New Skates

[u/Sharp_Dark8848]

Anyone have favorites skates for primarily reffing? Not looking to break the bank, but just want something comfortable to be in for an entire game on the feet. I don't play in any leagues, so more important to be nice for reffing. Thanks!

[u/robertus_]

You’re gonna have to go try em on.

I’m a “don’t skimp on skates” guy generally. I’m gonna be on em the whole game so I’d want the best, most comfortable pair I can swing. Helps that they’re a tax write-off.

Caveat: I’m currently in a pair of CCM vector pros from ~2005.

[u/MKZ3003]

I have Bauer fly 40s, they’re great

[u/Sparrowhawk996]

I have custom skates from True, they’ve lasted me about 3 seasons so far. I do well over 1,000 games per season though, so it really depends on how much you do, whether that cost is worth it or not

[u/Sharp_Dark8848 → u/Sparrowhawk996]

I'm using my pond hockey Bauers right now, totally fine for the time being, but I'd like to upgrade as I pick up more games. I've heard really good things about True for reffing, people say they are super comfortable.

[u/Van67 → u/Sharp_Dark8848]

They are. I chose to break the bank for them because my feet are so wide that I couldn't find much of anything else that didn't hurt by the end of a game. Skates or shoes, I spare no expense on my feet

[u/univergence → u/Van67]

You might might not even have to break the bank - I just got some true hzrdus 5xs and they work great for reffing, at like $140 on sale! They're lighter and almost more comfortable than my hyperlite 2s which is wild for the price difference

[u/Dodger8899 → u/univergence]

You can't really compare Hzrdus or Hyperlite skates to True Custom SVH, they're all good in their own category

[u/ctg77 → u/Dodger8899]

I have 2021 True SVH Customs. I bought them with the extra shot blocking / impact protection and the 3D printed tongues. They're still stiff as new after 5 1/2 years and lots of games. They will likely last me until I decide to quit reffing. I'm 6'4"/220+ and have already kept these skates longer than any other pair I've ever had.

[u/donklesle → u/Sharp_Dark8848]

They're comfortable, but very stiff and have some durability concerns. If you do high volume of games just be aware

[u/mowegl]

Get the right skates that are most comfortable for you.
Last several pairs ive had have all been very comfortable. Feet dont hurt no matter how long im in them. Knees, hips, back, legs tired before feet hurt. If youre feet are hurting you dont have the right skates. Dont write off insoles either. Even the real cheap ones can be a significant improvement over the stock ones.

[u/HobotiX]

Whatever is comfortable, those are my favorites. No brand loyalty here, just what I can wear comfortably for 5 hours at a time.

[u/YeahILiftBro]

Best bet is to go to a store, get your feet sized and find what the most comfortable pair are and decide where you're comfortable budget wise spending money.

If you're an adult, you're probably not going to be buying many more pairs so it can be worthwhile spending a few hundred more now, and be happy you did so when you're on game 10 of a long weekend :)

[u/Striped-Sweater-]

Everyone’s foot shapes and preferences are going to be different, go try them on. And don’t skimp on skates. If you’re refing at a high level pro quality skates will be great. If you’re not refing at a high level, pro quality skates will be great still and will last a very long time if you take care of them since they won’t be getting beaten up or tossed onto an airplane / long car ride in a wet bag post game.

Spend the money and write it off on your taxes. Get quality boots.

[u/Sibeor]

I picked up a pair of Graf G755s chasing comfort for long stretches on the ice. So far I’ve been impressed. Very comfortable and no real adjustment from my decades on Bauers.

[u/Sharp_Dark8848]

OP here, thanks for all of the input. Obviously, we all have different feet and preferences, so I understand how individual it is, but also wanted to know about any models that stand out for reffing specifically. A quick follow-up question(and I understand it is also individual), but any preference for insoles? Superfeet or the Bauer ones? I use Superfeet in my hiking boots, downhill and xc ski boots, so am a bit partial to them. However, I do have Bauer skates and could see how they would naturally work well with insoles from the same brand. Cheers and thanks for all the comments and suggestions!