krisdrum

Their boots are top notch, at least for my needs. I just converted a pair of TF7 ice boots to roller with Marsblade O1 chassis. I have no intention of playing competitive roller, so went with the chassis designed for training, not competition. Don't think I could ever go back to a rigid chassis even after just a few sessions on mine. I also have a pair of TF9 ice boots that rock. If you have a medium to wide foot, they should work for you, although I've heard they made some modifications to the roller boots compared to the ice versions. The ice boots work for me and are definitely the most comfortable boots I've ever used.

The ad clearly states they won't fit VH skates made prior to 2020. You may be SOL.

My kid uses Lizard Skinz. I have started using Tacki Macks. For the Lizard Skins - they wear pretty well, but do fray with use. He has been using them almost exclusively for about 3 years now. I rarely used the X piece designed for on top of the top cap, and he's worn holes in his gloves from the plastic edge of the top cap (which I try to cover with standard hockey tape). If I remember the few times I did use it, he wore through that edge pretty quickly to expose the plastic. For the Tacki Macks - I have been using the Sand shorty. Which has a bit of knob on it. No issues so far with my gloves. I usually use an Intermediate stick, so the added thickness of the grip is welcome. I hairspray them on. Probably stick with them. Although these VukGripz look interesting.

Yeah, hopefully the OP will weigh in with more details. If it truly has been more than a few months since ordering, would think he is in for a bumpy ride. And completely agree, the shop should be dealing with this, even if it has been awhile since he took receipt.

The OP said he ordered them last year. Couldn't that mean Nov/Dec? I'm assuming wait time on delivery is at least 6 weeks. That would put the skates in the OP's hands pretty recently.

Why?

The shop may "frown upon it" but since the policy is CCM's and presuming the shop wants to continue their relationship with CCM, not much they can do about it. And since the policy is in place, fully within the customer's right to use it as they see fit. I'd guess they make far more sales that stick than don't.

Shouldn't the store you purchased them through handle this through their regional rep?

I think @Sniper9 means "can" in that last sentence. I'd probably look at profiling your blades before swapping hardware or adding shims. To echo his statement - I switched from my standard 5/8" hollow to enjoying a 7/8" hollow on my Trues. Happened to be the wheel my buddy had in his machine, so I figured why not give it a try. Skated on it twice so far and still adjusting, but am liking the lack of bite. Will probably stick with it. The Trues definitely bite harder. My nephew who is in custom Trues has moved to a 1 3/8" hollow and loves it.

Agree - if you can find some "classic" series Grafs, (707, 705, 735, etc.) that fit your foot shape (one of the reasons Graf struggles was how many different skates they had in their line, with different fits) you'll likely be happier. The 9035s you have was their take on a more modern stiff boot. In a current production skate, probably Ribcor is your best bet. I haven't tried them in awhile, but I don't think Bauer has anything in their line that matches up to the Ribcors flexibility. And agree - don't go for a top of the line skate, as they will be stiffer than mid/low level models.

Sounds like you may not be getting a fair shake at these. My understanding is True's policy is the skate MUST be baked in order to be properly tried on - similar to Makos (which VH helped design). Although doesn't sound like you are too far off. Believe they recommend 6-8 minutes, so they might be shorting you a few minutes of heat. How much discomfort are you experiencing with the smaller sizes? Are the toes curled? Or straight but just harder than you'd like against the cap? They will continue to open up and break in as you skate in them. So you might want to factor that in as well. And there is also the variable of the tongues. The felt gives me a much snugger fit than the pro style. I'm probably going to stick with the felt. With the 30 day guarantee - worst case - get them baked properly - skate in them for a month and see if they work.

Why is baked in quotes? Did the shop not do a full bake? Could suggest several approaches to remedy - but unclear what was done. Maybe another bake would help. Maybe you need that area punched out a bit. You also said you were able to get into a size 6 without baking if memory serves. Why go back to the 6.5? FYI - I saw your were debating sizing above. I measure out about 24cm on both feet. True's size chart would put me in a 4.5. I'm more than comfortable in a 4, with debatable room to spare. And I fit other skates that have a stated length of 23.9 perfectly. The Trues run long and wide.

