Graf G7/707

[english15x 3]

These are some great posts, guys - thanks.

On sizing...I wear a 7.0W in a 703 (not quite deep enough, though), and a 7.0R in a 705 (pretty much a perfect fit). Any thoughts on whether a 7.0N would work in a 707 (I tried a 7.0R and thought the heal was a touch loose; can't remember how much room I had in the forefoot)?

Hard to say. My major issue with the 707 was the huge heel. If it fit in the forefoot, the G7 has a smaller heel than the 707, so it may work out better for you.

That is the one regret I have with my custom 707s: not getting a narrower heel. Other than that they have been dream skates

How would you have gotten a narrower heel, more padding or a different cut?

Also, I'm told by a dealer that a 707 narrow size is only more narrow in the forefoot, not the heel. Anybody confirm?

I'm pretty sure that goes the same for all skates. Retail skates are only adjusted in the forefoot by model (EE, N, WIDE) whichever you like to call it. To get a more narrow or wide heel, you need customs or to find the skate that best matches your heel.

[kklinder 0]

These are some great posts, guys - thanks.

On sizing...I wear a 7.0W in a 703 (not quite deep enough, though), and a 7.0R in a 705 (pretty much a perfect fit). Any thoughts on whether a 7.0N would work in a 707 (I tried a 7.0R and thought the heal was a touch loose; can't remember how much room I had in the forefoot)?

Hard to say. My major issue with the 707 was the huge heel. If it fit in the forefoot, the G7 has a smaller heel than the 707, so it may work out better for you.

That is the one regret I have with my custom 707s: not getting a narrower heel. Other than that they have been dream skates

How would you have gotten a narrower heel, more padding or a different cut?

Also, I'm told by a dealer that a 707 narrow size is only more narrow in the forefoot, not the heel. Anybody confirm?

I'm pretty sure that goes the same for all skates. Retail skates are only adjusted in the forefoot by model (EE, N, WIDE) whichever you like to call it. To get a more narrow or wide heel, you need customs or to find the skate that best matches your heel.

Oh well, now to decide between a custom G7 or custom 707.

[english15x 3]

These are some great posts, guys - thanks.

On sizing...I wear a 7.0W in a 703 (not quite deep enough, though), and a 7.0R in a 705 (pretty much a perfect fit). Any thoughts on whether a 7.0N would work in a 707 (I tried a 7.0R and thought the heal was a touch loose; can't remember how much room I had in the forefoot)?

Hard to say. My major issue with the 707 was the huge heel. If it fit in the forefoot, the G7 has a smaller heel than the 707, so it may work out better for you.

That is the one regret I have with my custom 707s: not getting a narrower heel. Other than that they have been dream skates

How would you have gotten a narrower heel, more padding or a different cut?

Also, I'm told by a dealer that a 707 narrow size is only more narrow in the forefoot, not the heel. Anybody confirm?

I'm pretty sure that goes the same for all skates. Retail skates are only adjusted in the forefoot by model (EE, N, WIDE) whichever you like to call it. To get a more narrow or wide heel, you need customs or to find the skate that best matches your heel.

Oh well, now to decide between a custom G7 or custom 707.

What do you need exactly? a narrow heel? or is there not enough/too much volume? in your current skate?

[OldNSlow 3]

I believe the heels on the G7 are narrower than on the 707. I have narrow heels and the G7 heels fit perfectly. I have never tried the 707 so I can't compare for you.

[kklinder 0]

These are some great posts, guys - thanks.

On sizing...I wear a 7.0W in a 703 (not quite deep enough, though), and a 7.0R in a 705 (pretty much a perfect fit). Any thoughts on whether a 7.0N would work in a 707 (I tried a 7.0R and thought the heal was a touch loose; can't remember how much room I had in the forefoot)?

Hard to say. My major issue with the 707 was the huge heel. If it fit in the forefoot, the G7 has a smaller heel than the 707, so it may work out better for you.

That is the one regret I have with my custom 707s: not getting a narrower heel. Other than that they have been dream skates

How would you have gotten a narrower heel, more padding or a different cut?

Also, I'm told by a dealer that a 707 narrow size is only more narrow in the forefoot, not the heel. Anybody confirm?

