mrwizardno2

More as in they feel like sneakers. But not in the floppy, crease around the mid-foot kind of way. They're actually quite stiff feeling structurally - and have plenty of support.

Yeah, the forefoot was pretty unbearable. Once they were hot from the skate oven, it loosened up and is nearly what I'd believe to be perfect at this point. Here are two more pics. The eyelet is pretty far forward on the skate, well ahead of the tongue when the skate is laced. It's more the top of the boot itself where there is a leather / synthetic lining material that seems to have rubbed against it. When I flex forward in the skates as when skating, it's more obvious.

Just skated on the Mako IIs for the first time today! Overall, I'm extremely happy.... I just need to figure out how to keep them from scuffing the tops of my ankles. This pic isn't that great, but the skate definitely rubbed the area above both outer ankles raw. Other than this one issue, I'm completely satisfied. I went from a 10 EE in a Bauer APX down to a 9.5 D in the Makos.

I took the plunge today. Local PlayersBench store didn't have Mako IIs in my size, but they're on transfer from another store. Should be in next week. I tried on M8s to figure out my exact size, as well as a half size up and down from my actual in Mako IIs (Go figure they have practically every size but mine!) I'm impressed. I've never worn a skate other than Bauer. The way these feel on my feet is absolutely amazing. I can't wait to see what they're like baked and broken in! Thanks to everyone who's posted their experiences in this thread.

Not in your head. I just hopped on the ice today during the noon skate at the rink beside my office on brand new V-Steel with FBV and a custom radius I picked up from NoIcing - like nothing I've ever experienced. Crazy tight turns. Amazing edge control. I'm hooked.