Grafs: too much skate for a novice skater?

[Jordan 13]

He must have quite a unique foot. Would he be best served to get a custom version of whatever is the closest fit ?

[epstud74 24]

I helped the1gwiz yesterday. Unfortunately, the top of his foot is extremely high. The spread on the laces on Supreme 50 and Supreme 70 in EE width was over 3" across the tongue. That is a pro style spread but the skates were barely tied snug tight. He is having a difficult time with finding the right boot regardless of price to fit him. If CCM was still making Tacks, he might be able to make it work with those boots. Finding last year's Tacks is now just about impossible.

I spied a few pairs of CCM tacks at a small store near where I live. Similar to the style Mikko Koivu wore last season. Does he have an extremely high arch or toe knuckles raised? Making the tox box uncomfortable?

[DarkStar50 680]

I thought his arch was normal, not high or flat like Fred Flintstone. Another problem is right at the seam of the toe cap and boot for him.

[the1gwiz 0]

I spied a few pairs of CCM tacks at a small store near where I live. Similar to the style Mikko Koivu wore last season. Does he have an extremely high arch or toe knuckles raised? Making the tox box uncomfortable?

No, "he" (aka "me" :)) does not have a high arch, and no real issues with the height of any toe boxes that I've tried on so far, just the width.

I know the PIA's out on Long Island both still had last year's Tacks available, but only in regular width. I'll certainly be doing some more investigating.

[epstud74 24]

I thought his arch was normal, not high or flat like Fred Flintstone. Another problem is right at the seam of the toe cap and boot for him.

I've had this problem from time to time, but the Bauer 8090s and the Nike Flexlite series seem to work best for me regarding this since I have wide feet as well.. My 9.5D Graf 707s killed me where the toe box and seam of the boot came together, but that was alleviated when I got them in a 9.5W. I know it is a cheaper skate, but I tried on a pair of Graf 301s in a 9.5W and they fit like a glove but went with the Flexlite since they fit just as well and were cheaper since the shop was clearing out their Flexlite 12s a year ago. I loved my 707s, but couldnt justify spending $400+ on a pair of skates again considering that I may play only 2-3 times a month these days.

[killthepoodle 0]

Customs may be the way to go- you'll pay a little more, but you can tweak them as far as stiffness etc to your needs. If you choose a durable boot you'll have great fitting skates that will last a long time, which could offset the extra cost in the sense that you wont have to buy new skates in two years.

DS50 really seems to know his stuff, glad you hooked up with him on this.

[Hockeydog 8]

I have a pair of 301's - they are not too deep. I have a similar foot but not quite as extreme, the 301's failed the pencil test for me. Would a Graf 735 work for you? ( aka Him !)

[shifter 0]

can you actually do the pencil test on grafs? Considering that grafs have big thick tongues!?

[Marrick66 0]

If I remember correctly, it's done between the tongue and the boot.

[cbart 1]

correct...

[Law Goalie 147]

I helped the1gwiz yesterday. Unfortunately, the top of his foot is extremely high. The spread on the laces on Supreme 50 and Supreme 70 in EE width was over 3" across the tongue. That is a pro style spread but the skates were barely tied snug tight. He is having a difficult time with finding the right boot regardless of price to fit him. If CCM was still making Tacks, he might be able to make it work with those boots. Finding last year's Tacks is now just about impossible.

This might be a *really* long shot, but I know that up here in Canada, Sportchek (and other Forzani Group stores) are stocking a CCM SMU called the 972 that is, I believe, off the old Tacks last. It's kind of gaudy - white and silver - but it's a brand new Tacks skate and there are tons of them around here, and they even came uyp in a recent thread with pics. You might be able to arrnage something through oldtrainerguy, since he is (IIRC) a buyer and/or manager for them. Worth a shot, perhaps.

[the1gwiz 0]

DS50 really seems to know his stuff, glad you hooked up with him on this.

