Graf Ultra G-5 vs NBH One 95

[Furyan 1]

Here is my question

Now i have pair XXX and pair Graf Ultra G-7

XXX is very good for me, becoase I really feel good my feet, I feel great support in my heels and ankles. But they're very lower cut, and thats why I cant bend my knees - this is serious problem, becoase I'm big guy, and my skating stile is "knee-bend" style, and thats why I've got a lace bites.

G-7 is great skates. They fit is also very good for me. I would bend my knees with no problems, but they slightly wide for me, and I use two insoles (I have XXX 10D, and G7 9D (or "narrow")), and I haven't enough support, thats why I always tape my ankles for more support.

Now I want to buy a new pair of skates, Graf G-5 or NBH One 95

Could somebody tell me, which of these skates is better for heel and ankle support (I have narrow heel, medium forefoot and low/mid instep), and could give me enought of forward flex?

Thanks for answers, and sorry for my English -)

[epstud74 24]

I'm not sure why the lower cut boot wouuldnt allow you to bend your knees more? It sounds as if your skates do not fit you properly. Maybe the G7 boot is too wide, you could go to another Graf boot that is a bit narrower if you like that style since Graf has boots for different types of feet. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isnt the G7 made for a thicker foot?

[schrempsky 0]

the graf will do more for forward flex because its lower cut and a much softer boot.

[Furyan 1]

Is the G-5 more narrow than G-7?

I'm not sure why the lower cut boot wouuldnt allow you to bend your knees more? It sounds as if your skates do not fit you properly. Maybe the G7 boot is too wide, you could go to another Graf boot that is a bit narrower if you like that style since Graf has boots for different types of feet. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isnt the G7 made for a thicker foot?

As I said, I have lace bites - that's means too much of pressure in last two eyelets area..

[armada 0]

For me personally, One 95 locked my ankle in a lot better then all of the Graf Ultra series that I tried on. I have a medium heel/forefoot with a very high instep.

[chk hrd 164]

Is the G-5 more narrow than G-7?

I'm not sure why the lower cut boot wouuldnt allow you to bend your knees more? It sounds as if your skates do not fit you properly. Maybe the G7 boot is too wide, you could go to another Graf boot that is a bit narrower if you like that style since Graf has boots for different types of feet. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isnt the G7 made for a thicker foot?

As I said, I have lace bites - that's means too much of pressure in last two eyelets area..

then don't lace them up to the top. you will get the forward flex you want and less lace bite

[Furyan 1]

I've already used that - no changes, I still have a painfull lace bites.

But I found another wey to solve situation - I'm just hard taping upper area of tendon guard and upper area of tongue - that give me more support and now not needed for hard lacing of boot.

[xaero604 0]

the one95, like any other composite skate, will give you a lot of support in the heel and ankle area. The G-5 is lower cut and an overall softer boot so like your G7's, they will provide much more forward flex than the one95 but not nearly as much since the G7's are made with a hinged design.

I fit in a regular width G5 ultra (D, or 'narrow' as you call it) and I still needed stretch work done on them. That might give you an idea how narrow they are...

Judging from what you're saying about your pain, I think I know what you're talking about. My old synergy 800c's are high cut, like any skate other than Graf or Mission AG's, and they're stiff enough for a small guy like me to make me feel like I'm in casts. Whenever I try to bend my knees, I feel a lot of pressure from the laces in the top 2 eyelets and that has led to blisters on my left shin. My remedy was to skip the top eyelet but that caused me to lose lateral support so I ended up tying the top looser by bending my knees a little bit before knotting the laces. Maybe give that a try? I've thought about taping but I think that's a one way street to breaking your tendon guard very quickly and saying goodbye to a pair of 600 dollar skates...

[duch 0]

IMHO I would also say the Grafs will give you better forward flex. If you are going to buy, consider that the durability factor in the Grafs have a better record than most other models. The price on both is fairly close but you also need to consider what you are getting for your money but it's your choice. Myself personally I'd go with the Grafs but that's my opinion.