XXXX - "Skate of the year"

[Chadd 916]

Proven durability with Graf........HA!

More subjectivity. I've never had a single problem yet with my Graf's, durability, performance, you name it.

We have seen at least as many problems with Grafs here as any other brand despite their much smaller market share. Their customer service has been among the worst in the industry for years as well.

[UMWhockey 0]

Hands down winner in durability department over S15.

Isn't every sakte a hands down winner in that category over the S15...

[TBLfan 25]

The XXXX has proven to be ridiculously durable. It kind of sucks that I have a depth issue because I could see myself using these for another few years.

[SolarWind 23]

The XXXX has proven to be ridiculously durable.

I though XXXX haven't been out long (not even a year out) enough to prove themselves?

[chippa13 1844]

4 guys on one of my teams have been wearing them for months and love them. No problems with the xxxx's so far for any of them.

[Cavs019 710]

I appreciate the subtle shot at my critical thinking ability epstud, which is quite hilarious considering where I go to school and what I'm studying. It doesn't take any "critical" thinking ability to look at a Graf G3 or Ultra G3 fresh out of the box and see the outsole falling off of the skate. Unfortunately Graf has done a horrendous job attempting to utilize newer materials on their boots. If this was 2001, I'd completely agree with your statement as I had and loved the 703s, but perhaps I'm too young to articulate that. The past is the past, if I wanted proven durability I'd go out and buy a pair of Bauer Comps.

[mack 44]

Andy Bernard?

[Cavs019 710]

To a T......"ever heard of it?"

[ean 0]

Graf makes a great hockey skate.

[mack 44]

Then they should consider selling it.

[chippa13 1844]

Hey, back in the early-mid 80's, the 501 was a good skate.

[epstud74 24]

I take it you didnt read my post then?

I appreciate the subtle shot at my critical thinking ability epstud, which is quite hilarious considering where I go to school and what I'm studying. It doesn't take any "critical" thinking ability to look at a Graf G3 or Ultra G3 fresh out of the box and see the outsole falling off of the skate. Unfortunately Graf has done a horrendous job attempting to utilize newer materials on their boots. If this was 2001, I'd completely agree with your statement as I had and loved the 703s, but perhaps I'm too young to articulate that. The past is the past, if I wanted proven durability I'd go out and buy a pair of Bauer Comps.

[TBLfan 25]

The XXXX has proven to be ridiculously durable.

I though XXXX haven't been out long (not even a year out) enough to prove themselves?

After months of use my skates look practically new besides some cosmetic cuts and puckmarks. I've been on these Vapors(my replacement pair, manufacters defect) since August and they show no signs of breaking down. You can normally tell in 8 months whether a skate is going to be durable or not.

[duch 0]

It's like I said Nike/Bauer have addressed the durability issue. I love the fit as well but over the long run I'll still go with Grafs. Personal preference issue with no disrespect to Nike/Bauer.I still like American made cars but I'd go with a Japaneese popular model for the long haul because their better quality.

[Rustpot 1]

It's like I said Nike/Bauer have addressed the durability issue. I love the fit as well but over the long run I'll still go with Grafs. Personal preference issue with no disrespect to Nike/Bauer.I still like American made cars but I'd go with a Japaneese popular model for the long haul because their better quality.

I don't see how that correlates to buying Graf over NBH.

If I wanted a Chevy and the seat gave me back pain after 5 minutes, why would I still buy it?

The quality debate for cars is still wide ranging. The demographic for "import" owners is quite different than that of "domestics". Things like Toyota's incessant desire to keep the redline in their cars well below what it needs to be conspire you to drive the car like you own it, not like you stole it. But this is becoming a whole different debate.

[TBLfan 25]

He didnt exactly say what model cars he was comparing. For accuracy, lets say a graf = 79 honda and NBH = 2004 Corvette. :P

[Zac911 317]

Vapor 40's are probably on more feet than any other skate. That says a lot.

would that truly be the case if mommy and daddy were not buying?

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

I've dissuaded them from kids who they did not fit, so I don't buy that argument at least on my end.

[Zac911 317]

all i am saying JR is that kids nowadays look at gear like " skates make the man ". if this holds true.... how the hell did Bobby Orr perform that kind of magic in the technology that was available then? if Tin Cup played hockey he would make us look stupid while skating by on a shovel. PEACE!

[jimmy 194]

Vapor 40's are probably on more feet than any other skate. That says a lot.

All it really means is there is a lot of cool-aid drinkers. The skate is very popular but so many are wearing a skate that just doesn't fit their feet because they want to be popular too. I can recall earlier in the season a few local jr players who really wanted another brand that fit them better but they feared they would be chastised by the other players on the team for not going status-quo. I have to hand it to the Nike marketing guys, they really did a good job with this skate. Is it better than a Graf, nope, better than a Easton, nope, but they convinced many it's the trendy thing to buy. Trends sell skate and NBH just did a great job marketing this skate. As for durability, it's equal to any of the other brands, nothing more.

[cxo 0]

Vapor 40's are probably on more feet than any other skate. That says a lot.

All it really means is there is a lot of cool-aid drinkers. The skate is very popular but so many are wearing a skate that just doesn't fit their feet because they want to be popular too. I can recall earlier in the season a few local jr players who really wanted another brand that fit them better but they feared they would be chastised by the other players on the team for not going status-quo. I have to hand it to the Nike marketing guys, they really did a good job with this skate. Is it better than a Graf, nope, better than a Easton, nope, but they convinced many it's the trendy thing to buy. Trends sell skate and NBH just did a great job marketing this skate. As for durability, it's equal to any of the other brands, nothing more.

I wouldn't go that far. Compiling info from the net and people I know who wear the XXX and XXXX models, it's a solid skate through and through, though there's no question that it's on more feet because of the swoosh and marketing.

[SolarWind 23]

As for durability, it's equal to any of the other brands, nothing more.

well - my 1500 are falling apart just after a year & I hear XXXX are holding much better - since you can get them relatively cheap online (and it'll be awile before One95 will be affordable) I have just bought myseld a pair for $299 - we'll see how they work out for me... Should be an interesting change - new holder (LS2 from RBZ), new radius (9 from 11), different boot construction...

[DarkStar50 679]

Then there are two sides to this story if it's about marketing. As much as this says about NBH marketing, think about how little it says about the marketing at RBK and Easton. RBK and Easton have elite pros on their staffs, yet these two companies account for less than 35-40% of all pros in their skates? NBH is commanding about 55-60% of all pros in NBH skates. Sidebar: I love the way all the Vapor XXX skates are still at the pro level this deep into the season! I don't think its just marketing that earns NBH the dominance in skates at retail. I think its the product when lined up against the competition. I am also talking price point for price point in the skate category.

[DarkStar50 679]

As of last week, NBH skates are on 67% of NHLers. That leaves only 33% among RBK, Easton, Mission, and Graf. It's dog-eat-dog for second place.

[MLSman 22]

Skate of the year for sure from me.

I bought two pair the day they came out, and the boots look good as new...but I use protectoe clear on the quarters to prevent damage and make the boots a tad stiffer. The LS2s are looking a little scratched up and the steel is beat up too, but the boots are still in phenomenal shape.

I can't wait to try on the One95, but if they don't fit at least I have a great boot that works for me.