Skate advice

[Hank_33 9]

I know this is probably the millionth thread about this topic and my best bet would be to go to a LHS and try on as many skates as possible, but unfortunately the next LHS is about a 3h drive away and it hasn't a big skate selection. So, I guess I have to order online and because I don't want to order random skates till I get lucky, I thought about asking for some advice.

I have a wide foot and so far never had a skate that fit properly without having some pain. I included some pictures if it helps

Currently I'm wearing a CCM U+12 8E. While skating I have pain on the outside of my feet (marked red in the tracing), sometimes as bad that I can't stand for a few minutes after getting out of the skates. Also, my heel is slipping abit. Lengthwise I could probably drop a half or even a full size (maybe it would help with heel slipping). I did the pencil test and I'm touching the pencil and even stick out a little.

I guess I would need a little wider and deeper boot. Does anyone have some suggestions?

Thanks for the help

[romdj 26]

If you're ready to make a long term investment I'd get some VH hockey skates.

[Hank_33 9]

If you're ready to make a long term investment I'd get some VH hockey skates.

Yeah, already thought about that, but its a lot of money and I'm a little scared that they don't fit good and sending them back to scott for repairs isn't that easy because I'm in germany.

However, if I don't find a skate that fits I might actually do it

[z1ggy 81]

That sucks about not being near a LHS. Have you ever tried on Nexus boots? I have never tried them on but I hear they are one of the wider and higher volume skates out there. Also, RBZ by CCM. I have a fairly narrow low volume foot, so I never saw the point to trying them on.

[Chadd 916]

I have a slightly longer and wider foot and had good luck with the Mako. The new Graf line was also fairly comfortable when I tried it on a couple years ago.

[romdj 26]

I understand now,I feel your pain since I'm in Belgium .

The heat moulding properties of the mako's are far superior to any other skate out there so that'd be my second choice.

[Hank_33 9]

That sucks about not being near a LHS. Have you ever tried on Nexus boots? I have never tried them on but I hear they are one of the wider and higher volume skates out there. Also, RBZ by CCM. I have a fairly narrow low volume foot, so I never saw the point to trying them on.

Didn't try nexus yet, but they're on my list, sounds like they could fit. Doesn't the RBZ fit like a U+12/U+CL since it is its successor?

I have a slightly longer and wider foot and had good luck with the Mako. The new Graf line was also fairly comfortable when I tried it on a couple years ago.

Never thought about them. Mako in EE, I guess? And what model of grafs do you mean, there are so many?

[jonesy9020 77]

RBZ fits wider and with a different sizing scheme than the U+ line. Tacks is more similar to U+ CL in terms of fit.

[Chadd 916]

Didn't try nexus yet, but they're on my list, sounds like they could fit. Doesn't the RBZ fit like a U+12/U+CL since it is its successor?

Never thought about them. Mako in EE, I guess? And what model of grafs do you mean, there are so many?

Nexus may very well work for you, hard to say without being able to try them on. As for the RBZ, changing the internal padding from one series to another will always change the fit slightly.

The Grafs that I was talking about are the 9035 or 8035, I was really surprised to find a boot that fit fairly well prior to baking. My Makos are EE and they molded extremely well. I wish they were deeper across the top of my foot, but they are molded so well that it isn't a problem.

[Vet88 674]

In your situation an option is the Graf route. There are various Graf resellers (that I know of in the US and possibly in Europe) who will fit you to a boot if you measure up your foot using the Graf 3D fit process and send them the measurements. You can also tell them about how other boots give you pressure points at certain places and they can pre punch to give you more room.

[the1kp 2]

I would definitely say either one of the new Graf skates (Graf 9035 or 8035). These have a narrow heel and wide forefoot. The only thing about Grafs is the Cobra holder and the forward pitch which can take time to get used to, but if you want to invest money into a comfortable skate you can always swap out the holders or get the skates profiled.

[Quickstrike32 1]

Join Total Hockey or Ice Warehouse membership to get free returns and try as many as you can.

[Hank_33 9]

Nexus may very well work for you, hard to say without being able to try them on. As for the RBZ, changing the internal padding from one series to another will always change the fit slightly.

The Grafs that I was talking about are the 9035 or 8035, I was really surprised to find a boot that fit fairly well prior to baking. My Makos are EE and they molded extremely well. I wish they were deeper across the top of my foot, but they are molded so well that it isn't a problem.

Thanks, I'm gonna try the nexus and the RBZ and see if I can find a shop that has the grafs and mako (not sure about the pitch though)

In your situation an option is the Graf route. There are various Graf resellers (that I know of in the US and possibly in Europe) who will fit you to a boot if you measure up your foot using the Graf 3D fit process and send them the measurements. You can also tell them about how other boots give you pressure points at certain places and they can pre punch to give you more room.

Thanks didn't know that. I try to find one here in europe, should be possible, afaik graf is swiss company, isn't it?

Join Total Hockey or Ice Warehouse membership to get free returns and try as many as you can.

Would be nice but i'm in germany so I can't unfortunately

Thanks for all the advice. Is there anything else that could fit?

[Vet88 674]

Large presence in Switzerland and Europe, a couple of distributors in Germany.

http://www.grafskates.ch/index.php?id=6&L=1

And Graf will do custom boots if you want to go that route.