Really? That looks like it is for the customs. Which I understand need to heat for longer than the retail boots.

Thanks both. I'll have a look at my local hardware stores and the like to see what I can find. Temp for baking at home? 180F for 6 minutes?

I have no doubt the saran wrap method is better. Unfortunately I have been unable to find a shop near me to actually do it for me. All of them have said - just a normal bake with these is 'good enough', we didn't notice a difference in using the wrap method. Luckily I've gotten them to fit me pretty well, but may keep looking for some place to do the saran wrap. Or try it at home, although it seems like it is a 2 person job to do it correctly.

The jury is out, but the different tongues do make a difference. The TF9 thin tongue gave me more volume and the sense of a bit more width, which lead to the boot feeling a little sloppy compared to my TF7 in the forefoot. I've been skating the TF7 a few times a week for over a month and have found them very comfortable. Part of that is likely due to the thick felt tongue. Need to try the TF9 a few more times as set up and very likely try them with the felt tongue as well.

I know they have extended the 30 days, but not sure they've stated when that is good until. And I believe the dealer has to agree to participate in the 30 days, so I'd check with your local stores.

If the 6W fit without baking, I might even try a 5.5 or a 6R. They open up significantly. Baking is an absolute MUST in trying these on. I would not go for the 6.5. I'm in size 4R, and constantly debate whether I could go down to a 3.5. I have some room, but my ring and pinky toes are slightly more than brushing the cap, so I've stuck with the 4, as I think the 3.5 would be uncomfortable on those toes even though I have a bit of room on my other toes. For comparison, I was in Grafs in a 5W and Ribcor in a 4.5D to get similar length and width. The TF7s are still wider than either. Most of the shops around me have told me they do not recommend the saran wrap method. I still don't understand entirely why, except for the time involved. A good compromise is to have them "massage" the warm boot around your foot. I just did this on a second bake of my right boot, pressing in on the ankle and heel area and it seems to have tightened it up. I just picked up a pair of TF9s as well and the difference in the tongues is noticeable. If you feel like you need a bit more volume and room in the TF7, check out swapping the tongues to the thinner TF9 version. I'll have my first skate on them tonight and can report back how they feel in action.

Seems off to me at the front of the holder. My SS TF7 blades look similar at the back of the holder (slight overhang) and quick release engagement (I can see a sliver of the steel in the window). The front of my holders are a bit worn down, but I don't recall that much gap between toe of blade and front of holder.

Thanks and sorry to hear they didn't work that well for you. Yeah, I came to my senses last night after my usual skate and pulled the trigger on the O1 chassis. Now I just need to figure out what boot to put on it. Probably give myself an early birthday present and get the Trues, but need to weigh that out.

That was the way I was leaning until I really priced it out. Then my frugal side kicked in. But since it isn't like my foot is growing, I'll probably bite the bullet and go that direction unless someone has glowing review of the Kraft boots.

I'm loving my True TF7 ice skates since getting them a few weeks back. Want to get Marsblades O1 chassis to continue working on my skating this spring/summer. Debating spending the money on a True TF7 boot and the Marsblade chassis or saving a bit of cash and getting the O1 Kraft Team set-up in a junior size. I'm not a big guy (175lbs, 5 ft 6in), but have deformed softer boots in the past (have a pair of Graf 535 my pronation deformed and I had to shim to compensate for). The Trues are pretty stiff, so would prefer something comparable if I go with a different boot. In a size 4 True and able to comfortably wear size 4.5 Ribcors without issue, so assume a 4.5 in the Marsblade boot would fit me. Anyone have direct experience with the Kraft Team boots? Believe they are made by Alkali for Marsblade. Thanks.

No problem. I've done a few conversions using this video as a guide. I've started to cover the outsole of the skate with blue painters tape after the ice holder is off which makes it easier to mark up the center line, hole placement, etc. make it easy to see what you are doing and gives a much cleaner look after. I also suggest using pen or pencil to mark up as I've found a thicker marker to lack accuracy/precision. Thinner the line/marking the better.

No need to use the Graf specific bolts for an inline conversion. You can get stuff from a hardware store. Not sure I would do it for an ice set up, but maybe you could.

Wow, thanks, just dropped you a private message.