Graf Supra 735- Pain

[ryan07 0]

Hey guys I'm new I've been reading a lot but I just thought I'd sign up to ask a question.

Havn't played hockey since I was 20, and I'm 25 now. I have always wore CCM, tacks then in 2004 bought a pair of Vectors with Tblades. Well the Tblades are non existent now so I decided on some Grafs and was suggested the Supra 735s.

They felt great at the store, walking around and after baking. I put the yellow superfeet in them and they were even better.

First skate was last week, had severe arch pain. I figured it was new skate syndrome so I went skating again this weekend just a public skate and they seemed to hurt worse. When I pulled my foot out of the skate the inside of my feet right in the arch were bright red and seemed a bit swollen, it even hurt to walk a little bit afterwards. The pain is almost bad enough where I have to quit playing, because every stride is a b*tch.

I have an extremely flat foot, that is also very narrow. This is why I went with Graf as I thought it would suit my foot better. Maybe I was wrong.

I took it back to the store I bought them and had them rebaked. The owner told me most of my pain was from me over tightening my skates and suggested to leave them loose until I get to the top 3-4 loops.

I play hockey again tonight and really don't want to have sore feet, do you guys think leaving them loose will help or should I try inserting a half insole under the front to raise my foot over the natural arch in the skate boot?

Any suggestions?

[cooperalls 4]

If you're still in the break-in phase with the skates, it's good to make sure you're not over-tightening them. They are very stiff when they're brand new, and while baking helps make the process easier, it's not unusual to have some discomfort. Based on your description though, the pain goes beyond the annoyance of breaking in new boots. Superfeet work great for a lot of people, but not for everyone. I'd say bring the footbeds that came with the skates with you to the bench, try skating with the laces snug but not super tight, and if you start having arch pain, pull the Superfeet out and try the original footbeds.

I'm not a podiatrist, so take this with a grain of salt. Superfeet are fairly stiff and have a pretty high arch. If you have flat feet, one solution is to post (force) them up with something like Superfeet, but if your foot simply can't tolerate being in that position it could be the source of the pain?

[Hermans 9]

I had a similar experience with mine when they were new. In fact i had about 10-15 hours of this and then it was less and less each new time on ice. I kept with it and have the skates 2.5 years and love them.

I've tried NB 55's and while the break in period was painless I love the mobility, fit and comfort o the Graf. More speed and less agility in the Bauer and more "stable" to but I can skate longer, better and with far more agility with the Graf and the difference in speed is not much.

Try sticking with them if you can, maybe rotating in an old pair of skates every second time on the ice. My 735 came with the Graf sidas footbed; if yours did too, try it as well as the superfeet

[icewalker_bg 126]

If you're still in the break-in phase with the skates, it's good to make sure you're not over-tightening them. They are very stiff when they're brand new, and while baking helps make the process easier, it's not unusual to have some discomfort. Based on your description though, the pain goes beyond the annoyance of breaking in new boots. Superfeet work great for a lot of people, but not for everyone. I'd say bring the footbeds that came with the skates with you to the bench, try skating with the laces snug but not super tight, and if you start having arch pain, pull the Superfeet out and try the original footbeds.

I'm not a podiatrist, so take this with a grain of salt. Superfeet are fairly stiff and have a pretty high arch. If you have flat feet, one solution is to post (force) them up with something like Superfeet, but if your foot simply can't tolerate being in that position it could be the source of the pain?

the 735 have probably the softest boot on the market and are very comfy if sized properly.

They are a bit more narrow than other skates thought because they are made for skinny ankles and feet. a wide would be more or less like a bauer d (at least for me). make sure not to overtight them. i usually have arch and sidewall pain if i tight them much.

i have them and they are great but a very soft boot.

and why did you go with superfeet, didnt they come with a pair of sidas footbeds? it is almost identical to the yellows in my opinion.

[Chadd 916]

Depending on the level of skates you had in 2004, the sole is likely much stiffer on the 735 than it was on your old skates. When I first switched to skates with stiffer soles, I had the same problems. Now, I don't. If the issues continue, switching to a thinner insole may help. Another solution is to cut a second thinner insole and place the front of it under your replacement insoles. It will raise the front of the foot slightly and effectively reduce the arch in the skate.

[Canuck 0]

FYI, I brought my Graf 705's from an authorized dealer that had Graf trained salespeople. The one that sold me mine told me Graf's are meant to fit better due to the modeling and that your supposed to wear the laces very lose on the skate. Unlike other brands which might not fit as well it isn't necessary to tighten them as much. He also said they were made to be baked as many times as you want. I went with the Graf insoles and they are great.

[ryan07 0]

Well I tried keeping the boot loose and I also removed the superfeet insoles and put the stock graf ones back in. The pain was still there but a lot less, and it was at least bearable. The only problem now is I feel like I lost some support in the skate keeping it that loose. I like a stiff skate, so with it loose my ankles seemed to flop around more, maybe I could try taping my ankles and tightening the boot one hole down.

I'll keep toughing it out hope they make a turn around, not real happy with them as of now. Might also give my old vectors a few skates to see the differences.

[strosedefence34 175]

Depending on the level of skates you had in 2004, the sole is likely much stiffer on the 735 than it was on your old skates. When I first switched to skates with stiffer soles, I had the same problems. Now, I don't. If the issues continue, switching to a thinner insole may help. Another solution is to cut a second thinner insole and place the front of it under your replacement insoles. It will raise the front of the foot slightly and effectively reduce the arch in the skate.

i did exactly this with my graf skates. Best thing I have ever done. It is defiantly worth a try

[icewalker_bg 126]

Well I tried keeping the boot loose and I also removed the superfeet insoles and put the stock graf ones back in. The pain was still there but a lot less, and it was at least bearable. The only problem now is I feel like I lost some support in the skate keeping it that loose. I like a stiff skate, so with it loose my ankles seemed to flop around more, maybe I could try taping my ankles and tightening the boot one hole down.

I'll keep toughing it out hope they make a turn around, not real happy with them as of now. Might also give my old vectors a few skates to see the differences.

If you like a stiff boot you will be disappointed in a couple of months because the boot will only get softer. If youre like me and need support because you have weak ankles it is not the right skate for you, you should look more into bauer or new ccm which are much stiffer and will offer great lateral support . Insoles, ankle taping, waxed laces and different lacing techniques didnt help in providing me support in the 735.

[ryan07 0]

Yes I have flat feet & what I think pretty weak unstable ankles. I have always used a really stiff boot (ccm) my whole life, making sure to tie my skates as tight as possible. Im not sure what to do now as I already own them @ $400.00. I guess just stick it out for a bit and find out what I need to do differently to get comfortable and also have support?

[wetwilly17 6]

if you have skinny feet, the 735s might not be for you. yes they have a skinny heel but a wider forefoot. my skinny foot fits nice in the 703s (and i was able to wear vectors too 7.5s and 10.0s) but my forefoot swam in the 735s. if they don't work, sell them while they're still fairly new and try on some more skates.