Looking for comfortable skates ~$300 or less. (2014)

[Quickstrike32 1]

I bought everything at 25% off through HM but I'm having trouble finding skates that fit right at my LHS. Keep in mind, HM only has a 14 day return policy for store credit on clearance.

[chapel 20]

I might be fine with my dad's 2000s for a bit

they need an edge and I'll throw my new Superfeet into them (these have original Bauer SuperFeet III inserts)

They felt great last night despite having little to no edge.

I'd like to clean them up a bit. Maybe I'll create a thread for that.

[Nealoc187 10]

i came from 1995ish Bauer 4000s and Micron Mega Air90s in the past month and a half to my first modern skate. Ended up with a pair of one.9s after trying on probably 60 pairs of skates, both new at LHS and used at 3 different play it again sports locations. First skate they felt weird (never uncomfortable but just weird because i'm used to such a flexible boot in my Air90s and 4000s and the one.9s are so stiff, and also because the steel is a bit less worn than it was on my 4000s). Everyone told me i was going to be in agony, unable to skate, etc but that didn't happen for me. By the end of that skate the weirdness had mostly gone away. Next skate was less weird and by the end of the skate I didn't notice that I was in a "different" skate at all. 3rd skate and beyond (now I've got probably 7 games in them) I'm 100% comfortable in them and they have become my new normal. I wonder what my 4000s or Air90s will feel like if I try them on again?

[Kessel'sOversizedSuit 18]

i came from 1995ish Bauer 4000s and Micron Mega Air90s in the past month and a half to my first modern skate. Ended up with a pair of one.9s after trying on probably 60 pairs of skates, both new at LHS and used at 3 different play it again sports locations. First skate they felt weird (never uncomfortable but just weird because i'm used to such a flexible boot in my Air90s and 4000s and the one.9s are so stiff, and also because the steel is a bit less worn than it was on my 4000s). Everyone told me i was going to be in agony, unable to skate, etc but that didn't happen for me. By the end of that skate the weirdness had mostly gone away. Next skate was less weird and by the end of the skate I didn't notice that I was in a "different" skate at all. 3rd skate and beyond (now I've got probably 7 games in them) I'm 100% comfortable in them and they have become my new normal. I wonder what my 4000s or Air90s will feel like if I try them on again?

I would bet a silver dollar that if you went out in your old boots now, you'd hate them. Once you get used to the new tech, it is impossible to go back. I even noticed a difference going from three year old one70s to To NXGs. I kept the old skates and thought I'd use them for coaching and pond hockey and whatever. But I tried them out after skating for a while in the NXGs. I did that, once. now they collect dust in the basement on a permanent basis. should probably sell them to play it again...

[chapel 20]

I might go try some skates on this weekend.

I'd like to try the Graf G7s and the Nexus range

I think those will be close to what I want.

while cleaning up my Bauer 2000s last night, I realized just how bad I'm going to get killed if I take a shot off the skates...

[flip12 715]

I might go try some skates on this weekend.

I'd like to try the Graf G7s and the Nexus range

I think those will be close to what I want.

while cleaning up my Bauer 2000s last night, I realized just how bad I'm going to get killed if I take a shot off the skates...

High volume foot?

From what I remember of playing in Grafs, other than perhaps the toe cap, protection from puck strikes is not their boots' strong suit.

[chapel 20]

probably a little better than Bauer 2000s from 1990...

[MThockeydad 469]

I would bet a silver dollar that if you went out in your old boots now, you'd hate them. Once you get used to the new tech, it is impossible to go back. I even noticed a difference going from three year old one70s to To NXGs. I kept the old skates and thought I'd use them for coaching and pond hockey and whatever. But I tried them out after skating for a while in the NXGs. I did that, once. now they collect dust in the basement on a permanent basis. should probably sell them to play it again...

That's funny, I kept my old Bauers thinking I'd use them for pond hockey to keep my blades sharp for the rink. They're so damn soft!!

I'm tempted to drill out my XR5's and throw LS2 holders and t-nuts on them for my pond skates. :)

[chapel 20]

I have to say, I think these Graf Ultra G7s might be the way to go... how old are they?

[Nealoc187 10]

i haven't tried on the G7 but I did try on a brand new pair of old stock 707s (G7 predecessor) and they were really comfortable. i've been thinking of going back to see if they happen to still have them, just for fun.

[chapel 20]

Are the G7s from like 2007-8?

[Neo5370 132]

i haven't tried on the G7 but I did try on a brand new pair of old stock 707s (G7 predecessor) and they were really comfortable. i've been thinking of going back to see if they happen to still have them, just for fun.

Keep in mind original 707's had a wide heel whereas the newer G7 will have a medium heel.

[jonesy9020 77]

I don't have exact dates, but G7s were made for several years, probably beginning around 08, and were made up until the end of last year. One thing about Grafs is it's tough to find places to try them on. Lots of stores don't carry them because they don't sell at the same levels as Bauer/CCM.

[chapel 20]

tried on some Nexus 6000s and a bunch of other skates (no Grafs)

liked the Nexus'. want to try some Grafs though.

[CathyGo 15]

yeah, that's the problem. I need to get fitted properly and using an LHS for fitting then buying online is a crappy thing to do.

You could always just be upfront about it and see if they want to charge you a "fitting fee" or something. They will still be getting your business for sharpening and various other things. I know one of my local shops will do that because they had a guy who was a fitting specialist for figure skaters. Can't imagine they wouldn't be willing to do it for hockey skates as well.

I know everybody's feet are different but Graf seems to be where a lot of people who have fit issues eventually wind up.

[Quickstrike32 1]

I tried CCM RBZ and Tacks, Bauer Supreme and Vapors, Graf 135s-535s, old and new RBK. I tried low, mid, and high end skates in just about every company. The only comfortable skate was the Bauer Nexus 5000. Next would be old RBK's then RBZ...I'm still looking for the perfect fitting skate. My issue is that no one local carries a decent selection of EE and I believe that is what I need. My advice is try on as many as you can...I really wanted Grafs but they're tough to find.

[chapel 20]

Anyone know anything about the Graf 835S?

someone here offered me a pair and I can't find ANYTHING about that particular model.

[MThockeydad 469]

tried on some Nexus 6000s and a bunch of other skates (no Grafs)

liked the Nexus'. want to try some Grafs though.

My wife has hard-to-fit feet and ended up in Nexus 6000's.

You won't find half of Graf's range under your $300 budget. They don't seem to be in as long of supply as Bauers and don't seem to go on clearance as much.

Did the Nexus' not fit you, or are you just wanting to try the Grafs to confirm that the Nexus was the best fit?

[chapel 20]

yeah, I want to compare to the Grafs for fit.

[chapel 20]

They say the 735/835 are for a 'narrower heel'

how do you determine what width your heel is?

[mc88 160]

If the Nexus skate felt comfortable and tight (no pain, yet at the same time, not swimming around inside it), then you have a wide heel.

[chapel 20]

is there a way to measure my heel width to some type of 'standard'?

[chapel 20]

well, my first game with nice sharp 2000s didn't go so well

felt like I had too much edge and not enough ankle strength...

I kept rolling my right foot too far over.

My leg and ankle strength aren't what they used to be...

*sigh*

[jonesy9020 77]

If you don't have enough ankle strength for the 2000s, don't even bother with the G7s. They have almost no lateral support for your ankle.

[chapel 20]

I need to start working on restrengthening my ankles and calves.

also, I need a few more days on my skates too. I might try to go to public skate this weekend and start working on it.

I hate being worse than my best.