Beginner Skater: CCM Ultra Black Tacks 795?
Pertinent info first: I literally know nothing about skating or hockey (beyond the basics of the sport, I went to my first pro game yesterday). I took skating lessons as a kid and was pretty good, haven’t been on the ice in 10~ years though (26M).
Recently have been wanting to join my local hockey club but need to get out on the ice and remember how to skate again first. I was told to grab a cheap secondhand pair of skates before getting on the ice (since the rental skates are terrible) and after perusing Vinted settled on a pair of CCM Ultra Black Tacks 795. They were £60 ($80~), seem in good condition and it’s money I’m happy to lose out on if the skates aren’t a good fit.
I know these might not be to most beginner friendly skate option due to stiffness but I’ve been finding it difficult to find much more information on this specific pair of skates though - it sounds like they’re quite old?
Would love to know some more about the skates (I hear you can bake some?) and whether or not I should just relegate them as a lost cause and go for some retail Bauer X-LS/X-LPs for now.
Posted Apr 5, 2026, 3:07 PM UTC