althoma1

I was thinking the same thing. The lace wrap also makes me cringe, but hey; he's a pro and I'm just a crappy beer league player. So if it works for him then it works.

See the post in this thread from Nov 30th - I linked to it above for easy access. It's possible to repair it if you find someone who knows what they're doing.

The Tron Visors are fine. I used to use one when I first started officiating and it worked well. I switched to a Bauer Pro clip to have one that is CSA certified for Hockey Canada insurance purposes, but I don't notice a big difference in vision or performance. It is convenient to be able to take the visor off to clean it and replacing a scratched visor takes seconds rather than minutes. I use a helmet bag to protect both the helmet and visor.

Custom guides. There are companies with very detailed custom options, but they don't always have detailed images and descriptions of those options. Warrior custom sticks is one example; they offer a lot of stick finishes, textures and curves, but I don't see any pictures or detailed descriptions beyond the names in the customizer tool. There are threads here where members have helpfully posted pictures of grip types, but you have to search through a very long thread to find the images. Having a walk through for various products (Warrior custom sticks, Warrior custom gloves, Base custom sticks, True custom skates) with detailed descriptions and pictures of every option would be helpful for anyone ordering a custom product. As mentioned, most of this information is available in various threads, but taking all of that out and putting it in one or two posts on one page would be great. Of course, having all of those available on the manufacturer pages would be great as well, but I think there are currently gaps. It's fantastic to have a lot of options, but it's hard to decide what to order without having full descriptions and pictures of those options.

Glad to hear they're remaking them smaller. Did they determine how the original sizing was so off? Was the scanner incorrectly calibrated or was it another reason? Was the solution of foam taped in addressed? I hope the remade skates fit perfectly and work well for you, but I am still curious to know how the first skates ended up so large.

I am not a mounting expert. If your LHS says there is a mounting issue; I believe you. It's obvious to everyone they're too big; so they should be remade with an accurate scan and measurements and a new holder would have to be mounted at that time anyway (as you'd likely go down a holder size).

I'm not seeing holder issues on Smu's skates either, but it's obvious from the pictures of your feet on the insoles and the sizing difference between your old skates and the Trues that they're at least a full size too long. That's definitely a big issue that shouldn't be solved by taping some foam in the end. The skates should be remade at the proper length. If you have holder mounting requests then do that at the same time, but any holder issues seem minor compared to the obviously way too long skates.

If you read through earlier posts in this thread where people mention sizing, most people are the same size in Makos as current Bauer models. There are a few people who go up a half a size (I'm one of them - I found a 7.5EE would be the best fit for me in Bauer and wear 8EE in Makos.); so there's no guarantee without trying them on, but it seems about 90% of the sizing posts mention consistent sizing between Bauers and Makos as far as length goes. So your best bet is a 7D Mako if the 7D Bauers fit well. They'll likely feel too small before you bake them and you may have a hard time even getting them on; you won't know if they actually fit until you have them properly baked. If you do decide to grab a pair of 7D Makos, I'd recommend going for the second generation Mako II (or it's little brothers the M8 or M7) vs. the original Mako. There were durability issues with the original Makos that were addressed with the second release. The padding on the originals had a tendency to compress on the outside near the ankle and many people also had cracking issues with that model. I'd jump on the FB deal for $375 CAD for the Mako II, but wouldn't consider the originals for anything more than $150 as they just don't hold up as well.

It's very easy to replace the extendon guards (unscrew and then screw in two bolts - it takes less than 5 minutes), but it would be hard to find new ones since the skates have been discontinued for years now. If you needed to replace them, you could look for a cheap used pair where the guards are in good shape and use those as a donor/parts skate. With that said, I've used a few pairs of Makos (for inline, ice and to officiate) for the past 4 years or so and have never had to replace the tendon guards. I did take a pair of tendon guards off the one pair of roller conversions I retired just so I have the spare parts if needed, but haven't needed to use them.

Makos fit a half size larger than old Synergy skates. So if you want a snug fit in the Makos go with a size 9. If you want more space you could go with a 9.5. Personally, I would go with a 9 since they're designed based on a zero negative space concept and are VERY responsive to heat.

Yes, everyone has their own fit preferences. Did you also wear a 7.5 in the Makos when you were in them?

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.

