Skates for a skater who likes his skates loose at the ankles and a lot of side to side mobility

[dsjunior1388 81]

My roommate, who is an inactive member here (only like three posts I guess) is looking for new skates. Currently he wears Bauer Supreme Selects, and they are pretty soft and allow him a lot of side to side motion. He wears his skates loose around the ankle, and I don't think he wears them all that tight around the actual foot either. Should he be getting another skate with a reasonably soft upper, like graf 703s or something along those lines, or would he benefit from a stiffer skate with better energy transfer? The only other person I've seen or heard of who likes his skates the same way and skates in a similar way is someones description of Pavel Bure I saw on here (obviously he doesn't skate at Bure's caliber or you would all know his name by now, but it appears the styles are similar)

I can't tell if I'm making any sense, but if anyone skates like this or can shed some light that would be great. I'll try and get him to post and clarify.

[raganblink 82]

It makes sense, and it just sounds to me that he's used to it, so that's what he likes, because he's never be exposed to anything stiffer I'm assuming. If you could find a skate that fits him that he can try before he buys (that has a softer upper, but still stiffer than his now) i'd go with that. I dont think I could specifiize a model considering not knowing foot shape, but, something with a really soft upper like those grafs or possibly OLD low-mid level vapors. Sounds like he just needs to go try skates on like crazy.

[Chadd 916]

http://www.grafcanada.com/hockey_skates/UltraG7.php

Stiff around the foot, soft in the ankle. You still get the energy transfer from the stiff bottom of the skate but with all the forward flex you could want.

It makes sense, and it just sounds to me that he's used to it, so that's what he likes, because he's never be exposed to anything stiffer I'm assuming.

Not a good assumption to make, some people just don't like skates that are really stiff in the ankles.

[raganblink 82]

I was just assuming that b/c his friend is not active, and has selects. Not knowing all facts that's what I'd still guess though.

[dsjunior1388 81]

I was just assuming that b/c his friend is not active, and has selects. Not knowing all facts that's what I'd still guess though.

When did I say he wasn't active?

[AHF 1]

The only other person I've seen or heard of who likes his skates the same way and skates in a similar way is someones description of Pavel Bure

Former referee Ray Scapinello has his skates quite loose, from what I've heard.

I can't imagine skating with loose skates, but to each his own...

[Chadd 916]

I was just assuming that b/c his friend is not active, and has selects. Not knowing all facts that's what I'd still guess though.

Stop assuming things and you don't have to chime in if you don't have an answer.

[dsjunior1388 81]

So we're planning on going to Perani's to look at skates in a weak or two (being a college student is fun when you have to plan a 40 minute drive two weeks in advance ) so are there any other skates along that he might be suited for? It will be a lot easier if this is a one trip operation. What about Bauer Flexlites, how stiff are they in the ankle?

[raganblink 82]

When did I say he wasn't active?

6th word of your post.

[Hradsky 1]

6th word of your post.

Inactive on the board, but somehow that made me think he was an inactive skater as well :S

Anyways, how exactly would you tell the difference between "loose in the ankle" or "lots of forward flex"? Because I don't like my skates loose, but I like to have forward flex...

[RNCCMU 0]

Just to let everyone know, I am retarded when it comes to hockey equipment. You don't have to tell me that, somebody basically already told me that on a previous thread. Most of the time I could care less if I have some $200 hockey stick or $20 hockey stick, I just want to play hockey for fun. So if you could bare with me on my "dumbed down" hockey terminology.

Anyways, I have had my skates like this since I started playing at age 7 or 8 years old. I have been told many times how to "properly" tie my skates, but it just doesn't fit right. When I skate, my ankle has to move. If I could have tennis shoes with a holder and blade beneath them, that would be great.

I don't tie my skates tight at all. I notice some people when they tie their skates, every lace is pulled and tightened. Not me. I just unlace the top 2 and slide my foot in and I'm good to go. At times, I just said "F*** it" and left the top two lace holes open and just tied my skates and played.

So with my foot in the skate, I can easily bend my ankle so that the ground and my ankle make roughly a 45 degree angle. My foot can move freely in the boot and my heel will lift out of the boot a little bit too. I can't tie my skates the normal way. I find it tough to turn the normal way.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: I just read forward flex. Yeah, I need to have a lot of free movement to bend my ankle laterally and forward

[dsjunior1388 81]

6th word of your post.

Oops, sorry I meant he was not an active MSH member. He skates that way out of comfort and performance, not because of a lack of conditioning. Sorry for the confusion.

[raganblink 82]

i figured that after what hradsky wrote, didn't notice it at the time. definately sounds like you'll enjoy the added benefits then of the forward leaning grafs.

[kklinder 0]

http://www.grafcanada.com/hockey_skates/UltraG7.php

Stiff around the foot, soft in the ankle. You still get the energy transfer from the stiff bottom of the skate but with all the forward flex you could want.

Not a good assumption to make, some people just don't like skates that are really stiff in the ankles.

I second this. The skate is flat out awesome. I love mine.

[shifter 0]

Or if you can find some 707s :P if you don't have the money for the G7.

[chk hrd 164]

I have been told many times how to "properly" tie my skates, but it just doesn't fit right.

There is no "proper" way to tie skates. It is whatever works for you.

[phunky_monkey 6]

I like a fair bit of ankle flexibility too, and enjoy a lower cut boot in order to get the forward flex I'm after. For me the solution is not lacing my skates up all the way which allows me to have a stiff boot but also have the forward flex.

Perhaps rather than limiting yourself to a soft boot you could try on whichever range of skates happens to fit your foot, and then play around with the lacing when trying them on to see if it suits.

[dsjunior1388 81]

I like a fair bit of ankle flexibility too, and enjoy a lower cut boot in order to get the forward flex I'm after. For me the solution is not lacing my skates up all the way which allows me to have a stiff boot but also have the forward flex.

Perhaps rather than limiting yourself to a soft boot you could try on whichever range of skates happens to fit your foot, and then play around with the lacing when trying them on to see if it suits.

how does that work for you with a stiffer skate tied loosely? And what do you skate on?

[phunky_monkey 6]

I love it. I had a relatively soft boot previously with Graf 727's, which are a very low cut boot, and switched to NME nine-1's last season.

I used to do it with my CCM 852's as well which were a very stiff boot and prefer it to wearing a boot with less support.

[jchambers24 0]

I agree with Chadd, would try Graf 707/G7 first as it is a boot made to give skater lots of ankle flexibility. Flexlites are not a bad second choice, would start with the 4.0s as they come with better steel. However, it sounds like your friend may prefer the 3.0s as they are a "softer" boot. I would also suggest trying the U+09/ U+07 boots, have found these to be a little stiff right out of the box but break in/down pretty quickly. As always would advise trying as many skates as possible before deciding.

[Derek 0]

When I had lace bite very bad, I would keep my skates very loose to make it tolerable. I liked it. It felt great to have that mobility. I have Grafs now, and I love them.