RBK 9K Goalie Skates

[Cujo_64]

Here is my first shot at a review....

I purchased these skates now almost a year ago and I feel that they were a great purchase for the money, The first time on the ice with them I was comfortable and I was able to move around as easily as I was in my previous CCM 852's The skates are incredibly light in comparison to the CCM 852 as well, I liked the boot because it is more stiff and helps support my ankles better than 852. I also liked the lace lock or whatever its called as I can have the bottom half of my skate pretty tight and then the top tighter or looser depending and the bottom half will not loosen up over time like previous skates.
I like the pump feature as I can definately tell when it is working, lately though I havent been using them as I just didnt see much difference when using them... If I do use the pump it's primarily when I'm playing, not instructing.


So far the skates have held up to over 150 times on the ice for instructing and also playing in goal. The only real complaint which is knowledgable is the clicking loose blade, no matter how tight I try to tighten them, they still become loose. I have talked to local stores here and they all say they don't have these special washers to fix them. I tried calling RBK and they said to call the store I purchased them from. I did and they said they would send them. we shall see !

Overall I would rate these 1-10 being a 8. They would be a 9 or 10 if the loose blade issue wasnt there,

If you have any questions, please ask...

Thanks Rob

[Ryano42]

I have their cousin the CCM V10's. Once I figured out how to stop the blades from moving they have been great! :D

See my post on that if you are interested!

[Alec M]

My 9ks have been pretty good so far. My feet would hurt quite a bit after games in my old CCMs, but the 9ks have been really comfortable.

My only complaint is that the top eyelets on both skates had ripped out after only a couple of months. Apparently I "tie my skates too tight" according to the Cyclone Taylor guy. They repaired the eyelets free of charge anyway, and they've been fine since. I tied my CCM Tacks the same way for 7 years and never had any of the eyelets even so much as come loose, but they ripped right through the material on the 9ks in only a couple of months, and apparently it's my fault.

Right.

Anyway, aside from that, they've been good skates. I've only got the clicking on one skate, and it's very minor. I don't even notice anymore.

[chakal]

The thing is, those skates are like a ferrari. High performance... but fragile. That's my experience with them.

Do I like them... hell yeah! But I don't think they'll last 5 years.

Imagine a formula one, fastest cars in the world with the most advanced technology, but they last only ONE race or 2, even if they cost near 2 millions each!

[Alec M]

I know what you're saying Chakal, and I agree to a point. When it comes to boot stiffness and stuff like that the new skates are obviously going to break down faster because of the weight, etc.

However, I think that argument has become a bit of an excuse for dropping quality standards, especially from the big companies. Eyelets are nothing new, they've been around for over a hundred years. Come on guys, get it together.

[chakal]

I totally agree for the eyelets, it shouldn't wear. But my comment was on the general product. I had a broken pump on my first pair an RBK took them back and sent me a new pair. This shouldn't happen in the first month.

But, I still don't think they won't last 5 years. I may get Graf boots (size 9W) but with my RBK cowlings next time.

[Alec M]

But, I still don't think they won't last 5 years.

I agree. I'll be surprised if I can use mine for that long, but I'll be curious to see how they really last. I just hope they don't "break" outright, either the pumps or something else.

[Cujo_64]

Thanks for the comments,

I have been lucky with mine I guess.. I thought about switching cowlings on mine to something like the Bauer Vapor.... or just the plain Bauer Cowling... but if I can get the screws fixed I wont .

Rob

[Reebok5]

I agree. I'll be surprised if I can use mine for that long, but I'll be curious to see how they really last. I just hope they don't "break" outright, either the pumps or something else.

I just got Bauer 7000's on sale for like $250 for outdoor fun hockey and stuff,except i traded some of my brothers old gear to get them for free. I plan on getting 9ks actually but are they good for someone with duck like feet?

