Bauer's Pro Only White Vapor Flylite Hits Retail Shelves

If you have wondered why some of hockey's biggest names have been wearing ice-white skates on the biggest stages, this is the answer. Bauer has released the Vapor Flylite Limited Edition, the ice-white graphic that was previously available only to pros, and it is now listed at retail in senior and intermediate sizing.

Source for Sports lists it at CA$1,449.99 for senior and CA$1,249.99 for intermediate, with the skate first appearing in that catalogue in late August. Bauer's own US store lists it at US$1,229.99 senior and US$1,119.99 intermediate, and its product page notes it is "available only while supplies last."

The important line item for buyers: the LE ships with the FLY-TI runner included, per Bauer's product page, and Source for Sports says its titanium outer coating "helps retain edges for elite-level bite." On the standard Vapor Flylite senior, Bauer's US store sells FLY-TI as a US$190.00 steel upgrade, so factor that into the sticker.

Underneath the paint, this is the Flylite platform. The headline feature on Bauer's product page is the FUSION FLEX facing, five notches cut into the eyelet area so the boot bends forward more freely as you load your knee, acting like a spring through the stride. Bauer pairs that with FUSION CURV composite in the quarter and a FUSION FLEX outsole that is deliberately flexible near the heel, plus the AEROLITE 3.0 tongue, a LOCK-FIT PRO liner and the POWERFLY quick-release holder.

Who it is for is right there in the family name. Timeout Sports pitches the LE at "players who want a reactive boot built for acceleration and agility." The flex story only pays off if you actually drive your knees; a heavier, stiffer-preference skater may find it too lively.

Timeout Sports lists warranty terms of 90 days on the boot and steel and one year on the holder.