Skate rating: Graf, Bauer, Mission

I'm looking at getting a pair. If anyone can comment on their preferred manufacturer, and why?

I'm looking for some new gear.

Anyone have anything to say about Mission S500's?

How about CCM 652's with Reebok Pump?

Any Graf models.

$$$ in the S500 range.

I always hear bad about Mission and good about Graf.

If anyone could recommend, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

I have been a bauer guy for the last nine years so I am a bit biased. I have heard some really good things about the s500s, though. I believe similary to most Grafs they are a bit less stiff than many of the current high end skates available today(CCM, Bauer). I had the pump skate about 10 years back. It wasn't too bad...you just always needed to pump em up to get a snug fit. I would look into the s500s or s400s if I were you. Most importantly try to get a skate that fits your footshape right...then work form there.

well it all depends on the shape of your foot, bauer fit way different from ccms and missions. I skated the s400s last year and had nothing but good things to say about it. Good durability, comfy and had great protection. But again it all depends on the shape of your foot

Get whatever fits the best. You will get the most out of a skate that has the best fit.

THanks for the input.

I have a hard time finding the right fit for my foot.

I've had CCM's & Bauers in the past, they felt OK for me.

I'm thinking of the Pump so I can regulate the feel, got a cheap pair on Ebay, just to test them out.

I've tried on the Pure Fly's and they felt pretty good, so I'm looking at trying the mission S500's and see how that goes, the only part I'm worried about is the narrow front.

I've played soccer all my life and I've preferred to play with 1/2 size smaller shoes to get the snug fit I'm looking for, I'll play it by feel for skates, it's a hard feeling to match.

Thx

I've had Bauer and currently have Missions (S400s). I much prefer the Missions, they fit my feet much better and the break-in period has been much shorter and less painful than when I had the Bauers. FYI, I have wide toes and a narrow heel.

You can't go wrong with Graf, real quality product. Like many other posters reccomended though...get the skate that conforms to your foot the best. Graf has something for all shapes...they're like the New Balance of the skate Industry. :)

.

I've tried on the Pure Fly's and they felt pretty good, so I'm looking at trying the mission S500's and see how that goes, the only part I'm worried about is the narrow front.



Thx

The S500 is 4mm wider in the forefoot than the Pure Fly. I had Pure Fly's in EE width and they killed my feet. I now have S400's in EE width and they're awesome. Great fit right out of the box.

All of the manufacturers top line skates are very comparable in terms of weight and performance. Get what fits you best.

Hi, If you want vast info on all these skates try www.modsquadhockey.com and use the search funtion. There heaps of threads on skates. It also depends on what model of each brand you try ie Bauer 8090 are wider than Vapours, Graf models all fit differently. Also remember the new Mission L7 skate is out/comes out soon!

I'm looking at getting a pair. If anyone can comment on their preferred manufacturer, and why?

I'm looking for some new gear.

Anyone have anything to say about Mission S500's?

How about CCM 652's with Reebok Pump?

Any Graf models.

$$$ in the S500 range.

I always hear bad about Mission and good about Graf.

If anyone could recommend, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks


The Mission skates are outstanding. I've never worn the others so I can't comment.

All of the skates you mentioned are for completely different foot types, you need to ignore all the fancy features and figure out which brand and more specifically which skate is best suited for your foot type.

Do you have a wide foot, high arches, low arches, thick/deep foot, etc.?

I've been a Bauer guy for most of my life, but they always seem to take so long to break in, and I always have had rivet problems with them after a second season. I paid the extra money for a pair of Graf's this time around and was very happy. Quick break in period, and very stiff boot.

They also make a skate for almost every type of stride/foot, so you should be set as long as you get fitted by a good rep. I'd try to find a Graf friendly store and make sure they check your foot for the right model.

The new ccm and vapors are lighter, but I think the fit and stiffness of the Grafs make the difference.

I love Grafs...super light and stiff (err that sounded bad, hah). I had to get wides though as regular was too narrow.

I have wide feet, and wear a size 13 shoe. I had ccms regular fit, but pinch.

What are the best skates for a wide foot?

Cheers

I have wide feet, and wear a size 13 shoe. I had ccms regular fit, but pinch.

What are the best skates for a wide foot?

Cheers


From what I'm hearing the new Nike Flexlite series is good for wide feet as well as the Bauer 8090.

Bauer, Bauer and Bauer! But if Bauer didn't exist I'd say CCM. Graf is good, Mission are garbage and fall apart way to quickly.

Bauer, Bauer and Bauer! But if Bauer didn't exist I'd say CCM. Graf is good, Mission are garbage and fall apart way to quickly.
i'd have to agree... this guy knows his stuff. ;)

Vinny likes... ??? go with that.

i'd have to agree... this guy knows his stuff. ;)

Vinny likes... ??? go with that.

thanks buddy, I had to buy new bauers, my stupid ass nikes fell apart. so much money, so much crap!

:bow: Bauer for a wide foot, and CCM followed by Graf for a thin foot. :bow:

Graf all the way IMO... Been skating Supra 705's for the last 2 seasons and trust me they help your skating, and feel great. But whatever works for you, If you spend the money you will get good skates no matter what company you go with, just stay away from Easton, and i'd be leary of RBK...

