Shawn in Tampa 0 Report post Posted January 3, 2007 Just received my Ultra G5's. Always wanted to try Graf. Very interesting feel. I am 38 and getting back to playing a few times per week, played all through college and beyond. My goal right now is to get the absolute best skate I can find. Not be too blunt, but dollars are not my concern, so I am currently going through ALL the ones I think would be candidates, then once I find the right one, I'll move the rest (Look out for that sale!)The G5 is quite different from everything else so far. The liner is a perforated cotton or wool feeling. Kinda harsh at first, but after you wear it for a half hour, it gets pretty comfy. Very stiff boot for sure. Low cut too, which doesnt feel bad, considering I really dig the feel of the Vector 10.0.Build quality looks and feels like aces. The outer boot feels bulletproof. The toe box is a little roomy, and the mid foot width is a little narrow. Size is 10 R. Certainly more narrow than my CCM's.Looking forward to getting them baked and skated. The forward pitch is NOT what I was expecting, because some talk like you feel like a stripper in 6 inch heels. Not at all like that. Here's some pics, as I dont think I have seen any good quality ones around here....Shawn in TampaShawn@charvels.comhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/scub...ar/IMG_4708.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/scub...ar/IMG_4707.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/scub...ar/IMG_4706.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/scub...ar/IMG_4711.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/scub...ar/IMG_4713.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/scub...ar/IMG_4715.jpg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indaslot 0 Report post Posted January 3, 2007 Is the Vector 10 basically an upgrade of the Vector Pro or is it a completely different skate?My son was also warned about the forward pitch of Graf when he switched from CCM and he never really noticed it. Maybe if you are a Bauer user the change is nore dramatic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usahockey22 0 Report post Posted January 3, 2007 So which skate do you like more? And what do you think of the new tongue on the Graf? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mreeves 0 Report post Posted January 3, 2007 nice pics!I recently went from vectors to 705's. the 705's fit way better.I'd be very interested to know what you think of the G5's, and any comparisons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djinferno 2 Report post Posted January 3, 2007 thats what kills me about grafs, look at those gaps on the aole to the boot, i mean what poor quality..I have to admit those soles are an upgrade from the others they had Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn in Tampa 0 Report post Posted January 3, 2007 Ok, Skated them today.#1) Extremely comfortable well made skate.#2) WTF is with that Radius or Rocker? I felt damn near like this was my first time on skates....Completely different stride to get these things going. Push off on your toe, and you'll end up face down. The guy at the rink shop said thats the way they are, and that I would get used to it. I dont WANT to get used to it. He cut down on that front of the blade angle for me, and I'll give them another shot tomorrow, but damn.......How do I remedy this issue? Blade replacement?Shawn in TampaShawn@Charvels.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Storm 0 Report post Posted January 3, 2007 I know what you mean.Graf's have an 11 foot radius. I been thinking of reducing mine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sogaduch 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 what gaps? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JR Boucicaut 3810 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 Saw the entire Ultra line today except for the G70. I just don't know about that liner - I feel it would tear my feet up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
t-bone 1 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 I knew someone few years ago who had Rebellion skates that had similar liner (foam and mesh) and goofy blades. The guy swore they were supper comfy. But then, how can you take someone in those skates seriously.:) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 I knew someone few years ago who had Rebellion skates that had similar liner (foam and mesh) and goofy blades. The guy swore they were supper comfy. But then, how can you take someone in those skates seriously.:)Oh god, they went with that shitty liner? If I go that route they're going to have to be customs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn in Tampa 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 Saw the entire Ultra line today except for the G70. I just don't know about that liner - I feel it would tear my feet up.No, honestly, after about 15 minutes of putting them on, it became the most comfortable lining ever. Barefoot. Yes, I was surprised.There is absolutely zero doubt that this boot is heavenly. I get the Graf comfort thing, I dont get the Graf blade thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stick9 905 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 Saw the entire Ultra line today except for the G70. I just don't know about that liner - I feel it would tear my feet up.I saw them the other day. Othe then the liner being rough, the ankle packs felt like bean bags. I wasn't impressed.Shawn, when I went from Graf to RBK's the lack of forward pitch was a positive thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indaslot 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 What is the radius on most skates(like Vector pro etc)? