Need help on skates

[dokk23 0]

Okay, I generally just read info on the board to make my decisions (great board for info btw) on what to buy online I know you guys don't like online buying and I'd love to support a LHS but we just don't have one. As for skates though I would never buy online. Yes I have read up on all the info on top end skates but I happened to be at the only hockey shop within 2 hours over the weekend and all I could try on was the s15 which I have to admit seemed very nice. That was it for anything within my size range they had in stock pretty much how my luck goes. I had them send off for a pair of s15's in 9 seeing how I could only try on a 9.5 and my feet are ideally a 9 when measured on the bauer foot measuring ruler which seemed to go right along with easton sizing. Unfortunately the guy said they are not restocking anything else until April and I'm sure they didn't want to send off for every kind of skate for me to try on =). I'm coming from a pair of 8090s and my foot is average width and average arch I do have a thick ankle though and yes I know 8090s were a very wide skate so they were not as snug as I would have liked them to be but they worked fine. Back to the s15's I've read all kinds of conflicting stories on these skates as to the durability of them. I personally don't know anyone that uses them around here but for $500+ I don't want my skates breaking like my OPS's in 3 months. Yes, I know skates get alot of abuse but coming from bauers (supremes) I haven't had problems with skates falling apart. I'd love to try all these other skates on but it's apparently not an option unless I make a longer drive to another shop. Any suggestions or info on the s15 or other skates that might suit me would be great because if I have to make a longer drive to another shop I can at least make sure they have something I can try on that would work for my size/foot.

[McDougalfaschnitzer 32]

Where do you live?

[dokk23 0]

Birmingham, AL only shop choices are Huntsville,AL 2.5hrs - Nashville, TN 4hrs- or Atlanta, GA 3hrs none being very close on a busy schedule.

[bbruins8 0]

Birmingham, AL only shop choices are Huntsville,AL 2.5hrs - Nashville, TN 4hrs- or Atlanta, GA 3hrs none being very close on a busy schedule.

If you like durability, I have heard that Graf's hold up really well. I don't know from personal experience because I just purchased mine yesterday but what I can tell you is this: they have a skate for EVERY foot. My buddy has had the same pair of Graf's for 7 years strong, and skates 2-3 times a week, and is a big boy at around 225. It says on their website at grafcanada.com that they have them in a shop in Huntsville. I drove 1.5 hours each way just to try them on last night and ended up ordering them. I would call ahead to see that they have a few models in your size range. I have a 9.5 in NB Supreme 50's right now and it's a little roomy, with one finger length in the back. The 10 that they had at the shop in the Grafs fit exactly the same lengthwise just to give you an idea of how they run. My shoe size is a 10.5. Would I have driven the extra hour in your situation to get fitted and buy Grafs knowing what I know about their comfort now? You bet your ass I would have. They fit like that favorite pair of sneakers you have that you just slip on every time you gotta run out of the house...Can't go wrong IMO.

[dokk23 0]

Yeah the huntsville shop has g35's and maybe another pair or 2 but of course nothing for me to even try on in my size thats the prob. I wouldn't mind giving graf a shot but have no clue what pair I would need since there are about 72 diff pairs it seems.

[calihockey11 0]

ya definately dont get the s15 if you are concerned about durability. one of my friends bought a pair, then they began to fall apart to the point where he couldn't skate. he went back to the store to get a new pair, which began coming apart right after baking them. another one of my friends bought them three months ago, and now on the side of the boot you can see his foot on the inside

[McDougalfaschnitzer 32]

I would say to try to plan a mini "vacation" that would allow you to go out to a store that would have a selection you could take advantage of.

[bbruins8 0]

Yeah the huntsville shop has g35's and maybe another pair or 2 but of course nothing for me to even try on in my size thats the prob. I wouldn't mind giving graf a shot but have no clue what pair I would need since there are about 72 diff pairs it seems.

The Supra line would probably be the best line to go with for durability. The Ultra series is Graf trying to keep up with the other manufacturers who boast light weight boots, which of course leads to lesser durability. I have never used a light weight boot before but my cousin (plays collegiate club hockey for Niagara University with the occasional call up to the real team) graduated from an old pair of Supreme 8000s to the new Vapor XXXX and said the weight difference is noticeable but really didn't make a difference in skating speed etc. like NBH advertises to the kiddies. Your best bet is to go to the Huntsville shop, and have them size up your foot then look at which model you would fit best. Have faith in them, it's their job to deal with situations like this. Then they could order you the skate and have it delivered to your home address.

[tsanga 0]

The Supra line would probably be the best line to go with for durability. The Ultra series is Graf trying to keep up with the other manufacturers who boast light weight boots, which of course leads to lesser durability.

I don't think this is a forgone conclusion. I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt to a company that has so far resisted the lightweight race, hopefully because they're being more cautious.

[Hockeydog 8]

Graf's newer Ultra series has supposedly resolved the composite outsole issue previous models had. You are right on about Graf having many models to choose from. Trust me when I say you don't want to buy a Graf without trying them on fist. A road trip to an area with some good hockey shops is a great idea.

[dokk23 0]

Actually I might be in going to New Jersey over the holiday. If so I think I will be in the Brick / Toms River area don't know anything about this area so if anyone knows some shops around there let me know.

*edit - Nevermind I didn't realize Ocean Hockey was located in Brick

[bbruins8 0]

www.grafcanada.com, use their store locator, call the stores and see what they have in ATM...then you can go to various ones and try them on.

Edit: I don't doubt that they have fixed the problem in the Ultra line, but I am going by what's tested and proven, and that is that traditional style Graf skates like the Supra line with minor material changes are the safest bet for durability...Nobody complains about that line in the durability department for the most part. You always hear good things about them in the locker room.

[Spreedizzle 1]

Actually I might be in going to New Jersey over the holiday. If so I think I will be in the Brick / Toms River area don't know anything about this area so if anyone knows some shops around there let me know.

*edit - Nevermind I didn't realize Ocean Hockey was located in Brick

In that immediate area.....the Oce Ice Palace/Ocean Hockey is the only decent shop. Pretty darn good selection too for such a small place. Other nice thing is that it is pretty easy to find, right off of the Parkway. Good luck!!