Fat footed fat guy finds Flexlites fit fine, but feel...cheap.

[Weezmyster 0]

OK, let's start off by saying I'm not morbidly obese, but for practical purposes, I am 5' 8" and 2-210. I always had Tacks (Ultra's too) up until my last set in which I moved to Bauer's because I thought they looked cool. In '99 they were the 5000's and the last gen before baking came along. I have hated them since the day I bought them. My foot apparently was not made for these skates and I resorted to going barefoot now just to get a bit of extra room.

I leave them damp so they do not bite me like they do when dry/stiff. I also like 'em loose (no puns) now too. Tongue hangs down, top lace "hole" does not get used and I barely tighten these things on top. Leaving 'em damp and barefooting brings me that much closer to divorce when they get near the house, so the garage is where they stay.

Being a beer leaguer now and only skating 2x/wk I want new ones and went to my LHS which is very reputable. After two, 2+ hour sessions with the salesman, I found a pair I may be able to tolerate on my fat foot. The Nike/Bauer Flexlite 12's in 9.5 EE. After trying on Synergy 1200s & 1500s, Vapors, Vectors, One90's, XXX's, G5's, the Nike's were what fit best. Mind you, their fat foot selection was slim and rightfully so given the time of year.

My question(s)....am I settling since many of the skates he had were not in wide width versions, so I hated them?

The Flexlites just seemed cheap, paper-like compared to my old heavy dinosaurs or even the others on the wall. Will they make it another 8 years like the 5000's did? For the $350, should I wait and try the Graf 709's wide or something else?

I'm in no hurry, 8 years attests to that. Been through many a pages/threads and found the Flexlites fit fat forefooters better, but is there anything else I'm missing?

Jimmy- I plan on buying from that LHS too. :)

[sikocycles 1]

I had the same problem. I am skating in FL12 right now for like the last year or so. They have held up very well. I am 6'5" 240.

I like the 709s but the problem is with Graf the toe caps are the same on the reg and the wide so the toe caps are very narrow.

I may get a custom pair of ultra9s with extra wide toe caps made some day when these break down.

[cobrAA 0]

i skated in the F12 and F12, yes they feel cheap, i tihnk it is because they are so light and simple looking skate, but actually they are great qualitie, very good skate, just couldn't get used to the cut.

[srv2miker 0]

Did you try RBK skates? I've never tried them, but from what I hear they are reasonably wide but also quite deep. Might be good for Shaq-type feet.

[Sghockey21 1]

Hey I'm from the fat foot club too. I'm currently using Nike V-Force 7EE and they are comfortable. A friend has FL12 8EE and his fits me pretty well but the toe caps are a tiny bit narrower. His Eastons 800C in 8W actually has the most comfortable toecaps of all other skates that I've tried. Even the RBK EE toecaps are alittle narrow for me.

Don't know what I'll do when my skates give out (in a few months time)

[Weezmyster 0]

I had the same problem. I am skating in FL12 right now for like the last year or so. They have held up very well. I am 6'5" 240.

I like the 709s but the problem is with Graf the toe caps are the same on the reg and the wide so the toe caps are very narrow.

I may get a custom pair of ultra9s with extra wide toe caps made some day when these break down.

I tried the 705's wide today and found the toe cap was fine, but everything else was ridiculously tight. The guy even baked 'em for me. Maybe the 709's are still in contention. Thanks

i skated in the F12 and F12, yes they feel cheap, i tihnk it is because they are so light and simple looking skate, but actually they are great qualitie, very good skate, just couldn't get used to the cut.

By cut, what do you mean? What did you come from and what did you go to?

Did you try RBK skates? I've never tried them, but from what I hear they are reasonably wide but also quite deep. Might be good for Shaq-type feet.

I was told the Rbk's were essentially that same design as the Vectors. Even if not, I did not like the midfoot lace lock design on the CCM's I tried. Being used to the top of my skate so loose, I think locking the laces in seems to be against my myopic belief in skate comfort.

[Chadd 916]

Did you try RBK skates? I've never tried them, but from what I hear they are reasonably wide but also quite deep. Might be good for Shaq-type feet.

I was told the Rbk's were essentially that same design as the Vectors. Even if not, I did not like the midfoot lace lock design on the CCM's I tried. Being used to the top of my skate so loose, I think locking the laces in seems to be against my myopic belief in skate comfort.

RBK is not the same as the Vector.

[AnthonyJTa 0]

I'm 5'11" and weight 250 lbs, and I have a really wide, really flat, and really thick foot and ankles. I've had the RBK 8K, and 9K Pump and they fit amazing. I've only skated in Eastons and Bauers beforehand, and it wasn't a very plesant experience.

