Graf Airnet liner / LS2-custom+ / Graf stiffness

[bekster 0]

Hi,

Im getting new Grafs (Ultra G5) for the next season and there are 3 things i'd like to hear some MSH opinions about:

1. I cant decide if i want the newer style Airnet liner or the older clarino liner. The Graf guy said go with the new liner, its light and drys quicker. But i always thought the clarino liner would last longer, although there was a small hole in my last clarino grafs, too.... So to those who used the new liner for some time, how is it holding up?

2. Im probably going with custom+ holders on the new skates just because thats what i always used in the past. I know its all personal preference but are the LS2s supposed to give me any kind of performence advantage over the custom+?

3. Whats your experience whith the stiffness of the Graf Ultra line in general? Do they keep the stiffness over the time? A teammate has had some 705s for 3 seasons, they look like trash but are still quite stiff, and he is the biggest guy on the team! Are the new skates comparable in terms of durability?

[aal 3]

Hi,

Im getting new Grafs (Ultra G5) for the next season and there are 3 things i'd like to hear some MSH opinions about:

1. I cant decide if i want the newer style Airnet liner or the older clarino liner. The Graf guy said go with the new liner, its light and drys quicker. But i always thought the clarino liner would last longer, although there was a small hole in my last clarino grafs, too.... So to those who used the new liner for some time, how is it holding up?

2. Im probably going with custom+ holders on the new skates just because thats what i always used in the past. I know its all personal preference but are the LS2s supposed to give me any kind of performence advantage over the custom+?

3. Whats your experience whith the stiffness of the Graf Ultra line in general? Do they keep the stiffness over the time? A teammate has had some 705s for 3 seasons, they look like trash but are still quite stiff, and he is the biggest guy on the team! Are the new skates comparable in terms of durability?

I'd get the airnet liner. I don't think it holds moisture like the clarino liners do. I haven't skated on a custom plus in a long time, but from my recollection as between those and the ls2, I like the ls2. It seems to be a quicker turn, and I think they're supposed to be a stronger holder. As for stiffness, I don't know, but I'd think they hold their stiffness as well as any other skate.

[bekster 0]

Thanks aal! You also skate in the airnet liner? Is it holding up well?

Any other Graf user's opinions?

[cbart 1]

I actually ordered Clarino on my Custom G7's..Graf put the Airnet in there by mistake...I am pleasantly surprised by it. Dries quick, feels comfy, and holding up well. I am careful about loosening skate all the way before taking them off, so I think that helps in saving the heel portion of the liner.

I'd get the Airnet again if I had the choice..

I put LS2's on mine also, no complaints. End up with a tad forward pitch, but not so extreme as having the Cobra holders on there.

[aal 3]

Thanks aal! You also skate in the airnet liner? Is it holding up well?

Any other Graf user's opinions?

I actually just got some vapor 60's as the grafs I had really weren't fitting me well; I should have gotten a different model to begin with. I almost got some other grafs, but one of the deciding factors was that I prefer tuuks, which you can't get directly on new graf skates here, but which you apparently can. I really didn't have the skates that long to have durability problems, but for the time I skated in them they were holding up just fine.

[DEATHTRON 19]

My 705's stayed stiff for 5 years of use. My G5's made it about 1season (80 games plus practice and pickups) and are now softer than my 705's got after 1 year. They were good for the first bit.

The Airnet liner is pretty legit. I skate barefoot and it did just fine.

Zach

[GrafPro55 0]

I actually ordered Clarino on my Custom G7's..Graf put the Airnet in there by mistake...I am pleasantly surprised by it. Dries quick, feels comfy, and holding up well. I am careful about loosening skate all the way before taking them off, so I think that helps in saving the heel portion of the liner.

I'd get the Airnet again if I had the choice..

I put LS2's on mine also, no complaints. End up with a tad forward pitch, but not so extreme as having the Cobra holders on there.

We didn't put the airnet in "by mistake". The Ultra series only come with Airnet. Your dealer might not have known that when you ordered them, because you can still get tan or grey microfibre lining in the 700 series. Sorry if you were disappointed, but sounds like you like the Airnet now.

In all the pro players skates I see with Airnet, it holds up very well. I have seen a couple that wore out prematurely, but the skater was in the wrong model, or wrong size/width, and their foot was moving around in the boot.

[bekster 0]

Thx for the answers guys!

looks like I'll be fine in the airnet liner.

@Grafpro, maybe its different over here in europe, but he told me i could get the leather style liner if I want. And @aal, the skates will come without holders but with holes drilled for custom+ or LS2.

DEATHTRON, wow 80 games a season is a lot! Hope i can get at least 2 season out of my skates then ;)

[cbart 1]

I actually ordered Clarino on my Custom G7's..Graf put the Airnet in there by mistake...I am pleasantly surprised by it. Dries quick, feels comfy, and holding up well. I am careful about loosening skate all the way before taking them off, so I think that helps in saving the heel portion of the liner.

I'd get the Airnet again if I had the choice..

I put LS2's on mine also, no complaints. End up with a tad forward pitch, but not so extreme as having the Cobra holders on there.

We didn't put the airnet in "by mistake". The Ultra series only come with Airnet. Your dealer might not have known that when you ordered them, because you can still get tan or grey microfibre lining in the 700 series. Sorry if you were disappointed, but sounds like you like the Airnet now.

In all the pro players skates I see with Airnet, it holds up very well. I have seen a couple that wore out prematurely, but the skater was in the wrong model, or wrong size/width, and their foot was moving around in the boot.

