Each family of Bauer hockey skates has a line ranging from recreational to professional skate levels but when you compare Bauer Supreme vs. Vapor vs. Nexus skate families, it’s all about the fit. The Vapor hockey skate best fitting a narrow foot profile, the Bauer Supreme hockey skate fitting a more average foot, and the Nexus hockey skate recommended for larger foot profiles.

Vapor vs. Supreme vs. Nexus Skates Fit

The Bauer Vapor skate is a low-volume skate, meaning it fits a narrower foot. Vapor skates feature a tapered fit with a standard toe box, a slightly narrower forefoot, and narrow fit in the ankle and heel area. And at the other end of the spectrum lies the Nexus skate, featuring a high-volume boot and a larger profile. Bauer Supreme hockey skates have a medium fit, meaning a more standard anatomical fit in both toe and heel, that translates to a more natural feel. We recommend trying on the Bauer Nexus if your foot runs wide, or the Bauer Vapor if your foot is narrow, but either way, try the Bauer Supreme for comparison to see which hockey skate will fit your foot better. Boots in all three Bauer skate families can be baked for a more custom fit.

Supreme vs. Vapor vs. Nexus Skates Tech

These three skate families also have a few technical differences that could matter to a hockey player.

Bauer Vapor 1X

Features in the Bauer Vapor make it the best skate for speed and quickness. Ideal for low profile feet, the Vapor 1X uses an asymmetrical quarter package which improves upper foot support, allowing the player to utilize blade edges more efficiently. Vapor’s top model includes the Flex-Lock Pro tongue for a premium 360-degree fit, the Lock-Fit Pro liner for maximum agility and acceleration, and the Lock-Fit Pro facing for consistent flex with every stride. The result? A lightweight skate built for elite speed, that feels like an extension of your foot. And with hundreds of players in the National Hockey League wearing the top-of-the-line Vapor 1X, it proves to be the most popular skate in the NHL.

Bauer Supreme 2S Pro

The Bauer Supreme is designed for power. The Supreme 2S Pro features Bauer’s Reflex Pro tongue, using composite inserts throughout the top of the skate which creates a 360-degree fit, and flex inserts which compress and release energy during skating, giving that extra spring to each stride. The 2S Pro also focuses on performance and a customized fit, using the Tuuk LS5 carbon steel for a premium glide while maximizing edges, and the Speed Plate 2.0 which offers a fully customized footbed to help increase energy transfer, delivering an explosive stride. These technologies help make the Supreme 2S Pro Bauer’s top offering for power skating, and the top model in the Supreme line.

Bauer Nexus 2N

The Bauer Nexus features a more conventional fit and feel, designed and engineered for players with the high-volume foot. The Nexus 2N skate is made for ultimate control, with a boot design that locks the player’s foot in place for more command over every stride. The 2N model uses Bauer’s ultra-lightweight, 3-D lasted Curv composite technology that shapes the entire foot for a more seamless custom fit, improving comfort and responsiveness. The top-of-the-line skate also features the high-grade Tuuk LS3 steel which, combined with the Lightspeed Edge holder and a lightweight composite outsole, will ensure every stride offers maximum acceleration, agility, and overall performance.