Amateur Hockey Thread

Post by **Clams Herbert** » Wed Apr 08, 2015 10:48 am

Here's a little place for ya to talk about your beer league, your glory days, as well as gear questions and comments...pretty much anything for us schlubs that gotta pay to play.

Post by **dodint** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 11:49 pm

I'm thinking of buying a pair of Bauer Vapor X500's. I have Bauer Vapor inline skates and like the fit of the boot. I really can't tell the difference between the models up and down the line, though.

I hate the idea of the quick release blade, though. But I can't seem to get away from it.

Post by **MR25** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 2:29 pm

I need to learn how to skate better. A few friends told me to pick up with their B league team, which is fun, but I am clearly and by far the worst player on the ice. I can keep up in a straight line, but turning and maintaining my speed is really killing me, because it basically means I am effectively removing myself from a breakout.

Post by **MalkinIsMyHomeboy** » Mon Jan 04, 2016 10:46 am

The f*ckheads who robbed me took my skates. Any suggestions for some new skates?

I'm not looking for anything flashy, just practical

Post by **dodint** » Mon Jan 04, 2016 10:48 am

Bauer Vapor X500's?

Post by **MR25** » Mon Jan 04, 2016 11:25 am

I'd go to Dick's or Modells or whatever they have in NC and see what you can find there. I found a nice pair of Eastons about 4 years ago that cost me ~ $50. They also had some Bauers that were ~ $60. The skates don't feel cheap, but then again, I don't have anything to really compare them to.

Post by **dodint** » Mon Jan 04, 2016 11:27 am

I wonder if Hibbet's sells skates.

Post by **King Colby** » Mon Jan 04, 2016 4:54 pm

Buy the best skates you can afford, even if you suck. It's a worthwhile investment if you take care of them.

Post by **meow** » Tue Jan 05, 2016 11:35 am

$50 skates? Oh my God

Post by **Silentom** » Tue Jan 05, 2016 11:47 am

meow wrote:$50 skates? Oh my God

Might as well buy a used pair from the North Park rink at that point.

Post by **MR25** » Tue Jan 05, 2016 12:06 pm

They feel pretty good... They're Eastons so it's not like they're some **** tier quality skates. They've held up for the past 4-5 years.

Post by **dodint** » Tue Jan 05, 2016 12:38 pm

Bauer is selling a 'Classic' skate for $69 that doesn't look terrible. I already have arch problems though so I'm going to spend a little more.

Post by **meow** » Tue Jan 05, 2016 1:24 pm

Grafs typically have the best arch support, but be careful with them because they have a steeper forward pitch that some people have trouble with.

Post by **dodint** » Tue Jan 05, 2016 1:49 pm

That sounds great, actually.

I'm going to try and see if my running insoles will work in the skates. Also, skating is lower impact than running so I might be okay anyway.

Post by **shoeshine boy** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 8:25 am

anything less than $300 on skates (unless you're buying an older new pair off of Ebay) is not going to be a "good" skate. in the end it depends on how often you play and how hard you are on your skates. I have friends who go through a pair every couple of years but I can get 5+ years out of a pair skating 2-3 times a week.
I can remember back to when I first started playing though. I had a pair of $50 CCMs bought from Sports Authority. I didn't realize how crappy they were until I bought a pair of (clearance) Bauer Vapor 8 for $300.

Post by **dodint** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 8:35 am

I'll take my chances. I have Bauer Vapor x40R inline skates which were $120 and they've exceeded expectations. I'm hoping a few more years of development and going up the ladder a few rungs in the X500 will be adequate. If I actually join a league again and play multiple times a week I'd look at the top of the line, after these wear out. I'll be shocked if they're a 'bad' pair of skates.

Post by **MR25** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 11:43 am

I'm not dropping $300 on a pair of hockey skates.

Post by **dodint** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 11:44 am

I spend over $100 on running shoes every 8 months or so when I'm in training, $200 for skates feels like a deal.

Post by **MalkinIsMyHomeboy** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 12:04 pm

my knowledge of skates is pretty shitty at best, is there anything inherently wrong with these: http://www.amazon.com/Bauer-Senior-Vapo ... 300+senior

$100 is probably my max. I don't see the point of spending $200 more on skates

Post by **mikey** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 12:50 pm

No, not really. They'll lean you forward a tiny bit more than you're used to maybe...but Bauer Vapors are always pretty solid...

Post by **dodint** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 12:53 pm

I miss my CCM Tacks 782s. My only real regret was selling them when I quit playing hockey and got a job.

Post by **dodint** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 12:55 pm

MalkinIsMyHomeboy wrote:my knowledge of skates is pretty **** at best, is there anything inherently wrong with these: http://www.amazon.com/Bauer-Senior-Vapo ... 300+senior

$100 is probably my max. I don't see the point of spending $200 more on skates

If you fit into a Youth you can have them for $70.

Post by **meow** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 6:17 pm

dodint wrote:I miss my CCM Tacks 782s. My only real regret was selling them when I quit playing hockey and got a job.

The last good skate CCM ever made.

Post by **dodint** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 6:19 pm

That makes me feel worse.

Post by **dodint** » Wed Jan 06, 2016 10:45 pm

Pulled the trigger on the Bauer Vapor X500 LE's. Excited, this will be the first time I've ever played ice hockey outside.

Added a set of black laces to my cart, I can't pull off that red, I'm not a lazy Russian or anything.