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Reebok RBK 9K Pump Skates

February 5, 2007 by Tyler  
Filed under Hockey Equipment

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Reebok RBK 9K Pump SkatesAfter writing quite a bit about the new Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX skates, we thought we should provide a little competition and go over the specifications of the Reebok 9K Pump…also known as Sidney’s Skates!

Some of the RBK 9K Pump Features include:

Perforated pro carbon anatomical ankle support delivers the long lasting support pro players demand.
Features full-length comfort foam and lightweight HD molded foam saddle lace-bite guard combined with a foam-felt tongue to maximize comfort and forward flex.
PLAYDRY† water repellent black CLARINO† liner delivers comfort and features anti-microbial ULTRA FRESH† treatment.
Lightweight PRO ARMOUR††† I delivers 50% more protection and maximizes durability.
MICROTEX† gloss embossed trims maximize abrasion resistance and durability.
New THRUSTER††† footbed features FibreGrip topcloth and moisture management.
Lightweight low profile overmolded bi-composite perforated outsole minimizes mass, maximizes energy transfer and delivers a reactive feel.
RBK E-BLADE††† PRO blade holder maximizes energy transfer and features easy runner attachment.
PROFORMANCE Lite††† Stainless runner.

 

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33 Comments on "Reebok RBK 9K Pump Skates"

  1. Pens Insider on Mon, 5th Feb 2007 10:15 pm 

    If I could put an Xbox on skates THAT is what it would look like. Lick looking skates, betting their pretty decent given sid the kid wears em’.

  2. Tyler on Tue, 6th Feb 2007 3:10 pm 

    If they’re good enough for Crosby, they are good enough for me!
    I still want to try out the new Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX Skates though.

  3. " » Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX Skates" by National Hockey League Digest on Fri, 9th Feb 2007 4:33 pm 

    [...] For those of you who haven’t seen or heard of the new Nike Bauer Vapor SFL XXXX Skates, they are about to be available. Rumor has it that they be available in June 2007 and will retail at about $699.99 CDN. They look very similar to the Flexlite 12’s with the TUUK Lightspeed 2 and stainless steel blade. The Vapor XXXX’s also feature a full carbon outsole and the patented light weight insta-form ankle pads. Nike Bauer consistently steps up to the plate with innovations in skate design, comfort and performance. Let’s hope that the SFL Vapor XXXX can live up to the legacy that Nike Bauer has set for themselves.  They may have lost some loyal users to the New Reebok RBK 9K Pump Skate. [...]

  4. kevin larsen on Tue, 27th Feb 2007 2:59 pm 

    the 9k pumps suck!! worst skate ever

  5. Tyler on Wed, 7th Mar 2007 11:51 am 

    Kevin,
    Can you tell us why you feel that the Reebok 9K pump skates sucks?
    Why shouldn’t someone buy them?

  6. Nike Bauer Vapor XXXX Skates | National Hockey League Digest on Thu, 15th Mar 2007 1:42 pm 

    [...] For those of you who haven’t seen or heard of the new Nike Bauer Vapor SFL XXXX Skates, they are about to be available. Rumor has it that they be available in June 2007 and will retail at about $699.99 CDN. They look very similar to the Flexlite 12’s with the TUUK Lightspeed 2 and stainless steel blade. The Vapor XXXX’s also feature a full carbon outsole and the patented light weight insta-form ankle pads. Nike Bauer consistently steps up to the plate with innovations in skate design, comfort and performance. Let’s hope that the SFL Vapor XXXX can live up to the legacy that Nike Bauer has set for themselves. They may have lost some loyal users to the New Reebok RBK 9K Pump Skate or their own Bauer One90 Skates. [...]

  7. hockey bunny on Thu, 15th Mar 2007 4:52 pm 

    The rbk 9k Pumps are so ugly and the pump always busts. My friend had to return two pair because of that, but they still have good boots and blades…just not the best skates.

  8. pukbunni on Fri, 23rd Mar 2007 8:18 am 

    my boyfriend has a pair of these skates, he has had them for about 6 months now and the blades are really awful they come loose easily and he has had to have new screws ordered for the bolts on the blade, amd the pump has gone on it already! The white version are really ugly! but the black and green look cool, its a shame that they are a waste of money…

  9. Reebok RBK 9K Pump Special Edition | National Hockey League Digest on Sat, 7th Apr 2007 9:36 am 

    [...] After first reviewing the Reebok 9K Pump, the skates that Sidney Crosby wears, people started e-mailing and asking about the White Reebok 9K Pumps. These are the skates that are worn by Ryan Smyth and Alexei Kovalev. Notice Ryan Smyth has the custom blue blade holder for his Pumps! They, along with the CCM V10 Vector Special Edition are basically the same skate as their respective regular models, but are marketed by the company as a “Special Edition” more or less because they are a different color. [...]