Well I have had Graf 502's with Tblades for less than a year and I absolutely hate them. I don't know what it is about them, but I just don't feel good in them. I will probably go back to my old Nike Quest V12's. Most comfortable skate I have tried on in ages. A price drop to $199.99 CDN doesn't hurt either.

I ran into my cousin while I was browsing Perani's (a hockey store in Mi) a couple of months ago and he was freaking out about the deal they were running on CCM E-60s. They were $99 and my current skates were either too tight all the time (putting my feet to sleep) or too loose so I figured what the heck. I bought a pair and I have to say that they are by far the most comfortable skate I have ever owned. I'll sit there after games (drinking beer) forever without even bothering to take them off. My foot type is medium to small (size nine) and not really wide. This info probably won't help mr. size 13 wide, but I thought someone else might find it useful.

CCM E-60 @ Perani's (http://www.peranis.net/prodHome.ihtml?sid=1&cid=1&scid=1&pid=2183)

(..and no, I don't work for Perani's)

So for a thin foot with high arches, the Graf would be the one?

Each Graf model fits differently. I believe the 704 would be what you are looking for in a Graf skate. Try them on, see what feels best. I am currently in Graf 709 GW and couldn't be happier. I came from 609s and before then I couldn't settle on a skate because nothing else fit properly. I definately wouldn't recomend a 709 to a slimmer foot though.

Hmmm, how much are those Graf's anyway... Im pretty sure they are decently expensive, no?

Well I have had Graf 502's with Tblades for less than a year and I absolutely hate them. I don't know what it is about them, but I just don't feel good in them. I will probably go back to my old Nike Quest V12's. Most comfortable skate I have tried on in ages. A price drop to $199.99 CDN doesn't hurt either.

Where did you get V-12's for that price?

Nationals has had them on sale a few times (V-12s) first with the Z-Air Comps, then a week or so ago.

The Grafs are fairly expensive. Roughly $500 Canadian now around me (the 700 series) you can also go the E-bay route, but I am always a big fan of trying stuff on and using your LHS. For US prices try hockeymonkey.com they are the only US store I know of that carries Graf on-line.

Nationals has had them on sale a few times (V-12s) first with the Z-Air Comps, then a week or so ago.

The Grafs are fairly expensive. Roughly $500 Canadian now around me (the 700 series) you can also go the E-bay route, but I am always a big fan of trying stuff on and using your LHS. For US prices try hockeymonkey.com they are the only US store I know of that carries Graf on-line.
Wow... $500 is a big pill to swallow... I dond't think I should be shelling out more than $300 imho

Then I'd say look for last years close-outs. Go to your LHS and check out what they have. Buy the best fitting skate in your price range. Proper Fit will outweigh any technological advantages. 50 grams isn't alot to start off with, even less when its basically crippled in a skate too wide or narrow.

My last 2 pairs have been grafs with t-blades and I love them.

Know this, Graf does not sponsor any NHL players, nor do they give away free skates, if you see an NHLer wearing grafs, they payed full price, and they aren't getting paid to wear them.

Graf is the only company that does that.

I have been wearing Grafs for the last 2 years and they are awesome. I just wish I bought them sooner, CCMs were killing me.

Graf has been smart about staying with their traditional design that works and not trying to impress us with hyper design or techno features.

Important things to know about Grafs:

They are tilted slighly more forward. That posture is advantageous to forwards, not so much d.

The boot is cut fairly low, so if your ankle sits high above ground you will find CCM boot more supportive.

The toe cap is small in height, so expect more tightness around the toes. To me its a number one advantage.

Where did you get V-12's for that price?
US Dollars.

http://www.hockeygiant.com/ice-hockey-skates-senior-ice-hockey-skates---sizes-6---up.html

you should buy Easton's 1300c like i did, i installed t-blades too. :jump: For a whide foot Nike's flexlite are the bomb! the skate flexe's(duh!) so when you skate they give an extra push after the movement is done,and to answer the initial question, Graff is the way to go, super light, especially the 702, not very pretty but neither are the Missions or the BauerXXX.

My last 2 pairs have been grafs with t-blades and I love them.

Know this, Graf does not sponsor any NHL players, nor do they give away free skates, if you see an NHLer wearing grafs, they payed full price, and they aren't getting paid to wear them.

Graf is the only company that does that.




Spoken like a true sales rep! I'll verify that I've heard the same thing from one of Graf's master fitters a couple of years back. This should say it all.

Graf doesn't sponsor anyone, but it's not like it makes a huge difference. Teams pay for their stuff anyways, so its of no cost to the player. Very few players are actually sponsored. I prefer Graf because they have the most skates, for different foot types, at different price points.

Graf doesn't sponsor anyone, but it's not like it makes a huge difference. Teams pay for their stuff anyways, so its of no cost to the player. Very few players are actually sponsored. I prefer Graf because they have the most skates, for different foot types, at different price points.




you like them for the right reason then...When Sergei Fedorov left Nike and went to Graf he was expecting more than getting his skates paid for. What he got was a message from his agent telling him that they don't pay Jagr to wear em, so why would they pay Sergei?? I was told this by a source inside the Graf company. It shouldn't make a huge difference, but it just goes to show that these guys are making a living on their skates and some are taking less money because they prefer GRAF's product. ;)