graf 700 series

[krwwc6 0]

I went into my LHS today and was startled to see all of the graf 700 series marked down by 25%. Is this going on everywhere?

They said that they are moving out all of the 700 series because all new skates will be coming this June. They will no longer have the leather liner and they will all have G-series liners (biomorphic material?). Is this true? I'm not looking forward to this. . . I think a major reason people buy the 700 series is because it is a classic skate made with classic materials.

They'll also have lot's of crazy color schemes for all the kids that hate the traditional black skate. . .

Next thing you know they'll start paying NHL players to wear their skates and we'll be seeing crazy advertisements too!

[houk 0]

This has been discussed before. The new 700 series grafs have a different outsole(teclite?) compared to the old ones. I'm pretty sure the grafs you saw marked down have the older outsoles.

[xaero604 0]

teclite is just the name of the material used in the quarters. the new grafs have now moved onto composite outsoles, i believe. i'm pretty sure they're keeping all the lines.

[krwwc6 0]

This has been discussed before. The new 700 series grafs have a different outsole(teclite?) compared to the old ones. I'm pretty sure the grafs you saw marked down have the older outsoles.

I'm pretty sure the skates I saw marked down weren't the old outsole. They had all of the 700 series marked down, including those with the composite/clear plastic outsole.

Upon further investigation (hockeymonkey) they have all the 700 series w/out texalite outsoles marked down to 299.99. But I'm referring to the inside of the skate that will be changing. It will now have new "KX microfibre lining" instead of the leather that's always been in there. Also comes with sidas insoles . . . I guess thats an upgrade.

I just don't understand why they are making these changes. . . if it is to make it a super light skate. . . wouldn't everyone just go with the G-series?

[schrempsky 0]

the clear plastic outsole isnt really composite, its just a similar plastic as the white outsole of the old 700 series just more aesthetic appeal

my understanding of the change of liner is that many players who play 6 or 7 times a week who are still using the 700 series from graf dont give the old liner enough time to dry out. The new liner will allow them to choose a less stiff boot and take advantage of teh benefits of the new quicker drying liner. As we all know, the G series isnt for everyone

[LkptTiger 1]

Also comes with sidas insoles . . . I guess thats an upgrade.

I didn't like the Superfeet or SIDAS insoles. That being said, wait until you guys get a load of the new insoles Graf is going to be putting out. Im-press-ive...I'd be willing to bet that they're going to make Superfeet/SIDAS/any other orthopedic insert relatively obsolete at some point in the future (at least where the hockey skate is concerned).

the clear plastic outsole isnt really composite, its just a similar plastic as the white outsole of the old 700 series just more aesthetic appeal

QFT

[ean 0]

Also consider that the marked down Graf's on Hockeymonkey are in the less common sizes..so that could be another factor.

Exactly how bad are the Grafs prior to the Texalite?

[krwwc6 0]

Also consider that the marked down Graf's on Hockeymonkey are in the less common sizes..so that could be another factor.

Exactly how bad are the Grafs prior to the Texalite?

Well they are moving out old inventory to make room for the new skates. . . so that accounts for the less common sizes. . .

I don't think the grafs prior to the texalite are bad. . . If the "texalite" is the new outsole. . . it's just clear plastic. . .woopti

I understand that the new liner will dry faster, i guess that's a +1

[ean 0]

does the new liner come on the texalite models, or will it be only starting this coming year's new models..?

[bbruins8 0]

does the new liner come on the texalite models, or will it be only starting this coming year's new models..?

It is my understanding the new liner will be coming on all 700 series this year. I owned G5s for a couple months, and although it seems to be an improvement over clarino, it still stays wet a while and holds moisture.

[hockeyfreak 0]

Do you think custom 709's ordered this year would have the new liner?

[JJStripes 1]

Do you think custom 709's ordered this year would have the new liner?

I think custom 709's could come with whatever liner you want.

[epstud74 24]

Also comes with sidas insoles . . . I guess thats an upgrade.

