Sandro Azerrad
Choosing the perfect hockey skates can be a tough decision, but I break down the process to you in the most palatable way.
I made a list of the best options with their core features, lower-priced alternatives along with a summary of my top 3 choices here.
Bauer Vapor
Hyperlite 2
Lightest, most versatile skate on the market today. The Hyperlite 2 are the gold standard of modern day skates.
93% Score
Bauer Supreme
Shadow
Allows for more powerful strides resulting in greater speed and seamless crossovers.
90% Score
TRUE Custom
SVH
Designed for comfort, featuring a performance-driven design to optimize your speed, power & control.
90% Score
When it comes to skates, there are different performance features that you are looking for.
Maybe its to enhance your abilities, correct for weaknesses in your game, or invest in a long-lasting, quality product.
Sometimes you want the skate to provide comfort and fit your foot like a glove. Especially if you have wide, narrow or flat feet.
When it comes to the models featured in this post, there's no doubt that they'll meet or exceed all of your expectations.
But with all these enhancements, be ready to spend a pretty penny.
To put your mind at ease, note that the pros are using the exact same skates.
They were specifically designed to optimize their on-ice abilities, so you definitely won't regret making the investment.
Keep in mind that we also suggest similar, low-cost options from the same skate collection.
Best Hockey Skates in 2025
For those that don't know, there are 3 skate manufacturers currently operating in North America. They are Bauer, CCM and TRUE.
All three brands currently offer several collections with a wide range of skates - from low to high end.
The collections mainly focus on Power, Agility, Acceleration and Comfort
Both CCM and Bauer offer three width options, while TRUE offers both regular and wide fit.
Furthermore, the TRUE Pro versions are custom designed to the shape of your foot, which means they are not readily available off the shelf.
To order the TRUE Custom SVH skates, you'll need to select the "Size Yourself" button found here or visit an authorized local dealer.
To locate a retailer near you, visit the TRUE Temper Dealer link.
We provide all the information below to determine which skates will best suit your needs.
Bauer Vapor Hyp2rlite
Released in 2023
Weight (Size 9M)
790g
Ideal For
Quickness and Agility
Size Range
7.0-12.0
Width Options
Regular, Wide or Narrow
List Price
$1,059.99 USD
$1,229.99 CAD
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Key Features:
What I Like/Dislike About the Bauer Vapor Hyperlite 2:
Like:
Dislike:
Skate Rating Breakdown:
Lightness
Durability
Comfort
Speed
Acceleration
Agility
Junior & Intermediate Options:
If you're searching for the same model skates but for kids or teenagers, check out the selection below. Note that the Hyperlite 2 is not available in Junior size.
Bauer Vapor X5 Pro
JUNIOR
List (USD)
$549.99
Bauer Vapor Hyperlite 2
INTERMEDIATE
List (USD)
$949.99
Low-Cost Equivalent Option (Senior):
For a less expensive model from the same series, try the:
Bauer Vapor X5 Pro
SENIOR
List (USD)
$809.99
Bauer Vapor X4/Shift
SENIOR
List (USD)
$499.99
Bauer Vapor X3
SENIOR
List (USD)
$299.99
Bauer Supreme Shadow
Released in 2024
Weight (Size 9M)
904g
Ideal For
Powerful Strides
Size Range
7.0-12.0
Width Options
Regular, Wide or Narrow
List Price
$1,069.99 USD
$1,319.99 CAD
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Bauer's Supreme Shadow skates made their NHL debut back in 2023 when Charlie McAvoy first wore them.
But they have caught on with plenty of other NHLers since, and are now the 3rd most worn skate in the NHL, behind the last generation Supreme Machs.
With stars like Cale Maker, Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel, and Jesper Bratt all rocking the Bauer Supreme Shadow for their teams, it's easy to see why they are so high on our list.
Bauer describes the Supreme Shadow as "power never seen before".
The boot consists of a 12K Carbon Curv composite material, which makes it sturdier and allows for maximum acceleration. In turn, this allows you to boost your stride length, and maximize your speed.
Key Features:
What I Like/Dislike About the Bauer Supreme Shadow:
Like:
Dislike:
Skate Rating Breakdown:
Lightness
Durability
Comfort
Speed
Acceleration
Agility
Junior & Intermediate Options:
If you're searching for the same model skates but for kids or teenagers, check out the selection below.
Note that the Supreme Shadow is not available in Junior size.
Bauer Supreme M50 Pro
JUNIOR
List (USD)
$549.99
Bauer Supreme Shadow
INTERMEDIATE
List (USD)
$969.99
Low-Cost Equivalent Option (Senior):
For a less expensive model from the same series, try the:
Bauer Supreme M50 Pro
SENIOR
List (USD)
$809.99
Bauer Supreme M40
SENIOR
List (USD)
$499.99
TRUE Custom SVH
Released in 2023
Weight (Size 9M)
N/A
Ideal For
Powerful Strides
Size Range
7.0-11.5
Width Options
Customized to your foot
List Price
$1,119.99 USD
$1,399.99 CAD
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
The Custom SVH line is the successor to the most popular TRUE skates amongst NHL skaters, the TRUE TF Series.
The uniqueness of Custom SVH skates is that they strive to give the skater a 100% “true” fit.