[Hank_33 9]

Large presence in Switzerland and Europe, a couple of distributors in Germany.

http://www.grafskates.ch/index.php?id=6&L=1

And Graf will do custom boots if you want to go that route.

thanks again

[duc_evo 0]

I know this is probably the millionth thread about this topic and my best bet would be to go to a LHS and try on as many skates as possible, but unfortunately the next LHS is about a 3h drive away and it hasn't a big skate selection. So, I guess I have to order online and because I don't want to order random skates till I get lucky, I thought about asking for some advice.

I have a wide foot and so far never had a skate that fit properly without having some pain. I included some pictures if it helps

Currently I'm wearing a CCM U+12 8E. While skating I have pain on the outside of my feet (marked red in the tracing), sometimes as bad that I can't stand for a few minutes after getting out of the skates. Also, my heel is slipping abit. Lengthwise I could probably drop a half or even a full size (maybe it would help with heel slipping). I did the pencil test and I'm touching the pencil and even stick out a little.

I guess I would need a little wider and deeper boot. Does anyone have some suggestions?

Thanks for the help

I would whole heartedly reccomend VH Skates. They saved me from hating hockey. I've spent thousands of dollars on skates in 10 years and all the current skates on the market are sub par compared to VH Skates.

Scott is an entrepuer and he knows about skates, his customer service is top notch and he's a Canadian. And personally I would rather deal with one man. Than a rep from the big 3-4 skate companies.

His skates are this best quality and it does warrant the price of $1000 CAD.

Plus, he's replied to all my concerns over email within a days time and that is remarkable for a person who is getting busier with every pair he makes.

(You can't put a price on being comfortable on the ice.)

[Hank_33 9]

I would whole heartedly reccomend VH Skates. They saved me from hating hockey. I've spent thousands of dollars on skates in 10 years and all the current skates on the market are sub par compared to VH Skates.

Scott is an entrepuer and he knows about skates, his customer service is top notch and he's a Canadian. And personally I would rather deal with one man. Than a rep from the big 3-4 skate companies.

His skates are this best quality and it does warrant the price of $1000 CAD.

Plus, he's replied to all my concerns over email within a days time and that is remarkable for a person who is getting busier with every pair he makes.

(You can't put a price on being comfortable on the ice.)

Thanks for your suggestion, I've read the whole VH thread and I'm really impressed by Scott's work and customer service. There are only 2 issues holding me back from ordering:

1. if they don't fit well, I know scott will rework and repair them for free, but I'll have to ship them from Germany to Canada (and back), it isn't cheap and there could be issues with custom duty

2. since they are fairly new skates, I don't know much about durability and if I spend 1000 bucks for skates I want them to last at least 6 years (better more)

If it were 100percent sure they fit well and last me for 10 years, I would pull the trigger faster than Lucky Luke

[duc_evo 0]

Thanks for your suggestion, I've read the whole VH thread and I'm really impressed by Scott's work and customer service. There are only 2 issues holding me back from ordering:

1. if they don't fit well, I know scott will rework and repair them for free, but I'll have to ship them from Germany to Canada (and back), it isn't cheap and there could be issues with custom duty

2. since they are fairly new skates, I don't know much about durability and if I spend 1000 bucks for skates I want them to last at least 6 years (better more)

If it were 100percent sure they fit well and last me for 10 years, I would pull the trigger faster than Lucky Luke

1.Customs duties aside, that shouldn't stop you from ordering them.

2. Is there any skate on the market that can last for 6 years before you could break down? Bauer/ Reebok/ CCM/ Grafs

3.Comfort is your number 1 concern, not price. You can never put a price on commfort.

Ex. If you bought a off the rack suit for $500 Euro's, doesn't fit your body right and it's uncomfortable.

Or go to a Tailor and pay $1,500 Euro for a total custom Bespoke suit that is measured 3 times to ensure its fit and finish.

This is what your trying to justify to yourself. Bauer, Reebok, CCM, Graf are all off the rack/MTM type skates. VH Skates are the only true bespoke skates in the world. As far as I know.

You should measure your foots diameter from the heel to the ball of your foot in .5 cm increments until you reach your big toe.

You should talk to Scott about it too. The more measurements that Scott has, the less chance that you will need to send them back.

[z1ggy 81]

Wide, fairly deep with narrow heel? Sounds like Graf to me OP.

While I don't question SVH's work, I feel the odds of him making a perfect skate to one's foot on the first try simply based on some measurements (human error involved) and pictures is pretty small. People in my LSH are familiar with his work and told me their customers rarely got their VH skates right on the first try. Many took up to three attempts by SVH before they were perfect. The good news is though... they were perfect. You might not get "perfection" out of a graf skate like a VH one, but I think it's worth looking at Graf first. Less expensive & sounds like less hassle potentially for you. They might fit great and you love them, and that's the end of it.

[enis750 48]

fitting skates is so hard, even if you have the ability to try on EVERYTHING

I just went through this after trying to buy new ones after wearing the same ones for 12 years

I literally tried everything on the wall from $180-550 dollars, i couldn't imagine trying to order w/out trying on first

which might make the VH option a tad better for you

it might cost you a few bux more, but i bet once you had them right, it would avoid buying a pair and hating them and starting over and over again

I ended up spending more than I wanted to, but the skates work for me

I am new to this board and didnt know about VH until I got here

no question, i would have dropped a few more on some custom VH's, based on how long I wear my skates for

I feel your pain brother, hope you find some good ones!

[Hank_33 9]

Thank you guys, I'll keep the VH option in mind, I just want to see first if there's a retail skate that fits comfortably. I see if I can try a nexus, some grafs, a rbz, maybe a mako.

If nothing fits well I'll go for VH or maybe custom grafs