I didn't like the Superfeet or SIDAS insoles. That being said, wait until you guys get a load of the new insoles Graf is going to be putting out. Im-press-ive...I'd be willing to bet that they're going to make Superfeet/SIDAS/any other orthopedic insert relatively obsolete at some point in the future (at least where the hockey skate is concerned).

the clear plastic outsole isnt really composite, its just a similar plastic as the white outsole of the old 700 series just more aesthetic appeal

QFT

I've seen these soles at shops for some time. They're expensive as hell too

[LkptTiger 1]

The new ones? They're not out yet (that I know of). To the best of my knowledge, Graf is still conducting training/education sessions for shops that will be stocking them.

I'm not sure what can/can't be said about them at this time, but I believe they will be on the market soon. Look forward to it.

[Law Goalie 147]

You're talking about the custom-molded ones that come with the Sidas machine, right?

If so, I have one compound word for you: SEMI-WEIGHTED. :)

[LkptTiger 1]

The gell-ish fully formable ones? Yeah, that's them.

[Law Goalie 147]

They're awesome, but if you really want to know what they're capable of doing, get in touch with some ski or cycle-shop guys. What the Sidas manual recommends is just the tip of the iceberg.

[LkptTiger 1]

What else could possibly be done? Christ - they're terrific; not only is the comfort element there, but they correct a lot of posture problems people have and do so much better than the standard "aftermarket" insoles. It actually looks as though these things might mean a bit less work for the guys at your LHS (less corrections in regards to pronation/suppination, etc.).

[shifter 0]

very interesting I was thinking about getting a pair of ultras in the summer while im still saving my money up at the moment but after hearing about a better liner this really got me excited.. So when does the new batch arrive :)

[Law Goalie 147]

Toronto Hockey Repair and Just Hockey already have them.

The *one* problem with these, as JR, Chadd and wonderenzo (among others) have noted is that the bottom of the insole doesn't necessarily (and in reality rarely does) match the heel/forefoot pitch of your skates. It's a bit of a catch-22. With the Sidas custom insoles, you get a perfect match to the contour of your foot, but a poor match to the contour of the skate; with Grey Superfeet, you get an excellent match to the skate but not necessarily a great one for your foot.

When I put this to my podiatrist, she had three pieces of advice. First off, Superfeet are better than nothing - hockey skates are rigid already, so they may as well be rigid and have a good heel support and a so-so arch support (in my case, even with Superfeet cut down from a size too long, my arch clears the top of the insole by the better part of an inch).

Second, in her view, the only way to get a decent fitting with this kind of insole is to do it in a seated, semi-weighted position, with someone keeping an eye on your ankles to make sure the subtalar joint is at least vaguely neutral (i.e. straight). Doing it while standing is only going to imprint the insole with whatever problems your feet have inherently.

Third, she had a solution to the foot/skate pitch problem, and it's dead simple: fill in the bottom of the insole to match the skate's profile. This might best be left to someone who really knows what they're doing, but the good news is that ski shops have been doing this kind of work for ages. They're miles ahead of hockey in using custom footbeds and shims to control foot motion.

[LkptTiger 1]

So, would a decent ski shop be able to get me a good footbed if I were to walk in one day and say "I want inserts for these bad boys"?

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

It won't fit in a hockey boot.

[Jordan 13]

Saw a sign at Chesswood Arena (for those on Toronto) today that made me think of Law Goalie's post about getting the custom insole orthotic to fit in the skate and have a good match to the insole floor of the skate.

Pat Graham who skated for the Penguins and the Leafs in the '80s, is now a chiropractor, has a practice specializing in custom orthotics for skates. His office is located at Chesswood, second floor, across from PrimeTime Hockey School.

I have no idea about the quality of his advice; however, he may be worth talking to if you have significant foot issues.

There is a whole debate about pediatrists versus chiropractors with regards to orthotics which I won't get into here.

Just interesting, given his background and his interest in skating.

[shifter 0]

very nice info jordan! I was wondering is the liner in the 735 different from the rest of the 700 ?? Becase it looks like a black liner while the other 700 uses the brown "kx microfibre" liner

[Law Goalie 147]

The black is just black clarino; same stuff as the tan/'natural' clarino.