Bauer Vapor 3X Hockey Skates
Product Description:
The Bauer Vapor 3X hockey skates are designed for performance-oriented players who skate multiple times a week and seek a balance of comfort, performance, and value. They are a good option for players who have outgrown their beginner skates and are looking for a skate that can help them improve their game. The 3X features a lightweight composite boot that provides good support and thermoforming capabilities for a custom fit. It also has a 40-ounce felt tongue for comfort and protection, and a Lightspeed Edge holder with LS+ stainless steel blades for durability and performance. The Vapor line has been a staple in Bauer's lineup for many years, known for its focus on quickness, agility, and responsiveness. The 3X sits as a more affordable option within the Vapor line, offering many of the same features and technologies as the higher-end models at a more accessible price point.
Perfect skates for:
Players who skate 2-3+ times per week
Key features include:
- Significant weight reduction of approximately 6.5%
- Better overall fit with the asymmetrical toe cap.
- Comfort and protection with the 40oz Felt tongue featuring a comfort lining.
- Hydrophobic liner which provides an excellent grip.
- Full composite boot for durability and performance.
- Junior Skate features Motion-Flex and a LS Balance runner with a 13ft radius, facilitating easier bending of the knees and promoting good skating strides for kids.
The CCM Super Tacks AS3 Pro skates offer competition with a focus on power and stability. These skates feature a one-piece MonoFrame boot for enhanced energy transfer and responsiveness, as well as CCM's SpeedBlade XS holder for quick blade changes. On the other hand, the True TF9 Hockey Skates prioritize a customized fit and comfort, utilizing True Hockey's custom-fit system based on individual foot measurements. The TF9 skates provide a tailored fit for optimal performance and feature True's SHIFT holder for improved turning radius. Players can choose between the Super Tacks AS3 Pro and the TF9 based on their preferences for power, fit, and overall performance.
Progression:
Vapor 1X
- Speed Plate Technology
- LS4 Steel
- 37.5 Liner
- An updated version of the X-Rib Curv Composite Boot, which has been aluminized.
- TUUK Lightspeed Edge Holder.
Vapor 2X
- New technologies in the Vapor 2X include an asymmetrical toe cap and quarter construction
- A new three-piece, 48-oz felt tongue includes an exposed injected metatarsal guard for added protection
- Tuuk Lightspeed EDGE holder for a locked-in feel
- Tuuk LS3 runner for long-lasting edge life.
Vapor 3X
- Significant weight reduction of approximately 6.5% lighter
- Asymmetrical toe cap for better overall fit
- 40oz Felt tongue with comfort lining
- Hydrophobic liner with great grip to secure the foot in place
- Full composite boot
What people are saying (edited for clarity and brevity)
PROS:
- These skates offer a significant jump in performance over entry-level skates. The Flex Composite boot provides a good balance of stiffness for powerful strides and some flex for maneuverability. They're perfect for skaters who want to improve their game without breaking the bank.
- The Vapor 3X fits true to size and feels comfortable right out of the box. The 40-ounce felt tongue with comfort lining offers good support and reduces pressure points. The asymmetrical toe cap also seems to help with a snug fit around the toes.
- Skate has a good amount of higher end features and has good interior support. We upgraded the foot beds to super feet since the include ones are typical unsupported foam. All in all a very good middle of the line skate for not a lot of money.
CONS:
- Skilled players who are used to top-of-the-line skates might find the Vapor 3X a bit too flexible. The flex profile is geared towards balance and maneuverability, which can sacrifice some energy transfer for powerful strides.
- Blade holder cracked after a deflection during a game, and the material of the boot is already falling apart. Had these for about 4 months before having to buy Hyperlites because of the poor construction.
- The Vapor 3X doesn't offer any heat-molding capabilities and while the liner is comfortable…I have some wicked pressure points and am disappointed with the customization options.
The 3X was released close to the HyperLite, which was a revolutionary skate at the time, so it kinda got lost in the mix. It's still a good skate and very similar to the 3X Pro model but without as much comfort. It's a mid- to upper-level fully composite skate with a felt tongue and a hydrophobic liner with a great grip.
Durability: ⭐⭐⭐
Power: ⭐⭐⭐
Speed: ⭐⭐⭐
