If you have watched an NHL game in the last year and wondered why the fastest guys on the ice were all wearing blank white skates, 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.
Pricing on Bauer's Canadian site is $1,449.99 for senior and $1,249.99 for intermediate, and Source for Sports carries the same figures in its catalog, where the skate first appeared in late August. Bauer notes it is available only while supplies last.
The important line item for buyers: the LE ships with the FLY-TI runner included, a titanium-coated steel Bauer says holds an edge longer for elite-level bite. On plenty of skates at this tier, upgraded steel is a separate purchase, so factor that into the sticker.
Underneath the paint, this is the Flylite platform. The headline feature 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. Vapor is Bauer's line for players who prioritize agility, quick transitions and lateral movement, as opposed to the Supreme collection's power-skating bias. The flex story only pays off if you actually drive your knees; a heavier, stiffer-preference skater may find it too lively.
Warranty terms listed by retailers are 90 days on the boot and 365 days on the holder with 90 days on the steel.
Most sellers are shipping same or next business day, and Bauer's product page notes the anaform upper is thermoformable, so plan on a proper bake and fitting rather than ordering blind at this price point.