This is accomplished by technology that is exclusive to TRUE, where a skater’s foot is scanned with a 3D anatomical digital image to collect the needed information.
The custom fit helps the skates deliver power and performance by offering optimized stability, a superior fit and direct power transfer, which leads to crisper strides.
If you can get your foot 3D scanned for a custom fit, then TRUE skates are the way to go.
Key Features:
What I Like/Dislike About the TRUE Custom SVH Skates:
Like:
Dislike:
Skate Rating Breakdown:
Lightness
Durability
Comfort
Speed
Acceleration
Agility
CCM Tacks XF Pro
Released in 2024
Weight (Size 9M)
954g
Material
Powerful Strides
Size Range
7.0-12.0
Width Options
Regular, Wide or Narrow
List Price
$1,099.99 USD
$1,299.99 CAD
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Who else but Sidney Crosby would be the first to wear these CCM skates?
Along with Crosby, the fastest man on skates, John Tavares, Victor Hedman, and JT Miller can all be spotted wearing these Tacks XF Pros.
The CCM Tacks XF Pro skates are built with their signature one-piece boots and the brand’s elite RocketFrame composite materials.
The goal there is maximum stiffness and explosive power. These skates also provide one of the best fits you will find on the market.
They wrap and molds to a player’s foot with the entire boot instead of just certain areas, like other skates.
All told, these hockey skates are all about performance and power.
Multi-density foam pads wrap anatomically around your foot for customized fit and incomparable comfort, while the Game Ready Fit makes breaking-in easy, even for hobby hockey players.
Key Features:
What I Like/Dislike About the CCM Tacks XF Pro:
Like:
Dislike:
Skate Rating Breakdown:
Lightness
Durability
Comfort
Speed
Acceleration
Agility
Junior & Intermediate Options:
If you're searching for the same model stick but for kids or teenagers, check out the selection below.
CCM Tacks XF Pro
JUNIOR
List (USD)
$599.99
CCM Tacks XF Pro
INTERMEDIATE
List ( USD)
$999.99
Low-Cost Equivalent Options (Senior):
For a less expensive model from the same series, try the:
CCM Tacks XF
SENIOR
List (USD)
$849.99
CCM Tacks XF90
SENIOR
List (USD)
$549.99
5. TRUE Catalyst 9X4 (See Price)
TRUE Catalyst 9X4
Released in 2024
Weight (Size 9M)
1013g
Ideal For
Quickness & Agility
Size Range
7.0-11.5
Width Options
Regular or Wide
List Price
$1,079.99 USD
$1,279.99 CAD
While under 2% of NHLers wear the Catalyst 9X4, TRUE is gaining ground in the NHL world while holding a 10% stake in the skate game.
You can see all the numbers behind how many NHL players wear which skate at GearGeek.
The TRUE Catalyst 9X4 maintains the standard company look — a black base layer on the boot with silver trim and a few logos throughout.
The iconic four-stripe silver logo is visible on both sides of the boot, a staple look for all TRUE skates.
There are additional silver lines that gently scratch the sides of the boot, but nothing that distracts from the main design.
In addition to its 3D anatomical foot scan, TRUE is hoping its new thermoformable one-piece shell will provide some extra comfort to those who choose these skates.
The shell is advertised as being softer and more flexible, which lends to a better range of motion.
The toe cap has also been redesigned with a lower profile for added agility and reduced weight, leading to quicker speed from the user.
Key Features:
What I Like/Dislike About the Catalyst 9X4 Skates:
Like:
Dislike:
Skate Rating Breakdown:
Lightness
Durability
Comfort
Speed
Acceleration
Agility
Junior & Intermediate Options:
If you're searching for the same model stick but for kids or teenagers, check out the selection below.
TRUE Catalyst 9X4
JUNIOR
List (USD)
$449.99
TRUE Catalyst 9X4
INTERMEDIATE
List (USD)
$279.99
Final Thoughts
While all the skates above do a great job of shedding excess weight, and being focused on comfort, it's clear that the best skate of the group remains the Bauer Vapor Hyperlite 2.
The Hyperlite 2 is the gold standard of hockey skates.
Close to 40% of NHL players use the Hyperlite 2 skates (see here).
If you want to use what the pros use, you know where to look, and what to get.
Which Skates are Right for You?
Choosing a pair of skates will depend on your hockey experience and your budget.
If you are new to hockey, it's probably best to find a pair of skates that provide you maximum comfort, first and foremost.
This includes proper ankle support for stability, a boot that perfectly contours your foot and good mobility.
While the high-end models will meet all of these attributes and more, it might not be worth it to dish out on a brand new sport.
The Bauer Vapor line might be the best place to start as they represent the gold standard of skates today.
My personal preference would be Bauer Vapor X3 (Canada Here) for that matter.
For more experienced players, you should be looking for skate more tailored to your style of play and needs.
And if you want that extra edge against your opponents on the ice, be ready to break the bank.
For forwards, there is no doubt that the Hyperlite 2 (Canada Here) should be high up your list.
Meanwhile, defensemen should concern themselves with powerful strides and crossovers. That is offered in the Bauer Supreme series, with the Bauer Supreme Shadow (Canada Here) reigning "supreme".
Final Thoughts
Let me know which skates you decided to go with.
Is there a brand you think stands out more than the others? I’m always open to testing out something new and give you my feedback.
Drop a comment below.
