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Are you sure? Bauer and CCM claim that they use 3D scans to make custom lasts for each customer. They even have videos on YouTube showing the lasts being machined on CNC mills. According to discussions on this forum True do not make a custom last, but use an existing last, chosen from a large selection, which most accurately matches the customer's feet. As to longevity, a friend has Easton skates made from carbon fibre which he replaced when they started cracking after 8 years of heavy use. Before that he used cheaper skates which wore out after a year or two. Can others confirm that for example Bauer 1S skates only last one high level season, whereas Trues last much longer?

Meh…. I'm not buying it. A statement like that (bolded) gives one the impression that every facet of the skate is custom made to specs of each individual customer. That sort of process would take months and the cost would be astronomical. I highly doubt they operate like that. I'm also not buying they'll last longer. There is no real way to prove that.

To be honest, you should not have accepted them if they were to your liking. True will either try and fix the issue or make you a new pair of skates if they cannot correct the fit issues of the first pair. They have been very easy for us to work with.

True still builds their skates from scratch and from the inside out. Bauer and CCM pick a last off a shelf and then customize the last. The way the skates are built is entirely different between True vs others. In fact, most True skates will last you many seasons compared to other brands which just aren't built with the same materials that would allow for such longevity. For example, take a look at a pair of FT1 or Vapor 1X skates after a season of playing high-level hockey and then compare them to a pair of True skates. It will be clearly evident which skates are built with more durable materials.

First off, thanks for being patient. We are really close to opening the doors on this. I've had some questions on how we are going to format the reviews. We will be using Prosharp's methodology; what they do is have the skater rate each profile using their 1-5 rating, as posted below: The goal here is to get a balance between the 4 categories. You will fill the slots as you test the profile. So for instance, there's probably no way for you to get a 5 on mobility and a 5 on stability, but certainly you can get a healthy average between the two on the right profile. Profile 1 will be your control set. You will rate that first. If you know the profile, write it in. If the skates haven't been profiled, just write the model and put "stock" next to it. The tester will have their own topic, which they will start. You'll describe what you feel on each profile and then rate the 4 categories as you go along. I recommend doing it as soon as you get a good feel on them, and just making a post every time. Hopefully towards the end we will be able to determine how you got to your preferred profile. I do realize that there are times that people want a certain category over others. As in, you may feel that you may need more stability, so your focus is on that. Try not to think that way. Rate each profile on its own merit. You may find out that a healthy mix may be better than bleeding-edge.

Nike's run small I wear an 11 nike, 10.5 dress shoe and 7.5 nexus skate. I do like all my toes touching the top on my skates though.

I decided on Bauer rather than True for the rather prosaic reason that the Bauer custom shop is 25 miles away, whereas the True shop is 200 miles away, and fitting requires two journeys, one for the scan, and one for the heat moulding. I also have a very good opinion of the people at the local shop and quality of service is important when you spend that sort of money. I suspect many people in the south of England have made the same decision, certainly some friends who said they would buy True skates subsequently opted for Bauer customs after the local shop started doing them.

@Sniper9 I agree that the True scan seems odd. I have seen videos of people getting scanned. However, I don't think 3D scans are 100% foolproof. I have done the Bauer scan and it told me I should be in 8.5 which is half a size too long. I know JR said when he was testing the machine if you stood straight up and down it usually added a half size. You even with not being 100% happy with your skates you would still go back? Why? I agree within the next few years as technology increases I think the scans will get better. @Nicholas G I have seen the 'demo' pair or whatever you want to call it at the local Pure I will admit they are tanks so I can see that being a benefit. I do disagree though I have been in the same pair of Supreme 190s (MX3 season) for the last 3 years. Up until this year, I was playing in the highest level of men's league in my area and I am a former ACHA player. I am not going to say I am some sort of an elite skater or anything like that, but I think I skate pretty well. I usually play 2-4 times a week and my 190s are still in great condition. Maybe I am not as hard on my skates as others but as far as I am concerned the durability of my Bauers have met my expectations and I would say I should get at least another 3 years out of them. Also as @Leif stated are you sure Bauer and CCM are picking as last off the shelf because they are both claiming to making the skates off of a 3D print out of your foot. I heard it was True that was picking a last that was closest to peoples scans. I know True has more than 3 last maybe they have 1,000 I don't know so I am not saying they are closing their eyes and just hoping for the best but it is still not built off of a 3D print out of your foot. I know part of the issue with my original question is VH/True skates used to be the easiest way to get customs before the 3D scanning came into play. With Bauer and CCM you needed to find a shop with a fitter that you trusted and to be honest I don't even know how the process went. Bauer and CCM have only been building custom skates off of a 3D scan at retail for a few months so its tough to gauge them this early on all I know is what my friend has said about his custom CCMs. I mean this thread alone has 160+ pages so there is a lot of dialogue about these skates so there is just a ton of info. Anyone else on why they decided True over Bauer or CCM?

Based on the measurements and previous skates, I'd guess you're a size 9 in the Mako. Size 9 Makos use 280mm holders. Size 8.5 Makos would have 272mm holders and would likely be too short.

I'm 100% all for streamlined gear for many reasons. I agree that the drop and block can be boring but its generally playing the percentages. Analytics these days, etc. That said I don't want the gear to be less protective either. What they really should (and should have already) be doing is working on newer technologies. New foams, plastics, and other composites where they can make everything smaller but no less protective.

Are you sure your foot measurement is accurate or do you like to wear your shoes extremely tight? Try putting a piece of computer paper against a wall, put your bare foot on the paper against the same wall and then mark the end of your longest toe. Then measure the distance between the start of the paper (that was against the wall) and your toe mark. Do this for both feet. This will remove any possible tracing errors. The reason I suggest this is that most people with an actual 28cm foot would wear a size 11 shoe, but fit preferences and brands can vary. It doesn't hurt to double check though. Did the 9.5 Synergy skates fit so your largest toe brushed the cap or did you have a little room?

Here's my sizing: Mako size: 8EE The Mako box for this size says they're for 9.5 shoes, but I wear 10W dress shoes, 10 sandals and 10.5 running shoes. I know the 8.5 Mako that would be suggested for size 10 would be too long for my feet. Easton's general guidance for skate to shoe size is 1.5 sizes down, but that's only a general guide and not an exact science or guarantee (some people prefer their shoes with more room than others and different brands and models have different fits). Trying skates on is of course best, but if you can't do that then measuring or using other skates that fit well with your toes brushing the cap would be a better idea. Foot length: 26.7 CM or 10.5 inches CCM Brannock Device Measurement (the metal measuring device most shops use): 8 Bauer Supreme size (not a perfect fit for my foot as the forefoot is tight and the heel is wide for my feet, but the length feels about right): 7.5EE (a lot of people seem to fit the same size in Makos as they do in Bauer's; for me, a half size up in the Makos feels correct. My toes barely brush the cap, my heel is locked and I've used Makos for over 2 years and still love the fit. I've only demoed Supremes in 7.5EE and never owned them since their overall fit isn't ideal for my feet). When I was sized for Supertacks when they had the try some on and get a free hat promo, an experienced fitter at a good LHS suggested 8EE would be the size to try on (they felt tight on my forefoot where the boot meets the cap and I didn't quite feel the end, my heel was locked in well though). You could measure your feet in CM and then use the sizing charts on this page to get your sizing close, but it's still a gamble buying without being able to try them on: https://www.icewarehouse.com/lc/icehockeyskatesizing.html