What Kind of Foot do I Have?

[otto989 0]

I've been playing hockey (pond and high school) for about two years now, using the same recreational skates I originally bought for forty bucks.

they're these things:

My short review:

the fit is ok; the length is perfect (at size 8), and the width was pretty good too (the shop gave me a free heat molding, not sure if these skates were made for that though). The heel area was a little large, I do get some slight heel lift, but nothing that's very detrimental.

I've never skated in anything else (not counting rentals) and they're pretty much on their last legs. In addition to heavy general wear and tear, they've got deep cuts in the material by the eyelets, a tendon guard that's hanging by a thread, a few rivets are missing, and I can tell with my naked eyes that the left runner is bent outward. They were branded as hockey skates, but I'm pretty sure they're recreational skates cause I can squeeze the top of the boot all the way in, and I prefer taking shots to the shinguards since getting hit in the skate is hell. That said, they've been good to me and I like them, might keep them around for pond games when the ice is crappy (we don't really have a pond, it's a flooded tarp in a parking lot)

Now, my conundrum:

I'm leaving for college in a few months, got a bit more money to spend and I figured that it's time I treat myself to an upgrade. The thing is, my current pair being an off-brand with no real info on it, I really don't know what kind of fit it has, and therefore what kind of foot I have, cause I don't really go around looking at other people's feet to compare. The shop's pretty far off and I'd like to come in already knowing what to look at.

so here are a couple pictures, and please feel free to tell me about my feet and make recommendations. You can't really see my heel shape in either one, but I believe it's relatively moderate to narrow. As for the rest of me, I'm 5ft 9in, 144 lbs, playing mainly defense, and in the winter I go skating for fun A LOT.

Thanks

[tamtamg 12]

looks like you have a wider foot. you might want to check out bauer supremes or reebok skates, maybe even flexlites if either doesn't work for you.

[epstud74 24]

CCM Vector might be a bit big in the heel on you, but Easton may help..I guess you can go try on a few pairs just to get a feel of what your ideal fit should be. Did you get those skates at Target? They were selling those Infinity skates at Target around the holidays..Sticks too

[otto989 0]

Most of my friends skate in CCM's and they really like them, I know they're a good deal more durable than mine; one of them uses a pair his older brother owned five years ago and he's one of the best skaters I've seen. A lot of supremes seem to be on sale right now, never thought about Reebok skates before but I'll be sure to check them out. I actually bought my skates at a hockey store, it was the cheapest thing they had, which was what I was looking for. I originally had a wood Easton Synergy stick but I broke that pretty quickly and I've been using a Bauer Vapor X20 ever since.

What about Graf skates though? I was told they could be expensive but they were really nice. $400 is about my upper limit, I'd like to spend less if I could, but are they worth it? Would those fit my feet?

[epstud74 24]

Do you have access to a skate shop or a place where you can try them on? You seem to have a wider foot

[otto989 0]

yeah it's called Hockey Haven, about a 20-30 minute drive. I don't go often, but I'm going this thursday, looks like it should be a fun visit

[$m0k3 0]

Talking about Hockey Haven aka Sports Exchange in Vancouver? I would recommend going to Cyclone Taylor or better yet The Hockey Shop (Surrey), better selection and deals. Don't know how far your are from Van.

Looks like you have a wider and im guessing a more flatter foot?

I would stick with RBK, CCM or Bauer 4.0 Flexlites. IMO Grafs would have too much arch for you but you could try them on and same with supremes, but you never know til you try them on.

[otto989 0]

Nah the shop's in Wisconsin, a few minutes outside Milwaukee.

I do agree that I have a flatter foot, whenever I've worn someone else's shoes I seem to feel the pressed in on the arches. My other question though would be ankle fit, I don't seem to find much information on that. I have skinny ankles; even when I tighten my skates all the way I have some room left. Is it ok to have a little leeway there? Do some manufacturers have skates that are tighter around the ankle than others?

