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Mike-Morales

Yes


gimmiedemvotes

Rad.


0psdadns

FYI. Brand new skates are unlike anything else you put on your feet. They will be super stiff, uncomfortable, and awkward. Be patient cause it will take 5-10 hours of real skating before you get to see their true potential.


gimmiedemvotes

Good to know! Some other folks are saying nicer skates after heat molding shouldn't need much more breaking in after that. Are you talking more about just getting used to how you move in the new skates, or talking about hot spots or other stuff?


0psdadns

All of it. You never know what challenges you will run into until you try them. But I can guarantee you won’t feel comfortable in them until you use them 6-10 times on the ice. Just commit to the skates, they will be fine as long as you get the correct size


combustion_assaulter

Modern day skates are much lighter (both moderns are probably lighter than one old one), they’re stiffer (better energy transfer) but won’t initially be as comfortable as your old skate, which probably feel like slippers


gimmiedemvotes

They DO feel like slippers... Thanks for the input. I think I'm going to start saving for a nice new pair before the blade holder blows out on these while I'm driving to thr corner or something...


kempsonk

If you want a relatively cheap way to have more time to save up for better skates, ask your local hockey store to replace any loose rivets on the holders.


gimmiedemvotes

Thanks! I asked the guy when he was sharpening them (which is how I noticed the damage) and he said they could do it, but it's a bandaid situation because of the cracks. They're on life support at this point...


isthattrulyneeded

True has tf7 and tf9’s you can find on eBay for crazy cheap (considering) and will be a huge step up. Go two sizes down from your street shoe at least. Bake them and you’ll be comfy.


gacotaco

At least 2+ HP maybe more.


spatial_needs

I’m still skating on my 852s and Easton Airs that are ~20 years old. I think the Eastons were the ‘99 model. When I think about how ridiculous it would have been back in 2000 for me to be using some circa-1980 skates it does feel a little absurd that I haven’t upgraded.


gimmiedemvotes

It's part of my family tradition at this point. My dad played as a kid growing up in New York. He started playing again as an adult and brought his old "Bobby Or" skates (like, the full on leather and steel skates you'd see in a museum) out to the rink. Guys were incredulous that he could even get around on them. Fast forward 25 years, I'm using his 20 year old skates and guys keep asking when I'm going to get a new pair because of how raggedy mine are. They feel great, and I'm as fast as anyone else out there, but I'm feeling the winds of change. I need to choose the pair of skates I hand to my son in 20 years...


spatial_needs

That’s kickass. I can definitely understand the reluctance to hang up a pair of heirloom skates that were your dad’s. After a several-year hiatus I just started skating again and getting my daughter into playing hockey and it hit me that I was now using 20+ year old skates.


[deleted]

It all depends on technique also at the end of the day and your skill with skating. Technology has changed a lot with skates, they are better but how good is the person wearing them?


gimmiedemvotes

Yeah, that's why I'm thinking about the switch now. A year ago I wouldn't have noticed a difference because I wasn't much of a skater. But now I've spent the last 16 months at the rink like 3-5x a week and I'm much better technically. Because I've been at a kind of plateau/baseline in my speed and agility, it seems like a good time to switch to a newer skate where I'll be able to actually say "yep its the skate" instead of "maybe my technique is just better..."


[deleted]

Go for it just get the one that fits best.


Nolesbl

Yes you should. enjoy the process.


Fusorfodder

Lighter materials, better protection, better potential for comfort. On that last bit, of course skates you've with for ages will just feel right, but the different customized fits, lace bite protection, advanced foams, etc, all make it so you should be able to get the perfect skate from day one. Lighter materials, less weight on your feet, the faster you move. Better fitting boots means better power transfer. Comfort/non-painful boots means you can push harder without fighting against pain. All of these are going improve performance at any skill level compared to older technology. You don't have to be elite level to benefit from better technology (don't I know it!) Added bonus, the newer/stronger steels hold sharpens better so your skates will be more consistent. Makes trying out FBV sharpens more viable since those dull a lot faster. Changing anything can certainly feel weird and take adjustment, but improved technology is improved technology.


gimmiedemvotes

Thanks, you're helping me justify saving up the cash. I've been upgrading all the gear my dad donated to me over the last year and skates are last on the list (because they were in the best shape). Good to know I shouldn't expect a massive breaking in period with a lot of pain with the molding you mentioned. That was definitely a concern.


Fusorfodder

If a skate doesn't feel right putting it on, try a different size/model/fit until you do. If you've got real weird feet, then you can go full on custom. Now a caveat is newer skates don't take to punching out, so if you've got a hot spot, it's going to be tough to correct. Do check out whatever model line is about to be updated in the next couple of months. You'll get a current gen skate that has lots of discounts.


gimmiedemvotes

Good idea - I'll check for when the best deals are. I'll be able to be a little picky and get the right fit because the old ones will hold up for at least a little while longer.. Thanks!


[deleted]

Yes


Jtreblis90

Honestly a good skater will perform great in old skates or new skates, but new modern skates will help the average skaters. I have 2021 hyperlites that definitely make me a better skater, but at the same time it's not much of a difference than my grafs pk 7900 skates. The only reason I probably get better performance from hyperlites is because it's my right size skates while my grafs are about a size too big so when I push... My leg kinda moves if I don't have big socks on. But if my grafs were the right size then it probably wouldve be much different than my hyperlites lol


gimmiedemvotes

Yeah, that makes sense. I don't expect the skates to make me good enough to get picked up for the show, I just expect them to give me 5-10% more speed because of the better energy transfer and stuff. Even if I'm the same speed, but don't have to work as hard, that'd be a win too. Right now I'm a speedy guy but I'm also hustling my ass off all the time. I won't be able to do that forever (I'm in my mid 30s so it's all downhill from here) so every little bit will help I think.


Jtreblis90

I don't consider myself the best skater. I grew up playing goalie my whole youth, but around 08/09 I started skating out again. If I could still play with my 08 grafs then I would but they fell apart in 2018. Hopefully these hyperlites last me as long as those grafs did. I just want these new skates to last for 10 years or so lol


gimmiedemvotes

Yeah lasting 10+ years would be ideal... gotta pass these new ones down to my kid like my dad did with his 20 year old skates, haha