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This thing reads like one of those “articles” that is actually a paid advertisement.

I also want to point out that there has been a lot of mentioning of the Mako, especially by me. But, for good reason. Some of us are hoping the TF7/TF9 can fill the gap that was opened up when the Mako was discontinued. Some of us had finally found a skate we loved. I don't WANT to buy custom skates. I truly envy those that don't need to. The Mako is still to this day the only retail skate I've ever worn that didn't hurt.

Nope. Actually, yes. Or, at least that was definitely the case for me. Maybe my foot was just the right shape for the Mako, but those things were so comfortable. If True retail skates are as thermoformable as the Mako was, I won't need to go custom (speaking as somebody who wears custom VH right now).

Hi guys - Steve from Sparx here. There's really no need to do anything different when starting up your machine after a few months. Like a lot of you, some of our machines were unused for a few months and there's no issues in starting them right up and sharpening. Thanks!

I tried on all of the Bauer and CCM skate lines and even demoed some at Modsquad events. None of them fit my feet as well as Makos. Makos in D were still too narrow for my forefoot even after baking, but EE's are great. I definitely hope the True retail skates fit similar to Mako. If the TF7 is as responsive to heat as Makos none of the CCM and Bauer skates can really compare for value at it's price level. The next cheapest one piece boot in stores would be the CCM FT490 and that's almost twice the price of the TF7 and I don't think those are as responsive to heat as True's or Makos (although I haven't had those baked on my feet). The TF9 is also much cheaper than the top CCM and Bauer retail skates; so the value proposition seems really good. When my Mako II stockpile gets low, I'll try on all the latest models of all brands, but the True's definitely seem the most Mako-like. Before the retail models were released I was resigned to the fact that I might have to shell out for customs, but if the retail True's work then I'll be happy to save the coin.

Yep, if I continue hockey I’m definitely going to be trying a retail model.

Given the information posted, I'm going to say that you're problem is a combination of things. Cheap skates with poor structure and support, causing you to have to tie them way too tight to get that support because you are a new skater. If they are not fitting you properly, that will compound the issue. Burning, cramping, pins and needles, or numbness are usually caused by too much pressure somewhere on the foot restricting blood flow. It may even not necessarily be in the area that is affected either. For example, pain or numbness on the outside of the sole (pinky toe side) is often caused by too much pressure over the top of the foot because that's where the blood vessel is. IPv6 and others are correct. A skate should be supportive without having to crank it down. That relies on the thermoformability of the materials. Certain brands, like True or Easton Makos if you can find them, are made from materials that are a little softer and better shape to the foot. The higher price points from Bauer and CCM are made from materials that mold much better when heated. Doing what Vet88 suggests will definitely help you identify if pressure somewhere is the problem. It may be directly on the arch, it may not. When it comes down to it, you're a new skater, so your strength and conrol aren't developed yet. You're likely having to crank the skate down just to get that support, since you don't have it on your own yet. Part of that may also be because the skate isn't fitting properly. And a cheaper boot doesn't have as much support, meaning you have to tie them even tighter to get it. I would take the suggestions of IPv6 and Vet88. Skate with your skates very loose and see if the lack of pressure resolves the issue. Don't worry about your skating, you're only focusing on the pain issue. If that helps, then I'm going to suggest finding a higher end boot, whether it's a True or another brand, that will provide its own support. To that end, I'm also going to suggest getting an ice skate and converting it to roller. Much of the price of a premade roller skate is in the wheels, bearings, and frame. You're getting a significanty inferior boot compared to the ice version of the same price point. A higher end boot on model year clearance or even used is a great option to consider. You already have the chassis, wheels, and bearings so converting over should be easy and not cost too much.

I had similar issues as you. I tried everything and spent a fortune in the process. Every line from Bauer and CCM and a couple models of Graf and just couldn’t get anything that didn’t hurt after a couple minutes. I used to ask guys if just the walk out to the ice is supposed to hurt, because I had no reference point. Usually, my feet would eventually go numb and didn’t hurt at some point in the 3rd period. Then I got my hands on the Easton Mako. My first time playing a game (playing in a division higher than the beginner division I should have been in) I had my teammates ask if I had taken skating lessons. I laughed and told them no, I just had skates that didn’t hurt anymore. Pain was gone. They were so thermaformable that they were able to fit perfectly! It really was amazing. When I switched to goalie, I bought a pair of cheap Bauer goalie skates and, not surprisingly, they hurt my feet. Not as badly, but the movements are obviously different. I wasn’t about to go through the same BS all over again and since there was no Mako goalie skate i bit the bullet and went VH custom. Ended up being one of the best equipment decisions I’ve ever made. They feel like nice, well fitting hiking boots. A nice even pressure all around the foot that makes you feel supported but not jammed. And because of the foot wrap you barely need to pull the laces tight. I could skate with no laces in these things (and sort of have before when I had a lace come untied during a pickup game). Soooo... while I think True custom might work for you based on my experience, the TF7 or TF9 retail models might give you the same experience I got with the Mako. I don’t know if that’s helpful to you but figured I’d give you my story and you can decide what to do with it.

Warrior imo is the stiffest of the ones you listed. CCM seems on par for their flex rating. True used to be on the whippy side but right now is about on par with their ax9 line. Bauer is a touch stiffer imo but they are rated at 77 flex and not 75.

I had some free demos from them. They were terrible. Cant imagine anyone liking that trash. I gave them away to some kids who use them for street hockey now. They say they are a good street hockey stick. lol

Been around for about 5 years now without catching on. Think it was first marketed as AirBlade.

Love it!

I am still waiting for anyone to actually give real feedback from that brand...

To my knowledge it doesn't really work that way. Heat causes expansion.

Not if its fitting ok for the rest of the foot. If it's just the outside of a forefoot, he would be much better placed to get the boot stretched to meet that forefoot size and still have a good fit everywhere else. I just don't get why people go up in size when it hurts "here". Fix the "here" and keep the good fit everywhere else.