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

As a big Mako fan myself, I have to agree with the others on finding something else that works if he's in skates that small. You may be able to find a pair or two that works for the next year or two, but after that it will become almost impossible to find them. So unless you can find a pair in almost every single size and are prepared to buy them right now then it's probably best to move on. If it was for someone whose feet have stopped growing, or at least almost stopped growing then it's easier to stockpile. With that said, here are the best leads I have if you're still determined to go the Mako route: https://www.kijiji.ca/v-hockey/belleville/mako-2-jr-skates-size-4d/1384639143?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true That's a 4D Mako II for $125 CAD plus whatever shipping would cost to your location. You could potentially also contact this seller on FB, but I believe they have mainly senior sizes 8-11: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/507918219628585/

Yes, I think the Mako II was a big improvement over the OG Mako.

You're right, it does appear to have a lower, more anatomical toe cap compared to current and previous Bauer skates. The toe cap is another thing a little reminiscent of the Mako line. The separate outsole is the part that still makes me think it isn't Mako based as a whole, but they may have taken some inspiration from the Mako toe cap.

Bauer does own the rights to Easton hockey tech, however; I don't think they're using Mako tech. I think the heel is certainly reminiscent of the OG Mako (and even the M7 and M8 to some extent) and it does look like they have a flexible tendon guard, however; they also look like they still have a separate outsole and use curve composite. A shiny heel isn't exactly patented tech and multiple companies, including Bauer, have been using flexible tendon guards. So while I'd love to see another Mako based skate released, I don't think this is it. I would love to be wrong though.

Just avoid Ups and FedEx ground ect. so you aren't hit with brokerage fees. If you get them to ship via Canada Post I wouldn't be worried about any large fees. I have shipped skates in the past to the US via Canada Post (with tracking and insurance of course) and have received skates and other products via USPS without issue. Once in a while there is a small processing fee and tax, but often there's nothing. In my experience, it's only Ups, FedEx ground and other courier services that have the large brokerage and custom fees. With that said, if you're more comfortable shipping to Windsor; go for it.

I asked them if they had my size, 8EE, and they said they had 8.5D in the Mako II and 8D, 8.5D and 8.75D in the OG Mako. No 8EE for me (I already have a few pairs anyway), but I am glad they have the 8.5D you were seeking. For anyone else looking, they said they also have many sizes between 7 and 11. You can contact them to ask about certain sizes.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/507918219628585/ There is also this FB Marketplace listing that says they have multiple sizes of the Mako II for $375 Cad.

If you look a few pages back, the las vegas ice center pro shop has Mako II and OG Makos in various common sizes, but they're asking $455US for the OG Mako (according to an email I received when I asked about stock for 8EE) and $600 for the Mako 2 when anothe member phoned them. http://www.lasvegasice.com/CONTACTUS.aspx

The issue with the padding compressing around the top of the boot sounds exactly like what happened to my heavily used OG Mako conversions. I knew the M8 was the closest to the OG Mako out of the newer skates since it uses the same tongue and metatarsal guard, but I would've hoped the padding would've been upgraded. I did not experience the padding compressing on my heavily used Mako II's, but those were almost exclusively used for officiating. So it sounds like for you, the Mako II and M8 have essentially the same performance, but the Mako II was more durable. That's good to know. The M7 also seems to have similar performance - the jury is out for me regarding durability since I've only used those for about a month.

I own the Mako 2, OG Mako and have used both the OG Mako and M7 for roller conversions. I did briefly own the M8, but in an 8D and I need an 8EE. I tried baking the 8D, but it didn't get wide enough for my forefoot. The biggest difference I notice is between the original Mako and other models. The other models are all stiffer and the ankle padding holds up better. I've only used the M7's for roller for about a month now, but so far I'm VERY impressed. They're only a bit heavier than the OG Makos, but feel about as stiff as the Mako 2. The thick felt tongue took some breaking in, but now it feels good. I didn't know if the M7's would mold to my feet as well as the Mako 2 or OG Mako, but they did. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the M7 skates and the M8 are one model up from those. The M8 use the OG Mako tongue (not the thick felt tongue) and metatarsal guard, but have the improved ankle padding and are a bit stiffer than the OG Makos. I don't think there's much drop off at all in performance between the Mako II and M8. It's really just the 25% fibre glass content, a slightly thinner insole and a different tongue. The weight difference is marginal and the performance difference should also be marginal. If you can find the M7 or M8 in your sons size in new or like new condition; I would buy them. The only versions I'd be hesitant to grab unless they're at a very low cost are the original models.

Yes, the same company that owns Tron owns Verbero. That happened earlier this year. They also seem to be clearing out most of the old Verbero products during their different sales and don't seem to be replenishing stock. I don't know if this means they just bought the leftover product and aren't producing anything new or if they'll produce some new and existing products in the future.