From Bauer supreme to Graf Ultra

[lohnman 0]

I am looking for those of you that have gone from Bauer one95s to the Graf Ultra series. My son is ready for his next pair of skates and I am thinking of giving Graf a try. I have always been concerned about how stiff the Bauers are for him, but he skates very well in them. I think he would become more agile with a more ankle mobility, I just wonder if he would loose speed and power with the softer boot. Any experience would be helpful. Also the Graf Ultras are heat moldable, how much of a custom fit can you acheive from this process in this boot, I assume not nearly as much as the One95s?

[Too Old 1]

I had no problem with baking and punching my G3 Supra's. They seem to be a pretty stiff boot as well. Shouldn't be an issue for you I'd believe.

[interpathway 9]

how much of a custom fit can you acheive from this process in this boot, I assume not nearly as much as the One95s?

What's wonderful about the Graf line if the custom fit you can get right off the bat, without baking. Each line (er, number) corresponds to a different foot type. 703/G3's for narrow feet (ladies' fit), 705,G5 for standard feet, and then all sorts of different fits. 707/G7 for high volume feet; 735/G35 for narrow heels and regular forefoots; etc. etc. From there you can bake/punch/stretch to optimize yourself to the perfect fit. If you have access to the models at your LHS try the different models on, I'm sure there is one right for your son.

[Alan 0]

+1 to what interpathway said.

I went from Bauer Supreme 70's to Graf Supra G35's.

The Graf skate feels much better on my feet than the Bauers. They are heat moldable and you can achieve a better custom fit than on the Bauers, as Graf has skates that are tailored to people's feet. It would be smart to go to the LHS with your son and have them analyse his feet to find what Grafs would fit him the best.

As for the boot stiffness, since the Grafs fit my feet better than the Supremes did, I am able to skate faster and am more agile on the ice.

Remember though, Grafs have a more forward pitch so his stance might feel a little funny at first on the skates because he will be more on his toes. If he does not like the forward pitch as much, he can always get the blade profiled, or get a different holder and steel on the skate. --- For example - I have the Tuuk Custom+ on my Grafs because I prefer the hoder to the Cobras that came with them.

[matix218 11]

If you are going for ankle mobility graf will definately be more forgiving then Bauer, RBK, CCM, Easton, etc. The only thing is that your son will definately have a major adjustment to make, not only in the area of ankle mobility being far greater than what he is used to but also in the extremely aggressive forward pitch of the Graf skates. I tried a pair of grafs and ended up just going back to my CCMs because I just could not get used to the forward pitch on the grafs. Obviously the pitch can be changed if you really want via contouring the blade or adding shims but out of the box the grafs have a very aggressive forward lean that your son will definately have to adjust to.

[interpathway 9]

I have the Tuuk Custom+ on my Grafs because I prefer the hoder to the Cobras that came with them.

The stock Cobra steel I got on my Ultras was wretched. Switched it up for LS2 holder and steel and loved it.

[Ital79 0]

I have the Tuuk Custom+ on my Grafs because I prefer the hoder to the Cobras that came with them.

The stock Cobra steel I got on my Ultras was wretched. Switched it up for LS2 holder and steel and loved it.

Wouldn't that also change the pitch of the skate to be more Bauer-like?

[interpathway 9]

Yes, but I had them put in 3mm heel lifts to keep me close to the Cobra's aggressive pitch.

[ahbroody 1]

guess im just a freak. I can switch back and forth from ls2 to epro to razor blades with little issue.

I also prefer the graf boot and pitch. it feels more natural.

Also agree with othes here as to fit and customization on grafs. so many options and shapes. usually you can find a boot that's almost perfect. then you bake it. then you have it punched if there's any issue left. in the end they are super comfy. some guys I was talking to recently were arguing the none g series all leather are more durable. though not as light as the g series. then u cn debate if the weight difference impacts speed.

[interpathway 9]

guess im just a freak. I can switch back and forth from ls2 to epro to razor blades with little issue.

If I'm not mistaken these three have very similar pitches. Nothing too different like the forward pitch of Cobra or the flat profile of the Pro-Lite 3.

[lohnman 0]

When he was younger his foot was identified as a Graf/Bauer foot. His first set of real skates were 502s. We then switched to Bauer, but I have always had his Bauer steel profiled to the pitch of Graf, I think the toe down pitch helps to promote a deeper knee bend. The last 3 seasons he skated 2 with One90 and this year with One95s. We tried on the Ultra G5s last time we looked at skates and depth wise they are just right. I am leaning towards the G35 as it has a more narrow heel. I assume from the description that this is the only difference between the 2 models?

His skating coach thinks a lower cut more flexible boot will help him with agility and a flaw and the end of his stride, he stomps his foot into the ice on the return from a stride. I am just a little concerned he will loose some of the power in his stride, but from reading your replies I must be wrong.

Does anyone know the baking instructions and the number of times these can be baked? I am hoping to pick up a slightly used pair, he's now hitting his growth spirt and I can't imagine I will be able to get a full season out of his next pair of skates.

On a light but sad note, you know that you tube video of the One95 getting hit by the puck. Its just for show, we just got back from the hospital, he has a broken bone in his ankle from blocking a slap shot, out for 4-6 weeks, and states are this weekend! He plays center on the 1 line BUMMER!!!!

Thanks for you help.

Dennis

[troy 12]

I just went from ONE95s to G35s and am enjoying the transition. What I liked about the G35s was the narrower forefoot area and the extra length I started getting on my stride helped to return me to more correct form. I did not feel any power loss whatsoever, though my first few steps initially felt slower.

Oh, and if you're concerned about breaking bones in the 95s, I've started to become terrified of a brisk pass to the foot.

[lohnman 0]

Thanks Troy, that is just the response I was hoping for. Are you saying the Graf are alot less protective than the One95s. I can not believe he got a broken bone while wearing them, they are very rigid on the outside.

[troy 12]

Yes, very much less protective. I'm amazed your son managed to break a bone his ONE95s as well, I rarely got severely stung by a shot while wearing them.

[phunky_monkey 6]

That's the one thing I don't like about my 727's, I whince everytime I'm standing in front of a slapshot! There's very little protection in them

[gimmix 0]

i went from vapor 8s back in the day to graf 705's...liked them so much that when it came time to get new skates i stayed with graf and bought a pair of g5 ultras

[Alan 0]

I just went from ONE95s to G35s and am enjoying the transition. What I liked about the G35s was the narrower forefoot area and the extra length I started getting on my stride helped to return me to more correct form. I did not feel any power loss whatsoever, though my first few steps initially felt slower.

Oh, and if you're concerned about breaking bones in the 95s, I've started to become terrified of a brisk pass to the foot.

Coming from Bauer Supreme 70's, I feel like the G35 has more padding in them. I've taken a few shots off the feet and they feel fine. I have taken shots off the feet from my Supreme 70's and my feet were pretty banged up afterward.

[troy 12]

Certainly not the case from ONE95s to G35s in my experiences.