[$m0k3 0]

Well then don't go with the Bauer Flexlite 4.0's because i found them to be not as tight as CCM or RBK. not sure which would be be the tightest fit though.

About the arches make sure you try on CCM or RBK, i would of never went with them if i knew how different the arches are compared to the rest.

[otto989 0]

I went to the shop today to try on some skates and get my current pair sharpened one last time. Easton SE16's were too small in a size 8, next size they had were 10.5s, way too big, kinda dissapointed I couldn't really try them on. CCMs just had a weird fit, size 8 was an ideal length, but the sides were like a vice-grip and the ankle wasn't as supportive as I'd like. I tried on a wider version but it was still kinda tight to the point of discomfort.

Right now it's a toss up between the Reeboks and Bauer. I'd say the Supremes hugged my foot just a little better, but the Reeboks were more comfortable (by no means were they loose, just a little less foot compression). Again, none of the skates I tried on were baked, so this is all going off an out-of-the-box feel. With a full break-in, would anyone say that the Bauers would be just as comfortable? What effect would baking and breaking-in have on the the Reeboks? The 9Ks were noticeably lighter in my hands, not sure how much that matters on my feet, but it was there. I experienced a little heel lift in both (very little, less than in my current skates. won't affect my skating but I'd prefer to not have that), could break-in completely solve that? what are people's opinions on these two skates? I'm slightly leaning towards the Bauers because they have a better overall fit (which is what I think matters most) and (in my opinion) more ankle support, but the Reeboks could potentially be just as well-fitting with some oven-time, plus the pump could help should there still be any heel movement.

I'm really really not sure, can someone help me out

[elihl6 0]

Take my reply for what it's worth, as I am talking about a slightly higher-level playing-wise, but I took the following path (playing for 27 years now).

I had always skated on Bauers, then Micron, then back to Bauers. Out of college and having to pay for my equipment, I searched and searched for skates buying and trying just about anything I could find a good deal on. Ultimately, with a wider out-step, I tried on and purchased a pair of RBK 7Ks, as people indicate the CCM/Rbk have a boxier toe. Those were traded for a pair of 9Ks, and I thought they both felt great. However, the 9Ks have broken down, and I ended up going back to Bauers (a christmas gift from my wife to spend the extra money on a good, new, way I want pair of skates). I am on the ice at least twice a week playing, and 4-5 times a week coaching.

Personally, I can not fit comfortably in a pair of Vapors, as already noted by you with your selection of Rbk or Supremes. They both fit my foot, I ended up with the One95s based on fit, and deal (as well as looks - less shiny... I'm more old school I guess.. really wanted to fit into the X:60LE). But where this might help is how much ankle support you like/need/want.

From reading here, the One95s are super stiff, but even still, so are the One75s. Your $400 budget cap would put you close to the One75s, as well as some deals on 9K and 7K. If you want stiff, go with the Bauers, else, go with the Rbks. Last week I was without my One95s and had to throw the 9Ks in my bag, and they felt considerably soft compared to the One95s that I had been on for the last month and a half.

If you are more comfortable out of the box go with the Bauers, as I don't imagine you will be disappointed. With oven time and breaking in, they feel even better now. And with the Rbks, just to note, I tried not to use the pump, although I hear the newer models are a bit better. Personally, I wanted to get used to them without, and fit without was more important than relying on something that might break (I was lucky I guess, as mine did NOT break in either pair over 3 years or so).

Hope this helps!

[Wolfpack_1986 146]

looks like it's a right foot to me.

[ambro 0]

You say you're about to head off to college, so I have to ask, how serious are you going to be taking hockey? At least throughout your college years? I mean, I've played since I was 4, and play once a week during intramural season, and never outside that season, now that I'm in college (at UW-Madison, btw... fellow Sconnie). So if you don't think you are going to play all that often, what is the point of a current top end pair of skates? After finding a pair that fits for you, I would have to suggest either going something from last generations second-tier skates (NBH One70 or something along those lines) or something top end from two gen's ago (maybe Vapor XXX or RBK 8K, etc.) instead of going for a $400 current skate. You will get much, much better value for what you're going to be using them for, and you will save a lot of money in the process.

