Which skates?

[thenizzle 0]

Ok, I'm not looking to buy new skates until around June maybe, but in advance, I'm considering what I might want to buy.

I currently have a pair of Graf 705s and, while I've used Grafs for the last 5 years and always loved them, I've found that this pair has been the worst so far. The steel has craked and broken, the boot fits very uncomfortably, and overall I have not been as pleased with this model as I have in the past (last year I used the 727s and loved them, but before that I had always had 705s).

That being said, I've read around here to find some very negative things about Graf Canada's QC and CS (in addition to problems with the G series). Also, the Bauer Vapor line seems to have poor durability. Nike, well, I don't think I'd go for them.

I'm a pretty agressive skater, around 5'9 165, skating around 2 hours a day 6 days a week.

I know It's personal preference and fit, but looking around, I'm considering Graf SWISS 704 skates, Bauer 8090s, CMM Vector Pros... I like traditional fitting boots (like Graf) and, while I no longer have faith in Graf Canada, is Graf Swiss my best alternative? Or are these other skates good for me? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Sven 1]

2 hours a day 6 days a week ??

im dreaming of being so much on the ice :X

[Keith 0]

I'd just stick w/graf if I were you. Switching to anything but mission will be a difficult transition.

[Justin 1933 134]

Mission skates will be the very similar to your Grafs...I would go with the S500...I think you will be surprised.....

[JGraz15 55]

Justin - How can a customer tell the difference between the improved '05 S500's and the '04s?

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

The new PITCH square bolts should be a dead giveaway...

[Racer8 0]

Perhaps the new Mission L7? Honestly, I went from Mission Pureflys to Graf 735s and I consider the move to be the worst hockey equipment decision I have ever made. I could skate well in both skates but the Pureflys were much more comfortable and easier to break in. The Grafs just broke my feet. For what it's worth, I've never been disappointed in any Mission products that I've owned.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Graf 705 to Mission S500 will be the easiest transition. The fit is almost exactly the same, as well as the cut. The L7 will be good for guys switching from Bauer.

[biff44 0]

some of the junior B teams in our area get that much ice time. Practice four or five days a week, one to two hours, then two games over the weekend. When highschool hockey season starts the ice time gets harder to find, so the practices go down to 3 or 4 times per week for a few months.

[JGraz15 55]

Mission skates will be the very similar to your Grafs...I would go with the S500...I think you will be surprised.....

Justin - have the issues some of the board members had with the S500's been corrected? (i.e. tearing leather, etc)

[ambro 0]

I also recommend S500's. The only other skate I think I would consider is Bauer 8090's, and even though they seem to be more durable than Vapor's, I am still wondering about them simply because they are still so light.

[mojo122 541]

I also recommend S500's.  The only other skate I think I would consider is Bauer 8090's, and even though they seem to be more durable than Vapor's, I am still wondering about them simply because they are still so light.

Aren't the L7's going to be in the same weight category as the 8090's?

[Accord 0]

The L7 will be good for guys switching from Bauer.

Does the L7 (or pretty much all Mission skates for that matter) have high arches?

[ambro 0]

I also recommend S500's.  The only other skate I think I would consider is Bauer 8090's, and even though they seem to be more durable than Vapor's, I am still wondering about them simply because they are still so light.

Aren't the L7's going to be in the same weight category as the 8090's?

I don't know. I don't like the L7's looks, or their high-cut, so I haven't looked at them too closely.

[PH_Hockey2 4]

With all the talk about the S500 i might try on some Missions too.

[kosydar 0]

If I'm coming off of 705s in a 9W, what size S500 would I need? I have a little extra room in my 9Ws, but I'm not sure if its enough to go down a half size.