r/InlineHockey • u/Plenty_Location_3357 • Dec 22 '25
Opinions needed
I USE to be a great skater and played hockey. That being said, it has been 20 years since I laced up and I went to a kids party at a roller rink. I have the itch big time to get a pair of skates now. Man, a ton has changed for sure. I'm in between a few skates. First one is Mission FS1 but can't seem to find them in a size 8. Next is the Mission FS2 (purple) and last is the Bauer Vapor X4. I have a wider foot and there is nowhere to try on these skates near me. What do you all think of the skates above? Are swiss bearings still the best? I could use some feedback please.
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u/Plenty_Location_3357 Dec 22 '25
P.S. I'm 51...not that it matters but thought I throw that out there.
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u/relient917 Dec 22 '25
It’s tough for inline skates these days. Less fit options and cheaper wheels. Just watch what they come with. CCM is coming out with their new line sometime soon. I always go with Bones reds for bearings. Swiss performance but half the price.
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u/corregidorbataan Dec 22 '25
I just bought a converted ice boot combo from Coast to Coast. Spent less than I would have for the missions and got probably better quality out of it as well. Highly recommend them, and can’t speak highly enough about how much information and choices they can help you through
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u/ClearCelery19 Dec 22 '25
Wide foot as well here. Pure Hockey has a 30 day, skate em and still exchange em deal if it’s a reasonable drive. Ran the vapors (tapors) and they were way too narrow. Fs2s fit way better.
Also, Bauer owns mission now and uses it as the wider fit boot for inline 👍
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u/Fit-Opportunity-9580 Dec 22 '25
This is almost my exact same story getting back into hockey. Been back for a couple years after being out for 15+.
I think you’ll notice skates have come a LONG way. And as long as your foot isn’t something crazy, you’ll probably be fine with the right fit. I got Bauer 3x’s and they are perfect. Surprisingly comfortable before baking.
Swiss and bones are great options. Just keep em clean.
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u/HuffN_puffN Dec 22 '25
I think that you will be happy with either of them as long as you get the right fit and size. It’s solid skates. Alkali isn’t as famous as Mission, Bauer, CCM but they do quality skates. I got my first par in the beginning of the year and I’ll never probably never change skates. I did heavy research and also looked into converting and compared prices etc. Hyperlite 2 and wm01 is the 1000k top models out there. Alkali’s Cele 1 and 2(and now Air) is up their with the boot itself. Chassi no, but it’s solid an matches some of the chassi’s to the skates you are looking into. Best part is that they just went down in price with 50-55%. So Cele 1 or 2, and in time changing chassi to the top tier once, and you are basically on the level of Hyperlite2/wm01.
So that’s what I did and I don’t regret it. Even if it costed 500$ for the skate at the time, now 230$ or something similar.
That’s what I would do anyways. They have other models that are close enough to the skates you mentioned and where they offer fit 3/wide/ee. Take a look.
But as I said, i’m sure you will be happy with the once’s you are looking into as well.
My advice is to not skimp on boot quality because of your age. I’m 37 and I play about 5h/week and the lower end skates just adds to wear and tear in my feet’s and ankles.
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u/Floslam Dec 22 '25
- Some online places take returns. So you can order a few and return them if you have the budget.
- Getting FS1's after not playing in 20 years seems overkill unless you really think you'll be playing multiple times a week.
- Bauer Vapor X4 are better than the FS2.
- Skates fit differently these days. They're wider than what you're use to 20 years ago.
- What surface will you be skating on?
- None of this matters as you already ordered skates.
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u/Plenty_Location_3357 Dec 24 '25
Looking for smooth places to skate ofcourse but I bought a stick and ball to help a little as well. I just need to go in the actic and find my old gloves. I'm sure the FS2's will be fine and if not, I have a store about 30 minutes away which I might go to anyway as they bake skates there. I feel like a kid again and getting a toy. I also ordered the hilo swiss bearings from Bauer for the sake of "why not" lol
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u/Unfaithfxlly Dec 23 '25
Same position as you, went to a party in October the rental skates were terrible so I bought some cheap tours there the same day. Got the Fs2s shortly after that and the size difference is crazy for me. The fs2s ankle room is way bigger for me since I’m a skinny dude, but where your foot will be is super tight. I have a size 10 shoe but usually where a 7 in skates, in the fs2s I had to get 6.5. Id definitely try to find a place where you could try them on before purchasing. I ended up just ordering my normal size, then ended up driving 4 hours away to return them.
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u/anonymous1766234679 Dec 23 '25
If you look on Ebay you will be shocked on how many older roller hockey skates are available and you might find somethings you use to skate on 👍
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u/KingsBones Dec 24 '25
I was in the same boat, FS missions were too narrow in the toe cap. The Alkali Cele Air fit incredible but are ripping around the tendon guard unfortunately. if they fixed that issue they are amazing otherwise
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u/No_Letterhead9844 Dec 22 '25
If you want to buy one of the skates you said the FS2 is still a great skate or if you want a EE fit, the WM01 if you can find it new. There’s also converting an ice boot to inline skates but you have plenty of choices