in the market for new skates - Help me again! :(

[ozolinsh_27 3]

I'm looking to change up my skates - I'm a female, around 5'7. Playing weight is about 150lbs. Currently I am wearing size 5 Bauer Vapor XXX series. I'm finding I like how light the skates are, I am sacrificing comfort.

I have an odd right foot, its slightly smaller than my left and I have to wear an extra sock on the right foot to make up the difference in size. During tournaments, often the outsides of my calves are swollen and killing me to skate by late Saturday (considering the Friday and Saturday games). One can see how swollen my lower leg gets.

I use to wear 704s, which killed my arches. The most success I have had were with 705s which were fine aside from a couple punchouts and they just completely wore out.

The reason I ask on here, is the LHS that has put me in all of these different skates did it without cautioning me they fit differently and seemed more or less concerned with making the sale. They suggested a custom skate to get the size issue correct, and getting an adult skate "last" so the skate won't break down. They seem to be willing to slap me in any skate to make the sale.

If someone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. I seem to have a narrower heel, wider forefoot with a higher instep - but I'm not exactly a skate guru by any means.

I am willing to go custom considering the size differential, just not quite a big enough foot for a size 6 adult skate :(

[blues_91 0]

It seems like your budget it unlimited, so go ahead and try every skate on in the store. Buy the skate that you feel the most comfortable in. One90s sound like they might suit you.

[Jordan 13]

You say that you had success in a Graf 705. Why not get an Ultra G5?

Same shape, and definitely lighter than the 705. It sounds like there is a big enough size difference between your feet to require customs...got to get off the two sock thing.

[Steve123 0]

I can't believe that your 705's didn't last! Grafs normally hold up. Maybe look at the Ultra G5 since they're close to the fit of the 705's and are supposed to be better.

[ozolinsh_27 3]

I guess I should've been more clear about the 705s, they lasted 5 years :)

[forsberg 0]

You mention that you have a narrow heel. The Graf 735's or G35's are similar to the 705's, but the heel is narrower plus they might be a little deeper fitting boot. Worth a try?

Also, have you tried putting supportive footbeds to replace the stock ones? I use Superfeet and I feel that they provide extra support to the heel and the arches, while making the fit even more snug in the boot.

[santiclaws 0]

Also, have you tried putting supportive footbeds to replace the stock ones? I use Superfeet and I feel that they provide extra support to the heel and the arches, while making the fit even more snug in the boot.

Exactly. My feet are slightly different sizes, so that's what I do - the stock insole in one skate and a thicker insole in the other. Not as good as a custom pair, but a much better solution than two socks.

[jimmy 194]

Custom grafs only cost $80-100 more, well worth it to someone who has odd/different size feet.

[Jordan 13]

Exactly. My feet are slightly different sizes, so that's what I do - the stock insole in one skate and a thicker insole in the other. Not as good as a custom pair, but a much better solution than two socks.

If I had that situation, I would definitely go for custom skates. With insoles of different thicknesses you are asking for problems due to leg length discrepency.

[ozolinsh_27 3]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I tried on a pair of size 5 Graf 735s and out of the box they felt amazing. How that will translate over after a baking and on ice, I won't know until I buy I suppose!

Today, I may just go purchase a pair - however, I'm not a fan of the steel on Graf skates from past experience - making a trip halfway across town for a sharpening every 3-5 skates is not for me, and I've grown to love to LS2s on my Vapor XXXs.

I'm feeling hopeful this will finally end my tumultuous times with my skates!

Edit: Ok, it was way too busy at the shop today - I picked a terrible time to go, there were tons of parents buying their little ones skates! I'll get there later or tomorrow.

[ac921ol 0]

yeah, i just got the g5's and love them so far...not really sure where i can bake them around here. and everyone is saying keep them out of my oven...

[ozolinsh_27 3]

Bump bump!

I'm back!

I played winter and this past summer in the 735s, still having minor issues.

I'm having to tighten all of the laces except the top two eyelets on my skates otherwise the spot right around my instep kills me!

The 705s I was looking at look a whole lot thinner and don't look as durable as the old pair I had 4 years ago.

Looking for more suggestions! My LHS seems to just have a bunch of different young salesmen that aren't really offering any input and just seem to pull an idea out of their heads just for the sake of saying something. :(

[johnpace2 0]

I would still go custom if I were you.

If you don't like the graf holders, get them without it and use either a tuuk or my personal favorite, the Pitch 3 holder from mission. That would be sweet!

[ktang 34]

Which city are you in?

[Zamboni 6]

"I'm having to tighten all of the laces except the top two eyelets on my skates otherwise the spot right around my instep kills me!"

Maybe I'm like those sales guys talking just to say something ;) but is the footbed arch properly supporting your foot....does it fall in the right place? If not maybe superfeet has a footbed that would fit you better-go to a retailer and try standing on them-maybe walk around store with superfeet in your running shoes.

Or you could just not tie the top 2 eyelets, my son doesn't and he can motor.

[ozolinsh_27 3]

Which city are you in?

Regina

Zamboni, the footbead seems to be in the right spot. I guess is what I mean, I can still tie the top two eyelets just not as tight as the other ones. If I try not lacing the top two eyelets at all, it feels too loose around the ankle area.

[ozolinsh_27 3]

my pictures didn't show up :(

bah, go here instead:

http://users.accesscomm.ca/tdesjarlais/skate/footpix.html

[lampliter87 8]

I'm not a Graf expert by any means, but it looks like you don't necessarily have a narrow heel, you just have a really thick, wide forefoot. 709's might be an option, but I would indeed go custom. Get fitted properly by a real Graf guy.

[ktang 34]

Hey, I recognize those feet! Another guy had similar problems, and I remembered somebody saying something about hobbits, and here is the thread link (searched for hobbit):

ModSquadHockey: Returning skates, getting tired

Is it hurting at the top of the instep area, i.e. is it lacebite?

[ozolinsh_27 3]

Hey, I recognize those feet! Another guy had similar problems, and I remembered somebody saying something about hobbits, and here is the thread link (searched for hobbit):

ModSquadHockey: Returning skates, getting tired

Is it hurting at the top of the instep area, i.e. is it lacebite?

Its not lacebite, its more of being squeezed by the boot around the instep area.

LOL hobbit :(

Would One95s be a good option for me? Was just reading the thermoform stuff...

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

I had PM'd you...

[Jarick 5]

Could you try re-baking them? Or getting Superfeet or some custom insoles? maybe you need a bit more volume in that area.

I just switched back from waxed laces to regular because I was getting foot cramps, now my feet feel great. Maybe you could try something similar which would give your foot a bit more room inside the skate?

[Powerfibers 8]

I have the 735s which I love. After several months of use, I had them re-baked about 4 months later when they started to hurt. Been great ever since. My proshop told me this happens often.

I also switched from the Graf Sidas insoles to the Superfeet I had, and they have given me a tad more space which my feet love. Try the gray Superfeet if you have Sidas insoles in there. I guess yellow is the new gray, but not sure.

In other news....I recently got a pair of Shift 1s and they are the bomb. Most comfort I ever had. (Only skated twice on them, but WOW!)