Fitting into GRAF skates

[deems]

http://www.grafcanada.com/hockey_skates/

If you refer to the above link you can see how different models fit different feet. Not knowing this about Grafs before, I skated on Supra 370 and I had to only use the ankle part of my socks to keep my heel in place - the skate is for a wide heel. Clearly, I do not have those.

How can I properly fit myself? I do not live close to great hockey stores. I think the Ultra G5 sounds like the best fit but I really don't know until I've skated around a bit - I can't just buy every skate though.

Any suggestions? I am set on sticking with Grafs.

Another issue - lots seem to be sold out. As if Graf is releasing a new line for 2012? I think I only found 1 site with G5 in my size.

 

[hockeymass]

http://www.grafcanada.com/hockey_skates/

If you refer to the above link you can see how different models fit different feet. Not knowing this about Grafs before, I skated on Supra 370 and I had to only use the ankle part of my socks to keep my heel in place - the skate is for a wide heel. Clearly, I do not have those.

How can I properly fit myself? I do not live close to great hockey stores. I think the Ultra G5 sounds like the best fit but I really don't know until I've skated around a bit - I can't just buy every skate though.

Any suggestions? I am set on sticking with Grafs.

Another issue - lots seem to be sold out. As if Graf is releasing a new line for 2012? I think I only found 1 site with G5 in my size.

When you say you don't live close, how far away are we talking about? It's extremely important to get a well-fitting skate, worth even a decent drive. It's very hard (if not impossible) to judge the fit of a skate without trying it on. It's also a bad idea to be set on one manufacturer or line of skates. It's entirely possible that another manufacturer makes a skate that fits your foot much better.

 

[neksys]

My last pair, I probably tried on 15 different pairs. Ended up with some top of the line Eastons (2010 model on clearance), but if some 70 dollar CCMs were the best fit, I would have gone for them.

I'd rather have to replace a cheap pair of skates every 6 months than get years of use out of skates that hurt me because they don't fit.

This is a long way of saying - take the drive.

 

[Fanned On It]

I'm also looking into getting some Grafs because I have a super narrow heel and they seem to be the only skates with the level of customization I need. I'm in a pair of Easton S17 LE's right now and at first their heel-lock was phenomenal but now after breaking them in and the skates wearing down my heel is starting to slip and it really affects my balance on the ice.

 

[deems]

The drive is under an hour, however, that shop did not have a good selection. I usually order from Hockeymonkey and visit when I am in southern california. I will be in the Boston area and possibly Toronto in May and I know both have decent stores. I AM tempted to get the G5 - only one I found in 7.5. I've had plenty of skates, I'm not a rookie. Currently using Bauer x3.0 LE. I skate pretty hard and I think my skill demands more quality of a skate. I should mention that I have never paid over $250 for a pair. I'm a sucker for a new looking skate, too but perhaps it's only because I haven't found the perfect fit...if that exists.

 

[Jarick]

Well...frankly I wouldn't think it's worth getting the G series if you aren't properly fitted, because you won't be able to take advantage of the SIDAS insoles. So you can save some cash and get the very similar 705 model.

How do the Vapors fit for you?

 

[bp spec]

Well...frankly I wouldn't think it's worth getting the G series if you aren't properly fitted, because you won't be able to take advantage of the SIDAS insoles. So you can save some cash and get the very similar 705 model.

How do the Vapors fit for you?

You cant use the SIDAS in the G skates? Why?

 

[hockeymass]

You cant use the SIDAS in the G skates? Why?

No, he's saying that it's pointless because if you're not getting properly fitted then you won't be able to get the SIDAS footbeds molded.

 

[bp spec]

No, he's saying that it's pointless because if you're not getting properly fitted then you won't be able to get the SIDAS footbeds molded.

Oh, I didn't read that one properly. My bad.

 

[Stickmata]

The drive is under an hour, however, that shop did not have a good selection. I usually order from Hockeymonkey and visit when I am in southern california. I will be in the Boston area and possibly Toronto in May and I know both have decent stores. I AM tempted to get the G5 - only one I found in 7.5. I've had plenty of skates, I'm not a rookie. Currently using Bauer x3.0 LE. I skate pretty hard and I think my skill demands more quality of a skate. I should mention that I have never paid over $250 for a pair. I'm a sucker for a new looking skate, too but perhaps it's only because I haven't found the perfect fit...if that exists.

