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Are you struggling to decide on which pair of ice hockey skates to choose? With so many different options and features to consider, the process can be quite a headache.
However, we have researched and reviewed what the best hockey skates that the top brands from CCM to Bauer have to offer. So, your job has been made easier.
Read our reviews below to gain a good idea of the kinds of features, positives, and downsides that these skates come with. A buyers guide is included at the end which you can use to gain more valuable information to help you make the best choice possible.
Comparison Table
| Skates | Name | Award | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | CCM Ribcor 100K Pro Senior | Advanced Players | Check Price |
 | Bauer Supreme 2S Senior | Comfort and customization | Check Price |
 | Bauer Vapor 3X Senior | Flexibility | Check Price |
 | CCM Jetspeed FT4 Senior | Speed | Check Price |
 | Bauer Supreme 3S Senior | Support | Check Price |
 | CCM Super Tacks 9350 Youth | Youth | Check Price |
 | CCM Ribcor 88K | Junior | Check Price |
 | True TF9 Senior | Senior | Check Price |
 | Graf G755 Pro Senior | Stiffness | Check Price |
Table of Contents
CCM Ribcor 100K Pro Senior
Best for advanced players
The CCM Rubcor 100K Pro Senior skates come with one-piece technology that has provided players with the ability to move faster on the ice. The stability and amount of flex that’s available with this one-piece design mean that you can be agile on the ice.
We also liked how the RFM and NHL caliber materials include a varying degree of stiffness to ensure that you can remain stable. Not to mention, TotalDri technology has been included with the liner which keeps you comfortable and dry.
Players have been liking how they’re able to personalize their skates by customizing the XS tongue system. This tongue also has flex motion features that allow you to keep your feet comfortable.
Awesome Features
- Comfortable and dry liners
- Customizable tongue
- One-piece tech for improved speed
Downsides
- Durability could be improved
Where To Buy?
Bauer Supreme 2S Senior
Comfort and customization
The Bauer Supreme 2S Senior skates have been made with a durable and lightweight design as a result of the carbon Curv materials. These materials also ensure that the skates fit more comfortably to the natural shape of your feet.
Players have also been appreciating how the Reflex tongue has been made with comfort and protection in mind. The materials used are soft so that you can skate comfortably. However, the metatarsal materials that are included also keep your feet protected.
Lock Fit Liner technology has also been implemented which is excellent for wicking away moisture and keeping your feet securely.
Awesome Features
- Moisture-wicking materials
- Anatomical fit
- Excellent protection
Downsides
- Some find that the blade underneath the skate moves slightly
Where To Buy?
Bauer Vapor 3X Senior
Best for flexibility
Flex Composite technology has been implemented with these skates which provide players with the right amount of stiffness and flexibility to move securely and quickly on the ice. This design also allows the boot to fit more comfortably to the natural shape of your feet.
Comfort Edge materials have been used for the padding with the Vapor 3X. This is superb for keeping you comfortable without adding too much weight to the boot. Furthermore, we liked how the tongue has been made with durability and flexibility. This enables you to move on the ice with precision due to the improved range of motion that the tongue provides.
Players also like how the tongue design prevents the laces from digging into their feet whilst also keeping them protected from hockey sticks and shots.
Awesome Features
- Lightweight & durable design
- Foam materials for comfort
- Flexible & secure design for better agility
Downsides
- Costly option
Where To Buy?
CCM Jetspeed FT4 Senior
Best for speed
CCM’s Jetspeed FT4 Senior hockey skates feature special SPEED tech that enables the boots to fit comfortably and securely to the natural shape of your feet. As a result, you can feel more confident about skating with speed.
We were impressed with how these skates have been made without glue, stitching, and outsoles in areas that could slow you down. This means that players have a better transfer of energy that lets them move faster. The RFM compostable and NHL caliber materials are also durable, comfortable, and lightweight.
You can also ensure that your feet stay dry while playing. This is due to the TotalDri Liner materials that work to wick away sweat to keep your feet dry. The XS tongue feature is also superb for preventing your laces from digging into your feet whilst also keeping your feet comfortable and secure.
