The Easton Air is a Great Intermediate Hockey Skate
Written: Mar 05 '04 (Updated Oct 05 '05)
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Pros: Fantastic stiffness for the price
Cons: Questionable hardware, if you're a CCM skater, the toes are a bit narrower
The Bottom Line: This is a great choice for all levels of recreational play. For the money you will not find a boot nearly as stiff as this.
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| puckmugger's Full Review: Easton Air Ice Hockey Skate 02 |
When looking at skates, the level of boot stiffness is the most noticeable thing you are getting as you go up in price. The benefit from stiffness is twofold. First, you need a stiff boot for support and explosive skating. If a boot is too soft, much of the energy in your leg drive will be lost in the upper rather than transferred to the ice. Second, a stiffer boot will last longer. Easton currently produces the stiffest uppers of any major skate manufacturer.
Of course, there is a downside to having a stiff boot as well. It is important to never buy a boot that is too stiff to break in given your current skill level and number of hours on the ice. Further, it is important to make certain that you have the physical size to flex the boot you select.
All this in mind, the Air is one of the top intermediate boots on the market. Easton’s line-up is as follows: Z-Air Comp, Z-Air, Air, Ultra lite Pro, Ultra lite. These being listed from top of the line to bottom of the line. There is also a newer skate called the SBX, but that is a soft boot technology and difficult to place in the lineup as it is a very different type of skate.
The Air is a skate that would be suitable for all levels of recreational play. The upper is cut very similarly to a CCM skate. Although the toecap is not quite as wide, the center of the boot and heel are almost identical. Most players who wear a CCM skate will find the Easton line just as comfortable, however, those with a wide forefoot will possibly be a bit cramped in the toes.
In a market flooded with newer brands, Easton has become one of the top five hockey skate manufacturers. Factor in the price of their skates, Easton is possibly the best. When looking at hockey skates, you generally are paying for stiffness as you go up in price. The Easton skates are among the stiffest boots on the market.
The Easton upper is cut very similarly to a CCM skate. Although the toecap is not quite as wide, the center of the boot and heel are almost identical. Most players who wear a CCM skate will find the Easton line just as comfortable, however, those with a wide forefoot will possibly be a bit cramped in the toes.
The boots on the Easton Air are as stiff as higher tier skates from other brands. Easton’s holders have been improved over the years, however on the current model, the hardware is a little bit iffy. The screws tend to work loose on occasion. A little lock-tite will fix the problem. As always the steel Easton uses is quite good. The parabolic runners do actually provide a little bit of extra propulsion, but at the cost of some strength. They do tend to break a bit more easily than the solid steel runners.
In summary, these are a fantastic skate for the price when compared to Bauer, Nike and CCM. Each brand has its high and low points. Easton scores very high on their boot design, their value to quality and durability of uppers. They do have some negatives in their runners and holder hardware, but these are the parts designed for replacement, so the worries here are minimal. If these fit your foot shape, they are a great price for a high quality skate.
© Scott Noble – Unauthorized use prohibited
A few of my other reviews that you might find helpful:
Hockey Skate buying demystified
Easton SBX
Nike Quest 3
Nike THG V-Force
How to Care for Skates
Recommended:
Yes
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