No argument there. A big public thanks to Pete for his huge help both here and at the shop!

I loved my 707s, but couldnt justify spending $400+ on a pair of skates again considering that I may play only 2-3 times a month these days.

This is another part of my skate quest dilemma: as a new skater having no idea how much ice time I'll be getting 6 months down the road, spending ~$500 or more on skates is an intimidating proposition. If that's what it's going to take, though, so be it. My loved ones don't REALLY need holiday gifts this year, do they? *exasperated siiigh*

I've had this problem from time to time, but the Bauer 8090s and the Nike Flexlite series seem to work best for me regarding this since I have wide feet as well.

I've yet to come across any of these models, but from what I hear, xx90's have a wider heel as well, correct? My heel's on the narrow side, another sticking point on my nightmare of a foot :P , so that might be an issue.

This might be a *really* long shot, but I know that up here in Canada, Sportchek (and other Forzani Group stores) are stocking a CCM SMU called the 972 that is, I believe, off the old Tacks last. It's kind of gaudy - white and silver - but it's a brand new Tacks skate and there are tons of them around here, and they even came uyp in a recent thread with pics. You might be able to arrnage something through oldtrainerguy, since he is (IIRC) a buyer and/or manager for them. Worth a shot, perhaps.

I've yet to try on a pair of Tacks. I found out some local PIA's have a decent selection of last year's models in stock, but only regular with. I'll give 'em a look if/when I get the chance, but I can't imagine a regular width in anything will fit me at this point. Thank you for the tip, though, Law, I'm intrigued! I'd skate in gold sequins now if it were the right fit...

BTW, Law G, I followed your other thread about your similar experiences finding a good boot for your foot. What ever came of that, have you found what you were looking for?

[Law Goalie 147]

In a word, nothing.

I'm waiting on a couple of pairs of 8090s (first one I got was too short), but I can say with assurance that my foot is too deep across the arch (all of it) for any size or variant of the Flexlites or 709s, which conventional wisdom would suggest are two of the three deepest skates out there, with the 8090 being the third. Tacks were a complete no-go for me, both on depth and basic foot-shape.

The closest I got was a 709 in 8.5R, but even that caused significant foot-pain after ten minutes, and I wasn't very happy with the heel-fit. I bought one pair of 8090s touch-unfelt, and despite showing promise, turned out to be about 1/2 size too small (bugger!). I'll be updating my silly thread when I've found slightly larger 8090s to try on.

There are a few ways to 'feign' some extra depth into a skate, like using Cyclist's lacing, getting a thinner and more protective tongue (I've heard the Mission S500 tongue is the best around), shaving down the board under the footbed -- none of these were enough for me, but they might help you.

Oh, and to answer your question above, the 8090s are definitely a more snug heel-fit than the 709s, IMO. The other thing you can do there, apocryphally, is to insert a hard, round object slightly smaller than your heel into the heel of the skate, and put it in a vice for a while with some heat applied. I don't know how permanent it is or how muchn damage it might do to the skate, but it could be worth a shot if your heel is really narrow compared with your forefoot.

[dollarhyde 0]

FYI - Just got the Graf G35 Ultras over the One90's. These are the most comfortable skates I've ever worn period. Not baked. Previously had 735s. Tried the One90s. No comparison. i wish they had a tennis shoe version.

[Hockeydog 8]

Just got the Graf G35 Ultras over the One90's. These are the most comfortable skates I've ever worn period. Not baked. Previously had 735s. Tried the One90s. No comparison. i wish they had a tennis shoe version.

can you compare the 735 to the One90? Is the 735 stiffer? How does the size compare? Is the 735 deeper fitting? I have tried the One90 and am looking at the 735 so thanks for any info!!

