Graf G9 fit: some confusion

[Law Goalie 147]

Ian Fieggen's, right? That guy's marvellous.

I found out about it through a friend at New Balance. It's one of the effective little tricks they use to fit people with unusually high insteps (in his terminology). There's an animation sequence on the New Balance UK website he linked me to...

edit: Found it - go here, then click on "High Arch."

My guess is that if you're *right* on the borderline of depth, with your foot pushing the tongue to *just* above the eyelets, using the Cyclist Lacing and/or going to a thinner tongue can squeeze that extra iota of depth out of the skate to make them perfect, or make a bad skate bearable for a longer period.

[cbart 1]

Ian Fieggen's, right? That guy's marvellous.

I found out about it through a friend at New Balance. It's one of the effective little tricks they use to fit people with unusually high insteps (in his terminology). There's an animation sequence on the New Balance UK website he linked me to...

edit: Found it - go here, then click on "High Arch."

My guess is that if you're *right* on the borderline of depth, with your foot pushing the tongue to *just* above the eyelets, using the Cyclist Lacing and/or going to a thinner tongue can squeeze that extra iota of depth out of the skate to make them perfect, or make a bad skate bearable for a longer period.

Yep, that's the guy!

[cbart 1]

An update...

Just got done seriously comparing the depth on my 8090's and G70's and found the G70's to be deeper by about 1/2 inch.

Next pair I'm going the custom route...the G70's are close, but could use another 1/2 inch of depth.

[Law Goalie 147]

Well, I just got shafted by a board member - supposedly sold me 8.0D 8090s, they turned out to be 7.0D, and now he isn't returning my messages - so I think I'm going to try a pair of 709s in total desperation. I'll either get a cheap pair of pro returns and see about shaving down the footbed (under the insole) and getting the tongue replaced, or go custom. I'm getting quoted close to $1000 taxes-in for Grafs with custom depth, so...

edit: cbart, how did you get a good quantitative read on the depth of those skates? I'd like to be able to use your methods, if possible.

[cbart 1]

Well, I just got shafted by a board member - supposedly sold me 8.0D 8090s, they turned out to be 7.0D, and now he isn't returning my messages - so I think I'm going to try a pair of 709s in total desperation. I'll either get a cheap pair of pro returns and see about shaving down the footbed (under the insole) and getting the tongue replaced, or go custom. I'm getting quoted close to $1000 taxes-in for Grafs with custom depth, so...

edit: cbart, how did you get a good quantitative read on the depth of those skates? I'd like to be able to use your methods, if possible.

Well this is going to sound real scientific....Basically took the laces out of both of them, did the pencil test again. That wasn't as effective as actually turning my foot sideways (while sitting down) and looking to see how far my foot stuck out. I used a tape measure also while my foot was sideways to measure how far it stuck out for each...

[cbart 1]

Another update...

Us "high archers" are always experimenting...Picked up a pair of 8090's from an MSH member and had the tongues from my old 652 tacks put on them...Love the fit of these skates in the toebox and and heel. The 652 tounge has gotten rid of the lacebite. These are a 9D. The G70's (in a 9.5W) felt a bit clunky (as in lots of bulk), and I get better heel lock in the 8090's. Here's a pic.8090's

Too bad these skates are not made anymore. After these 8090's are worn out, I may go the 709 route, as others have mentioned, they seem to be a bit deeper than the G70's.