Review: CCM Jetspeed FT6 Skates
Pond hockey doesn’t require much gear, but agile skates with good ankle support are a must. CCM’s Jetspeed FT6 Player Skates have a one-piece composite boot for quick energy transfer; and lightweight materials throughout for improved handling and quick mobility. They’re responsive on the ice, and can change direction on a dime, with minimal effort. That makes chasing down a runaway offender a breeze—so long as you’re in shape (but let's face it: most of us at Diamond Park or Southside aren't).
As far as features go, these skates are loaded. A moisture-wicking liner helps keep your feet dry, which you’ll immediately notice is a major upgrade from second-hand leather skates. To take things up a notch, CCM also included heat-moldable memory foam all over the boot for a snug, secure fit. The skates will mold to your feet over time, or you can bake ’em in the oven to speed up the process. Another comfort upgrade is the flexible tendon guard. It’ll still stop an errant skate to the heel, but it has just enough give to allow for a greater stride length. And while the tendon guard might be flexible, the rest of the boot is stiff. It takes a little getting used to, but once you develop some confidence, the stiffness really helps the skates fly on the ice.
Finally, the skates are topped off with high-quality, replaceable steel blades. That allows for quick switch-ups, so you can swap in some beater blades for wild-ice skating (when rock- and root-strikes are real possibilities), and then change the blades back for a sharp pair on the hockey rink. A quick-release holder makes the changeout easy—no tools required.
One the whole, you’re still not gonna look like an NHL player at Southside Park, but you’ll probably feel like one with these skates. Just keep things below the waist.
Available at ccmhockey.com; $770.
Note: Per usual with ice skates, size down one or two full sizes from your street shoe. The Jetspeeds run slightly narrow, so if you have wide feet, you might want to look at another model from CCM.
