I have recently gained an interest in hockey and learning to skate. I have been using my dad'* old CCMs to learn on but I would like to get my own. I have been skating maybe 7 or 8 times in the last 3 months so I am new to the sport. My skate budget is about $150. I don't plan on playing hockey, just skating at the local rink for fun. I have been seriously looking at the RBK 4ks. Retail is supposed to be $240 but I found them on sale. So, what do you hockey players think of this skate?
Grant

I have never worn hockey skates, and the last time I went skating was in high school for gym class, I wore the figure skates

I just have to warn you, have you looked at prices for getting all your hockey gear? The skates are only 1/20 of all the gear.

*figure skates out of this thread...*

I don't plan on playing hockey anytime soon. I just want a decent pair of skates to learn in. I am practicing stopping and skating backwards right now. It is a lot of fun and provides good cardio exercise in addition to the gym. 30 minutes on the cross-trainer can get boring. I would love to play hockey but I am no where near good enough.
Grant

I love hockey. I played goal until I moved from Minnesota to California. Now I have neither the time nor the rinks to play.

I don't know much about player'* skates (as opposed to goal skates), but I think that the most important thing is to find something that fits your foot well. The various brands (Bauer, CCM, Rbk, Graf, etc.) use different "lasts" in forming their skates, so they will fit differently. Go to a store, preferably a hockey shop, and try on a bunch of different skates to see what works for you.

I think that is what I will do. The skates I'm using now rub and are about a half size too big which is no good. I am looking at the RBK 3K, 4K and 5K pumps. I need to decide which stiffness is best for me.
Grant

Man, I liked hockey but the skates just kill my feet. My arches ache so bad I feel like my foot is broken after a half hour.

Anyway, do you have a used sports store? We have a Play It Again place here where I got my skates years ago. They were in very good shape.

i love hockey, everything about the sport...except the skating, i cant skate to save my life

EDIT: what size skate do you wear?

About a 10 depending on brand and which line of skates. I need to try some on at the local sporting goods store. I figured I would have a lot of trouble skating but it is going pretty well so far. I am practicing stopping and learning to skate backwards. I still can't get the hang of the crossovers yet. It is a lot of fun practicing though.
Grant

just a tip, i NEVER wear a pair of my skates w/o those gel insert things. they will help out greatly. you will be able to skate muck longer and not have to walk like a crippled duck afterwards.

dang, i found some mint size 8 skates on craigslist for free, i woulda mailed them out to ya