  10. Tyler on Tue, 17th Apr 2007 7:01 pm 

    Does anyone know how light in weight these skates are? I am looking to purchase new skates, and I am wondering what kind anyone would recommend. Thanks for you time.

  11. bethany #71 on Fri, 27th Apr 2007 11:12 pm 

    i had the 9k pumps and hated them after 2 weeks so since i work at a hockey store i just returned them haha! getting my vapor xxxx within 2 weeks cant wait….nike bauer makes the best skates in my opinion

  12. Kevin Kiguktak on Thu, 3rd May 2007 11:52 pm 

    Kool skates! If I had those skates I would like to use them everyday.

  13. Kevin Kiguktak on Thu, 3rd May 2007 11:54 pm 

    Tyler’s right!!! why would they suck? I know why, your just jealous of those who has them.

  14. Gerald-lee Clarke on Tue, 29th May 2007 1:02 pm 

    in my opinion……not all skates fits like a glove….it depends on the kind of feet you have…..so before bying a skate because it’s nice or cool…..ask an expert and you’l all see….

  15. Riely on Sun, 23rd Dec 2007 11:38 am 

    Gerald- Lee Clarkes right just because a skate is the coolest skate dosent mean buy it! Say a skate was in stock for foot size 3,6,7. And your foot is a 4 dosent mean that oh my foots a little bit bigger but the 3 will be ok. Im getting these skates and when i try them out i will tell all of the people who submited.

  16. robin on Sat, 29th Dec 2007 8:27 pm 

    My son wore Grafs…altho they were comfortable..he didn’t like them-he had moved from Vapor 20’s which were the top Vapor model at the time…into the Graf 735’s…Imoved him into a pair of RBK 5’s-but they had bent blades out of the box…so the only model left was a pair of 9K Pumps in a Jr model-they were great skates but the blades bent over time…I replaced the blaces on warranty…two weeks later the blades were bent…was found out the mounts were on both skates were off center causing the blades to bend-the rivets were sheared off…and the skates remounted-with new holders and new blades…again under warranty-my son outgrew them-and I replaced them with a new pair of 9k’s back in March…these boots were fine…no problems at all…and from a comfort perspective…there is no better boot according to my AA son-then the 9K pump…the pump feature fills in any gaps in a minor pewee to bantam aged kid very well…and this is NB as the feet are growing constantly the most durning this time span of age…he finds it way more comfortable then the Grafs..and Grafs are legendary for their comfort so I found this interesting-he is a defenceman and said that when he wore Vapors his legs got tired…becasue of how the pitch of the skate put you on your instep…he said the Grafs made skating effortless-but that the 9k’s were even better-like wearing socks he called it-the fit and comfort and performance levels in the 9k skate are that good.

    He went from a 4.5 to a 6mens and I just ordered a new pair from Hockey Monkey at a $300 saving off of the shelf price in any of the local sporting shops…I wish I could afford a pair of these for myself-not just him…I skate in Vector 3.0’s-also the inner lining of the RBK 9 K dries quickly-feels soft like inner thighs of a young lady-and don’t smell after use the way the Grafs used to.

    Top of the line skate…with top of the line performance-hands down the best skate on the market IMO right now-bar none.

  17. Izy on Sat, 19th Jan 2008 12:02 pm 

    I hate them! you have to pump them everythime you play which is really annoying dont buy them at all!

