new skates

[lohnman 0]

I'm looking to buy my son a new set of skates. He has always fit into Bauer and Graf. He has a long narrow foot. Does this foot shape limit him to those two brands or are others like mission and eastern on the narrow side. He is 9 and is wearing a 5 in Grafs. He really likes the 9K pumps but I think those would too wide.

Thanks for any advice.

[devilsrule711 0]

yeah is mission anything in width compared to Bauer (D width) casue im also in th emarket for new skates and have my eye on some Fuel AG's

[j8Zt8r 0]

yeah is mission anything in width compared to Bauer (D width) casue im also in th emarket for new skates and have my eye on some Fuel AG's

I have a narrow foot and the Fuel XP 110's were fine for me. So are the Synergy's

[devilsrule711 0]

1 you must use a D width with the Fuel's right? & 2 what width did you wear with bauers or CCMS

[j8Zt8r 0]

I wore a D width in all Bauer's I have owned and a D with Vector Pro's.

[hockeysew 0]

I have the same type of foot -long and narrow shoe size 11

I have found that a narrow Bauer is what suites me best-C width AA heel width-they can be a bear to find though

I tried 3 different sets of Graf's-704 D-703 C and 703 D and none of them felt right for my foot.

I was finally able to find some pro-stock 7000's in a C width and all is hunky dory

But that is probably me as Bauer is all I ever have skated in (20+ yrs)

I must say though that Graf seems to have a boot style to fit most anybody 703-735 etc which all fit differently

Go to a quality LHS with a knowledgable staff and have him measured, both for basic size and volume also

Better off getting a touch narrow and punching them out than too be loose

[sogaduch 0]

I have the same type of foot -long and narrow shoe size 11

I have found that a narrow Bauer is what suites me best-C width AA heel width-they can be a bear to find though

I tried 3 different sets of Graf's-704 D-703 C and 703 D and none of them felt right for my foot.

I was finally able to find some pro-stock 7000's in a C width and all is hunky dory

But that is probably me as Bauer is all I ever have skated in (20+ yrs)

I must say though that Graf seems to have a boot style to fit most anybody 703-735 etc which all fit differently

Go to a quality LHS with a knowledgable staff and have him measured, both for basic size and volume also

Better off getting a touch narrow and punching them out than too be loose

yes finally someone who also believes in getting something abit tigether than too loose

[Chadd 916]

yeah is mission anything in width compared to Bauer (D width) casue im also in th emarket for new skates and have my eye on some Fuel AG's

The heel on the Fuel is much wider.

[Megamandan 0]

9k's in a C width MAYBE would work. Also if he doesn't play at all in the summer/not enough, wait untill August/September to buy skates, He may grow like a week and not be able to use them for next season b/c they are too small. I've lost so many sales saying that to customers but I'd rather be honest.

[forbs02 20]

I'm looking to buy my son a new set of skates. He has always fit into Bauer and Graf. He has a long narrow foot. Does this foot shape limit him to those two brands or are others like mission and eastern on the narrow side. He is 9 and is wearing a 5 in Grafs. He really likes the 9K pumps but I think those would too wide.

Thanks for any advice.

Your 9 year old wears a size 5? Big kid...

[lohnman 0]

Yup he is a big kid, tall anyway. I usually try to buy my skates just before the summer "stuff" starts then he has the same set through the season. He is playing on a AAA team this summer as well as attending a few camps.

It's tough not having alot to offer as far as a hockey stores go were I am. I try to do as much "home work" as possible before driving 4 hours to the Boston area to pick out a set of skates. That way I feel a little more comfortable with my purchase.

I think my son does better with a stiffer skate. He has skated with both bauer vapors and grafs. I think the stiffer ankle region is better for his skating style. Some kids kind of fold the ankle area of the skate when they push of at the end of the stride. Even with the grafs my son doesn't seem to do this. So I imagine a stiffer skate would be more up his alley.

It's not easy to find the right skate for a kid when you are so far from all the people who know. He spends a tremedous amount of time skating so I think it's worth the effort to try and find something that will work well for him.

I appreciate all the help that has been given.