Awesome Features
- Tapered, regular & wide fits are available
- TotalDri liner for wicking away moisture
- Lightweight design
Downsides
- Some players were disappointed with the toe box design
Where To Buy?
Bauer Supreme 3S Senior
Best for support
The Bauer Supreme 3S hockey skates come with a Flex Composite which has been designed for durability, comfort, and protection. Players have also been liking how the tongue has been made with felt materials. This is because it keeps their feet protected, secure, and comfortable.
On the inside of these skates, you’ll find that hydrophobic microfiber materials have been included. These materials are excellent for wicking away moisture to keep your feet dry whilst playing. Moreover, Aerofoam materials have been used for padding around the ankle for even more protection, support, and comfort.
Awesome Features
- Lightspeed Edge holder for improved speed
- Moisture-wicking materials
- Flex composite materials for protection
- Aero foam materials for improved support
Downsides
- The design is too narrow for some players
Where To Buy?
CCM Super Tacks 9350 Youth
Best youth skate
These hockey skates are excellent for young players who are working on improving their skills. Injected materials have been implemented that work to provide a great combination of stiffness and flexibility to ensure that players can focus on improving their skills with confidence.
We also liked how microfiber materials have been used for the liners on the inside of the skates. These materials wick away moisture and ensure that you can remain comfortable while playing.
The felt tongue also adds to the comfort factor whilst also keeping your feet protected from being hit by sticks and impacts from shots. Not to mention, juniors can set off with speed as a result of the SpeedBlack holder design. It has been elevated to create a better angle that lets you skate with precision and speed.
Awesome Features
- A comfortable moisture-wicking interior
- Excellent for speed
- The tongue provides plenty of protection
Downsides
- A little too stiff for some players
Where To Buy?
CCM Ribcor 88K
Best junior skates
The CCm Ribcor 88K skates have been made with performance and comfort in mind. With MetaFrame tech, players have been able to wear these skates comfortably whilst feeling agile enough to move freely on the ice.
We liked how you can replace and customize the tongue that has been fitted to the skates. This provides players with options when it comes to replacing the standard tongue with one that suits the shape of their feet more naturally. Having said that, the felt materials used for the tongue provide plenty of comfort and prevent lace biting.
HD microfiber materials have been used for the interior of these skates, effectively wicking away moisture. This ensures that you can stay dry and comfortable whilst playing.
Awesome Features
- Lightweight design
- Fantastic support & comfort
- Moisture-wicking liners
Downsides
- On the expensive side for some
Where To Buy?
True TF9 Senior
Best senior skate
TRUE SHELL technology has been integrated into the TF9 skates which provide an incredible amount of protection. This tech has been specifically included around weak areas to ensure that your feet can be protected from impact.
The tongue has been made with a t-guard design that contours to the natural shape of your feet to prevent lace bites and keep you comfortable. The tongue is also stiff enough to keep you properly supported. This tongue can be adjusted which allows players to find the adjustment that feels best for them.
Hydrofoam materials have been used for the liner on the inside of these skates. These materials work effectively to wick away sweat to keep your feet dry so that you can continue skating confidently. We were also impressed with how the insole that’s included is comfortable for low, medium, and high feet arches to ensure that the skates feel comfortable.
Awesome Features
- Fast blade replacements
- Moisture-wicking liner
- TRUESHELL tech for excellent protection
Downsides
- Some players find these skates to be a little too heavy
Where To Buy?
Graf G755 Pro Senior
Best for stiffness
The Graf G755 Pro Senior Ice Hockey Skates have been made using 4K composite materials, as well as a liner that included multiple layers.
Therefore, you’re able to wear these skates and notice how comfortable they feel. In addition to this, a microfiber quarter panel has been fitted that has 2 pieces and has been molded by heat.
This is excellent for providing you with the ability to achieve more power with your strides. Furthermore, to ensure that you have additional support and the ability to generate more power, a stiff tendon guard is available too.
In order to prevent your laces from biting, they have implemented a tongue that’s 10 mm in size. It acts as a protective layer that works well.
