Skate Problem or User Error?

[Jarick 5]

The last couple months, I've been feeling like my skates (Vapor XXV, two years old) are off. Hard to describe, but they don't feel solid under my feet anymore. The last time I had this problem, it was a pair of $80 skates that were breaking down and literally twisting inwards and causing major problems. It almost feels as if the edges aren't directly under my feet, but closer to the inside of the skate.

I checked my skates thoroughly last night and they don't seem to have lost much stiffness, the outsoles aren't coming apart, and when I grab the holder and wiggle the boot, there's not any play. I did notice the holders aren't symmetrical in how they are mounted to the outsole, but I don't know if that's a serious problem or not:

My skating seems to be deteriorating pretty quickly, and I'm not sure if it's the skate or me. I'm certainly open to the possibility that I'm lazy and out of shape, but I didn't seem to have these problems a few months back.

I also know the fit of the skates is not ideal, and though I don't have any pain, I seem to want more heel lock and instep depth. I took out the grey Superfeet that were in there and ripped off the heel lifts, so hopefully that will help for now.

So are these skates off or on their way out, or is it all in my head?

[tyson_two 0]

Did you check if the blades are level? Take it into a LHS and ask them to check, or place a quarter flat on the blade and see if it sits 90 degree to your blades.

[english15x 3]

Guy I used to work with used to bend his holders due to his unusual feet. He maybe lasted a year tops in skates.

[twister18 1]

use a level or straight edge to see if the steel is still straight- possibility that the holders may be mis-alligned, if so the steel would appera "bent" when us hold it to the level, happened to my 8090's.

[Jarick 5]

I definitely will be taking these skates in to have them looked at since I have no clue what I'm doing.

Is it possible or common for skate holders to be adjusted position-wise? I remember reading the MLX skate holders move laterally to adjust for balance or stance differences. Or are those things usually addressed with an insole?

[epstud74 24]

Jarick? When was the last time you skated? Did you take some time off? Also, did you get FBV and then switch to normal sharpening? Maybe take your skates to General Sports since it seems to be the place where you bought them.

I'd call ahead and ask for Matt..He should help you

[rjmurp01 0]

It is definitely possible that the holders were mounted incorrectly, but I can't tell from the pics. I recently had to return a pair of CCM U+ because the holders were off so much. As someone said, you should be able to tell with some sort of straight edge held along the length of the steel.

[Jarick 5]

I skate weekly, haven't taken any time off, but I've fought to stay healthy this month and lost about 10 pounds. Still with the FBV and enjoying it.

I do notice I lean on the inside of my skates and I feel like I'm on my toes too much. I'll be trying lacing all the way up to the top and maybe hitting up stick and puck to see if I can get my stride a little cleaner this weekend.

The straight edge looked fine on one skate, just a hair of wobble on the other but nothing that seemed like it would make the steel seem bent...

[Jordan 13]

just a hair of wobble on the other

Start by getting that fixed...it could also be a clue that you have a mismounted holder. i would get the skates checked out.

[epstud74 24]

Or it could be an issue with the FBV as well. I tried it once and felt unstable and went back to a 3/4

[Jarick 5]

I was on that since summer and felt fine.

General sports said they could cut me a deal on some xxxx, same size. I'm bringing in my skates to has them checked out and want to get refitted.

If i liked xxv for so long, is there a big difference with the xxxx? For an okay skater who has the basics but not the power and weighs 175 are they going to be overkill to the point of being detrimental?

Still going to check out Graf and ccm though.

[Chadd 916]

I skate weekly, haven't taken any time off, but I've fought to stay healthy this month and lost about 10 pounds. Still with the FBV and enjoying it.

I do notice I lean on the inside of my skates and I feel like I'm on my toes too much. I'll be trying lacing all the way up to the top and maybe hitting up stick and puck to see if I can get my stride a little cleaner this weekend.

The straight edge looked fine on one skate, just a hair of wobble on the other but nothing that seemed like it would make the steel seem bent...

Did you check to make sure that the steel is coming straight out of the holder? I see a lot of skates where the plastic is bent enough that instead of the steel looking like this l, it looks more like this /. Obviously that is a bit exaggerated, but it is very common.

[Jarick 5]

I didn't because I couldn't tell anything about the skates but the outsold holder spacing, but I'll have the skate guys check for all these things. Thanks for the feedback.

[epstud74 24]

Keep us posted. I like the service at General Sports. Who did you talk to? If you had to talk about Graf skates at any place in town, General Sports is the place to go. In fact, GrafPro55 specifically told me to meet with Matt at General Sports about my foot issue.

[Chadd 916]

I didn't because I couldn't tell anything about the skates but the outsold holder spacing, but I'll have the skate guys check for all these things. Thanks for the feedback.

It's an easy thing to do on your own, a lot of sharpeners/retailers never notice it. Hold the skate in front of you with the steel pointing straight up, look from heel to toe or vice versa (it doesn't really matter) and check the angle of the steel relative to the plastic.

I had someone that a sharpening sucked because he had no edge, turned out to be this problem. Now I check every skate before I sharpen it and let the owner know so I don't get blamed for it.