As far as the fitting process, I can't help you a lot, as I don't know anything that is wide and flat. My (albeit biased) suggestion would be a pair of KOR's, because they can form to fit any foot shape after heating. Honestly, I never owned a pair of skates that didn't induce any pain in my feet until I bought a pair of KORs. Also, they would be pretty cheap, as KOR went out of business a year or so back, so you should be able to find a pair of Shift's for cheap (eBay or something). Just make sure you get the right size, length wise.

[Larry54 243]

Nah the shop's in Wisconsin, a few minutes outside Milwaukee.

I do agree that I have a flatter foot, whenever I've worn someone else's shoes I seem to feel the pressed in on the arches. My other question though would be ankle fit, I don't seem to find much information on that. I have skinny ankles; even when I tighten my skates all the way I have some room left. Is it ok to have a little leeway there? Do some manufacturers have skates that are tighter around the ankle than others?

I wore Reebok 5k and always felt a lot of side-to-side play in the upper ankle. Then I got some Flexlites and they felt much more secure at the top. I think it's because of a combination of a more anatomical Bauer shape and the extra foam in the Flexlite's ankle area. I took a photo of both these skates so you can see how the top of the Flexlite hugs the ankle whereas the RBK goes almost straight up.

Edit: fixed photo link

[otto989 0]

@ ambro

I'm not totally decided yet but there's a very good chance I'm going to Marquette; going into pre-med nursing and they have one of the best nursing programs in the country. I applied to UW-Madison and four other out-of-state schools too but I haven't heard back from them yet. I'm not sure if I'll be playing club or intramural hockey, but I'll be playing a lot with my friends for sure, if I do stay in this city. There's a park in downtown Milwaukee with an ice rink that closes at 8pm on sunday through thursday. I suppose it's technically illegal to hop the barrier and play hockey, but I've done it a few times this past winter and the park proprietors don't seem to care. Marquette is really close to this park ("Red Arrow"), and with most of my hockey-playing friends going to UW-Milwaukee or MSOE, I'd imagine we would be playing a whole lot in the winter. As it is now, we play about 3-5 times a week at our local rink or pond, and in the spring/summer we usually go to the Pettit National Ice Center at least once a week and skate around the oval. How is it in Madison in terms of ponds and public rinks for pickup hockey?

I looked up those KORs and they seem solid but I'm really reluctant to buy something I haven't had the chance to try on. Based on the replies about ankle fit (I appreciate it, ehlil and larry) I think I'm gonna go with the Bauers. I googled some One70's; they were cheaper by about 50 bucks but didn't have my size. I'm probably going to get a pair of Supreme One75's; some sites have them on sale around the mid $200s.

The only thing that would stop me from purchasing new skates is if I end up going to the University of Texas (used to live there, great place), because I have a feeling they don't get much ice or snow down south :)

Thanks everyone.

[tamtamg 12]

Glad to hear you took my advice. btw, how soon do you need your new skates? If you wait a bit til the totalone's come out, I bet you can find a tonne of deals on the one75 skate, heck i think you can find one95s in the low to mid 300's right now if you do some real bargain hunting.

[otto989 0]

I was planning on buying new skates around late march, waiting to see what colleges I get in to. I most likely won't go somewhere with no snow, but there's a chance of that happening and I don't want to end up wasting money.

When does Bauer release their new line? You think the older models will get marked down even further? mid $200s already seems like a pretty hefty deal for One75s

[tamtamg 12]

i believe 4/15 in the totalone's. as for the price drop of the one75, i can only speculate they will drop to around $175'ish. i remember when the the one95's came out, i bought a pair of supreme 70's for $150.