Assuming your location is accurate, go to HockeyX in Oakland and ask for Dane. Call ahead and make sure he is there. He will get you in the right Graf skate. They have a large selection and inventory.

I tried to do the fit myself the first time I bought Grafs and wound up skating on 703s that were not right for my feet for a year and a half. Finally went and got properly fitted and found the 705 is right for my foot shape, which is not the skate I would have expected would be best based on the Graf chart. Go try on a bunch of skates.

 

[thedonger]

Well...frankly I wouldn't think it's worth getting the G series if you aren't properly fitted, because you won't be able to take advantage of the SIDAS insoles. So you can save some cash and get the very similar 705 model.

How do the Vapors fit for you?

jarick, keep in mind that not all shops include the custom sidas with the purchase of g series skates. the few shops around here(nyc tri-state area) that carry graf all require an upcharge for them...although at a discounted price when buying skates.

 

[deems]

I really don't care about the sole. My problem has always been in my heel not staying in place. The Vapors X3.0 are ok - actually, within the last month I actually felt like the sole was made of concrete and that was the first time that there was discomfort under the foot. Does anyone know know what is a regular vs narrow heel? Is there a measurement?

Hockey Xsport was pretty disappointing. I didn't think they had a good Graf selection. I went maybe 3-4 weeks ago. Very few models compared to Hockey Monkey.

 

[Jarick]

No but if you need a narrow heel you might want to look a the 703 or 735 models of Grafs. I'm not great with foot fit though. I had Vapors and the heels were a little wide for me and the forefoot a little narrow, so I went G35's and heels are perfect. Forefoot was a little narrow still but a stretching took care of it.

 

[Stickmata]

I have a narrow heel and wore the 703 regular width for the last 18 months and it held my heel, but it also has the pronounced heel and it's really shallow, so unless your foot is that shape, it will likely not fit well. I switched to a 705 in a narrow and it fits much better. In GRAF skates a narrow width means a narrower heel only, not the forefoot.

703s are for narrow, very shallow feet with a pronounced heel.

 

[deems]

I had Vapors and the heels were a little wide for me and the forefoot a little narrow, so I went G35's and heels are perfect. Forefoot was a little narrow still but a stretching took care of it.

I don't know about the heel, but I also have had pain in Graf 370 and Bauer Vapor x3.0 in the forefoot. My foot isn't big so I figure just need to stretch as well. I'll hold off on buying Graf's until I can get to a good store with a wide variety and just try on different brands and higher end models. I always have to retie my skates after the warm ups or in the game. I can't remember when I didn't. Maybe with the pump up reeboks because my foot felt more snug in there. Might have to refer back to them.

 

[jsykes]

Well...frankly I wouldn't think it's worth getting the G series if you aren't properly fitted, because you won't be able to take advantage of the SIDAS insoles. So you can save some cash and get the very similar 705 model.

How do the Vapors fit for you?

G series skates DO NOT include the SIDAS insoles. If you're finding that at a shop, the shop is including them and they do cost extra. There is no deal from Graf to include SIDAS insoles with a G series skate.

So that is a non-issue.

 

[Jarick]

My apologies. My shop sold me G35's with free SIDAS and the 735's came with whatever their cheap insoles are, though you could trade in the difference for the SIDAS. Otherwise there was pretty much no difference outside 5000 holders and little bit of composite or whatever on the sides of the boots. My shop had the G35's on clearance and they were the slightest bit more comfortable for $75 more with free SIDAS, so I went with them although had the intentions of getting 735's.

The new G35's look different, more composite, maybe lighter in weight. That would be nice as my G35's are pretty heavy for high end skates, although I don't have any issues and after two years they are still going very strong.

 

[Greeneye]

I'm also looking into getting some Grafs because I have a super narrow heel and they seem to be the only skates with the level of customization I need. I'm in a pair of Easton S17 LE's right now and at first their heel-lock was phenomenal but now after breaking them in and the skates wearing down my heel is starting to slip and it really affects my balance on the ice.

I have the same exact thing going on with mine. I was down to the s17's and graf 735(?) and I went with the easton because they were cheaper and I've been wearing eastons for years. Definitely going to be my last pair.