What's the difference between expensive hockey skates and cheaper ones?

First of all, I'm not American, so my English may not be perfect.





I just bought Graf hockey skates, that cost about 80 dollars.





What's the difference between expensive skates (example Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX) and cheaper skates (example Nike Bauer Vapor IX).


I noticed no other difference, than the XXXX ones were more shinier, really.|||1 protection I have taken a shot to both,the protection on a more expensive skate is much better.The support that a high end skate offers is greater also.


#2 the fit,the high end skates are"baked",this is a process whereby the skate is heated up to a specific temperature then brought to the customers foot while still hot,he then wears it for ten minutes or so in order that the boot mold to his foot.This is not the case with all high end manufacturers but in any case the materials used on a high end skate would be more conducive to comfort.


#3 weight,the new high end skate is unbelievably light,the lower end skate has come a long way but the overall workmanship,materials used,and the little extras of the high end skates are what put it above the lower.


Having said that,if you are young and still growing, you would be wise to forgo the high end skate until a later time.


#4 over all performance,I have skated on both for years and have found myself constantly repairing my cheaper skates,blades,tucks,rips in boot,etc,I'm not saying this wont happen with high end skates only in my case less frequently.


#5 money this is an issue and in most cases you get what you pay for.





p.s. You should buy the skates suited to their use,if the skates are meant for a pass time and on occasion,then the differences in the skates become moot,if on the other hand you are involved in serious competition,or use them with great frequency will the differences become apparent.|||the material used in more expensive skates can be different.


some expensive skates are much lighter; some use kevlar and other materials.


mid priced to expensive skates may also have some gel inside the interior.


the blades on mid to expensive are usually stainless steel instead of high speed steel. the more expensive ones may be titanium coated.|||The more expensive - the lighter, more reliable, and just overall perform better. But if you don't play much, it comes down to comfort more then performance. Graf makes great skates|||the vapor xxxx are a lot lighter and they are made of much better materials so that they can uphold a better skater|||price...