Intro & New Features
The highly anticipated update to CCM’s Tacks line is finally here. At the highest price point for youth-level players, the AS-V Youth skate has been engineered specifically to offer the perfect support and comfort your child needs to get them playing well and to increase their retention. This skate includes many technologies centred around developing players, including reinforced injected technology, a seamless comfort liner, embossed lace bite protection in the tongue, and a Molded Kid Sizing Zone along the footbed.
Skate Fit Profile
The Tacks AS-V Youth skates come in sizes 8-13.5 and Regular widths. Sizes 8-10 are available in full sizings; sizes 11-13.5 are available in both full and half sizings. When deciding on a skate size, a good rule of thumb is to take the player’s shoe size and drop it by 1 or 1.5 sizes.
Boot Construction & Stiffness Profile
The boot has a stiffness rating of 125, thanks to the synthetic composite boot. This rating is balanced between support and flexibility, which is particularly important for developing players, especially since they are just learning their personal playstyle at that stage. The boot overall is composed using reinforced injected technology for more comfort and more reinforcement.
Liner & Internal Padding
It’s important at the early stages of hockey for developing players to have gear that is supportive and comfortable to increase their incentive to continue playing. The liner and internal padding have been tailored specifically to fit and mold to tiny feet, so they can get maximum support on the ice. Memory foam and a Seamless Comfort finish inside the boot and in the ankle padding help further enhance that comfort and customizability while wearing.
Tongue
Tying young players’ skates can be a bit difficult at first, especially when neither you nor they are entirely sure how tight they want their skates to be. Too much pressure or an incorrect fit could cause lace bite, which is why the AS-V Youth skate is equipped with a 7mm asymmetrical felt tongue with embossed lace bite protection to keep your job a bit easier and your child comfortable and protected at all angles.
Insoles
Referred to as the Molded Kid Sizing Zone, the footbed is designed specifically to mold to young feet. The insoles provide support, comfort, and an accurate measurement of where their feet should be sitting.
Steel Runner, Holder & Blade Profile
The skate uses a CCM Speedblade, which includes a non-replaceable steel blade. This particular holder is elevated for a better attack angle for developing players when skating.
Graphics
One of the most noticeable updates made to the AS-V was the amended outer design and graphics—exactly like the adult side. CCM rolls out new colours and text logos to represent a fresh start to the line in 2022. In addition to the modern, techy styles on the side of the boot, you’ll also notice the new gold graphics to replace the old yellow, as well as the clean “Tacks” and “AS-V” redesigned logos all throughout.