[the1gwiz 0]

Just got the Graf G35 Ultras over the One90's. These are the most comfortable skates I've ever worn period. Not baked. Previously had 735s. Tried the One90s. No comparison. i wish they had a tennis shoe version.

can you compare the 735 to the One90? Is the 735 stiffer? How does the size compare? Is the 735 deeper fitting? I have tried the One90 and am looking at the 735 so thanks for any info!!

I have to echo Hockeydog's questions. Tried on some One90's today for the first time and aside from the boot being a bit too shallow for my liking, they were a surprisingly nice fit (much to the chagrin of my wallet). No one's suggested a 735/G35 for my wacky dogs just yet, so I'm also curious as to how they compare to the One90's fit-wise.

[wonderenzo 0]

Just got the Graf G35 Ultras over the One90's. These are the most comfortable skates I've ever worn period. Not baked. Previously had 735s. Tried the One90s. No comparison. i wish they had a tennis shoe version.

can you compare the 735 to the One90? Is the 735 stiffer? How does the size compare? Is the 735 deeper fitting? I have tried the One90 and am looking at the 735 so thanks for any info!!

I have to echo Hockeydog's questions. Tried on some One90's today for the first time and aside from the boot being a bit too shallow for my liking, they were a surprisingly nice fit (much to the chagrin of my wallet). No one's suggested a 735/G35 for my wacky dogs just yet, so I'm also curious as to how they compare to the One90's fit-wise.

The one90 is made on a E last... Fyi. He is saying the G35 (not 735) is close in weight and stiffness. Try it on.

[Lombo18 0]

how much off is the G ultra series in comparison to the 40's/ONE 90's/9k's etc. ???

[Hockeydog 8]

So can anyone help us out with a comparison between the One90 and Graf 735. No LHS in my area carries the 735.

[dollarhyde 0]

Still have the 735's. A bit softer from when I first bought them. They fit good, but just never fit like a glove. The Ultras g35s have a slightly narrow heel and I ordered the Wide version. The lace spacing from toe box to top lace are absolutely even. The tongue hight is much lower for a more forward knee bend. They are lighter and stiffer then the 735s. I requested a 9' radius, .5" hollow and for them to be medium rockered. The exterior will shield you much more durable than the 735's. Bottom line, the Ultra G35s fit like a glove and no break-in period. They also have titanium screws. They are lighter than the 735's. I wear my 17" shin pads over the tongue so it was just what I needed.

I will say one positive regarding the tblade holders....with one push I can glide the entire length of ice. Going back to steel, I cannot.

For 735 uses and foot-types, I absolutely recommend these skates. They fit similar but much better than 735's.

Hope this helps.

PS the One 90 side by side with the GRAF G35 ULTRAS were uncomfortable and made me feel more like I was on my heels.

One90 is stiffer than the 735s.

[Hockeydog 8]

Thanks for that info DH. I am thinking I am going to get a pair of 735's - don't need the extra stiffness of the G35's. You got a wide in your 735's, is the heel still narrow? Also is the heel lock good on the 735 with lots of padding? Did you try on a 735 Regular width, and if you did how much wider is the Wide? This is one purchase I'll have to make online, my trusty LHS doesn't carry Graf. Thanks again!!

[Sed27 0]

HockeyDog,

Not sure how stiff you like your skates, but I could never get used to how soft (lateraly) the 735 boots felt when compared with my Vapor XIX's.

The Grafs flexed way too much for my liking when in tight turns, so I ended up selling them and switching back to the Bauers.

[Hockeydog 8]

I don't need too stiff a skate - as long at they are stiffer than a RBK 5k or Nike Quest V9 ( latest failed skate purchases ) They should work for me. Thanks!!

[big ben 0]

Keep pluggin away, it sucks, took 3 previous pairs before i settled on these missions.

[Hockeydog 8]

Keep pluggin away, it sucks, took 3 previous pairs before i settled on these missions.

I hear ya! Been thru about 6 pairs myself. Used to be fun trying different skates, but now it is getting old and hurting my skating progress. Also I am getting sick of my teammates saying, " another pair of skates!"