Best Junior Hockey Skates

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.

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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.

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Austin MacDonald

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.

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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.

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Austin MacDonald

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.

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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.

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Kelly Leathem, Expert 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.

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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.

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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.

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Austin MacDonald

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.

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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.

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Austin MacDonald

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.

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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.

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Austin MacDonald

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.

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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.

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Austin MacDonald

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.

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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.

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Austin MacDonald

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 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 CCM JetSpeed FT340 is an entry-level ice hockey skate designed for new and recreational players. It focuses on comfort and affordability, featuring a durable outer shell, a supportive fit, a comfortable microfiber liner, and a pro-style tongue for protection. The CCM SpeedBlade Pro holder enhances power transfer and stability. As the most budget-friendly option in the JetSpeed line, it's ideal for beginners.

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This skate is intended for people who skate about once a week and are not super competitive. It'll hold up. If you skate ten times a week with these skates, they will only last you a little while, maybe a month or two. However, there is no quick or easy release for the metal runners or the blades. Many players look for skates with a metal release, which will let them swap out their blades. The more you sharpen them, the thinner they get. And in this case, you'd have to replace the whole bottom, the holder. It's more intensive than just clicking a button and adding new blades. But really, this is a solid skate for those who don’t skate every day.

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Austin MacDonald

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.

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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.

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Austin MacDonald

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 CCM Tacks AS-570 hockey skates are designed for competitive players, offering powerful strides and a close fit at an affordable price. They feature a one-piece boot for better energy transfer and a 150 stiffness flex rating for enhanced performance. With a replaceable asymmetrical tongue and customizable XS steel runners, the AS-570 skates deliver power and performance for today’s hockey players.

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The AS-570 is in a good state. You have the ankle-locking memory foam and it offers a lot of power and comfort. This skate might not be as durable as other comparable models. It doesn't have the same high-end materials as the 5 Pro, but the AS-570 has a really good anatomical fit. It's a great skate if you don't really need the pro-level durability because you might only be skating on the weekends, but you still want something decent.

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Austin MacDonald

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 Supreme M1 hockey skates focus on providing a personalized fit. The M1 features a 3D Poly Carbon Quarter Package, which provides a solid fit in the ankle and heel, while the outsole gives the skate more flexibility for ease of use. They also feature Memory Foam Padding, which provides increased support around the ankles, keeps the player comfortable, and further enhances the overall feel of the skate.

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.

The CCM JetSpeed 250 hockey skate caters to recreational and entry-level players seeking a balance of affordability and quality. Part of CCM's Jetspeed line, it inherits the brand's commitment to performance. This skate boasts a comfortable, supportive shell and a durable liner for extended use. The non-replaceable stainless steel blade offers a long-lasting edge, reducing the frequency of sharpening. While lacking the high-end features of its JetSpeed brethren, the 250 remains a solid choice for beginners looking for a comfortable and reliable skate to perfect their game, upholding the brand's legacy of providing equipment for players of all levels.

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The JetSpeed 250 is at the lower end of the JetSpeed line and focuses on speed and explosiveness. It's built for people just starting out or who only skate once a week. It'll give you a good feel of the JetSpeed line. The 250 doesn't have the quick-release holder, so you'd have to replace the bottom, but in most cases, for a recreational skater or someone just learning, it’s a great skate.

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Austin MacDonald

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 CCM Super Tacks 9370 hockey skates are a reliable and affordable option for dedicated players. Featuring Metaframe technology for a superior fit, HD Microfiber Liner for durability, and CCM Ortholite Footbed for comfort, these skates offer exceptional value. The Speedblade XS holder ensures quick and easy blade changes, while the medium-volume design provides a comfortable fit for players with standard foot dimensions.

The True TF9 hockey skates are the ultimate in performance and fit. Crafted with a thermoformable carbon fiber shell, this skate delivers elite-level performance and a personalized fit. The versatile SHIFT holder and adjustable tongue system ensure optimal comfort and customization. With its lightweight design, TRUESHELL Tech for superior protection, and HydroFoam liner for moisture-wicking comfort, the TF9 is the perfect choice for players seeking the best-in-class skating experience.