2017 Bauer Vapor 1X Skates Review
Availability: In Stock Now - In Store Only
Written by Chad Purdy
Bauer is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Vapor skate family and they’re doing it in style with their new Vapor 1X. The original Vapor skate brought revolutionary change in how skates were being made. It dramatically reduced weight and its design was a game changer. I remember when that skate launched and it was so light that players were switching to it even if it wasn’t always the best fit for their feet.
Fast forward 20 years and many new design components later - the new Vapor 1X skate is one of the most anticipated launches of the year and Bauer doesn’t disappoint. It is a beautiful skate.
Make no mistake, as sexy as this new Vapor 1X skate looks, it’s performance straddles the brainy innovation of a Tesla and sheer power of a Ferrari. Let’s take a look under the hood:
Fit
Fit is everything when it comes to skates…especially when you’re planning on dropping $999. The new Vapor 1X doesn’t disappoint. Building on the previous 1X model’s improved fit through the heel and slightly wider volume through the toe box, fans of the Vapor fit will be impressed with the out of the box comfort.
With a narrow fitting heel, mid fit through the instep and a the 1X gives our skate fitters one of the most common fit profiles for players coming to us looking for the perfect fit. Obviously, each player’s feet have unique things going on (I’m being nice here... we see some messed up feet) but the fit profile Bauer has developed for the Vapor family is a proven winner. Further to that, Bauer’s Curv composite allows us to easily adjust any special requirements like protruding navicular bones and heel spurs through spot heating and punching.
As always, if you’re in the market for new skates, drop by and visit one of our Pro-Formance Fit Certified skate fit pros for the perfect fit.
New features
FLEX-LOCK PRO Tongue
Fit, flex, protection. The slow-molding insert of the FLEX-LOCK PRO tongue creates a locked in fit with forward flex and added protection.
When I skated on the new 1X at our Source for Sports on-ice demo in Niagara Falls last November, I was really impressed with how comfortable the FLEX-LOCK PRO tongue was. My first impression was that it would probably be too much material for somebody with a high instep. A foot with a high instep is typically prone to lace-bite if the volume of the skate doesn’t accommodate it. Since I have a high instep I was expecting to experience additional bite because of the additional width of the new tongue but I was more than pleasantly surprised with the fit.
The benefit that I really like about the FLEX-LOCK PRO tongue is how protective it will be. After several generations of tongues that skimped on protection to cut weight. Bauer did a nice job of beefing up their tongue without adding additional weight to the entire skate by cutting weight in other areas of the boot.
LOCK-FIT PRO Liner
Lock it down, speed it up. Along with an already snug fitting heel, the LOCK-FIT PRO Liner does a nice job keep your foot locked in place. Less slippage is going to help with comfort and improve performance on stops and starts. Even though this new liner isn’t a feature that’s going to grab headlines, it’s a nice little extra that you’d expect from a high-end skate.
LOCK-FIT PRO Lace Facing
Lace up and GO. Is there anything more annoying than having to adjust your skates mid game? With an improved combination of additional lace lock and a softer flex composition, the new 1X injected lace facing helps create a locked in fit so you don’t have to think about your skates during your ice-time and your first stride is as fast as your last.
I really like the lace lock that this new facing provides. The original 1X model didn’t have notched eyelet holes and it was difficult to keep lace tension consistent. The Bauer Supreme 1S skate debuted with a similar notched design so we know it’s been validated. Another nice feature only found on Bauer’s top skate models.
Some Familiar Features
Curv Composite
Bauer continues to utilize their 3-D lasted Curv composite. Curv is an an amzing material that allows the skate to be extremely light, while providing an enhanced stiffness level for maximum power transfer during skating. Curv composite provides exceptional comfort due to its thermoforable nature, and allows for the skate to be more responsive as well.
Comfort Edge Padding
The Total Comfort Edge delivers extra padding at the top of the ankle support to rid the skate of any sharp edges that might cause discomfort. A nice added touch by Bauer to increase the overall comfort of the skate during those long skating sessions throughout the week.
LS4 steel with Edge holder
The LS4 is an elite grade of stainless steel that has an improved surface finish for a cleaner, stronger sharpening edge. There’s also an additional 3mm in the steel height and an improved out of the box profile compared to Tuuk LS3.
The Tuuk Edge holder provides sharper and tighter turns without “bottoming out” through an increase of 3mm in overall height. It also features an innovative trigger system that allows players to change steel in seconds without missing a shift. This has been an innovative feature for those performance players that carry additional sets of steel.
Ventilated Composite Outsole
SPEED PLATE
Bauer’s SPEED PLATE is once again included. SPEED PLATE is a custom footbed that is heat fitted to your foot along with the skate. It replaces a customary foam footbed, for something with a little more kick to add a bit of spring to your stride. During molding, the SPEED PLATE conforms to the bottom of your foot, creating a custom fit.
Final Thoughts
This skate is work of art. Bauer has delivered on what they do best with their most successful skate family. Ever second year Bauer releases their new Vapor skate and our team of skate fitters are pumped for them to arrive.
If the 1X is a bit too rich for your blood, make sure to check out our Source Exclusive model, the Vapor X-Shift Pro.
As always, if you’re in the market for new skates, drop by and visit one of our Pro-Formance Fit Certified skate fit pros for the perfect fit.
Sizing & Pricing
Senior $999.99 6-12 full and half sizes / D, EE widths
Junior $749.99 3-5.5 full and half sizes / D, EE widths
Youth $209.99 8-9 - full sizes only / D width only; 10-13.5 full and half sizes / D, EE widths
