Help me decide on skates

[Johnny Mo 0]

I'm in the market for a new pair of skates...

Background: 30-something...5'9" 180lbs. Forward, playing Tier 3 mens league (6 tiers - 1 being the best - i.e. former Div 1 players)

+ coaching kids 2-3 times per week

Current skates - Graf 703 Supras. Love them, although I do feel the toe box to be a bit tight.

I've looked at the Graf Ultras - not sure which I like best - need to spend some more time in each...G3, G35 and G5.

Or Option B the Bauer one95's - in which case I'd need heel lifts as well.

Leaning towards the Grafs, but one thing weighing heavily on my mind is I hear rumblings from my LHS that Graf may be going under.

As for the one95's the thing I wonder about is the changeover from the Grafs will adding heel lifts work and do I get the "insole" variety or actual external - i.e. remove the LS holder and add lift, to get me back to my Graf - pitch?

I've got some time but I'd like to hear some opinions especially if you've contemplated both before as well.

Thanks.

[krwwc6 0]

Well I know a lot of people have hate for grafs. . . but i absolutely love mine. If you are going with the ultra series, and are in 703's now with no problems, go with the G3's. You get the same fit as the 703's with a lighter boot and a better holder in the UL5000 vs. the NT3000 on the supra series.

The one95 is an amazing boot also, obviously, but if you are playing just recreational hockey and coaching, i'd think its a bit overkill. . . .

And if you have no problems with your 703 (but they are just beat up) you could go with another pair of those.

[armada 0]

I was in a similar dilemma as you this summer between these skates. I recommend to search the forums first and you will find the answers to the questions you asked and learn a lot more about the products at the same time that will help you with the decision.

[ktang 34]

Are you reffing also (in Calgary)?

I used to have 703s also, and I was able to transition, eventually, to 8090s and One90s. However, the One95 is supposed to be deeper than the One90s, so they might be too deep.

[ycehcky 0]

One95's best skate I have ever owned, all around great!

[schrempsky 0]

if it aint broke, dont fix it

if the 703 fits you really well, then the one95 should have too much width in the forefoot

[epstud74 24]

He could find a skate with a similar fit, but a wider toe box. I suggest he go try on a few pairs of skates..Sounds like he'd fit into a different number of skates. If one can eliminate the toe box issue, by all means do it. Graf going under? I doubt that unless you mean Graf Canada.

[Hudson14 0]

One95's best skate I have ever owned, all around great!

Have to agree but its pricey, i have friends who have the one75 and love it i would give it a try before committing to grafs

[krwwc6 0]

One95's best skate I have ever owned, all around great!

Have to agree but its pricey, i have friends who have the one75 and love it i would give it a try before committing to grafs

one75 and one95 are not the same fit.

[epstud74 24]

One95's best skate I have ever owned, all around great!

Have to agree but its pricey, i have friends who have the one75 and love it i would give it a try before committing to grafs

one75 and one95 are not the same fit.

Are you sure about that? People are under the illusion that the One90 and the One75 are the same fit as well.

[krwwc6 0]

One95's best skate I have ever owned, all around great!

Have to agree but its pricey, i have friends who have the one75 and love it i would give it a try before committing to grafs

one75 and one95 are not the same fit.

Are you sure about that? People are under the illusion that the One90 and the One75 are the same fit as well.

one90 and one75 are a much similar (a bit deeper and more ankle padding) fit than the one 75 and the one95

[gagner89 0]

Since you're looking at that price range, I'd say stay with your Graf 703s and maybe go for a custom pair. Ask Graf to put on a larger toe cap whilst keeping the boot relatively the same.

[Johnny Mo 0]

Appreciate all the responses so far...one o fth eother reasons I'm shying away from the 703 is the weight...I know when you start measuring things in relation to the weight of a box of paper clips difference - it's probably meaningless, but the differnece between the 703's vs the ultras or the one95's I think is significant enough. The G35 had a good feel to it I just thought like others have mentioned the liner material to be a bit "slick" - maybe baking them eliminates the gaps and locks my ankle into place but I definitely noticed in one 90's a deeper fit (thicker foot) and wasn't entriely sure I liked it...the one95's feel good too, but it's alot of coin to spend based on wearing them for 5 minutes in the pro shop.

[gagner89 0]

Are you sure about that? Technically, the One90 should have a shallower fit than the One95.

But your foot is a better judge for what feels right...

The Graf G3 would have the same fit as the 703 but lighter.

[chippa13 1844]

Buy whatever fits your feet. The best skate in the world is junk to you if it doesn't fit.

[Law Goalie 147]

Newer 703s will be substantially lighter than previous versions: anything shipped in the last few months comes stock with the AirNet liner and carbon/clear TPU insole/outsole package from the Ultra-series. Given that the Clarino liner and thick white TPU sole were big weight-loads on the original 703, you may find the newer ones much nicer.

But, like chippa said, try everything and buy what fits; anything else is a waste.