[hockeyshmockey10 0]

i can honestly say that nike skates (quest 1's, v12's) as well as the rbk 9k are all skates that i have owned and have been the better fit for my fat-flat feet

[mreeves 0]

I got wide mid-feet and normal heels and the Graf 705 wide fits me very well. The mid foot was very snug at first, but I was assured it would form to my feet, and they have.

The 709 is for wide-deep feet and wide heels.

The 735 is for wide mid-feet and narrow heels like the vectors.

That is why I experienced such ankle pain with the vectors the heels were too narrow for my foot but the 709 would have been too wide in the heel, so I went with the 705. The over-snug mid-foot has expaded around the contours of my feet in a short time. The length of my 11w Graf's are absolutely perfect for my feet, I have noticed an improvement in my skating because of this.

Just so you know if I hadn't discovered Graf I'd be in the Rbk 9K's 10.5 probably D width ( they fit pretty wide).

[Weezmyster 0]

I got wide mid-feet and normal heels and the Graf 705 wide fits me very well. The mid foot was very snug at first, but I was assured it would form to my feet, and they have.

The 709 is for wide-deep feet and wide heels.

The 735 is for wide mid-feet and narrow heels like the vectors.

That is why I experienced such ankle pain with the vectors the heels were too narrow for my foot but the 709 would have been too wide in the heel, so I went with the 705. The over-snug mid-foot has expaded around the contours of my feet in a short time. The length of my 11w Graf's are absolutely perfect for my feet, I have noticed an improvement in my skating because of this.

Just so you know if I hadn't discovered Graf I'd be in the Rbk 9K's 10.5 probably D width ( they fit pretty wide).

Aww great! Now I gotta' go back and try the Rbk's now. Shoulda' done it in the first place, but I listened to the guy when he said if I didn't like the mid foot lace lock on the CCM's, I'd feel the same about the Rbk's, so I wrote them off. I wonder if I am just trying to force myself into a Graf because all the hype from everyone around me swearing by these skates?

Now you have me guessing on that 705 too. When I took 'em off about 3" on the outside of my foot was really red along with the inside too. They felt nice and soft texture-wise but not after standing in them once they cooled.

I do know I don't have flat feet, I've got a decent arch, but as for the heel width, I dunno'.

[srv2miker 0]

I got wide mid-feet and normal heels and the Graf 705 wide fits me very well. The mid foot was very snug at first, but I was assured it would form to my feet, and they have.

The 709 is for wide-deep feet and wide heels.

The 735 is for wide mid-feet and narrow heels like the vectors.

That is why I experienced such ankle pain with the vectors the heels were too narrow for my foot but the 709 would have been too wide in the heel, so I went with the 705. The over-snug mid-foot has expaded around the contours of my feet in a short time. The length of my 11w Graf's are absolutely perfect for my feet, I have noticed an improvement in my skating because of this.

Just so you know if I hadn't discovered Graf I'd be in the Rbk 9K's 10.5 probably D width ( they fit pretty wide).

Aww great! Now I gotta' go back and try the Rbk's now. Shoulda' done it in the first place, but I listened to the guy when he said if I didn't like the mid foot lace lock on the CCM's, I'd feel the same about the Rbk's, so I wrote them off. I wonder if I am just trying to force myself into a Graf because all the hype from everyone around me swearing by these skates?

Now you have me guessing on that 705 too. When I took 'em off about 3" on the outside of my foot was really red along with the inside too. They felt nice and soft texture-wise but not after standing in them once they cooled.

I do know I don't have flat feet, I've got a decent arch, but as for the heel width, I dunno'.

If you hate the lace lock on the CCMs you'll probably dislike it on the RBKs, but it may just take some getting used to. The thing about them is that you can lace your top and bottom to a completely different degree of tightness. Kind of neat from a customization standpoint, but to be honest I'm not crazy about it either. I tried on 04 Tacks without them and 05 with them, and I liked the '04s a lot better. All things considered, its probably worth trying them on to see if you like them.

[mreeves 0]

I have pf10's (same boot as the Vector pro) and I f#$%^&* hate the lace lock! I suppose you could unscrew them and just skip that eyelet. Another thing I don't like about the ccm/rbk is how stiff they are around the eyelets.

The Rbk's fit me fairly well, but the idea of a pump blowing out of a $500 skate does not appeal to me.

The Graf's (and Missions) are soft around the eyelets and stiff where they need to be, what a concept!

Was the Graf you tried on a W width? I have the 11w, but I absolutely could not squeeze into a 10.5R at my fitting!

I don't know what hype you're talking about surrounding the Graf's? They don't really advertise and half the people on this board are Graf haters.

I also have a high arch, I just put the grey Superfeet in- no problems.

