Cosmic

I do not mean to troll, but I have had the opposite experience. Traditional skates cut off circulation in my feet because I need to really cinch them up. With Makos, since the wrap does all of the work to keep my feet stable in the boot, I can go loose. I went to an Easton Ranger Camp run by Dave Cruikshank, and he showed up how loose he does his top eyelet. You could have fit 3 fingers between the opening in the laces, and the boot itself, it was so loose. He said he wanted to do some crazy stuff with the top of the boot to better allow forward flex, but the company and he figured it would alienate more players than they have already (with the loose ankles, odd colors, etc.), so they just kept it traditional enough at the top. When I lace, I go loose at bottom, mid tightness around 3rd-4th eyelet, loose again, mid tightness at 6th eyelet (to get heel lock), then real loose the rest of the way. I just have to use my muscles around my ankles on turns to stay balanced, but that is fine I suppose. I had same experience. I did not mean or want to try, I just forgot my sleeves, and paid the price.

I heard that the CCM Tacks blade gets stiffer as you go down the blade. Does the RBZ Superfast blade also get stiffer as you move down it?

Why do the Euros get all the good stuff? (they get the extended elbow pad forearm guard too in the 20K elbows)

How do you care for this item, as the cup is permanently stitched in there? With my present jock, I take the cup out after each use, rinse and let air dry. I also wash the garment itself after each use. What do you do when the cup and the garment are fused? Rinse and air dry? Or run through the washing machine?

This is purely speculative, but I wonder if Makos are having a similar experience as other technology with early bugginess with each new model. Meaning that, the first batch is buggy, and then it takes awhile to get the kinks out. I heard all kinds of stories of the Mako 1s falling apart, liners coming out, skates degrading quickly, etc. I got my Mako 1 skates from a late batch of them (bought in December 2013), and mine are holding up beautifully, despite playing in as hot and humid an environment as I could find (right on the equator). Granted, I do keep my skates in my bedroom, where the A/C is running always when I am home, but still, the skates are golden (aside from Mako bump issues which I mitigte with gel ankle sleeves). So, I wonder if the same is happening with Mako 2- an apparent QC strategy of just seeing what is messed up, and then adjusting the machines at the factory as necessary for versions Mako 2.0.1, 2.0.2, 2.0.3, etc. Again, purely speculative, but part of the reason I am holding out to buy my Mako 2s; I will buy them when they go on clearance (this summer or next, whenever it may be), and hopefully get another pair of skates from a nice® batch, where these issues have been worked out.

Thanks for the tips about the Mako II clearance issues. Well if that is the case (that it will be so long until Mako IIs get their price drop), then I may just be in my 0.5 size too big Makos for another year and a half or so, provided they hold up. I have the Mako bump issue pretty well solved, do not really mind the color, and the comfort is just heavenly (with the ankle pads to keep the Mako bumps at bay). The biggest issue for me is that I am having my agility rating being massively underminded. In NHL 14 terms, with size 10.0 EE Mako IIs, my Agility rating is about an 82. With my 10.5 EE Mako I's, my Agility rating is about a 57. "Foot eye coordination" is taking an even bigger beating. With the properly sized Mako II's, I kick the puck to my stick so effortlessly; but with the too big Mako Is, I often feel apprehensive to even kick the puck, for fear I will just lose my footing and land on my butt. As long as I am not getting paid to play or sponsoered and thus not getting free gear, I think that the responsible thing to do is wait. Not that I have ever been known for being responsible lol.

I got a Mako story. So, I got this bruise on the outside of my foot, right below my ankle. Not sure how I got it, maybe these new sneakers that may be .5 sizes too small. Anyway, it is annoying, I feel it when I walk around barefoot or in sandals. I have not worn sneakers in the last couple days, since the doctor said to keep it from being pressed against. It was bad enough that I saw the doctor, a little dome protruding from the side there. So, I listened to the doctor, and did not wear anything that would constrict or rub against this odd bruise, except for the 1.5 hours that our team plays last night. It has been 5 or 6 days since I played (also last time I exercised and I just feel like I am getting too fat, so I needed to get out there and grind and sweat. No pain whatsoever for the 1.5 hours of the skate. No issue when I took off the skates either, like it did not get better or worse. And no pain at all today/ the day after. So, go Mako. (Still in Mako 1 that is .5 sizes too big; trying to hold out until summer 2015 when the Mako IIs drop to $459 and I can get 25% off online through HM, we will see if this attempt at self-discipline holds up.)

