Watch your young hockey player take their game to new heights with the right skates. We collaborate with players and gear experts to review each skate based on durability (ability to withstand wear and tear), power (the transfer of energy from the skater's legs to the ice), and speed (capacity to propel a player to maximum speed). Rankings are updated weekly based on SidelineSwap sales data.
Kelly played for 22 years in a prominent hockey town before finishing her career at SUNY Canton where she played at the collegiate level.
Like all Canadians, Austin has hockey in his blood and has been passionately playing the sport across the US, Canada, and Finland since childhood.
he Bauer X-LP hockey skate is a great option for young hockey players who want to improve their game. The traditional lacing system and fleece liner offer a comfortable and familiar fit, while the 13-foot radius runner provides a balance of stability and maneuverability.
The Bauer Vapor X5 Pro hockey skates are designed for elite players, featuring durable Curv Composite materials and a stable Injected Facing construction. The POWERFLY Holder enhances agility and responsiveness, while the available blades and 3D sizing options help elevate your performance on the ice.
As a skater focused on speed and agility, these skates are a dream. Their lightweight design allows for quick acceleration and direction changes. The snug fit and Curv composite quarter package offer great ankle support while maintaining flexibility. The 3D-Curved carbon fiber blade provides stiffness for precise edge work and power. While they're a bit pricey, the X5 Pro delivers excellent performance and durability, making them worth the investment.
Kelly Leathem, Expert Review
The Bauer Supreme M40 skate offers top-tier performance at a competitive price. Designed for the performance-minded player, the M40 boasts a lightweight, thermoformable CURV Composite boot construction for a custom fit and superior support. The Pro Stock Felt Tongue provides pro-level comfort, while the Sublimated Liner helps keep your feet dry and comfortable.
The Bauer Supreme M5 Pro Ice Hockey Skates are designed for powerful skaters who play frequently and want to enhance their explosiveness. They feature a lightweight, supportive, and thermoformable 3D lasted Carbon Curv composite boot, which is stiff at the lower portion for better power transfer. The design allows for maximum ankle flexion and extension, and also includes a "Choose Your Steel" option for blade selection to match playing style.
The M5 Pro is focused on giving a lot of power. Normally, you'd hear a Supreme or Bauer Pro model going for $900+. The M5 Pro is different than that. It has all the Pro features, but for a cheaper price—more of a mid-range level price. So the M5 Pro has all the same comfort features, durability, the ability to change your steel, and the traditional supreme anatomic fit. With the new Fit System mechanisms, the M5 Pro allows you to customize whether you want it wide, narrow, etc.
@Dstars79, Player Review
The Bauer Supreme M4 hockey skates are designed for developing athletes, featuring a flexible composite material for a powerful stride and exceptional comfort. The Pro 48 ounce Felt Tongue adds support, while the 3D Lasted Flex Composite quarter ensures a responsive fit. With Traditional Facing and a Symmetrical Toe Cap, these skates aim to enhance on-ice performance.
The Bauer Vapor X4 hockey skates are the ultimate in lightweight performance. Crafted with innovative materials like Curv Composite, these skates offer pro-level support without sacrificing speed. The trusted Lightspeed (LS) Edge holder and LS Pluse SS Steel Blade provide exceptional stability and acceleration. The Pro Stock Comfort Tongue, Comfort Edge, and Asymmetrical Toe Cap ensure a comfortable and secure fit. Experience the next level of hockey skating with the Bauer Vapor X4.
The X4s are great for the recreational hockey player. The boot is comfortable right out of the box and should last you a long time. The skate feels lightweight and responsive, making it easy to maneuver on the ice. The blade holds an edge well and provides good stability. While it may not have all the top-tier features of the X5 Pro, the X4 offers a great balance of performance and affordability.
