Both CCM and Bauer are giants in the hockey industry, making it very hard to decide which brand and which line of skates to spend your money on. The prices vary from very high to low, while the right fit can be very confusing when you look at different categories. When it comes to CCM vs Bauer hockey skates, I can help you pick out which is best for you, depending on fit, performance level, and skill.
Below you’ll find a detailed review that shows the differences between the lines in a single brand, together with a comparison of lines between the different brands. Let’s not forget that I list my favorites, so you might find the perfect fit just by reading.
You can’t really be the best on the ice without finding a detailed hockey skates guide. I decided to start this one by explaining the different fits of each line, so keep on reading to find out more.
| Product | Top Features | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|
Bauer Vapor |
| 5 |
Bauer Supreme |
| 5 |
Bauer Nexus |
| 4 |
CCM Ribcore |
| 5 |
CCM Jetspeed |
| 5 |
CCM Tacks |
| 4 |
Bauer Vapor vs. Supreme vs. Nexus
The major difference between these three Bauer skate lines is the fit. So let’s find out how you can find the pair that’s best for you and which features vary among these three lines.
The Vapor skate has a narrower fit that starts from the ankle and heel and goes to the toes. The area of the toes features a standard fit. That’s why the Bauer Vapor skate is great for players with narrow feet and for those who prefer to wear tighter skates that feel snug around the ankles and fit for speed.
The Bauer Supreme skate features a medium fit that delivers a very natural feel when you put it on. Their main goal with this line is to provide hockey players with speed during the game. It’s an anatomical fit, which means it will adapt to your foot without gaps, for smoother movements. This is a skate meant to give you more power.
The Nexus line, on the other hand, is a high-volume skate. If you have a wide foot, these are the skates you should try first. They give a little extra space for your foot if you don’t like your skates to feel tight. Nexus is known as the classic skate that gives more control.
My favorite in this Vapor line is the Bauer Vapor 2X Pro. When it comes to Supreme, I always choose the Bauer Supreme 2S Pro, and for Nexus I opt for the Bauer Nexus 2N.
Last year, Bauer stopped releasing the Nexus line and focused more on their two other lines. They upgraded the fits by offering different ones within both their Supreme and Vapor categories.
You can still find several skate styles from the Nexus line to buy, so if you’re looking for something to accommodate a wide foot, hurry up before they’re gone.
The new Bauer releases are only in the Supreme and Vapor lines. The brand decided to release different types of fits within each line, using FIT2 for a standard fit, FIT1 for a narrow fit, and FIT3 for a wide fit. If you ever come across these terms, you’ll now know what they mean.
CCM Ribcor vs. Jetspeed vs. Tacks
Just like with Bauer, the main difference between Ribcor vs. Jetspeed vs. Tacks is the fit. Now, let’s see which skate is meant for your needs and foot type.
Ribcor, in terms of fit, will be better for players who prefer a tight fit or have narrow feet. Everyone who loves that snug, safe feeling of a boot should try one of the CCM Ribcor styles.
Jetspeed, by comparison, is a medium-volume skate, with a tight fit in the heel and ankle area, but more room in the toe area. It’s great for players who want that extra toe space at the front of their boot. The skates will provide power and speed because of their lightweight nature.
The Tacks skate line has an anatomical design that, in this case, doesn’t feel too tight. Instead, it leaves the player a little room and is a great choice for people with wider feet.
The CCM Ribcor 80K is my favorite choice from the Ribcor line, followed by the CCM Jetspeed FT2 from the Jetspeed line, and the CCM Super Tacks AS3 Pro from the Tacks line.
Bauer Vapor vs CCM Ribcor
It’s very hard to pick a winner in the Bauer Vapor vs CCM Ribcor battle. Both lines are designed to deliver speed for players, with much more explosive acceleration and stopping power. They are perfect for players who want to play fast and use high speeds.
That said, there are slight differences in the fit that might help you decide. For example, both lines are designed to be tight-fitting, but the Vapor line will give you a little extra space in the toe area.
