GRAF Zip Tie to Break In?

[Meals 2]

So I got a new pair of skates on Friday, it was between GRAF MCI and Supreme’s (I ended up with the Supreme’s). Interesting thing is when I tried on the GRAF Skates… out of the box they were Zip tied…is that the way GRAF ships them? I would think it’s a good way to break them in, but thinking some buyers might not be too happy with that.

Regardless, I had my Supreme’s baked and let them sit for 24 hours before skating on them. I know some people tie the laces pretty tight in the first few weeks to help with break in, could I harm my skates but just using some “snug” Zip ties instead?

Or do you all feel just bake them and skate on them a lot and forget about tight laces/ Zip Tieing?

[CathyGo 15]

Even metal will relax and deform to some extent if allowed to just sit in a shape that it's not supposed to be for too long. That's why crankshafts are stored standing on their ends. If metal can have issues I'd imagine plastic would even be worse.

Mine weren't zip-tied but I might have not been the first to try them on and I have one of the lower end junior models.

[Cavs019 710]

If your skates fit correctly you won't need to yank on the laces at all.

[Davetronz 109]

The zip ties are to keep the general shape of the boot after the boot is made, during shipping, and up to the point the box is opened and the skate is put on a customer's foot.

It hasn't been a concern for anyone I've fit.

Perhaps there is a concern that if the zip tie isn't there, the boot will "spread out" during shipment, especially if it's coming from overseas in a sea container.

[jdksaves 56]

Graf has done that since I can remember. mainly shipping purposes, but does help the skates keep form for the most part

[laserrobottime 149]

And Graf has the narrowest shipping boxes in the industry. It keeps the boxes from bulging, too