Are the logos stitched or heat pressed?

I made this mistake too with Mako I. I couldn't get into 10.0 EE, without baking, so I went 10.5 EE. Now, after having baked and stretched the boot, it is a bit long. Still fits good enough, it is comfortable and I can literally skate all day absent discomfort, and I can generate nice speed in straightaways, but agility is compromised and I feel goofy when cornering/ turning/ being dynamic. I only realized this because I wore 10.0 Mako 2s at a demo, and the difference in my agility is epic. Couldn't tell if top speed is same, faster or slower, but I felt like I would go about the same if I opened it up.

These look like fun- Trip to HM might be in order for tomorrow.

What is this? An ancient setup, or a future product? Looks awesome.

At.a clinic that I just attended, Dave Cruikshank was asked about them and seemed genuine when he said he couldn't believe how much quality/ high performing materials Easton put into them. He works for Easton, of course, and perhaps I just let myself get suckered in because I appreciate what the guy has done for ice hockey skates. He said M8 is a little heavier than Mako 2, I don't see weights up yet on any sites. Have you watched the IW reviews yet? I find those to be helpful in describing the differences. FWIW, if I only had $690 to spend then I would get M8 (I just placed an order for Mako 2s though).

URL=http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/IceCosmic/media/2014-06/2F77A538-C01E-4859-956B-71F3E870691F_zpshcwa5x7j.jpg.html] Both pairs of gloves 14 inch and brand new :) - Easton Synergy HSX and Warrior Franchise with shotblockers- pretty sure the Franchises are wide cuff but they do not say Pants are large Franchises. Not as comfy as the retail CCM RBZs (I just tried on a pair of XLs at HM and they felt unreal), but pretty nice regardless. Wore them at pickup a couple of nights ago and didn't even notice them.

I remember seeing the Hybrid for sale in May 2013 when I first started looking at gear as I was making my comeback. So, I am confused- if the Hybrid was available in 2013, then how is this a comeback in 2014? Then when go to the Bauer website, they just list the "Deluxe" cage, which seems to be the older version of the Hybrid/ same concept? Maybe I was looking at the Deluxe last year.Just trying to figure out what's what, and I just want the latest and greatest anti-fog if I am gonna try to make a switch to a visor. Regardless, I am almost certain to give this hybrid a shot. What's the best anti- fog for his visor (/cage)?I see all sorts of sprays and wipes, not sure which way to go.

Since I am not at home and do not have my laptop, I cannot DL the catalogue for whatever reason (on wife's iPad). So, is Bauer updating its hybrid visor/ cage combo, or is this going to continue to be the newest rendition for the next 6 months- 1 year? http://www.totalhockey.com/product/Hybrid_Shield/itm/15003-2/?mtx_id=0

Ahhhhh man, and I was hoping to be in Makos for the next 20+ years.

Wow- the elite padded short sleeve shirt is $115. I don't see the elite padded pants that I wanted- guessing they will be about the same.

Is Easton in financial peril?

Are you talking about the 37.5 stuff? I thought it was supposed to come out a couple days ago but can't find it anywhere- online or off- I will pay $10 shipping- where are you seeing the 37.5 stuff for sale online?