Awesome Features
- Comfortable design
- Microfiber quarter panel lets you generate lots of power
- The stiff tendon guard provides you with additional support
- Your heels can be locked securely into place due to the liner on the interior
Downsides
- May be too stiff for intermediate or lighter players.
Where to buy?
Hockey Skates Buying Guide
Now that you have a better idea of what some of the top skates have to offer, you can begin to narrow down your search to finding the ones that are best for you.
When it comes to choosing a pair of skates, there are quite a few factors that you should take into consideration.
If you’re having a hard time deciding on how to go about deciding on which pair to choose, check out our buyers guide section below.
SENIOR Hockey Skates
Senior hockey skates are sized to fit adults and full grown teenagers with a Men’s US shoe size of 7 or greater.
JUNIOR Hockey Skates
Junior hockey skates are sized to fit kids in the range of approximately 7 to 13 years old with a US shoe size of 2 to 6.5.
YOUTH Hockey Skates
Youth hockey skates are sized to fit toddlers and young children in the age range of approximately 9 years old and younger with a US youth shoe size of 1.5 or smaller.
What Size Hockey Skates?
One of the biggest considerations that think about is the size of your hockey skates.
As a general rule, your hockey skates should be between 1 and 1.5 sizes down to your regular shoes. Having said that, various skates may fit differently. That’s why you should use that guideline loosely.
The number one way to find your size is to try them on. We also recommend that you wear the same kinds of socks that you’re planning to wear when you’re on the ice to get the most accurate fit.
Wide vs Regular vs Narrow
There are also different styles of skates available that cater to different feet shapes and sizes. Take a look below to get a better understanding of how the narrow, regular, and wide skates will fit.
- C / N = Narrow Fit
- D/ R = Regular Fit
- E / W = Wide Fit
- EE = Extra Wide Fit
Getting the Right fit
| Brand / Model | Player Type | Instep | Heel | Mid-Foot | Toe Box |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easton Stealth | Aggressive | Slightly Shallow | Regular | Slightly Narrow | Slightly Narrow |
| Easton Mako | Aggressive | Regular | Slightly Narrow | Slightly Narrow | Regular |
| CMM Tacks | Traditional | Regular | Snug | Snug | Slightly Narrow |
| CCM RBZ | Traditional | Deep | Wide | Wide | Wide |
| RibCor | Traditional | Regular | Slightly Narrow | Regular | Regular |
| Reebok | Traditional | Slightly Deep | Regular | Regular | Slightly Wide |
| Bauer Nexus | Traditional | Deep | Regular | Very Wide | Very Wide |
| Bauer Supreme | Traditional | Regular | Snug | Snug | Slightly Wide |
| Bauer Vapor | Aggressive | Slightly Narrow | Regular | Regular | Regular |
Getting the right fit is something that you are going to have to figure out for yourself. There are some good little tips that you can do to achieve this without any hassle.
Pencil Test
The pencil test is super simple. After you put your skates on, pull the tongue out before you tie up the laces. Place a pencil on top of the eyelets and around 3 eyelets down.
If the pencil stays flat and doesn’t move, it’s a great sign that the depth of your skates are appropriate for your feet. However, if the pencil touches your foot and isn’t in contact with the eyelets, it means that the skates aren’t deep enough for your feet.
Toe Brush Test
The toe brush test involves wearing your skates and taking note of whether your toes are touching the cap slightly inside.
Stand up with your skates on to get a better idea of how your feet will be placed in the skates when you’re on the ice. If your toes brush the cap and your feet feel secure, then you have the right size.
Finger Test
Lastly, you can use the finger test to determine if your hockey skates fit you well. Put your skates on and lace them up before bending your knees and leaning forward.
Touch the back of your heel using your finger to see if there’s any space in between your heel and the skates. If you’re able to fit 2 or more fingers inside the gap, then they’re too big.
If only one finger goes in and it feels like a bit of a tight squeeze, you can be sure that the skates will keep you supported while you’re on the ice.