I'm pretty sure that goes the same for all skates. Retail skates are only adjusted in the forefoot by model (EE, N, WIDE) whichever you like to call it. To get a more narrow or wide heel, you need customs or to find the skate that best matches your heel.

Oh well, now to decide between a custom G7 or custom 707.

What do you need exactly? a narrow heel? or is there not enough/too much volume? in your current skate?

Basically a 707 with a narrow heel would do it. In fact, since I'd probably go custom with a G7 (not a big fan of the Airnet liner) I'd probably narrow that heel a touch, too.

707 = Durability (+), Liner (+), Lower stiffness (?), Heavier (-)

G7 = Durability (-), Liner (-), Lower stiffness (+), Lighter (+)

[kklinder 0]

Can anybody comment on the break-in of the G7, or any of the Ultra line if not? Do they break in quickly? Does the break-in "curve" flatten after a while?

I gather that the break-in of the 707 is similar to the rest of the 700 line?

[OldNSlow 3]

The G7 skates has a lot extra space around the ankle (at least for me). I can pass a couple of fingers on both sides of the ankle boot. I like the comfort, but I prefer a snug fit. Does anyone know whether baking them would help eliminate some of the excessive space around my ankles?

[Demangone 0]

I've been wondering about the sizing of Grafs. On their site they have a flash table that will tell you the appropriate skate based on your heel width, heel shape, and instep depth. It seems to be fairly subjective without having a real number applied. How do I know if I have what Graf considers a wide heel? How do I know if I have what Graf considers a pronounced heel? etc... I need to have these measurements quantified.

Does anyone know what the ranges are?

[OldNSlow 3]

I've been wondering about the sizing of Grafs. On their site they have a flash table that will tell you the appropriate skate based on your heel width, heel shape, and instep depth. It seems to be fairly subjective without having a real number applied. How do I know if I have what Graf considers a wide heel? How do I know if I have what Graf considers a pronounced heel? etc... I need to have these measurements quantified.

Does anyone know what the ranges are?

You need to try on a pair and go from there. I seriously doubt anyone can quantify this for you. Not enough accountants/engineers on the board perhaps. I can tell you that when Graf says wide, they mean wide. I tried on a pair of x09 skates and I could raise my heel several inches from the footbed. I can also share that I can't tell the difference between the pronounced heel and straight heel boots.

Now, what I don't know if baking effects the spacing about your ankle. I do know from talking to enough knowledgeable folks that baking won't change the heel pocket fit.

[Demangone 0]

You need to try on a pair and go from there. I seriously doubt anyone can quantify this for you. Not enough accountants/engineers on the board perhaps. I can tell you that when Graf says wide, they mean wide. I tried on a pair of x09 skates and I could raise my heel several inches from the footbed. I can also share that I can't tell the difference between the pronounced heel and straight heel boots.

Now, what I don't know if how baked effects the spacing about your ankle. I do know from talking to enough knowledgeable folks that baking won't change the heel pocket fit.

Yah, I guess I can figure it out in reverse by trying on a model and then see how Graf defines that model in terms of fit and see where my foot is in their sizing schema. That will have to do it especially if the shop doesn't stock the complete Graf line. I just wish they would have a section on their site where it says "measure your heel from here to here, if it's in this range it's wide."

[OldNSlow 3]

In addition to my ankles spacing concerns above...

I have read everything I could get my hands on about the G7/707 and I still don't understand a few things. It is well known that the 707 skates were originally made for players coming back from ankles injuries. Also, everyone says that you need strong ankles to skate in these skates. Doesn't that seem inconsistent? If you have ankle problems, then your ankles are probably weak and you need support, right?

If my ankles are weak, I'm I going to risk ankle rolling?

[epstud74 24]

Designed so you could comfortably put a foot brace in the boot. The skate had enough "give" to do so

[OldNSlow 3]

Designed so you could comfortably put a foot brace in the boot. The skate had enough "give" to do so

I guess this explains the extra space around the ankle. I thought it was the materials and design that allowed the ankle flexibility. I didn't realize it was actually empty space around the ankle.

[canesrun 0]

I skate with the 707 and love them. I don't think that there's supposed to be empty space around the ankle. It appears that the ankle is supple enough to accommodate a brace (if necessary) for those with injuries. The leather around the ankle moves somewhat with your foot--it's not a snowboot.