Modern replacement for Graf Ultra G35 skates

[BigH 0]

Howdy, long time lurker with a question.

I bought Graf G35's in 2008 or so and have loved them. Sadly, the rivet nuts on one heel are pulling through the boot. I am going to try and repair it, but the patient may be a goner.

The G35's replaced Graf Supra 705's, which were a great pair of skates, but were probably not the right Graf skate for my high arch and the bulbous bone on the top of my foot. Suffered a bit of pain and some lace bite. I eventually learned that not wearing socks made the 705's fit better. 

Before the 705's, I ran through a pair of CCM 1052's. Very poor quality, and they felt too spacious (probably 1/2 size too big). Before that I had Bauer 1000's that were way too narrow. 

What is a good modern replacement? I have pretty high arches, and fairly wide feet, especially in the toebox. I have looked at the modern Graf lineup, but they don't seem to gear specific models to a certain shape of foot like they used to. When I got fitted for my G35's, the salesman said that my narrow heal called for a 703.

I am a 53 year old decent, but rapidly aging player. My preferred cut is a FBV 100/75. Probably doesn't make sense to spend top dollar, but not looking for budget skates either.

Thanks

H

 

Edited February 22 by BigH
typo and added a sentence

[Hills 720]

Would like prefer to stay in Grafs? Graf still makes skates but I am unfamiliar with the models and would would be closest to what you currently have for fit.

[akravetz 29]

Following as I have a pair of G5 Ultras which are about 13 years old and I have no idea what the modern version is either. 

[Sniper9 558]

Fill with epoxy, redrill and secure with copper rivet? 

[Beflar 55]

What did you end up getting?

 

Edited March 17 by Beflar

[swede 53]

On 2/22/2025 at 2:37 AM, BigH said:

Howdy, long time lurker with a question.

I bought Graf G35's in 2008 or so and have loved them. Sadly, the rivet nuts on one heel are pulling through the boot. I am going to try and repair it, but the patient may be a goner.

The G35's replaced Graf Supra 705's, which were a great pair of skates, but were probably not the right Graf skate for my high arch and the bulbous bone on the top of my foot. Suffered a bit of pain and some lace bite. I eventually learned that not wearing socks made the 705's fit better. 

Before the 705's, I ran through a pair of CCM 1052's. Very poor quality, and they felt too spacious (probably 1/2 size too big). Before that I had Bauer 1000's that were way too narrow. 

What is a good modern replacement? I have pretty high arches, and fairly wide feet, especially in the toebox. I have looked at the modern Graf lineup, but they don't seem to gear specific models to a certain shape of foot like they used to. When I got fitted for my G35's, the salesman said that my narrow heal called for a 703.

I am a 53 year old decent, but rapidly aging player. My preferred cut is a FBV 100/75. Probably doesn't make sense to spend top dollar, but not looking for budget skates either.

Thanks

H

 

If you want to stay with Graf’s i would suggest to look out for a pair of Graf mci 9035/7035 or a skate from the peakspeed series of skates, preferably a higher end model from Peakspeed 4900 and numbers above (5900, 7700 carbon etc)

what iv’e been told, the mci and peakspeed series of skates, both share the old graf 35 fit, (narrower heel, wider forefoot) and if you go for a EE/wide fit, the heel doesn’t neccesary get that much wider, but still, the skate gets wider overall. Suitable for most duck feet per say.

[BigH 0]

On 3/17/2025 at 1:15 AM, Beflar said:

What did you end up getting?

 

I ended up repairing my old skates, and so far so good. I bought new graf T-nuts and screws on ebay. Biggest challenge was when I tried to remove the old screws, about half sheared off inside the t-nut due to years of salt and corrosion. I had to drill the broken ones out with a cobalt drill bit. Also, the outsole on one of my skates was peeling away from the boot at the heel. I glued it back on using E6000. That appears to be holding for now. The glue and the new screws are working together to keep the outsole in place

Fortunately, the old t-nuts that pulled through the boot had corroded away. There was still enough material in the boot for the new t-nuts to grab onto. If my repair fails, it will probably be because there isn't much boot material holding those t-nuts in place.

H

 

Edited 20 hours ago by BigH

[BigH 0]

On 2/24/2025 at 8:27 AM, Hills said:

Would like prefer to stay in Grafs?

Yes, if possible. They have proven to be far superior to any of the other skates I have had.

H

[Hills 720]

3 hours ago, BigH said:

Yes, if possible. They have proven to be far superior to any of the other skates I have had.

H

Graf still makes skates, so you can try and get something similar to the G35. Any store that sells Vaughn goalie equipment should be able to order you in Grafs. I would try and contact them and see what options are available for you.

[flip12 734]

5 hours ago, Hills said:

Graf still makes skates, so you can try and get something similar to the G35. Any store that sells Vaughn goalie equipment should be able to order you in Grafs. I would try and contact them and see what options are available for you.

 

9 hours ago, BigH said:

Yes, if possible. They have proven to be far superior to any of the other skates I have had.

H

Following what @Hills suggests, Graf still has the 735 lineage alive for now in the 755: https://grafhockey.com/skates/ice/player/g755-pro/

It might not be quite as stiff as your G35s, but the cut and fit should be the same.

They're not cheap though, $730 at Ice Warehouse right now: https://www.icewarehouse.com/Graf_Classic_G755_Pro/descpage-GCLG755.html