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My son has worn the Mako IIs for multiple seasons but last season moved to the M8s because that’s all we could find. Those M8s have taken a real beating — close to 100 Rep-level games and another 100+ practices — but they have held up remarkably well. I did change the blades to Step a few months ago (the original steel was getting low from all the sharpening) but to me that’s like putting new tires on a car. But there are a few problems. First, the one that bugs my son the most is that the rim of padding around the very top of the boot is pretty much shot — the fabric cover is worn through and the foam is cooked. Causes some uncomfortable rubbing. I’ve looked at it and can’t see how it could be viably repaired. Second, the toe caps are scuffed up pretty good from normal wear and tear but I’ve also noticed some hairline fractures that are bound to get worse. In terms of fit and performance, the kid says the M8s are the same as the IIs. He’s old enough to head down to our local hockey shop on his own and he has gone for a few re-bakes, usually just to deal with a hot spot that’s developed. Loves how easy it is to make fit adjustments. They really are extraordinarily pliable skates that respond so well to heat. My guess is that at some point very soon he will need to move into something else. But boy, where to find such an amazing fit and a nearly perfectly pitched CXN holder ......just so much intelligence went into the Makos. Everything else seems like his grandpa’s Oldsmobile.

+1

Hey Langkow, I recently switched from the AS1's to the Bauer 1X's because I was having some of the same issues. I had some pretty bad cramps in the bottom of my feet but luckily I didn't get to the point of blistering the way you have. However I can tell you that it probably wouldn't have been to much longer before I did. After having them the better part of three months and trying to make them work, I was beginning to get a lot of heel movement and my feet were starting to get chaffed up pretty bad. I tried baking them a second time and even different lacing patterns to make the skates tighter and all that did was affect my circulation and make my feet go to sleep. The AS1's are extremely stiff and I think they are a great set of skates if you have the right foot for them but from the sounds of it, you might want to look elsewhere. If you are inclined to stay with CCM, the profile of the FT1 might give you that fit and lock you are looking for. Even though I was reluctant at first to make the switch to the Bauer 1X, It was the best thing I could have done. The Bauer 1X's offset and anatomical ankle design has made a huge difference in the way the skates fit my feet and because of that, I am able to get these skate to do much more for me. I would honestly use your "90 day satisfaction guarantee" and go back to the drawing board. Just a thought.