deeper fitting skate..Flexlite or Graf 09 series?

[cbart 1]

Any thoughts on which is deeper for my high arches?

[indaslot 0]

Don't know flexlite but G9's are exceptionally deep.

[epstud74 24]

Flexlites are much deeper fitting, even though the new Grafs are deeper fitting than their other models.

[Hockeydog 8]

I have heard the Flexlites have durability issues.

[hockeymom 2]

Any thoughts on which is deeper for my high arches?

I'm not sure, but you may be mixing two issues together here.

Usually when people are looking for a deep skate, they are doing so because they need the extra roominess for their foot (a "fat" or thick foot). High arches are usually accomodated by a more sharply angled footbed.

Do you have both issues?

[cbart 1]

I have high arches which have cause bad lacebite across the tongues...Arches fail the "pencil test" when trying on new skates!

[indaslot 0]

High arches also require a deeper fitting skate (Even a deeper running shoe if you are a runner).G9's are very deep and as far as durability goes,they are tanks.However, they are on the heavy side.

[cbart 1]

Just an update for us high arch, wide toe-boxers,...I have been searching for the skate for us for some time now (without going the custom route). As previously discussed in this thread, Flexlites and Graf G70 (or 09 series if you will) seem to be logical choices. Lo and behold, last week I was able to land a pair of brand new Flexlite 12's off of ebay for $200 in my size (9D for these skates, I'm a 9.5W in G70's). Haven't been able to skate on them yet, but have worn them around the house. Coming from a pair of 9.5W Easton 1200's I found the toe box in the Flexlites to be a tad smaller (remember D width on the Nike's..but still bigger than my old RBK's in E width), but had them punched a tad and I'm sure it won't be a big deal. My main issue has always been depth. A huge improvement over the Easton's. I am borderline passing the "pencil test" in the Flexlites but a tad more depth would be nice. Still, nothing I have worn yet is as deep as these. Now comes the interesting discussion I have been having with myself. My LHS here in Minnesota has a limited number of Graf G70's, but not my 9.5W which my guy at the shop ordered from Graf in APRIL!!!!! I have stood next to him at the shop while he has barked at Graf over the phone about this and still no skates as we now turn into September. This, I realize is a seperate issue altogether, but still makes me feel better to share yet another shitty Graf customer service story (this is the #2 Graf dealer in Minnesota).

Back on point...I did carefully look over the size 9 G70 that they had in stock and compared the depth to the Flexlite that I had with me that day. Impressions are that the G70 looks to be a tad deeper than the Flexlites. I'm not too concerned about the Graf toe box as it can be easily punched if need be. Still holding out hope that my 9.5W's will arrive before the snow flys and I can report back on fit...

[Law Goalie 147]

Thanks for the update. We're definitely in the same boat - and it ain't deep enough for either of us. ;)

I'm seriously thinking of picking up that pair of used Flexlite 12s I found half a size too small and having them stretched. They are the only skates that have ever come close to fitting me.

Just as a small side note, I recently had some fun picking out Superfeet to fit my arches. The sizing guide for Superfeet is based on shoe sizes, but, of course, you're buying them to fit your arch, not the length of your foot.

Long story short, even though my shoe-size would have required a D-size (7.5-9) Superfeet, I fit best in an F (monster feet). Only problem was, the heel of an F-size Superfeet didn't fit in my skates. I dropped down to an E, and that compromise fit well though I could still use a good bit more arch support. I still had to cut more than an inch off the toe - would have been close to two inches with the F-size.

[cbart 1]

Law Goalie,

Had you in mind when I posted that update...

I had my Superfeet's custom molded by Jason at East West Hockey (I was in town for work). He has a process to fit you (air bladder, epoxy, etc) that really hugs my arches. I'm sure he's not the only one doing this if you can't make it down to San Jose/Frisco area...

[Sven 1]

Law Goalie, I remember your old skate-dilemma thread... I thought you got some skates which fitted the way you wanted them?!

[Law Goalie 147]

I wish.

Flexlites are thin on the ground at the moment. The new ones aren't in and the old ones are basically sold out. Even if I can find a pair of 7.5D's to try on, I may still not have an ideal fit for a number of reasons. I've also since confirmed that Graf 709s (G70s, etc.) will not work.

Basically, I just started lacing my Daousts with Cyclist's lacing (aka Bushwalk) and a lace-lock at the top. That took away 90% of my lace-bite issues and evened out the pressure across the eyelets, while still keeping my heel reasonably secure. It's not perfect, and admittedly a bit of a hack to regain some depth, but it's a hell of a lot better than it was. I'm also going to widen the toe-caps with a brake--disc spreader and a heat gun.

At some point I'll probably have to go custom - then it won't matter what brand or model I'm in, and I can go purely on the choice of materials and holders. If money were no object, I think I'd go for custom S500s, if I could even find a store in Toronto to fill the order. Not a lot of good Mission dealers around here...

[epstud74 24]

Flexlites lack the depth and are much more shallow than the Ultra G70.

I'm currently in Vapor XXXX's but even though they fit me perfectly width and length-wise, they do not fit me very well depth wise and this is causing me to have issues with pain and numbness in my foot along with lacebite. They were just fine at first, but when the skates break in (especially the tongues) lacebite issues will set in and if you have to crank down on the laces to get the foot in the skate, you're in the wrong skate. Thanks to GrafPro55, I'm going to get a pair of Graf G70s. I have a high instep and arch, but regular width heel and above average width in the forefoot. The G70s are the only skate along with the CCM U+ series that I can pass the pencil test with. I have a question for those of you who have bought the G70's online..Why do so if they come with a custom heat moldable insole?? You cannot really do that at home.