all different from one another. Bauer tends to be more of a heel pitch, while CCM and Easton are center pitches, I believe.

Point is, when you switch skates, it'll feel extremely awkward if you switch to another brand name rather than stay with CCM.

If you were happy with your CCM skates, I suggest you go that route again.

If not, my favorite skate is a Bauer. They break in very well, they're extremely light, very durable, and I like how I feel on them.

I once jumped from Bauer to an Easton pair of skates so I could get a free Synergy when they were running that promotion, and I hated it.

I switched back to Bauer the next year.

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Wheelhouse

i have CCM's, they fit my feet better than any other skate.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I use the Nike Bauer Flex Lite's 4.0, and then I got the foot guards; they're a very soft boot, and like wearing a pair of running shoes on your feet, and the plastic guards give you really good protection. Anyone with flat feet like mine, that's what I suggest

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Graf. i love my Graf goaler pros. i better, for $500... anyone else drill holes in the bottom of their skates to make them lighter?

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Crosscheck I love my CCM skates and would stick with these skates if they fit better, and I was thinking about just sticking to the CCM Vectors anyway since the reviews on them are great and I heard they are just as lightweight as the Bauers.

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it depends a lot on the size of your foot. if your foot is wide then reebok, and CCM are better suited. Bauer and Mission tend to be narrower skates. I went with CCM the Vector U9. In new york Great Skate or the Place within the pepsi center are good dealers, as well sorrentino's sells ice skates (not the latest models but still good new skates). There is a place in thorold Ontario Called Front Row - you can usually get a map there from the guy at the pepsi center same affiliation better selection up in canada. all the guys there know how to fit you for skates, and know their stuff. bring great skate's prices if they have a deal the guy up in canada is fair.

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

I'm in NC, and there is only one pro Skate shop that is relatively close and has been in the business for 10 years.

It's the only place I can go and if their price isn't right, at least I'll know for sure what size I need and can order them online and bake them myself. Or bring them to bake and sharpen.

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CCM's i find are a wide fit, and the flat blade makes it geared towards the real "power strider", most blades have less metal on ice.

My brother just bought some graf 703's... He's in love with the fit; they're beyond molded.

I haven't bought new skates for a few years, I got Easton Complites... Can't complain

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