matthewmarleyIf you’re considering a pair of CCM Jetspeed FT6 Pro skates, you’re no doubt already aware that anything with the Jetspeed name on it guarantees outstanding acceleration and speed on the ice.
The question is, does CCM’s latest elite offering justify the price tag?
In this review, we’ll explore the CCM Jetspeed FT6 Pro in detail – covering the key features of the skates and how they actually perform on the ice.
Contents
Our test skates
The CCM Jetspeed FT6 Pro ice hockey skates we received to test are a size 9 in the CCM ‘Regular – Mid Profile’. Tapered and Wide options are available though.
Our test skates weighed in at 941 grams fitted with STEP BlackSteel runners – an especially light skate, thanks largely to the lightweight molded core that we’ll talk about in more depth later.
Like all other skates in the Jetspeed range, the FT6 pro features a black and red design with some good-looking exposed carbon composite weave visible from the back.
It’s fair to say that CCM adds more color to their elite skates than other brands – but even with the heavy presence of red, they don’t look over-the-top design-wise.
First impressions
CCM launched its Game Ready Fit feature on the CCM Tacks AS-V – and when we tested those skates, we were blown away by the comfort they offered straight from the box.
We’ll delve deeper into the Game Ready Fit 2.0 that the FT6 Pro offers later – but suffice to say we liked it a lot with our test skates.
After a quick session on the ice, it was clear these were a skate designed with speed at the heart of their design. Even without further heat molding, the energy transfer felt exceptional.
This kind of energy transfer is the kind of thing that really makes a difference when an elite-level skater is giving it their all through 60 minutes.
It’s also clear that a lot of effort has gone into creating a liner that combines with the one-piece boot design to keep you comfortable throughout a game.
You’d be surprised at how much additional weight you put into your skates as your sweat it out in a game – but the seamless TotalDri Pro Liner really does keep things dry and well-ventilated.
Technical features
Shoe Size: 9 (Regular – Mid Profile Fit)
Weight: 941g (with STEP BlackSteel)
Heat Mouldable: Yes
Quarter Package: 3D RocketFrame One-Piece
Ankle Padding: Medium-Density Memory Foam
Tendon Guard: Composite Flex Tendon Guard – SuperSkin Reinforcement
Lining: TotalDri-Pro liner
Footbed: CCM’s Ortholite Ultralite
Outsole: N/A
Tongue: XS ADPT Comfort Tongue – Metatomic TriTech with Motion Flex
Blade Holder: Speedblade XS Holder with Enhanced Dial (tool-less)
Runner: Step Black XS
Warranty: 90-day skates – 1 Year blades
Game Ready Fit 2.0
At a glance, it’s hard to imagine what CCM can do to improve on their already-excellent Game Ready Fit feature – but they have somehow managed to do exactly that with the Jetspeed FT6 Pro.
To get the ultimate fit, the factory molding improves things in three areas – a better heel pocket lock, a wider bottom, and even better shaping in the back.
This has been achieved by improving the foot mold that’s used at the point of production to pre-mold the boot to a typical foot anatomy.
In all honesty, these small differences might not be noticed by an average player – but when you’re dealing with the kind of marginal gains that separate elite players, this could be the thing that gives you the edge on the ice.
Even a fraction more efficiency in your skating strides will add up over the course of a game – helping to make sure all your energy turns into speed rather than being lost in movement between your foot and the boot.
If you’ve got a pair of Tacks and you like the first version of CCM’s Game Ready Fit, you’re going to love the 2.0 version. This is the closest we’ve ever come to forgetting about the oven and just getting straight onto the ice.
One-Piece RocketFrame Composite Boot with SuperSkin
CCM’s one-piece composite boot design is built with ultimate skating performance in mind. While it certainly helps to keep the skates light, the molded fit also provides a more direct energy transfer, preserving your energy so you can perform to your maximum through a full game.
By eliminating the need for an outsole, CCM also eliminates the need for the hardware needed to fix the outsole in place. This means no glue, no staples, and getting rid of the weight associated with these traditional manufacturing methods.
Admittedly, these are small weights we’re talking about – but the grams add up – and it’s this kind of eye for detail that makes these some of the lightest and quickest skates on the market.
Of course, SuperSkin also needs a mention here too. When you’re shelling out this kind of money on skates, you want to know they’re going to last.
SuperSkin significantly increases durability – which is good news if you want to make your investment last with no performance loss, although bad news if you like the hardcore look of battle-worn skates!
SuperSkin also does an excellent job of resisting water. Again, this is one of those marginal gains areas – lesser skates can take on water and begin to feel sluggish as a game goes on – but SuperSkin is the best in the industry at resisting this, meaning consistent performance and feel for the full 60 minutes.
XS ADPT Comfort Metatomic TriTech Tongue with Motion Flex
All the performance in the world counts for very little if you’re uncomfortable when you’re skating. CCM has made some big improvements to the tongue design in the JetSpeed FT6 Pro to make sure you get 100% comfort to go along with your elite-level performance.
The TriTech aspect of the tongue refers to a triple-layered construction that brings together the best of durability, protection, and comfort.
The first layer of high-density foam provides top-notch protection against puck impact and lace bite.
The Flexmotion lace bite design is specifically designed to stand up to impacts without limiting the range of motion in the boot.
The second layer contributes to the overall comfort of the skate, with its ADPT memory foam adapting to the contours of the foot for a customized fit.
Finally, the third, outermost layer, designed with durable and flexible composite materials, adds resilience and longevity to the skate without adding unnecessary weight.
TotalDri Pro + Liner with Polygiene and Seamless Comfort
When it comes to a one-piece boot, speed can sometimes mean cutting corners on comfort – but the TotalDri Pro Liner, the stiffness of the carbon boot means you can combine NHL caliber material with outstanding comfort – even if you decide to go sockless.
Some elite skate companies talk about comfort improvements knowing the players are going to largely ignore what’s claimed and put their favorite socks on to enhance comfort – but CCM’s have genuinely never been more comfortable and long-lasting as the Jetspeed FT6 Pro.
Heel grip support out of the box is truly excellent – and only gets better when the CCM Jetspeed FT6 Pro has spent some time in the oven.
The multi-density foam pads are next-level too – providing a kind the ‘dampened’ response you get from car suspension – i.e. the more impact or pressure the pad takes, the firmer it becomes to keep you comfortable.
CCM Jetspeed FT6 Pro – Final Thoughts
We’ve talked a couple of times in this CCM Jetspeed FT6 Pro review about marginal gains – those little 1% performance and comfort improvements that add up to lift your game to the next level.
For us, it’s these tiny improvements throughout the skates that make the FT6 such an incredible skate.
Of course, we can’t forget that these are sitting on Speedblade XS Holders with Step Black XS skate blades – meaning a slightly higher ride and superior edge hardness to give you turning confidence at speed.
In any other review, these steels would warrant their own special mention – but there’s so much to love about the CCM Jetspeed FT6 Pro that it’s perfectly acceptable to just take for granted the fact they sit on some of the best steel on the market.
If you’re the kind of player that’s obsessed with pushing to the next level, the CCM Jetspeed FT6 Pro is going to be an extremely worthwhile investment.
The other huge advantage is that they’re less-costly than many equivalent elite skates from other brands too – so you get superior performance with some cash to spare.
