krisdrum

Hmm. I mean the price is cheap enough to just order the 4.5 to try and hold off sharpening the 5 I baked. Did I mention I had small feet? I've actually found my Grafs fit shorter than my Vapors. Same size. With the Makos, same size fitting just a bit longer than the Vapors. So, maybe I do have room to go down.

Wish I had taken the chance and tried these on a few years ago when I started skating. The shop I went to had a pair in D width, but I couldn't get my foot in. They didn't bother to tell me how heat moldable they were or I might get them to fit if we threw them in the oven. I get it, why mold them if you aren't walking out in them. This shop primarily deals in Graf. I ended up in some Vapors in a EE as the Grafs were just too much for my wallet at the time and I came to realize my foot shape needed a narrow heel and wide forefoot. Fast forward a few years... I've picked up some Graf 535 wides, but they still aren't hitting the mark for me. I've been regretting parting with my Vapors, despite their shortcomings. So, I've been reading and searching through here and HM is blowing out their Mako stock, so I took the plunge and ordered some M7 EEs during the 35% off sale. Luckily for me, I have small feet and can wear junior sizes. I figured worst case, I'd return them and be out some shipping costs. Seemed worth the risk. Got them Monday night. Tried them on and WOW. Pre-bake a bit roomy in the heel, but not bad, nothing a bit of massage while warm shouldn't fix. Liked the arch support, as I typically wear Superfeet and have arches that typically flatten out and cause pain. A bit long in the length, but compared the insoles to my Grafs and only a 2mm difference, so although I am not quite touching the toe of the boot, I am awfully close. Contemplated going down another 1/2 size, but was too impatient after my pre-bake try-on to order another pair and wait. Baked them myself last night. Will try them on again tonight after work, but feel I was able to narrow/mold the heel and back of ankle enough to take any play out. The rest of the boot felt really supportive and conforming. Like they were made for my feet. Will report back with more tonight, but I am super excited so far with what I am seeing/feeling, as I have struggled to find a skate that works with my weird feet. Assuming these feel good tonight after a bit of time in them, I can see why folks are stockpiling, and may have to pick up another pair or at least spare parts. Fingers crossed I have a winner here.

Huge fit difference between G3035 and 535S models. The G3035 (and related, 5035, 7035, 9035, etc.) are more of a medium fit all around. With the more expensive models having more padding in the heel and ankle, which changes the volume a bit. The 535S on the other hand has a narrow heel and medium/wide forefoot. They also don't have any carbon/composite materials in the boot. They are definitely soft compared to the G3035 or any of the typical models from the big guys (Bauer, CCM, etc.). I've tried the 5035 and 535 on alot. The 5035 has a much wider heel pocket. I can nearly pull my heel out with them tied up. I can't in the 535. Obviously, I am in a pair of 535s now, coming from some Vapor 4.0s. I am not a great skater yet, so there is definitely a learning curve for me, but the transition I think has been slower because of the differences in the boots. To me, the 535 is like a manual camera and the Vapors are more of a point and shoot. Both can give you great pictures, but one requires significantly more feel and technique. I'd imagine the 3035 are more of a point and shoot as well given their stiffness and construction.

Quick update: been using my inserts for about 5 skates now. Added the shim a bit later since I am in a JR skate (thanks Mike for sending those along). I was skeptical to be honest, but they definitely help my foot stay more relaxed and neutral. I've noticed reduced aches and pains in my feet both while on the ice and immediately after.

Pure beginner here... so nothing too flashy Helmet - Bauer 2100 with cage (new) Shoulders - Bauer Vapor X30 (swap meet for $20) Elbows - Bauer Supreme 3000 (eBay) Gloves - MIA, think Warrior acquired them (hand me downs from brother in-law) Pants - CCM Powerline (from brother in-law) Shins - Bauer Vapor APX (from brother in-law) Skates - Graf 535 (new) Sticks - Easton S17 (from brother in-law), S7 (clearance), Hespeler Nemesis (from Hockey Tron on clearance) It is nice having an experienced player (brother in-law), basically the same size as me.

I just ordered a pair...

Thanks. Yep, I remember your conversion. Looks good. I was searching way back (2012 or so) and saw a few folks (including Kovalchuk71) stating they had issues. Since some of the pairs I've been looking at are older (eBay), I wanted to do some further research and figure out if there was an era or construction method I should avoid. And if it helps others, I am a relatively smaller guy, 5'6", probably 175 give or take.

Q for anyone with a Graf boot conversion... any issues or things I should be aware of before taking the plunge? Their 735 fit is by far the best I have found for me feet. Want to convert a pair to Marsblades, but have seen/heard some horror stories about converting their boots, so am a bit leery. Any help would be appreciated.

Not to speak for Pers, but to me I'm not sure a partnership makes sense. Marsblade is targeting the folks who want the absolute best transfer from ice to roller. It is a premium product with few competitors. People will pay the premium for the product if they want the experience. And if you look at the price comparison to a high end static chassis and wheels, the pricing is very competitive, so it isn't even that much of a premium. I'd also imagine most of the target audience have zeroed in on their boot fit needs. I think that is the biggest place where a potential partnership would fall down. There simply isn't the variety of fit options in the roller segment (particularly with 1 company) as there are in the ice segment. I'm seeing this right now, and granted I am relatively new to both ice and roller, but as nice as my new Alkalis are, they aren't my Grafs. I'm in the process of seeing if I can get them as close as possible, with a bit of massage and "wait and see", but that is different from saying "I know this boot works for me, let's put some wheels on it that will mimic a rockered blade". Just my $0.02