[sogaduch 0]

Keep us posted. I like the service at General Sports. Who did you talk to? If you had to talk about Graf skates at any place in town, General Sports is the place to go. In fact, GrafPro55 specifically told me to meet with Matt at General Sports about my foot issue.

I will also vouch for Matts knowledge, I took a Graf Seminar a couple years ago with him and he knew his stuff in terms of blade alignment and alignment to your body

[Jarick 5]

I did go over to General Sports and talk to them. The skates seem fine...but after measuring my foot they are the wrong fit.

The last two times I bought skates, I went with what felt good in the store, and that was a wider skate that gave me plenty of room at the toes. I did this because the salesmen knew nothing about skates, possibly even hockey in general. And now my feet are rolling around in the boot and I'm losing my edges, leaning on the inside edges, etc.

I got a full foot measurement, and it turns out my feet are somewhat flat (causing me to pronate) and a little narrow (extremely narrow at the heel but wide just at the toes). They had me try on some G35's in D width, which locked in the heel and foot fairly well, even though my toes were so crunched up they went numb and still kind of tingle. Apparently they like to put people in the tightest, smallest, shortest skate possible, then stretch out what needs it (in my case, the toes).

They also highly recommended the Graf insoles, which I'll have to research. Supposed to grip the foot and keep it locked in better. And they have a discount on those.

Of course, I don't have the $400 for 735's and insoles, so in the meantime, any advice for these skates? I'm thinking wear some thicker socks (I usually wear dress socks, probably try regular cotton?) and just try and tighten down as much as possible on the heel?

[epstud74 24]

I did go over to General Sports and talk to them. The skates seem fine...but after measuring my foot they are the wrong fit.

The last two times I bought skates, I went with what felt good in the store, and that was a wider skate that gave me plenty of room at the toes. I did this because the salesmen knew nothing about skates, possibly even hockey in general. And now my feet are rolling around in the boot and I'm losing my edges, leaning on the inside edges, etc.

I got a full foot measurement, and it turns out my feet are somewhat flat (causing me to pronate) and a little narrow (extremely narrow at the heel but wide just at the toes). They had me try on some G35's in D width, which locked in the heel and foot fairly well, even though my toes were so crunched up they went numb and still kind of tingle. Apparently they like to put people in the tightest, smallest, shortest skate possible, then stretch out what needs it (in my case, the toes).

They also highly recommended the Graf insoles, which I'll have to research. Supposed to grip the foot and keep it locked in better. And they have a discount on those.

Of course, I don't have the $400 for 735's and insoles, so in the meantime, any advice for these skates? I'm thinking wear some thicker socks (I usually wear dress socks, probably try regular cotton?) and just try and tighten down as much as possible on the heel?

Jarick,

I'd start saving some $$ and sell off some gear if you have any and go for the insoles and Grafs. Who fitted you? General Sports is the best Graf supplier in the Twin Cities. They also have a very knowledgeable staff. I take it you talked to Matt? If you go w/the insole, the foot is held in place better, eliminating the crunching effect. I bit the bullet and paid $600 for my Graf G70s, but that included the Tuuk LSP2s and installation along with profiling/contouring of the blade. My feet no longer hurt and if it werent for my gimpy knee, I could skate all day long w/o pain.

[Jarick 5]

Yeah I'm going to put some money away. They have g35's on sale but it's still almost $100 more than 735's with the sidas. Got some gear up on the craigslist too.

Not sure who I talked to, I know it was one of the good guys. Funny enough, there was a high school kid to my left getting put into 703's, an older guy getting some 705's to my right, and two customers came in with grafs they've had for over 5 years while I'm getting fitted.

[epstud74 24]

Yeah I'm going to put some money away. They have g35's on sale but it's still almost $100 more than 735's with the sidas. Got some gear up on the craigslist too.

Not sure who I talked to, I know it was one of the good guys. Funny enough, there was a high school kid to my left getting put into 703's, an older guy getting some 705's to my right, and two customers came in with grafs they've had for over 5 years while I'm getting fitted.

You can get the Sidas footbed put in the skate for an extra cost if they're not included in the skate like the new G series.

I do think the new 735s are pretty sharp looking though. Is that the one w/the green zig zag stitching and new composite outsole?

[Jarick 5]

They let you upgrade to the sidas for $50 with the 7 series...seems like a good deal.

They do have the green stitching...I might be inclined to take a sharpie to that though.

[epstud74 24]

Well, I hope it all works out for you

[Jarick 5]

Due to a good tax rebate (turbotax > taxslayer), I picked up some g35s. They felt so much more comfortable and locked in better than the 735s, and were only $60 more. Weight felt no different. Went with 8d as the 7.5 was squashing the toes too much. Also got some fancy skate socks.

Oddly enough, the guy sitting next to me got some g35s as well, but his had black tongues and a red outsole while mine had white tongues and a black outsole. Both brand new.

Anyways, I'll be giving them a spin tomorrow. Hopefully the last skate I buy for a long time!

[epstud74 24]

Tried out your new skates yet?

[chilimax21 0]

Sweet! I recently got G35's in 8W and ebayed my one95's. The one95's were too big and too stiff for me. My toes do crunch up in the G35's, but I can get it better my not tying the front that tight. One downside is that getting hit with the puck hurt like hell in the G35's. Didn't feel a thing in the one95's.