Cheap vs Expensive Skates
Low end Skates (below $150)
The lower end skates tend to be priced below $150. These are the cheapest options which means that they have more basic features.
They are usually softer and don’t offer as much support. Furthermore, it’s also likely that they will begin to wear down quicker than you may hope. So, if you are going to use a lower end pair of skates, be prepared to swap them out often.
Having said that, if you don’t play ice hockey as much, these more affordable skates may serve you well.
Intermediate Skates ($200-$350)
The intermediate skates come at a higher price that’s in the range of $200-$300. These mid-level skates have more support than the low end options.
While they may also feel a little too soft for some, they do usually offer lots of comfort. They are also made using tougher materials, which means you can expect them to last you for longer.
We recommend these skates for beginners and intermediate level players. Beginners are able to get a feel of what some of the more technological features feel like. Intermediate players are able to use these features to their advantage to improve their game on the ice.
Top of the line Skates ($600-$1,000)
The top of the line skates are priced higher at $600-$1,000. But with a premium price comes premium features and benefits.
They include more padding which improves comfort and protection. Their design is also stiffer to ensure that you have additional support.
Even the tongue and eyelets of these skates are made with high-quality materials to give you protection, comfort, and support.
If you’re an advanced player, having a pair of top of the line skates would be well worth the cost. The materials that have been used to make these skates are also of a high standard to ensure that they last you for years.
How to Lace Hockey Skates
A common query that some people have when it comes to using hockey skates is how to lace them up. There are a lot of people who get this wrong, and it can have some major downsides.
We recommend that you start lacing your skates from the bottom. It’s important to make the bottom of the laces very tight. You want to aim for the top to be tight, but for the bottom to be the tightest.
This way of doing your laces keeps your feet in a secure position to make sure that they aren’t able to move around inside the skates. You can also play around with whether you want the tongue to be out or kept it as it comes down to personal preference.
Stiffness
The stiffness of your skates will largely depend on your experience level on the ice. A more experienced player will find that the stiffer their skates are, the better they can perform.
This is because stiffer skates offer more support for your ankles. Having said that, if you’re a younger player or someone who doesn’t have as much experience, this level of stiffness may be a disadvantage.
With a very stiff pair of skates your mobility is reduced. When you’re still gaining experience, you won’t have the confidence to be able to break into stiff skates quickly.
So, how do you know if a pair of skates are going to be stiff?
Well, you can squeeze them in the area where your ankles are going to. If they squeeze a bit too easily, it means that stiffness is too little and the support will be minimal.
If it’s very hard to squeeze, then it may be too stiff for your needs. It’s best to wear a pair of skates that still have some resistance to being squeezed to ensure that they’re effective at keeping you protected and mobile.
FAQ
Are hockey skates sharp out of the box?
No they come new with a flat unused edge. You’ll need to get them sharpened at your local rink or ask for them to be shipped out to you pre-sharpened (some online retailers offer this service).
However, It is usually best to buy them without them being sharpened so that you can return them if they’re the wrong fit. Most won’t accept returns of pre-sharpened skates.
How tight should hockey skates be worn?
Tight but not ‘cut off your blood circulation’ tight. Too tight at your feet will have reduced mobility and blood flow. Too loose and you won’t be able to transfer power properly through your skate and direct the skate in a precise way.
Over time you’ll learn to find the right tightness level for your style of play.
Investing a few dollars in a skate tightener makes the process much easier – just be careful not to pull too hard and gauge yourself with the metal edge if it slips! (Learn from my mistakes).
Can all hockey skates be baked?
Unfortunately no, only specific skate models can be baked (although it is becoming more and more common). Check with the manufacturer or product description before you bake your skates or you can risk damaging them.
Conclusion
That brings our review of what the best ice hockey skates have to offer. You can now begin to think about the main features, upsides, and downsides of each pair of skates.
We’ve provided you with all the information that you need to select the skates that are best for you. If you still weren’t feeling certain, our buyers guide section lays out more details to help you with finding the right pair for you.
Hopefully, you have found our review useful and you can feel more confident about buying a pair of hockey skates.
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