AdamL

Wish I could easily take this quote and reply in the G-IV thread. Anyway. I’d understand if the front was popping up some in the RVH - most pads do that to some degree - but to hear you say they’re not sealing properly in the butterfly is a bit of a reg flag with regard to longevity IMO.

Thanks @Puckstopper, that’s hugely helpful. I would plan to use a professor strap if I go with the V9s, but to switch to the SLR2 style strap with the single piece of elastic and the magnetic clip. That’s at least in part because I find the elastic a pain to loop through once the pad is up on my leg, but also because the two layers of thick elastic made the pad actually feel too tight. Dennis said I could either add an inch to the V9 style strap or switch to the SLR2 style - can’t really go wrong either way. My biggest concern with the GIVs is that they appear to be a fairly loose-fitting pad, which seems odd IMO for a flexible pad. I’d be looking to do something to get that more connected feel, like adding Brian’s version of the professor strap, adding their optional calf straps, or even doing the full Optik 2 leg channel if that’s possible, since I also really like the calf pillow on the V9s. Like you said, though, either way I’ll be getting a great product and one that will no doubt be a big improvement over what I have now. The GIVs definitely win on looks, maybe that should be the tiebreaker. Look good, feel good, play good...or something like that.

Mind elaborating? I’m about to place an order and those are the two most under consideration. I’ve been leaning toward the V9s with the “extra stiff” option in the thigh rise and the SLR2 knee stack to firm things up there as well. HD foams on the landing side and a couple minor strapping changes, but nothing too crazy. My local store doesn’t have an G-IVs to try on, unfortunately, but I really like a lot about the senior version of the V9. I also preferred the 2-piece V9 glove to the G-Netik 3 glove they still have on the racks. I’d probably go with the 12.2s if they were going to be released soon, but if orders can’t be placed until spring and deliveries don’t start until late summer or fall...I really just don’t want to wait that long.

I’m sure you’re right, but I’ve talked to a couple goalies locally who switched to the Vertexx runners and really didn’t like being pitched so far forward. The Pro Gs or whatever the next iteration will be should be around for awhile, the current stock of DM1080s won’t be.

Wouldn't be surprised if I end up in a pair as well within the next year. I'm not sure I'd like being pitched forward, so I wanted to get a pair of skates I knew would feel familiar in case I don't like the newer style holders. Glad you're loving the skates! They're a great option, especially in price relative to the custom options from some other manufacturers.

You think so? Granted it's been a few years since I last wore my old Goaler Pros, but compared to my current CCMs these things are an absolute dream. I'll probably bake them again just for good measure, though, these things are REALLY stiff, but thankfully do still offer a tremendous amount of ankle flexion.

That's great! Although you're making me regret picking up a set of DM1080s during the black Friday sales. Shoutout to Goalies Plus and Vaughn/Graf in Michigan for having those to me in 48 hours.

Those look great! Congrats. Any custom options/specs?

Thanks, definitely missed that.

@Chenner29 How’s the new sizing treating you? Also, what’s the proper method for getting a FTK measurement? If I stand with my knees straight my measurement is 20”, if I bend my knees so my knees are over my toes and drop the tape measure down to the floor like a plum line, it’s 19.5”. Which is the correct way to do it? Seems I’ve seen both.

Whelp, the G9035s arrived today. I received the wrong size and width, unfortunately, so hopefully I can get that resolved quickly. I took a quick measurement of the steel on the Grafs versus the CCMs and while it's tough to tell how much of a difference there might be in radius, the steel on the CCMs is a full inch longer from point to point. The radius on the Grafs does seem like it's smaller too, they rock back and forth more easily on my workbench than the CCMs do even after several dozen sharpenings. Lean angle seems about identical. I certainly wish I would've just bought these from the start. Goes to show you should just buy exactly what you want up front rather than cheap out and try to pick up something else on clearance.

Quite possible. I’m excited to see how these G9035s play in the cowlings versus my CCMs. At the very least they should be way more comfortable and have a tighter fit in the heel, which I desperately need. If I still have to get the steel radiused (if that’s a word ), so be it.

@Chenner29 What's your FTK measurement? I'm right at 20" and if I go with the 20.1s I'm unsure if I should go with the 32" or size down to 31" and maybe add an extra .5" or 1" to the thigh rise. The size chart indicates I'm on the lower end of a 32", but the way these seem to fit I still worry they'd be too big.

Thanks! I was actually asking @benner33 why he preferred the True 2-piece skates to the Graf Pro Gs, but that's really helpful. I'm in a relatively similar situation, although maybe not quite as bad yet. For the past couple years I've been dealing with some hip pain on my left side, and I worry going with a taller skate will only make that worse. I've had some on-and-off success with myofascial release therapy and dry needling, and a percussion massage gun has helped quite a lot too, but I've still never been back to 100%. No MRI yet, but I imagine I have some structural issues brewing. I went ahead and bought a set of these G9035s, I'll probably just play in the cowling, but cool to see that I have options if I decide to go cowlingless. With regard to your choice of radius, do you know how that compares to the standard steel that comes with the Graf Cowlings and the Pro Goalie 3.0 SS steel that comes with the Pro Gs? No idea what's on my CCM skates, but it's WAY flatter than the steel that was on my old Grafs. Looks like the Pro G's come with a 30' radius, and maybe an even shorter radius farther in on the blades that what you've gone with in the XSG holders. I never even knew the radius on some steel could be changed until I got these CCMs and wondered why I couldn't skate worth a damn anymore.

Mind elaborating? I played in Graf Goaler Pros from my first competitive days in high school up until just a couple years ago when I switched to some CCM 6092s, honestly just because they were on clearance. Aside from the improved lean angle I despise them in every way, from the fit of the boot to the profile of the blade making me feel like I'm completely stuck in the mud. Considering either picking up a set of these G9035s or maybe going full modern and getting some Pro Gs. Thanks!