Each of these lines has a flexible boot and achieves it in a different way. Ribcor, for instance, enables the best strides thanks to the tight fit without any spaces and with a tapered cut. Vapor, on the other hand, features a higher boot with a low-cut and low-profile footbed.
Although this is a very hard call to make, and the decision comes down to personal preferences, I still have favorites in this category. Take a look at my top three picks and decide which one would work best for you:
1. Bauer Vapor 2X Pro
The Bauer Vapor 2X Pro is my absolute favorite in this group. Yes, these are costly, but they are also high-performance, fast, and stable. Thanks to the Lock-Fit feature, you will feel safe doing strides while also knowing you have a durable skate.
This product is great for players with low-profile feet. Because of the stiffness of the skate, players get better stability, while the Aero Foam Pro and the Recoil Pro tongue bring comfort and protection.
Bauer implemented their new Dynaflex system when creating the Vapor 2X Pro skates. The boot has a dose of flexibility to it, helping both with the fit and the comfort level. This is why it adapts to the natural shape of the foot effortlessly.
Another huge pro of these skates is their lightweight nature. One of the most impressive things about the brand is that they used the scans of over 25.000 players to create a new asymmetrical toe cap and box that increased speed.
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2. CCM Ribcor 80K
The CCM Ribcor 80K hockey skates feature an improved FlexFrame Technology that allows maximized energy transfer in order to deliver more power to the player. When it comes to comfort and stability, the brand utilizes an ADPT Memory Foam and a Total Dri Pro+ Liner.
It has a new SpeedBlade Xchange system holder that allows players to switch their blades very quickly. The skates are lined with a Totaldi Pro+ Liner and feature Durazone abrasion protection. This liner is sweat-wicking to keep feet dry even during the most intense games.
Finally, the blade is a premium one, treated with oxide treatment for prolonged life. The reason why the CCM Ribcor 80K ranks second on my list is mostly because it fits people with wider feet.
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3. Bauer Vapor X2.9
The Bauer Vapor X2.9 skates are not meant for top professionals, as is my top pick. These are a much more affordable option for players who skate two to three times a week. You’ll still be getting that high quality and great performance but at a lower price point.
These skates feature the PerformFlex system for improved comfort, better fit, and improved performance. They’re best suited for players with low-volume foot dimensions.
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Bauer Supreme vs CCM Jetspeed
The second battle of the day is Bauer Supreme Vs CCM Jetspeed. Once again, different people may find different winners, depending on what they’re looking for in a hockey skate line.
In general, both lines are meant for players who prefer powerful play. When it comes to the design, the Bauer Supreme is slightly larger compared to Jetspeed, which is why the Bauer Supreme is a better option for people with wider feet and players such as power forwards, grinders, and defensemen. The Jetspeed hockey skates have a little bit more room in the toes, with a snug fit in the heels.
Both of these lines feature anatomical fits, with greater protection and higher toe boxes. These are secure and stiff, allowing players to achieve high power strides without losing responsiveness.
As you can see, there are only slight differences between the two lines that can influence your decisions. These are my three favorites in this category:
1. Bauer Supreme 2S Pro
This is another favorite skate design from the Bauer Pro line. It’s the Bauer Supreme 2S Pro, the best hockey skates for increased power. If you’re a player who likes the strong, powerful game, this is the pair you want to get.
The Reflex Pro Tongue and composite inserts on the skate ensure that you get a perfect 360-degree fit and a Speed Plate 2.0 for a completely customized footbed. These two will not only keep you safe but also give you a boost of energy for great strides.
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2. CCM Jetspeed FT2
The CCM Jetspeed FT2 is a top-notch hockey skate with a tapered fit. These skates are stiff, which elevates the performance together with the Liteframe 360 Evo technology. All this will deliver more power and explosiveness during the game.
Their signature motto is “Fit to fly,” so you already know what their main purpose is. The hockey skates are perfect for all players who want a fast game with high acceleration and an instant start.
Thanks to the RocketFrame composite material, the CCM Jetspeed FT2 skates are very lightweight, which adds even more speed. Their fit is tapered with a snug feeling both around and under the feet.
