Graf 703 or 735 ?

[mikeweb 0]

Im looking into either one of these skates, I have a narrow heel and wide foot (flat feet). Size 10 reg shoe, so 8.5 Graf?

They are the same price at my local shop, neither of them have the T-Blade system.

Im still a rookie when it comes to skating but eventually id like to get involved in some pickup hockey games along with recreational skating.

Would one have more ankle support vs the other?

Thanks for the help

[kabby15 0]

if you have a wide fore foot and a high instep, the 735 is the correct fit.

the 703 is narrow in the forefoot and has a shallow instep

both have narrow heel pockets.

if you have a chance to try both on, do so

[bbruins8 0]

Size 10 shoe, size 9 Graf. I wear a 10.5 in Sketchers Sneaks/boots...and my G5s are 9.5 and have just a tiny bit of room, toe feathers the cap in certain positions...which is what you want if your feet are no longer growing.

[sitzlejd 0]

Just a thought, if you're still a "rookie" at skating you may want to think about a lower model (500 series). I'm not positive about these particular models but some of the 700 series are pretty f'ing stiff.

[epstud74 24]

I think he'd do fine in Graf 301s if he really wants a Graf skate..The 301s are roomy in some regards and hold up just fine. I'm odd in the fact that I wore Graf 707s for many years then got Bauer 8090s and Flexlites. I dont mind a stiff skate, but comfort is my #1 issue at this point. I dont think newbie skaters are best served by buying into the top-line Grafs, but need a comfortable and affordable skate in order to learn the basics.

[DamnLocust 0]

Both the 703 and 735 are low cut skates. It's one of the things that graf is known for, to increase forward flex.

This means that ankle support will be a bit less than with say a vapor or vector (higher cut boots). Also, because of their more traditional materials, the 700 series boots are known to be a bit softer than some of the other offerings on the market. They'll also soften up more quickly over time.

If your local shop has both in stock in your size, I'd suggest doing a fitting, and try on some of the other skates that they carry. When you find one that you think is a good fit, be sure to stay in them for a good 10-15 minutes, to see if any hotspots come up.

Graf fits are pretty widely ranged. On my team, we have one guy in 703s, one in G5 Ultras, one guy in G35 Ultras, one in 735s, 1 in 707s, and 2 in 709s (i skate in 709s). None of us would trade the fit/performance we get out of the skates, because we found the right one for our particular foot shape.

[shifter 0]

wow thats a lot of people on your team that uses graf!

[ntwusc 62]

Can anyone attest to whether Graf has fixed the problems I've heard about with their composite outsoles in the past?

I'm not sure if my S11's fit very well (my heels are starting to slip) and I'm debating whether to try the 735's, since I require a bit more depth than the 703 offers.

[cxo 0]

I've got a pair of G35's and for me personally, they have no flaws. Great wear, the stiffness has held up phenomenally and no problems with the outsoles to speak of.

[mikeweb 0]

So I picked up some 735's the other day and I just noticed that the bottom of the right boot appears to be coming apart. It looks like it came this way from the factory.

I passed by my LHS where I purchased the skates and they advised me that it was not under warranty and that I should just skate on them. He also mentioned that he has seen allot of skates in there inventory like this.

Once he said that he couldn't do anything for me I was dumbfounded. I paid $499.99+tx (CDN) for a pair of skates (2wks old now) so I expect ones without defects, especially if its a known issue.

After my little rant (kept it on a professional level) he stated that he would get Graf to send him another set in my size. Hopefully these new ones will be OK.

Sorry about the quality, it was taken with my cell phone.

[docar15 1]

Bottom of the boot comng part is due to Graf Gen 1 outsole. New Gen 2 has a thick clear coating on top of carbon (wel, bottom actually :-)). I have a pair of 2008 709s and all 2008s will have the Gen 2 carbon outsole. I think you still may be able to get the custom while ones.