I was at hockey monkey today looking into this. 20k is by far the most protective pad that I saw on the wall- especially at the bottom where shin meets skate- nothing wraps above the ankle like the 20k. That are is key for me because I take a lot of pucks off that area when forechecking. It seems like the defenseman, when it lack of passing outlet, panics and fires a pass as hard as he can off of me as I am closing in, and I get caught on the inside of the leg as I am usually veering off at that point to avoid contact (I am a beer leaguer). In doing so, I end up taking pucks to the inside of my leg- which is fine, as long as puck hits pad and not me. For me, it is down to the nexus 8000 or the 20k- even the nexus does not come close in terms of the comprehensive wrap- but it seems to be #2 from what I saw on the wall. Nexus is much lighter, but lacking in that one area that I always seem to get hit, where 20k is the only pad that covers. Rbz is similar to apx2- slim, shallow fitting pad with apparently maximum protection gaps for the puck to smash up the vulnerable spots. I've been getting dinged up in drop in, so I am paying closer attention to these details (protection gaps). I just do not know if I want to haul around all the extra weight on the 20k- I wish nexus just had a better wrap on the bottom.

I never would have thought that people would even have had such strong preferences for holders. I would have just thought that people would prefer to just keep the stock/ factory set intact above all other considerations, just to ensure the best integrity of the holder being locked in. I personally cannot really tell if I like the CXNs or if I just like the skate itself (or both?).

Did you try on the Synergy HSX and/or the Synergy 80s? I am interested in the 80s, and curious if you got a feel for the airflow in these (the Synergy 80s). And yea those Mako II skates look so nice- minor improvements, maybe, but areas that were in dire need (ankle padding, tongue, heel lock, one tool adjustment, better moistrue wicking- lol 5 "minor" adjustments sure seems to be adding up). Can't wai til they go on clearance so I can pick me up a pair. Can't really justify that purchase as of right now, as I just got my Makos in December 2013, and I actually think I got a good pair (aside from the Mako bumps/ chafing, which I mitigate with gel sleeves, the boots seems to be holding up brilliantly).

Yea, funny thing (well, not sure if funny is the right word). For the first week or two after I got hit, I did not realize that it was the bolt that got me. I called IW and spoke with Chase, and described to him that I got this huge knot from a soft pass, described the area, and asked essentially "What the heck?" I mean, I had gotten hit by a much harder pass on my instep previously, and that did not leave a mark or anything. It stung, but the adrenaline in the moment just took the pain away and had me thinking more to the effect of, "Uh oh, is this gonna swell up and not let me put my skate on next game?" Anyway, the much harder pass off my boot left no problem whatsoever. So, when I talked to Chase, he asked if it was the bolt that got me. I explained that I was not even aware of this bolt= I mean, I knew there was a screw for the tendon guard, but I never put it together that this could act as a weapon against me. So, I put the boot on, and low and behold, and exact alignment from bolt to where the knot has formed. So yea, had I known that this could be an issue, I probably would have mitigated it and not gone out naked for the last 30 or so skates. There is one skate fender, the little mini one, that sits right on top of this bolt. And then my monster fender covers this area, as well as the rest of my foot, but it is just so uncomfortable and bulky. So, I need to figure out the next step. I hope and assume my ankle will make full recovery. The knot has definitely gotten smaller since 4 weeks ago, not sure if it has gotten smaller in the last week though.

It did not dig in at all. It caused a blunt force trauma which has me looking like I have an ankle, and then a mini-me ankle, almost 4 weeks after the fact. Crazy thing is, it did not even bruise that badly right after. I have seen other guys' feet aftr taking shots to the skate, and they have huge masses of black and blue. My black and blue was minimal, but I got a huge knot between bone and skin. All I am saying is, put something over the bolt- either a Shot blocker, skate fender, shin guard, custom protective extension coming off of a shin, whatever. And if no one does, then we will see more of this. It was a random play. I was forechecking and as I closed in, the puck carrier fired a cross ice pass right off my inner ankle. So, maybe we will not see a ton of pucks hitting this part of the skate, but when we do, the bolt will break bone if the shot or pass is hard. This was not a hard pass, from a guy who is a good skater, but is skinny and a bit weak otherwise. As much as I loathe them, I am wearing my SkateFenders again. Thinking about getting Shot Blockers as these are not ergonomic/ kinesio friendly/ anatomical at all. I got the biggest ones- the Pro Full Plus, and they just get in the way of natural motion. Alot of the energy must have been transferred into the bolt, which acted as a battering ram.