Kelly Leathem, Expert Review
The Bauer Vapor 3X hockey skates are ideal for performance-driven players who skate frequently and need a balance of comfort and value. They feature a lightweight composite boot for support and custom fit, a comfortable 40-ounce felt tongue, and a durable Lightspeed Edge holder with LS+ stainless steel blades. Known for quickness and agility, the Vapor line offers the 3X as an affordable option that retains many features of higher-end models.
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.
@Dstars79, Player Review
The Bauer Vapor 3X Pro hockey skates are designed for agility and speed. They feature a lightweight, heat-moldable Curv composite boot that provides great stability within the skate. The 3x pro skates also feature AeroFoam+ which is interior padding for comfort and support.
The 3x Pro is made of light materials and is super durable. It's a pro model, so it has top-level comfort with high-quality foam and an asymmetrical toe cap. The lower part of the skate is softer, while the upper part is stiffer, allowing for more support. The 2X Pro was such a hit, and it's kind of hard to follow up... but they made a decent skate with the 3X Pro.
@Dstars79, Player Review
The CCM Tacks AS-V hockey skates are engineered for powerful strides and explosiveness on the ice. They feature a one-piece boot for superior energy transfer, a lightweight composite for better mobility, and a new Powerflex tendon for increased range of motion. As part of the Tacks line, known for power skating, the AS-V skates offer elite performance at a more accessible price.
The AS-V offers a close, professional fit, and a lot of power. I really love the quick acceleration. The number one thing with this skate is comfort. The padding really secures the ankle and foot while keeping the flexibility to turn and move. The tongue has a funky design, but it allows you to get a full range of motion without feeling insecure in the skate or like it's going to fall off or wobble.
@Dstars79, Player Review
The Bauer Supreme 3S Pro hockey skates are ideal for skilled players seeking a balance of comfort and performance. They feature a lightweight, thermoformable 3D Curv composite boot with a power-cut design for better ankle stability and power transfer. The LS Pulse Runner is engineered with a high mirror finish to provide superior glide for increased speed. Overall, these skates are a great choice for players wanting comfort and high performance.
Similar to the 3S, the Pro version has even more bells and whistles. It features the classic pro tongue with molded inserts for a customized fit. It still has the classic Supreme composite boot and higher-level comfort foam. The higher the level of skate, the more comfort in the foam, and usually, the less time it takes to break in. You still see the 3S Pro in the NHL, and they hold up well. You can also quickly change out the blades and keep going. Players use them for years without any kind of loss in performance in terms of power.
@Dstars79, Player Review
The Bauer Supreme 3S hockey skates are designed for skilled players seeking a comfortable, powerful stride. They feature an injected foam for pro level protection and lace bite protection. The 3S also feature a LockFit Liner, which helps wick away moisture and aerofoam agile pads for increased comfort.
The 3S will give you a lot of power, more power than you would get with some of the older models. It features the Pro TPU outsole, which has additional stiffness in the lower portion of the skate, delivering more speed. It's lightweight, and the upgraded foam also adds comfort. The 3S has the stainless steal runner and the trigger release system, allowing you to quickly swap out the blade. It's a skate you could play multiple seasons with.
@Dstars79, Player Review
The Bauer Vapor 2X Pro hockey skates are lightweight and designed for agility, making them perfect for players who prioritize quickness on the ice. They feature Bauer's DYNAFLEX system with an asymmetrical toe cap for a low-volume fit, along with a carbon composite quarter package for stiffness and energy transfer. The 2X Pro also feature the Tuuk Lightspeed Edge holder which stabilizes the skate and makes it feel extremely secure.
One of the things that makes the 2X Pro great is how light it feels. It's an extremely lightweight boot that is also really durable. It's a predecessor to what you see in the HyperLite these days. Very durable but also very light. So the 2X Pro is perfect for agility, cutting back and forth across the ice. And, it still has good power. At the professional level, some NHL players use the 2X Pro and have no issues. It’s a skate that will last you. Mine are still fine to play in even after years. It's a skate built to last.