Oh really?! These were customs...(Dave's Sport Shop in MN) I saw the order form clearly stating Clarino liner, we were told "no problem" by Graf...along with extra wide toecap, custom colors, custom white felt tongue, as well as my foot measurements. I also stood alongside my guy at Dave's who had to call on at least 2 occasions to inquire why after 8 months of waiting, these skates still had not arrived (arrived 9 months after original order). Unfortunately, this was not my first bad experience with Graf Canada...my previous pair was a simple order of a pair of Ultra G9's...No custom anything, just a simple size 9.5D. 9 months later, they arrived...one skate being a size 9. For these reasons, as well as other horror stories of awful customer service (that I know you've heard on this forum), my current pair will be my last pair of Grafs. I've read your postings in the past defending Graf Canada and have always bit my tongue. When you call me out however, I can't stay tight lipped anymore....Sorry, you hit a nerve!

[big_bt 0]

Custom Graf G70, Air Knit Liner, Regular Felt Tongue, LS2 Holder, Velocity Step Steel, Wide Toe Cap, Stiffness +1 above pro stiffness.

1. I have the airknit liner and I notice my foot moves around a bit, I have a pair of 709's with the old clarino and even though they dont fit as well as my customs, my foot is locked in and doesn't move around at all. I would like to get my next pair with the clarino liner, but thats far away from now.

2. LS2 Holders because they are super stiff, and I'm a big dude. I can feel custom+, cobra3000, being spongey. So it was either the cobra 5000, or LS2. I love my ls2 because that what I am used to.

3. You definitely want to get at least a pro stiff. With a guy my size I went one step above pro stiff and they are great. All the retail G series skates that come in for sharpening tend to get soft a bit fast.

Hopefully you'll love them as much as I do!

Did have a problem getting the skates to me as it took longer than expected but when they got here, couldn't be happier.

[GrafPro55 0]

I actually ordered Clarino on my Custom G7's..Graf put the Airnet in there by mistake...I am pleasantly surprised by it. Dries quick, feels comfy, and holding up well. I am careful about loosening skate all the way before taking them off, so I think that helps in saving the heel portion of the liner.

I'd get the Airnet again if I had the choice..

I put LS2's on mine also, no complaints. End up with a tad forward pitch, but not so extreme as having the Cobra holders on there.

We didn't put the airnet in "by mistake". The Ultra series only come with Airnet. Your dealer might not have known that when you ordered them, because you can still get tan or grey microfibre lining in the 700 series. Sorry if you were disappointed, but sounds like you like the Airnet now.

In all the pro players skates I see with Airnet, it holds up very well. I have seen a couple that wore out prematurely, but the skater was in the wrong model, or wrong size/width, and their foot was moving around in the boot.

Oh really?! These were customs...(Dave's Sport Shop in MN) I saw the order form clearly stating Clarino liner, we were told "no problem" by Graf...along with extra wide toecap, custom colors, custom white felt tongue, as well as my foot measurements. I also stood alongside my guy at Dave's who had to call on at least 2 occasions to inquire why after 8 months of waiting, these skates still had not arrived (arrived 9 months after original order). Unfortunately, this was not my first bad experience with Graf Canada...my previous pair was a simple order of a pair of Ultra G9's...No custom anything, just a simple size 9.5D. 9 months later, they arrived...one skate being a size 9. For these reasons, as well as other horror stories of awful customer service (that I know you've heard on this forum), my current pair will be my last pair of Grafs. I've read your postings in the past defending Graf Canada and have always bit my tongue. When you call me out however, I can't stay tight lipped anymore....Sorry, you hit a nerve!

I don't see how I was "calling you out". I'm sorry if someone at Graf told you the "Clarino" lining (it's actually a microfibre, not Clarino) was available in the Ultra Series boot. I'm also sorry if you had a bad experience with Graf. This was before I took over the Custom/Pro department, and I don't know the details of your order. Everyone here is actually very proud of the way things are being run now, and there is no way a boot would take 9 weeks let alone 9 months.

[Too Old 1]

Happy thus far with the liner in my custom G3's. Very nice product.

[bekster 0]

Thx a lot for info and pics!

I think I'm going with airnet and custom+

3. You definitely want to get at least a pro stiff. With a guy my size I went one step above pro stiff and they are great. All the retail G series skates that come in for sharpening tend to get soft a bit fast.

I completely forgot to ask if i could get them stiffer, thats a good idea, thanks!

More reviews about airnet, custom+/LS2 or ultra series stiffness are alway welcome!

[top 1974 0]

Nice G3's Too Old.

Lining up to get some Graf customs myself. :D

[interpathway 9]

Nice G3's Too Old.

Sean Avery's IIRC.

[Too Old 1]

;) Mr. Sloppy Seconds

[GrafPro55 0]

His new skates are way more stylish

[chicago_hockey 0]

Thx a lot for info and pics!

I think I'm going with airnet and custom+

3. You definitely want to get at least a pro stiff. With a guy my size I went one step above pro stiff and they are great. All the retail G series skates that come in for sharpening tend to get soft a bit fast.

I completely forgot to ask if i could get them stiffer, thats a good idea, thanks!

More reviews about airnet, custom+/LS2 or ultra series stiffness are alway welcome!

I was at Total Hockey a few days ago and it just so happens the guy who does the fitting for custom Graf's in the Chicagoland area was there. We has a convo on what can be done and he said that if i were to go the custom route i could add stiffness to the skates if i wanted. I was very surprised with the choices or options i can choose.

;) Mr. Sloppy Seconds

Were those the Graf's that were on Ebay a while back?

His new skates are way more stylish

So true his(Sean Avery) new skates are really nice. They're the new Ultra Series with a big floppy tongue. Not sure which model they are, maybe Ultra G35's or Ultra G3's

[GrafPro55 0]

Ultra G3

[Too Old 1]

At least I know whose skates to grab that'll fit me if I crowbar the Rangers locker room door open! :D