  18. D.J. on Wed, 20th Feb 2008 10:39 am 

    Izy i say your just really lazy

  19. Kinner on Fri, 29th Feb 2008 7:45 pm 

    The nike bauer XXXX are a horrible skate made really bad fall apart easy and so do the easton S15’s. The Rbk 9k are amazing fit amazing if you have a wider foot but if you have a narrow foot these skates arent for you… you might want to try the Nike/Bauer one90’s

  20. footdoc on Sun, 2nd Mar 2008 4:10 pm 

    The 9k are the best skate I have ever had. I have worn ccm, bauer 5000, vapor X, vapor XXV. even the vapors in EE cramped my foot after baking and punching. The 9k is so snug yet no pressure points or cramping. the pump is just a bonus if you use it or not. great fit and feel for the ice without it. The Quality and finish of the 9k appears to be better than the XXV and X. Time will tell if i have problems with the holders or blades but who cares, they can be replaced and i will still have the great fit. I can not stress how important it is to go to a shop to try all the models on YOUR foot. after the vapor X that i bought on line were never right, I was set on Graf but got XXV’s on line and they did not feel right. finally at a shop getting the XXV baked again i tried on grafs, vectors, XXXX’s and then I put the 9k’s on. WOW…..I thought these don’t even need to be baked……….but i did. like the other guy said….they feel like socks…..super snug no cramps no pressure point socks that skate like a machine. Go to a shop and try every model on. by the time you pay for baking and sharpening the price is not that much different considering you are going to get a fit that you wont regret.

  21. mike on Tue, 11th Mar 2008 3:10 pm 

    - get nike bauer one90s, vapor 40s and one95s. JUST GET EM CUSTOMED!!!!

    - had vapor 40s and broke after a crappy wristshot hit em. Only 2 weeks! So i payed an extra 30 bucks and got them customed and ive had em for 7 months and they arent wearing out! SICK.

  22. mark91 on Sat, 15th Mar 2008 5:30 pm 

    not an extra 30 bucks

  23. JJC on Sun, 16th Mar 2008 10:14 pm 

    Nike Baure One90 is a great skate i just bought them I had the RBK 9K and they werent the skate i was looking for. One90 skate so comfotable and Light great skate i do recemend it

  24. oleg on Fri, 30th May 2008 1:35 am 

    NEVER GET RBK 9K PUMPS. THEY ARE TERRIBLE. GO WITH NIKE BAUER!

  25. Luis on Wed, 3rd Sep 2008 10:10 am 

    I don’t know how so many people could possibly trash what I consider to be the best skate I’ve tried to date. A lot of people I have heard trash them have never even tried tham on and have made blanket assumptions about the durability of the pump.

    I got a set of new Rbk 9k pumps for an incredible price shortly after buying a new set of Nike Bauer One 95s. Yes, the price was that good on the 9ks that I bought them after spending a ton on top of the line Nike Bauers. To keep it short, the Bauers are about to get ebayed and the 9ks are now my league skate going into this winter. No, the pump is NOT a gimmick (a suspicion I shared with many before I owned them). It does exactly what it is supposed to do and that is give an incredible heel lock and remove negative space. While I always use the pump, others I’ve spoken to never use it and still love them.

    Nothing against Bauer, really. The One95 is a well made skate, it’s just that Nike Bauer’s skates, in general, (after owning a set of Vapor XVI ice skates before the One95) have proven to have too much arch support for my flat feet. If you have flat feet, in my opinion the 9k is an amazing choice. The only thing I would suggest replacing on the 9ks is the stock, perforated blades, which are notorious for cracking over time. Replace them with a set of CCM Rocket Runners - which fit with no modification required - and see why after hunders of hours of ice time, I think these are the most comfortable, best performing skate on the market. Fast, comfortable, maneuverable, and flat out awesome.

  26. Robert on Mon, 15th Sep 2008 2:11 pm 

    Luis,
    Thanks for your well articulated review. I’ve a pair of 9K’s that I’m about to take for a skate. It’s a nice shop that allows you to do that in a demo before dropping the cash on something you might not even like!
    I was not even going to try a skate with a pump on it but got talked in to trying it on. Had to say the fit really seemed to work for my foot. I even like the lace lock when I realized it let me keep the fore foot a bit looser than normal and still harden up the tops. Must say I still have some reservation about the pump feature but in the end will go with the fit that seems best.

    Before deciding to try my foot in the 9k, I tried the Bauer XXXX, the One90 and a top end Easton and Graf. As far as just fit and comfort goes the Bauer XXXX was winning until trying the 9K on. The Graf felt amazing sliping it on but all just felt odd: heavy, sloppy. Too bad as they really look like quality skates - a bit old school, like me.

    Looking forward to the skate in the 9k’s.