Trust me, unless your foot is in severe pain while standing in the Graf's, the boot will kind of expand and form to your foot after awhile.

For what I wanted out of a skate at this point in my life there was only one choice.

The rbk's fit, but have stiff eyelets, lacelocks I don't like and a pump I just don't trust.

The Missions have the soft eyelets, but I've owned 5 pairs of Missions over the years and never been real happy with the fit. Another thing I don't like about the Missions is they come out with a completely different look and fit EVERY year. Even if you found a mission that you loved, you wouldn't be able to find one next time.

So, the Graf's have a clean classic look, style to fit ANY foot, soft eyelets, ample support and forward flex... What's not to like!

Did you know the 709's come in 4 widths instead of 3!

The 709's come in N,R,W and W+!

This might be an option for you.

Good luck!

[hapamatt122 0]

I got wide mid-feet and normal heels and the Graf 705 wide fits me very well. The mid foot was very snug at first, but I was assured it would form to my feet, and they have.

The 709 is for wide-deep feet and wide heels.

The 735 is for wide mid-feet and narrow heels like the vectors.

That is why I experienced such ankle pain with the vectors the heels were too narrow for my foot but the 709 would have been too wide in the heel, so I went with the 705. The over-snug mid-foot has expaded around the contours of my feet in a short time. The length of my 11w Graf's are absolutely perfect for my feet, I have noticed an improvement in my skating because of this.

Just so you know if I hadn't discovered Graf I'd be in the Rbk 9K's 10.5 probably D width ( they fit pretty wide).

I have the same foot as you and I too got the 705's.. coming from CCM pro tacks in a 8E, I went w/ a Graf 7.5W, the toe cap is wider in the graf IMO. my mid-foot is very wide and even after skating in my protacks for 3 years, I still had pain on the outsides of my midfoot at the end of every game taking my skates off. My grafs give me problems but I guess i'm still breaking them in, I've skated in them about 9 times now, still waiting for the skate to expand around the middle (I have to keep it real tight around the toe box becuase that is almost too wide for me). and my feet are always cramping unless Im actually on the ice, so when im on the bench sometimes I have to stand up and shift back and forth cuz of the pain. I guess I should have these baked.. otherwise, I really really like the skate, although I'm not really satisfied w/ that Cobra holder, I'm thinking of yanking it off for a LS or E-pro holder.

[sikocycles 1]

I tried the Rbks and they were not deep enough for me. Was dreaming of a white pair.

[mreeves 0]

I got wide mid-feet and normal heels and the Graf 705 wide fits me very well. The mid foot was very snug at first, but I was assured it would form to my feet, and they have.

The 709 is for wide-deep feet and wide heels.

The 735 is for wide mid-feet and narrow heels like the vectors.

That is why I experienced such ankle pain with the vectors the heels were too narrow for my foot but the 709 would have been too wide in the heel, so I went with the 705. The over-snug mid-foot has expaded around the contours of my feet in a short time. The length of my 11w Graf's are absolutely perfect for my feet, I have noticed an improvement in my skating because of this.

Just so you know if I hadn't discovered Graf I'd be in the Rbk 9K's 10.5 probably D width ( they fit pretty wide).

I have the same foot as you and I too got the 705's.. coming from CCM pro tacks in a 8E, I went w/ a Graf 7.5W, the toe cap is wider in the graf IMO. my mid-foot is very wide and even after skating in my protacks for 3 years, I still had pain on the outsides of my midfoot at the end of every game taking my skates off. My grafs give me problems but I guess i'm still breaking them in, I've skated in them about 9 times now, still waiting for the skate to expand around the middle (I have to keep it real tight around the toe box becuase that is almost too wide for me). and my feet are always cramping unless Im actually on the ice, so when im on the bench sometimes I have to stand up and shift back and forth cuz of the pain. I guess I should have these baked.. otherwise, I really really like the skate, although I'm not really satisfied w/ that Cobra holder, I'm thinking of yanking it off for a LS or E-pro holder.

The only laces I yank on are the fourth one up(right behind the knuckle of the toe) and the last two (on the ankle), just snug on the rest. Hope this helps.

Also, I didn't like the Cobra at first- it was hard to skate backwards, but now I love it. Give it a try.

[Weezmyster 0]

Thanks for all the great insight.

I guess what I'm asking still from some of you that have had these for a while is are they durable?

While I admit I should have retired the 5000's some years ago, under the same circumstances, will they match up to the old tanks of yesteryear('99)?

[flyguy1697 0]

I honestly think that the FL12's hold up better then my XXX's have. I've had 5 pairs in three years of the XXX's but I only had one pair of the FL's when they came out and my brother took them some time ago. The guy at my LHS told me that the FL's are by far the best skates out there for the money.