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Answers to 9K Pump Skate Questions

21 Aug 2008

Thanks for posting your questions about the 9K Pump Skate. Andrew Stewart our Skate Product Manager has answered as many questions as possible. See his answers below:

Question:

Do NHL players such as Sidney Crosby and Pavel Datsyuk have fully functioning pump skates or are the skates dressed up to look like the top retail model?

Answer:

Yes indeed, Sidney and Pavel wear the exact same skate you find on the shelves of your local retailer. Even pros can’t do better than the 9K Pump: It’s lightweight, customizable, and features the most advanced technology on the market. The durability of its outer shell and the structural enhancements that increase speed and acceleration- mean the 9K is ideal for NHL ice.

Question:

Can you stretch the side of the 9k skate?

Answer:

When we designed the 9K, we focused on making it easy to customize the skate for optimum fit. That’s why it’s thermo-formable, so you get full contact custom support to the specific shape of your foot. The result? A personalized, seamless fit. Combine this with the Pump function and SkateLock feature, and you get a quality of control and stability that can’t help but elevate your game.

Question:

What does the Reebok 9K Pump Skate have that other skates do not have?

Answer:

The 9K is in a class above. Two of the most distinguishing features are of course 1) the Pump, and 2) Reebok’s own proprietary SkateLock technology. The Pump lets you control the amount of air in the skate’s internal chamber, eliminating the amount of natural gaps around the ankle. This goes towards customizing your fit, increasing foot stability and preventing heel lift. The SkateLock feature takes footlock to another level, by having two distinct zones for lacing. The skate’s top three eyelets can be tightened independently of the forefoot. These features, along with the Griptonite footbed, serve up a multiple-angel foot lock. With the 9K you are accelerating power with every stride, while retaining total control and stability.

Question:

I stripped some screws on my skates. Since the Reebok skates have special screws where can I get extra replacement screws? I have not found an online store that carries spare parts.

Answer:

If you’re in search of any spare parts for Reebok skates and having trouble sourcing them online, it’s best to check with your local retailer. If he doesn’t have the parts in stock, or doesn’t carry them, he can order them quickly and easily for you.

Question:

What are some qualities in RBK skates that other brands don't have that makes RBK so popular in the NHL? I know it has the Pump and the skate lock but do those two features make such a huge difference?

Answer:

NHL’s finest choose Reebok skates for a number of reasons. The Pump and SkateLock ensure the perfect, personalized fit. The lightweight core and durable outer shell, put together with a carbon outsole that maximizes energy transfer, means players have stability, support and speed. The 9K is the whole package, the ultimate skate for a pro performance.

Question:

With the 9k skates do you get blisters on your feet? I’ve tried a lot of skates and I have tried getting the skates molded to my feet but they still give me big blisters and it affects my game.

Answer:

Blisters aren’t fun. The 9K is definitely designed to give the most comfortable, customizable ‘out of the box’ fit. There’s the Griptonite technology in the footbed to secure your heel in place, preventing back and forth slippage. Then the flexibility of the Pump and SkateLock gets you that personalized fit that alleviates awkward rubs, while the thermo-formable interior molds specifically to your foot. That being said, often blisters are caused by improper sizing. Be sure to get sized by a professional, and you should be in good shape.

Question:

Is the new 9k the lightest skate out??

Answer:

We’re proud to say that the 9K is the lightest skate ever produced by Reebok.

Question:

What radius do most NHL's use for their skate blades?

Answer:

A 10 foot radius is usually preferred by the elite hockey player, as it allows for precise turns with optimal balance. Reebok always targets for the best in out of the box fit, so we also now contour our blades to a 10 foot radius, centered to the boot, and ready to keep you nimble on the ice.

Question:

Is the 4k Skates importable to South Africa?

Answer:

Check out the online stores. Your search engine should pull up a variety of options in sites for you to put in an order.

Question:

I just want to know how much volume is in the skates because I always had a lot of problems when my heel lifted out of the skate because the instep was too high and I was hoping that the pump might help.

Answer:

Because heel lift is a common problem with skate fit, it’s an issue we targeted when designing the 9K. The Pump works by distributing air into those natural gaps between your ankle and skate, customizing it to fit your foot, and substantially reducing heel lift. If it’s something you’re come up against time and time again, we definitely suggest trying the 9K. You’ll get the heel lock and ankle support you’ve been missing.

Question:

Can you bake your skates at home? If so, how do you recommend doing it?

Answer:

We definitely do not recommend heating your skates at home. Truck into your local retailer to get them sorted. Find other things to bake at home. Brownies. Cookies. Etc.

Question:

How much will these skates cost?

Answer:

There can be slight variations in price, so it’s best to check with your local retailer or online stores

Question:

I am an adult with small feet and I can fit into a 5.5 E, is the junior 9K PUMP the same quality and standards as the senior model?

Answer:

You’re in luck. The JR 9K skates have all the same specifications as the SR model. Same lightweight core, durable outer shell, SkateLock and Pump features. It has everything you need to keep you fast and agile on the ice.

Question:

I skate in a 8EE Vapor XXX that I was bribed into by my old Bauer rep back when I worked retail. Now that I am out of retail I am thinking about new skates an I am torn between the U+ or the 9K I have skate CCM/Rbk most of my adult life except for these Vapor XXXs. I have a wide fore foot and a narrow heel with medium height in the arch. The xxx that I am in are 8EE on the Right and 7 3/4 on the left they had to go back to Bauer custom three times for them to get them right so you could say I learned my lesson that I am not a bauer guy. Anyway thanks for your help. How long does the pump remain effective assuming all skates break in over time? Does the skate eventually lose the snug feel the pump offers.

Answer:

We say go with the 9K. The skate is now offered in a size EE width, and the Pump feature targets gaps and will reduce heel life. The Pump keeps on pumping- it won’t lose its effectiveness. You’ll get that solid, customized fit every time you put on your skates.