  27. Luis on Sat, 20th Sep 2008 9:19 am 

    Robert -

    Thanks - I felt the need to quantify what I was talking about because I sense some unsubstantiated Nike Bauer fanboyism coming from some of the one-sentence reviews above. I use a lot of other NB gear, it’s just that as far as skates go, the Rbk 9k - for me - is the surperior product. I’m glad to hear you have a shop near you that lets you skate on some demos before buying. Until very recently, the only actual skate pro shop I had to shop through was 2 hours away. That’s where I bought my 9ks. The guy who runs it is a nice dude, but unfortunately, his small operation doesn’t have a demo-before-you-buy system. It was a gamble in that regard, but I’m glad I went with the 9k. Funny you mentioned Graf - I tried on a pair of them at a big-name sporting good store near me and liked the fit on them as well (can’t remember which model), but like you, they felt way heavy on my foot.

    The lace lock is definitely great. I first tried them on a set of CCM inlines that I bought before the 9ks and loved the flexibility you talked about. I was stoked when I realized that the 9k would has the same system. Being able to keep the forefoot looser keeps my foot from cramping up and keeping the upper tight still gives great ankle support. There’s just so much to love about the 9k, that’s why I can’t fathom all the hate on here.

  28. DMan on Sun, 5th Oct 2008 4:31 am 

    I’ve heard a number of great things about the 9Ks, but the one thing I haven’t seen so far is a solid clarification on their durability. I’m just getting rid of a pair of CCM Tacks that I’ve had for a few years and have been looking at RBK 9Ks. I tried them on and they felt great; I skate pretty low to the ice–a similar skating style as Sidney Crosby–and the RBKs are built perfectly for this stance. But I wanna make sure that I’m buying something that lasts. Especially if I’m going to plunk down $600+ for them.

  29. Luis on Tue, 7th Oct 2008 9:23 pm 

    Dman -

    From a long-term standpoint, I can’t speak to the long-term durability of the 9Ks because I simply haven’t owned them long enough and beat them up enough to do so. However, I can speak to the durability of the pump a bit. Keep in mind that I own a set of last years white SEs, not the black ones pictured above, nor the new (208-2009) ones with the hard nylon side panels. My 9ks showed an air holding issue in the left skate’s pump right away. Recently, I tried on a set of the new 5ks (with hard the nylon side panels) and hey had an air holding issue in the right skate that was also evident right away. This might sound bad, but keep in mind 1) the pump and bladder are a fairly sophisticated gadget for a skate and 2) the pump is not essential to a good fit - it makes a good fit better. Like I said above, I know people who do not use them at all.

    What I’ve concluded with the skates that had problems is that you can spot the issue at the store if there’s something wrong. Put them on, fill them up and keep them on for at least 15 minutes as if you were fitting them after they’ve been baked. The 9ks had a slow leak that surfaced within 10 minutes. The 5ks had a leak that simply would not allow the bladder to completely fill at all. If both pumps pass this test, they will probably not an issue barring something actually puncturing the liner or skate.

  30. Zach27. on Thu, 6th Nov 2008 6:41 pm 

    I have a pair and they fit my feet perfectly. But i have Wide and thick feet. So far i have had no problems and i love them. i had Graf 735’s before and i hated them and all other grafs because of my foot shape. Pumps arnt for everyone but those who like them like them alot

  31. Tony79 on Thu, 27th Nov 2008 7:51 pm 

    I used to wear 1052’s witch were awesome but i wore them out after a few years. Lucky for me i have a friend at RBK and hooked me up with pro stock 9k’s. They by far the most comfortable skate out there, I tried on the new U+ and thought they were really uncomfortable. The 9k’s might not be the lightest skate out there but they make up for it with the comfort.

  32. Rich on Fri, 26th Dec 2008 11:58 pm 

    Just to speak on the pump of the rbk line. I have a pair of 5k’s that are decent. I’ve had them for a year and a half. I have to upgrade because my skating style is too powerful for the lower end skate. But the pump, which I use everytime I’m on the ice, has lasted perfectly. I’m in my skates twice a week. The cheaper 5k’s are breaking down now. But the pump hasn’t been a problem at all. Really adds a nice feel to your heel, locking it in all game.

  33. Derek Hodgson on Mon, 29th Dec 2008 12:18 am 

    Am I the only one having trouble with the new Reebok 9k’s ????.
    They are falling apart. It has been less than one month and the inside of the boot is shredded . The new cut proof material on the tongue has just ripped the the inside material. Reebok has replaced the skates once and the new pair are worse than the first ones. I think the new 9k skates are the lemon of the skate industry. When are the 10K’S coming out?

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