[Megamandan 0]

Easton 1500 and 1200, Kor shifts, One90's, RBK 9k's are some of the stiffest skates out there. Although 9k's for being wide may not be right. Kors are said to be amaizing. Go with what he likes your willing to spend and what fits his foot best.

[chk hrd 164]

why would you want to spend that much money on kids skates? If he is anything like most young boys they out grow them real fast. I usually buy the middle or upper middle of the line for my son just because of that plus IMHO to stiff of a skate for a youth is a bad thing.

[hyprlte 0]

he should try the graf g3's

[jjtt99 0]

Caution: Graf skates do not have a common fit throughout their line. Some models are wide and deep, while others are narrow. They really vary from model to model, so unlike other brands who have common characteristics (i.e. CCM and Easton tend to be wide) you can't apply a generalization to Grafs.

Good luck.

[lohnman 0]

I'm no expert when it comes to skate fitting. That's why I'm here posting this question. The right skate on the right skater can make a huge difference in the kids ability. I have for the longest time had the same philosophy, stiff skates are not for kids. In my short 4 years of youth hockey I have seen many kids skating on XXXs and look great doing it. I have also seen several kids take a step backwards when getting new stiffer skates like the xxxs. It's really and indiviual thing. I thought my son might benefit from a more flexible skate that is why I wanted to try out the 502s. I think it has actually slowed him down a little. I really don't care what the price is as long as they are best for him. These kids spend so much time skating that I beleive it pays off to get them into the perfect skate for them.

Finding out which one that is can be a challenge, when the feedback is coming from a 9 year old. Am I getting carried away, maybe but I am one of those teckno guys that believes that you benefit when the equipment is set up for your game. I play alot of golf and have the right flex shaft and the proper lie angle makes a huge difference in the flight of the ball. I believe the same is true when it comes to find the right skate.

[domileafs28 0]

You are right, all equipment must be suited to your game and playing style. However, you shouldn't worry too much. At 9, chances are your son has not developed a skating/special playing style that requires consideration when purchasing equipment.

I would suggest online, simply because you can find one or two year old new skates in top of the line for very cheap. If you are willing to pay, then great, but I don't recmmend putting a nine year old in xxx's or 9ks or KOR. I hate to see you pay us$400 for a skate that he will outgrow long before it is used up; look at features, not the names on the skates. He needs "upper level" skates, but if he is playing AA, he also needs upper level protective gear which is quite expensive as well.

check out 1800faceoff.com i am 16 years old, i recommend the eastons for long narrow feet like mine. All of the "older" eastons are extremely stiff, (air, z-air, z-air comp, etc). i have the z-air comp se and they are actually the stiffest skate ever made, they were softened up the next year. I love them, if you can find his size, i'm sure they will make a big difference in his skating.

However if price truly does not matter, I would suggest the KORs or look at the bauer supreme line. The supremes are cheaper than vapors but are the same features and more durable in my opinion. There is very little weight difference as well. I hope i have been somewhat helpful.

[Chadd 916]

I'm no expert when it comes to skate fitting. That's why I'm here posting this question. The right skate on the right skater can make a huge difference in the kids ability. I have for the longest time had the same philosophy, stiff skates are not for kids. In my short 4 years of youth hockey I have seen many kids skating on XXXs and look great doing it. I have also seen several kids take a step backwards when getting new stiffer skates like the xxxs. It's really and indiviual thing. I thought my son might benefit from a more flexible skate that is why I wanted to try out the 502s. I think it has actually slowed him down a little. I really don't care what the price is as long as they are best for him. These kids spend so much time skating that I beleive it pays off to get them into the perfect skate for them.

Finding out which one that is can be a challenge, when the feedback is coming from a 9 year old. Am I getting carried away, maybe but I am one of those teckno guys that believes that you benefit when the equipment is set up for your game. I play alot of golf and have the right flex shaft and the proper lie angle makes a huge difference in the flight of the ball. I believe the same is true when it comes to find the right skate.

No piece of gear is going to make you a better player, although poorly fitted equipment can prevent you from showing your abilities. Find a shop that you trust and have your son try on as many skates as possible. In the end it's the fit that makes all of the difference.

As for softer skates, it often takes kids (and some adults) a little while to strengthen their ankles and adapt. You still have to have adequate stiffness around the foot, even if the boot has less stiffness at the ankle.