For the Graf size, each model will fit different. Your average street shoe rule of thumb is a good starting point, and that is it. I wear size 10.5 - 11 street, I skate 709 R8 Standard with an ultra thin graf footbed. In 735 or Supra G (G stands for Grabage, in my opinion, as they were made from recicled Pepsi bottles), I could barely fit in size 9. You gots to try and try them until you find what really wraps around your foot and gives YOUR FOOT the best support. I recommend trying to wear them for a few hours, walk around, etc, before you heat mold or sharpen them. For some reason, I find that new toe caps are much easier to heat up and stretch.

If you are looking betwwen 703 and 735 for more depth, why not check out the 705s or G5s?

[mikeweb 0]

I hope Graf Canada sends them the new 2008 batch of 735's :( I just checked my box, they were made in 01/2007

Here are some more images, there is a thick clear coating over the carbon from what I can see. How does the 2nd Gen look?

[DamnLocust 0]

That is the "2nd gen" outsole. I believe Graf calls it teclite or texalite.

[acollette49 0]

i have the same skate...bought 1/2007. ive had no problems with the outsole.

[pisani34 10]

that picture seems to show that its got quite a bit of distance in between the panel and the sole. to me that seems like that could turn into a problem down the road, don't quote me though.

After reading all this stuff about graf "composite" outsoles over the last year or so, i'm quite glad my 735's have the traditional white plastic one.

[DamnLocust 0]

Eh, I still found a way to crack the white outsoles right down the middle on my 709s. FWIW, they were dyed black, so that may have softened them a bit.

Just noticed it last night while I was sharpening them

[ntwusc 62]

I've seen Graf skates on display in my LHS that look like the outsole is already starting to separate from the boot. I can't see how a good shop would sell skates looking like that.

[pisani34 10]

i just looked at my 735's and the side panels come flush in contact with the outsole. (white plastic) I still don't think the separation you posted in the pictures is something good or unnoticeable...it could go bad quick

[Chadd 916]

I've seen Graf skates on display in my LHS that look like the outsole is already starting to separate from the boot. I can't see how a good shop would sell skates looking like that.

When we first started selling Grafs I wanted to send every pair back because of problems like that. My partner, on the other hand, didn't care because he didn't think most people would notice.

[ntwusc 62]

Did you have many customers come back with complaints after buying them?

[Chadd 916]

Did you have many customers come back with complaints after buying them?

He sold a couple pair to his friends who would never notice and we parted ways before I ever sold a pair. I miss the shop but I don't miss working with someone who mocked and ridiculed customers the minute they walked out the door.

[docar15 1]

The pictures have the Second Gen as was said here already. Also from the pick it does not look like a delamination with layers of carbon coming apart. Looks like a sloppy glueing job to me. I would monitor it and see if the situation gets worse. It is a warranty repair (replacement) issue. If you are outside of your 90 days, I have heard that Graf made a number of exceptions and replaced the skates with this problem.

20+ years Graf user, I just got my 2008 709s and can honestly say, the craftsmanship has gone downhill.

Dumb question about Canadian IP laws. If parts are made or assembled in China or elsewhere, are they required to be marked appropriately as they are in US? In US trade laws state that it is a crime to mark something made in US that was in fact made in PRC or some other 25 cents a day happy place.

[The Italian Rocket 0]

I have a pair of 703's on a labeda chassis the old ones and I tell ya I like them so much I bought them for ice, they held great all these years... And now thinking about taking the ice ones and putting either sprung chassis or hummers...

[icefish 0]

The outsole on the newer Grafs are actually clear plastic over faux carbon fiber (paper).

I was told by the shop that they no longer do carbon fiber outsoles as they were a pain.

[TheBert 0]

Just piggy-backing on this thread. But I found that my old 735's were the right fit mostly.

What skates could I move to if I wanted these changes from the 735?

- wider ankles, I have knobby ankles -- especially my outside ankle which sticks out -- my 735's were actually painful to wear for a while because of this

- slightly wider forefoot -- the toecaps were a bit too tight for my liking, especially when feet expand when playing a lot

Am I looking at 705's? Or am I going to lose the heel lock that the 735 provides? Any other brands?