[Cujo_64]

I just got Bauer 7000's on sale for like $250 for outdoor fun hockey and stuff,except i traded some of my brothers old gear to get them for free. I plan on getting 9ks actually but are they good for someone with duck like feet?


by saying duck feet ? u mean like 1 foot that sticks out ? or both ? my right foot points outward automatically when I walk and skate... so they have worked fine for me, as well as my old ccm 852's

rob

[Reebok5]

Thats not what i ment but my feet do point out when i walk. I ment my foots almost shaped like a ducks,like the heels narrow and it gets wider as you go further up it.

[Cujo_64]

oh... honestly man I don't know about that.... is there a local store near you to try some of these on ? I would try to do that then.

rob

[Reebok5]

The 7000s seem fine but they didnt have any 9ks in my size. Ill be checking probibly Sunday or Monday though im going to Maine ill take a stop in nb somewheres. St Stephan for the night at my aunts then im crossing into Calis?

[Reebok5]

yes tommorow it is

[Coldaccord]

does anyone who have these also have/had graf 750s? I have pro tacks now and I do not like them, they're heavy and not as comfortable as the grafs I have tried on. However grafs are pretty darn pricey, and it seems rbk 9k's can be found a bit cheaper.

I don't just want to dive into a new pair of skates, as in addition to the initial cost you pay shipping to a shop, radius cut, shipping back, get them baked, etc.

anyone have any input?

[Cujo_64]

I dont have grafs, but I can tell you I had CCM pro tacks before these and they are a world difference in weight !

rob'

[DaCosta]

Cujo try some rubber washers, because with the metal washers it damages the plastic, the rubber will lock up tight and allow for flex. It worked for my 9k's it will probably work for yours.

[Cujo_64]

ya i ended up getting the rubber and have no issues since,

rob

[Goatee220]

does anyone who have these also have/had graf 750s? I have pro tacks now and I do not like them, they're heavy and not as comfortable as the grafs I have tried on. However grafs are pretty darn pricey, and it seems rbk 9k's can be found a bit cheaper.

I don't just want to dive into a new pair of skates, as in addition to the initial cost you pay shipping to a shop, radius cut, shipping back, get them baked, etc.

anyone have any input?

I have the Graf 650's - and they are amazing. Light, protective, easy break-in, no baking needed. They were cheap too - $250 from hockeyworld.com last summer.

[brendon]

What size rubber washers did you guys try and where from? I've checked out home depot (to fix my CCM Vector 4.0s) and got some rubber washers but they're a bit smaller than the slot, so when i tighten them all the way, the rubber washer is almost morphed out of shape.

Also, anyone notice that the screws that go into the hex bolt are a bit short? Perhaps that is the reason why it loosens up no matter how much you tighten it? How'd you fix this one?

Thanks

[Timmaayy]

What about nylon washers? You can get them ( or the rubber ones ) in the fastener bins at Lowes. ( it's the little section of trays, full of all kinds of nuts, washers, lock washers, etc. in the fastener aisle ).

[brendon]

Well as it stands, the CCM Vectors come with a Hex Bolt looking piece on the inside of each skate and a screw on the outside. I've added a Nylon washer to the Hex Bolt side of both skates, and added a thin rubber washer with a thin stainless steel washer on the side with the screw.

[Jim**]

I just got these. and i am wearing them for the first time tonight.
i got them baked to my feet and they feel amazing around the house :D
i hope they feel this comfortable on the ice.
Cheers
Jim

Edit update:
The most comfortable skates i have ever worn. the 7000 felt like the have no arch support the 9k have so much
arch support by comparision it feels like a custom orthotic.
Have them baked to my feet was the best thing i have ever done. I played in a game with them last night and after warmups i felt completely confident with them. they are an awesome skate.
Now do i go put X blades on them or not??
Cheers
Jim

[Cujo_64]

no x blades... its a gimmick !


stick with the stock ones, I have had mine over 2 years and still have same blades and have had them sharpened probably 40 times !

Next up for Rob is CCM U+ Pro Goal Skates and Graf G-50's !!! WOOT !

Rob