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn in Tampa 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 Saw the entire Ultra line today except for the G70. I just don't know about that liner - I feel it would tear my feet up.I saw them the other day. Othe then the liner being rough, the ankle packs felt like bean bags. I wasn't impressed.Shawn, when I went from Graf to RBK's the lack of forward pitch was a positive thing.So youre saying you were happier with the RBK's.I have to admit something here. I really have always wanted to try Grafs. Its always been somewhat of a niche item, and I also think that $$$ is sometimes equated with greatness even if the product isnt all that great.This may just be me WANTING to like the Graf, when in reality, I like the V10's better. As far as RBK, havent really given tham any consideration. Are they considered more towards the wider or narrower end of the scale?Shawn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usahockey22 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 Are they considered more towards the wider or narrower end of the scale?Most of what I've seen says that Reeboks fit wide. I did try some on today though (5Ks), and I noticed that they were way too tight in the forefoot, but too loose in the heel. This makes sense due to the weird feet I have (incredibly wide in front, narrower heel), but even with the pump inflated all the way, I still had wobbling in the heel, and killer pressure in the front. I tried on some vectors, and they felt looser up front, and tighter in the heel, compared to the reeboks. (Better for my feet). They weren't the top models of either skate line though, but I think that the boots should fit pretty much the same throughout the skate line (someone correct me if I'm wrong here). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AK10R 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 Shawn, Nice write up and pics. What made you go with the G5s when deciding on the Graf? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stick9 905 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 Saw the entire Ultra line today except for the G70. I just don't know about that liner - I feel it would tear my feet up.I saw them the other day. Othe then the liner being rough, the ankle packs felt like bean bags. I wasn't impressed.Shawn, when I went from Graf to RBK's the lack of forward pitch was a positive thing.So youre saying you were happier with the RBK's.I have to admit something here. I really have always wanted to try Grafs. Its always been somewhat of a niche item, and I also think that $$$ is sometimes equated with greatness even if the product isnt all that great.This may just be me WANTING to like the Graf, when in reality, I like the V10's better. As far as RBK, havent really given tham any consideration. Are they considered more towards the wider or narrower end of the scale?ShawnYes, much happier. However, my Grafs served me well for more then a few years and they still have some life left in them.I know what you mean about wanting to like them. I always wanted a to try them and when I needed new skates that was what I was getting, period. In the end. My Graf's were uncomfortable and I stuck with them for 5 years. They weren't wide enough, the toe box wasn't tall enough, and the forward pitch screwed with my balance something aweful.I don't know. Some say wide, some don't. I don't have a wide foot and they fit perfect. Think of a Vector (last years model) with a wider heel and mid-foot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keith 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 I knew someone few years ago who had Rebellion skates that had similar liner (foam and mesh) and goofy blades. The guy swore they were supper comfy. But then, how can you take someone in those skates seriously.:)Oh god, they went with that shitty liner? If I go that route they're going to have to be customs.Well, it is similar in looks but it is a lot coarser than the rebellion material. The one thing that concerned me when I looked them over was that the outsole seemed awfully glassy around the heel. The tongue was also very chunky, though I don't know how it is when you put them on since 705 never fit me well at all so I didn't bother. As far as the Rebellion lining being crappy, I tried a pair with the original Rebellion 3d holders and found that boot just about the most comfortable thing ever. The liner felt different but it also moved so much air around your foot it was always relatively dry. If I would complain about anything with the rebellion boot it is the weight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 I'm interested in hearing anything at all about the performance of the new outsole, if there's even anything noticable at all about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 I knew someone few years ago who had Rebellion skates that had similar liner (foam and mesh) and goofy blades. The guy swore they were supper comfy. But then, how can you take someone in those skates seriously.:)Oh god, they went with that shitty liner? If I go that route they're going to have to be customs.Well, it is similar in looks but it is a lot coarser than the rebellion material. The one thing that concerned me when I looked them over was that the outsole seemed awfully glassy around the heel. The tongue was also very chunky, though I don't know how it is when you put them on since 705 never fit me well at all so I didn't bother. As far as the Rebellion lining being crappy, I tried a pair with the original Rebellion 3d holders and found that boot just about the most comfortable thing ever. The liner felt different but it also moved so much air around your foot it was always relatively dry. If I would complain about anything with the rebellion boot it is the weight.I tried a newer model Rebellion about a year and a half ago and I wasn't impressed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mreeves 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 Yo, Chadd, nice ClerksII reference! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whalers* 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 great skate the graf is olny problem is that it contains water and becomes ver haivy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vash 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 I just bought a pair of graf skates and couldnt' be happier with the fit. Though that could be because I had mine done custom. But i do agree that the toe box is too low and gets slightly annoying. But my question is. Does any graf users here think the graf footbeds are crap? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JR Boucicaut 3810 Report post Posted January 4, 2007 I just bought a pair of graf skates and couldnt' be happier with the fit. Though that could be because I had mine done custom. But i do agree that the toe box is too low and gets slightly annoying. But my question is. Does any graf users here think the graf footbeds are crap?Quite contrary - Graf is one of the few mfgrs who invest in good footbeds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
