Advice on graf model

[chadam 0]

Hello,

I want to buy new skates. After several discussion, I think I'm gonna take Graf ice skates. Unfortunately, no shop in my neighborhood can tell which model should fit my foot.

Could you give me advice as to what kind of feet I have, and thus which model i should choose ?

Thanks,

[epstud74 24]

Any hockey shop worth their salt should be able to tell you the differences in Graf models

It can be difficult to judge just from a photo alone

You seem to have a normal width heel

I dont see you having a super high instep like some people

Your feet look somewhat wide at the forefoot, but not paddles like some people

You could try on a pair of Graf Ultra G35/G5s/705s and go from there.

Judging from your heel, you could fit into an Ultra G35 nicely, but I could be wrong. I'd get fitted and try them on first. Have you tried the Graf Canada website? It will tell you which skates fit best on certain types of foot.

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

I'm in the Ultra G70s and I could not be happier. I can skate all day in these and also got the custom moldable insoles as part of the purchase price. I've been pain free skating since I've had these skates.

[Canuck 0]

I'd definitely recommend going to a Graf dealer if one is local. Luckily I have one that is and they had Graf trained salespeople and my fit is perfect(705's). If there isn't one close, I'd seriously consider driving far to get sized properly. For the price you pay and to save your feet it's probably worth the drive.

[chadam 0]

Thanx guys for your replies. Unfortunately, I have no graf dealer locally, and have been driving twice for 1 hour and a half to find a graf shop. However, both shops only had one or two models in stock, and won't get any more until september. Thus they didn't measure my feet but only made me try the one model they had...

That's why I'd like to know which model is the most likely to fit my foot, to phone a few shops and go to the one which has some available, so as to maximize my luck to find well fited skates !

Would anyone have any other hints ?

[Jordan 13]

You might have some luck getting sugestions if you tell us what you have worn in the past and how those models fit you - the good and the bad.

It is easier to translate from model to model than to judge the size and shape of your foot from a picture.

[pizzakid13 5]

maybe try a couple other brands. you might be surprised like me. i have worn grafs for years. presently in a 705 which is nice but i tried on some bauer supreme one80s and i think they feel amazing right out of the box. compared to the grafs, they are waaaay lighter and fit my foot much better. and judging from the research i've done here, they are a more advanced technological skate. plus, my grafs are 6 months old and still dont feel broken in.

[chadam 0]

You might have some luck getting sugestions if you tell us what you have worn in the past and how those models fit you - the good and the bad.

So far, I have only used Bauer Vapor X15 - I've not been skating for long !. They are 7EE and are way too wide - I can't get them tight. Nevertheless, my heel seems ok in these, even if I can't really compare with many other skates...

Sorry guys I know I'm not very helpful here, but it's hard to begin and not have a local shop to try, compare and size the skates...

[stick9 903]

So far, I have only used Bauer Vapor X15 - I've not been skating for long !. They are 7EE and are way too wide - I can't get them tight. Nevertheless, my heel seems ok in these, even if I can't really compare with many other skates...

Sorry guys I know I'm not very helpful here, but it's hard to begin and not have a local shop to try, compare and size the skates...

With the lack of a Graf dealer in your area and your relative newness to the sport. It would be worth your while to explore all brands. In the end, go with what fits the best, regardless of the brand name.

[Axxion89 32]

So far, I have only used Bauer Vapor X15 - I've not been skating for long !. They are 7EE and are way too wide - I can't get them tight. Nevertheless, my heel seems ok in these, even if I can't really compare with many other skates...

Sorry guys I know I'm not very helpful here, but it's hard to begin and not have a local shop to try, compare and size the skates...

Where do you live and how far would you be willing to travel? I'm sure a bunch of members including myself can point out stores who can fit you very well within a range of where you are from.

[ReggieDunlop 3]

Any hockey shop worth their salt should be able to tell you the differences in Graf models

It can be difficult to judge just from a photo alone

You seem to have a normal width heel

I dont see you having a super high instep like some people

Your feet look somewhat wide at the forefoot, but not paddles like some people

You could try on a pair of Graf Ultra G35/G5s/705s and go from there.

Judging from your heel, you could fit into an Ultra G35 nicely, but I could be wrong. I'd get fitted and try them on first. Have you tried the Graf Canada website? It will tell you which skates fit best on certain types of foot.

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

I'm in the Ultra G70s and I could not be happier. I can skate all day in these and also got the custom moldable insoles as part of the purchase price. I've been pain free skating since I've had these skates.

I agree - I have the G70 too and they are the best for me and my feet look similar to yours - normal heel - wider in the forefoot - deep instep - - normal arches - Perfect Edge in Detroit will be able to take a tracing of you foot and match it up with the best size and type of Grafs They also punch out any spots if needed before shipping - give them a call trace your foot and fax it to them - do you get any lace bite with your current boots? - The deeper boot of the G70 has curbed a lot of my lace bite pain - also swapped insoles the Shock docters - nowhere around here does the custom foot beds I received with purchase - good luck - Also you need to factor in the type of skater you are rookie/pro- G70's are a pro level stiffness - might be too much for a newer skater that needs a little flex Supra 670 might be a better/cheaper choice with the same fit! Good Luck

[epstud74 24]

I dont find the G70 to be as stiff as my Vapor xxxxs were, but a lot more comfortable due to the fit. A bit lower cut, but I find myself having a little more flexibility, especially with quick stops and turns.

[flyerman 0]

So far, I have only used Bauer Vapor X15 - I've not been skating for long !. They are 7EE and are way too wide - I can't get them tight. Nevertheless, my heel seems ok in these, even if I can't really compare with many other skates...

Sorry guys I know I'm not very helpful here, but it's hard to begin and not have a local shop to try, compare and size the skates...

For remote custom fitting, check these guys out: http://www.pro-skate.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=10&chapter=0

[chadam 0]

Hello guys,

With your great help, I finally found a good shop where I tried several models and ended up buying G70. We baked them before I bought them, so they really fit my feet well ! I have tried them for a few minutes on the ice, and I have only one small concern about the ankle: I have much more flex in my ankle than what I had in my bauer. If I don't care, I hardly stabilize on neutral and skate on the inner edge. I wonder if this is because these skates are too wide around my tibia. Do you think I feel this because they are low cut and I need to practice to muscle my ankle, or are they too wide somewhere around my ankle?

If i bake them again and lace them tighter around the tibia while they are hot, could that solve my problem?

[epstud74 24]

It is a lower cut and softer boot than a Vapor X60 or One100.

Are they too wide at the ankle? What other Grafs did you try on?

The G70 is a very deep and wide boot with a normal heel.

Maybe you could have tried on a G70 in a narrow width?

You're a beginner skater right? It could be that you're not used to the lower cut of the boot. Is the boot more stable on your foot when your knees are more bent?

[chadam 0]

Are they too wide at the ankle? What other Grafs did you try on?

I also tried G5 and G7. I didn't wear the G5 for long because it hurt my ankle on the fibula and as long as I remember the instep was a bit too narrow for me, but we didn't bake it. The G7 seemed great too, but i was afraid my ankle would not have enough support because of its special conception !

Maybe you could have tried on a G70 in a narrow width?

They only had regular sizes in stock. Moreover, my lower feet/forefeet are just right with this width.

You're a beginner skater right? It could be that you're not used to the lower cut of the boot. Is the boot more stable on your foot when your knees are more bent?

I'm certainly not used, plus I certainly didn't lace my skates tight enough when they were baked. I will see how they feel when I go skating again by the end of the week, and see how the boot is stable when my knees are more bent.