@Dstars79, Player Review
The CCM Tacks 9040 Hockey Skates features a comfortable injected mesh boot and a supportive microfiber liner. The pre-sharpened, non-replaceable stainless steel blades let you hit the ice immediately, but they cannot be replaced when dull, making this skate less suitable for everyday use. The 9040 also features an injected plastic outsole for flexible stability, and an injected mesh bot for comfortable control.
The Tacks 9040 is a great skate for people wanting to try out the Tacks line but don't want to spend $1,000 on the top model. This skate will have all the comfort features you'd expect, like the moisture-wicking capability and high-quality foam. These skates don't have the quick-release mechanism, which is usually right under the heel. The blades are durable, but after lots of sharpening, you will need to replace the blade over time. The 9040 is a great option for kids and youth skaters who will outgrow the skate before replacing the blade. It's a good stepping stone.
@Dstars79, Player Review
The Bauer X-LS skate is designed with a traditional lacing system, a comfortable microfiber liner, and a stainless steel runner with a forgiving 13-foot radius. The X-LS skate provides a balance of comfort, support, and ease of use, making it an ideal option for those just starting out in the sport.
The Bauer Vapor 2X hockey skate is a high-end choice for competitive players seeking a low-profile fit. It features the Tuuk Lightspeed Edge Holder, which includes a trigger mechanism to easily switch out a damaged or broken blade. The 2X also includes Aero Foam+ which wraps around the player's foot for comfort and is very flexible for a personalized fit.
The Vapor 2X is just one notch down in durability and comfort from the 2X Pro. You might not notice as much comfort right off the bat, but overall, the fit and feel are pretty much the same. The 2X will still have the asymmetrical toe cap, ankle padding, and three-piece felt tongue. If you gave someone a new pair of 2X Pros and the 2Xs, blindfolded them, and asked them to figure out which was which, they would have difficulty distinguishing between the two.
@Dstars79, Player Review
The Bauer Ns ice hockey skates have a stainless steel runner, secured in a Tuuk Lightspeed Pro II holder, providing smooth gliding and reliable performance. The EVA footbed offers a comfortable base, while the injected composite weave quarter package provides a balance of stability and flexibility.
The Bauer Vapor X2.7 hockey skate is designed for competitive players who value comfort and performance. It features a one-piece 3D Polycarb quarter for a snug fit, enhanced by the Comfort Flex system. Memory foam ankle padding and a microfiber liner offer added comfort, while the Tuuk Lightspeed Edge holder enables easy blade swapping. This low-volume skate is responsive, making it ideal for agile players, and provides a good balance of features and affordability.
I've had these many times; it's a mid-tier, performance-level skate where you can undoubtedly play a few seasons (probably not in the NHL), but in University, high-level competitive play. The X2.7 has a quick-release holder, and the Vapor fit will be a bit lower, snug, and flexible. The top-level pro-Vapors might last you three years, whereas these might last one and a half two years, but it's the same kind of comfort. It just comes down to your abilities.
@Dstars79, Player Review
The Bauer Supreme skate utilizes a stiffer composite material to maximize energy transfer with every stride, while the upper section offers increased flexibility for enhanced mobility. The Digi Composite quarter package and outsole provide exceptional support and thermoformability, allowing the skate to mold to your foot for a customized fit.
The Bauer Vapor X3.5 is designed with a comfortable one-piece 3D Poly carbon quarter package and a flexible TPR outsole, that offers a supportive and forgiving fit. The memory foam ankle padding and microfiber liner enhance comfort, while the Lightspeed Pro II holder and S Stainless steel runner provide reliable performance.
The Bauer Vapor X2.9 hockey skates offer a balanced blend of performance, comfort, and value. Designed for dedicated skaters, these skates feature a low-profile design and a comfortable fit. The 3D Lasted Tech Mesh quarter, Comfort Edge, and Aero Foam padding provide support and customization. The Form-Fit+ footbed ensures a step-in experience, while the Tuuk Lightspeed EDGE holder delivers easy blade changes.