Hammy1757

This is how i feel! Except I'm still really new to these skates. I've now played 7 pickup games in them. I tried Vapor XXX, Vapor 5.0, APX 2, CCM U12, RS Stealth, Mako (my favorite of the big brands). Everyone thought I was crazy with all the different skates, because most of this took place over one spring and summer. I play 5 days a week, sometimes 7 games (mostly pickup with one beer league night.) These skates are so comfortable, and there is no pain like I had before. These skates are def. it. Now I can spend my money on other things. Just to be clear, I owned all those skates I mentioned (sold all but the Mako, and Vapor 5.0 since). In the store I pretty much tried on EVERYTHING. Bauer Supreme (NXG and MX3), Graf, CCM RBZ, etc.

I love them, and everyone at the rink is fascinated by them. They are very comfortable. I've skated 6 pickups on them so far and I'm feeling a lot better on them. The flexible tendon guards are still very stiff, even after flexing them a little, but it doesn't bother me. The tongue feels a little funny on the top of my toes at the start of each session, like a slight tickle/rubbing on top because of where it sits? But that goes away as I play. I know they are adjustable, but I can barely get my hand in there to adjust them and i don't want to mess anything up right now. I'm still using the stock laces even though I've always used wax in the past. I'm very happy I got these. They exceeded my expectations.

I just did that as well. I was getting pinched pretty good on the right skate putting it on. It feels much better now.

The black holders look really nice!

I received my VH skates with CXN holders and ES4 steel Monday afternoon, I wasn't able to get my foot in them until after baking. I raced over to the rink, and had them baked and sharpened. I skated a pickup that evening. Even with the CXN holders and same steel, they don't feel like Mako I at all. I felt awkward at first, and my stride is definitely different in these. But they are so impossibly comfortable. Just, wow, amazing comfort. My left inside ankle is almost twice the size as the one on my right foot (took a bad slap shot off it 3 or 4 months ago), and it always bothered me in the Mako I. Since the injury I could never tighten my left skate too tight or it was murder, but with these skates, I can see where Scott pushed it out a little, they just feel like pillows on my ankle. The foam padding inside these is just so much better than the Mako I, and not as stiff as the CCM U+12 which actually hurt me a little. Putting these skates on is a little difficult, but not much, just a little pinch or scrape in the mid foot, but once your foot is in they're golden. I had zero pain after the first pickup. Tuesday night i played in them in another pickup, we only had a couple subs on the bench, so it was a lot of skating, and again NO discomfort whatsoever. I'm also starting to adapt to them, turning is fine, i feel more agile on them, but my stride just feels a little off rushing up the ice. I'm so excited about them I'm playing a 4th night in a row tomorrow (3rd skate on these) The flexible tendon guards are a little stiff like has already been mentioned, and the insoles are a little spongy. But I'm leaving them for now until i've skated on these a little longer. I'm also sticking with the regular laces, I usually instantly switch out to wax, but with these skates it doesn't feel necessary yet. Overall i'm thrilled with these skates so far. The current slight dip in speed is made up for in the comfort level, and I'm def. gonna start playing the back to back pickups on Mondays and Fridays again like I used to. I stopped doing that after I hurt my ankle because it would be too painful halfway through the second game.

I was so close to buying Mako 2, but they only had the one display skate in my size at the store. I ordered the custom VH Skates with the CXN holder, about 3 days after Affton. I'm actually at a point where I'm pretty well adjusted to my Mako I. The rubbing issue is rare now, it usually only happens if i play multiple games. I wear the bunga pads, and I use skate fenders (UGLY) and so i'm well protected. I can't wait til the VH skates get here so I can try them out! But i'll obviously keep my Mako I as a backup.

I had this issue when I first started using the Mako I. I tried everything. Solution: I got some high density foam pipe insulation from the local hardware store, and taped that around my ankles like a cuff (just on the very top where the boot rubbed). I then used a heat gun to soften the top of the boots. I then put them on over the pipe insulation which molded a little bit of extra space. I lost a tiny bit of heel lock, but nothing significant. And the skates were much better afterwards, although I get slight rub on occasion. Some people roll out the edges, but I noticed most skates have more space on the top of the boot, so this seemed like a better solution. I also wear the Reebok 20k Cut resistant socks (silver, with black feet, and green cuff)

Hockey Monkey in Irvine, CA baked Bauer APX 2 for me before the sale was final.

I finally ordered mine. I can't wait!