CCM included their latest one-piece boot frame when creating the skates, which provides the player with a feeling that their skate and leg become one.
This line is meant for a player that uses skates more than five times a week and needs professional performance. Due to the Metatomic tongue, you’ll receive improved comfort, higher protection, and even better fit.
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3. Bauer Supreme 3S Pro
Another Bauer favorite is the Supreme 3S Pro. These are not the skates to buy if you’re a recreational player. It’s a next-level design with an upgraded Performance Fit System for amazing comfort. The 3D Lasted Flex Composite boot makes the skates lightweight and gives more speed.
The Supreme 3S Pro skates have an asymmetrical toe cap that will help with more intense strides. It’s another pair that has the trusted Bauer Lock Fit liner, which is also sweat-wicking. It makes the entire fit of the boot much better and more comfortable.
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Bauer Nexus vs CCM Tacks
Let’s wrap this up by determining a winner in the Bauer Nexus Vs CCM Tacks battle. Made for traditional two-way players, both of these lines have many similar characteristics. They bring improved responsiveness and better all-around play.
The Nexus line has the largest boot volume and width, making it perfect for players who have wide feet or who prefer to have extra room in their boot. This skate is equally wide through the entire length of the foot.
The CCM Tacks are stiff and made for hockey players with high-profile feet. They deliver an anatomical, stiff fit with a lot of volume, but not as much as the Bauer Nexus skates.
Although Bauer has discontinued their Nexus line, I still wanted to include a favorite of mine that you can easily find if you think it’s what you’re looking for. Check out the top three list below:
1. CCM Super Tacks AS3 Pro
When it comes to high performance in the Bauer Nexus and CCM Tacks lines, the CCM Super Tacks AS3 Pro are the best hockey skates money can buy. The one-piece MonoFrame boot allows greater speed, improved energy transfer, and a much better fit for the foot.
The latest XS tongue upgrade will make sure that you are both comfortable and protected while on the ice. You can also customize the fit according to what you need and want by changing the inner volume.
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2. Bauer Nexus 2N
Although the Bauer Nexus line has been discontinued, you can still find these skates online. As I mentioned before, these are hockey skates for players with wide feet or those who like to stay comfortable. This is a lightweight design that won’t slow you down.
This is a skate created with control in mind. It might not be available anymore, but so many players are looking to purchase it again.
On the inside, it’s lined with a HYDRA MAX 2 material and with memory foam. This is sweat- and moisture-wicking fabric for dry feet and added comfort. The footbed is well-ventilated thanks to the Form-Fit+ technology and a stabilizing grip. It’s made of a very lightweight 3-D lasted CURV composite material that also delivers a pro-level performance.
Last, but not least, the Tuuk Lightspeed Edge holder will help you change blades fast and without a hassle.
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3. CCM Super Tacks 9380
Finally, the CCM Super Tacks 9380 are much more affordable hockey skates. If you don’t want to spend a fortune, this can be your choice. These skates still deliver great performance, without sacrificing your budget.
This design features an anatomical fit that snuggles the foot 360 degrees, leaving no negative space. It’s an important characteristic that improves stability and power, and delivers more precise movements.
When it comes to the 10mm replaceable tongue, it’s a great addition that increases comfort significantly. The inside is lined with a TotalDri liner and Durazon Abrazion protection, that wick away moisture, keeping the feet dry.
This is another CCM design that has the improved SeedBlade XS holder. The main purpose of the holder is to help players change their blades quickly.
This skate has a medium-fit design with a MettaFrame RFM lightweight boot construction. It’s the technology behind the great fit of the boot that is secure and comfortable. The Speedblade XS blade holder will allow you to change blades in a matter of minutes.
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Final Thoughts
You know what they say: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. This also applies when buying and trying out hockey skates. Everyone’s feet and needs are different—that’s why it’s so hard to pick a winner in any one category.
As you probably noticed, I do have a winner in the CCM Vs Bauer skates battle in most lines, but that’s just what works best for my type of foot. And since I don’t like taking risks, I stick to what I know and what I’ve tried.
