Leather to composite boot impressions?

[rawkstar 45]

I've skated in Grafs my whole life, and I've only had a couple of pairs, had 705s for about 8 years and then switched to 703s and had those for another 8 years now. They're doing great, probably still have quite a bit of life left in them. I've been playing for over 20 years and nowadays I'm on the ice maybe twice a week. Just curious to see if anyone's gone to composite boot and what people's impressions were, if its worth it at all.

[wrangler 157]

Stiffer, more support, harder to flex the ankle sideways. Lighter for me, because my old skates also had all metal blade assemblies.

[jonesy9020 77]

More protection from shots as well.

[Nealoc187 10]

I've skated in Grafs my whole life, and I've only had a couple of pairs, had 705s for about 8 years and then switched to 703s and had those for another 8 years now. They're doing great, probably still have quite a bit of life left in them. I've been playing for over 20 years and nowadays I'm on the ice maybe twice a week. Just curious to see if anyone's gone to composite boot and what people's impressions were, if its worth it at all.

I went from leather to composite boot (Bauer 4000 and Mega Air90 in recent years) to Bauer one.9s in September. Felt really stiff and weird (but not uncomfortable) the first skate but I quickly got used to them. By the 4th skate or so I had adjusted and they were my "new normal".

They are quite a bit lighter (my 4000s were 945 grams, Air90s were 890 grams, and my new One.9s are 720 grams) but I think I notice that more when I'm handling them and putting them on than when actually skating.

[YesLanges 128]

What would you guys consider to be the stiffest (laterally) modern composite with the widest toe box and semi-wide or wide mid-foot? I tried out NXGs last year before just sticking with my ancient Langes, but I wouldn't mind dropping half the weight for something equally supportive with more room in the toe box and mid-foot. In my hand, my skates felt like about twice the weight of the NXGs, which can't be helping my speed.

[jonesy9020 77]

What would you guys consider to be the stiffest (laterally) modern composite with the widest toe box and semi-wide or wide mid-foot? I tried out NXGs last year before just sticking with my ancient Langes, but I wouldn't mind dropping half the weight for something equally supportive with more room in the toe box and mid-foot. In my hand, my skates felt like about twice the weight of the NXGs, which can't be helping my speed.

Try out a Nexus 8000. When you tried out the NXGs, did you look at EE width? Also the RBZ aren't full composite, but are wider and will still be much, much lighter than your Langes.

[rawkstar 45]

The things I'm kind of concerned about is the stiffness and the durability. I'm not sure if I'd be able to flex these things, I'm not like a pro athlete and I don't squat 500lbs or whatever.

And the durability, I have no idea how long they last, does the carbon fiber break down or does the skate just start coming apart at the seams eventually over time? The Grafs I had lasted forever, and probably will last a long time yet, so I don't want to abandon ship and end up replacing these things a couple of years later.

I'm just playing men's league, it's just for fun, but I do wonder if I'm missing something. Kind of like going to composite sticks, I couldn't go back to playing with a wood stick on a regular basis anymore.

[mickz 107]

The things I'm kind of concerned about is the stiffness and the durability. I'm not sure if I'd be able to flex these things, I'm not like a pro athlete and I don't squat 500lbs or whatever.

And the durability, I have no idea how long they last, does the carbon fiber break down or does the skate just start coming apart at the seams eventually over time? The Grafs I had lasted forever, and probably will last a long time yet, so I don't want to abandon ship and end up replacing these things a couple of years later.

I'm just playing men's league, it's just for fun, but I do wonder if I'm missing something. Kind of like going to composite sticks, I couldn't go back to playing with a wood stick on a regular basis anymore.

On my original Total Ones they started coming apart at the seams where the quarter meets the toe cap. I had a local cobbler repair it for about $10-15. As for the stiffness I used it for about 3 years skating twice a week on average before I bought the NXG and turned my old skates into roller blades.

Being able to flex the skate is the most important part though. If it feels stiff at first you can always try skipping the 4th eyelet from the top to get more forward flex. Otherwise if you like the Supreme fit, you might still be able to find a ONE.8 on closeout.

More protection from shots as well.

I've blocked a shot wearing a Curv composite boot and my ankle swelled so much it put me in crutches for a few days. I wouldn't say a composite boot gives me much more protection from shots.

[flip12 717]

I've been skating in almost broken down 703's and tried switching to MLX and found that, other than turning, the MLX were very tricky to get used to. They're cut to the same height as my 703's, but they hug the ankle more, because they don't have that huge pillow of padding around the second eyelet like Grafs have. The range of motion I can achieve in the MLX boot is considerably less. That, and I can't get the snug on the foot feeling that still allows for fully functional foot flex. When I go from MLX back to Graf in the same ice session, it feels like the Grafs are actually lighter on my feet, because they're never in the way, even though when I hold them in my hand, the Grafs are considerably heavier. Just my $0.02. Just playing beer league myself too. For me, I just don't think I'll ever get used to a composite boot. I just don't play enough anymore and Grafs feel so intuitive and natural.

Edit: correcting my previous impressions of my MLX. After switching to cloth laces and the speed skaters' over-under lacing when baking, I've been able to marry the boot to my foot much better, while still allowing for ample ankle rotation at the top.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

Switching from 703's to composite, the biggest things you'll notice is support in the ankles during hard stops or sharp turns and the weight. Considering the forward pitch and cut of the 703's, you may have to lace down an eyelet to get the same forward motion.

[Stodgy 8]

I agree to try the nexus line of skates Yes Langes. I have skated in both and they have deep volume and a generous toe box that you are used to having in the langes. I have never tried the Grafs so I don't have an opinion on them. Hope this helps