krisdrum

Thanks. Video worked. I don't speak or understand french, so just going on the visual. I'm new to the sport, so maybe don't understand the nuances, but not seeing alot of difference from the mechanics of the machines I mentioned. The skate sits in a holder, a grinding wheel on an arm comes up to meet the blade and sharpen it. Here the holder moves, in the other machines the wheel and arm move. I get this isn't intended for home use, but what makes it more accurate than machines that use similar mechanisms? Is there less deflection in the system, so less variability? And I guess as a bigger question, at what point in accuracy can the user no longer feel/notice the difference? Didn't intend any disrespect, but just struck me as funny how "flowery" the translation was of the benefits of this machine.

Talk about expletives laden marketing speak. Make Hockey Great Again, by the hair of my chinny chin chin. Can't get the video to work, but the opening frame makes it look alot like a non-portable version of a Sparx or ProSharp Home.

Another great post Mark and follow up by Vet. I'm in the same spot you were in about a year ago. Been waffling on giving the sport a real try for a few years now, in my case, my son being the inspiration. Looking to make 2017 my "year of skill". Mark - your posts continue to be an inspiration and provide great insight into learning the game. Vet88 - I'm seeing the pattern in your suggestions. 1) Skate a lot (ice or roller) 2) Stick handle a lot (ice, roller, dry land) 3) do the 2 skills together as much as possible. Considering so much of this game is about creating time and space and getting to open ice (with or without the puck), that totally makes sense to me. Need to start looking at roller blades. Already have the biscuit.

Mine click now and then as well. I've tightened the steels also. I'd be interested if anyone has any insight as well. As for the difference, I don't recall there being much. M8s have a hard plastic metatarsal guard on the tongue. Oh and I think a full carbon chassis, versus carbon and fibreglass. For me, there wasn't enough of a difference to justify spending more. But I am a beginner, so feel free to take that with a grain of salt.

Cool, thanks. I tried some hockey specific inlines last spring, but the fit was not right and they gave me awful lacebite, so I gave up on the idea. Those set me back $150 for entry level skates. Doing something like this with a soft boot that should require minimal break-in and at less of an investment sounds like it is worth investigating further. Thanks.

I think this is the first time I am reading this advice from you. Just to clarify, a "soft sided" inline skate is anything that doesn't have a full plastic shell to it? I see a lot of models with fabric sides but strategic plastic reinforcement for support, etc. Something like that is what you are suggesting, right? This makes alot of sense to me. Maximize your time moving, using a lot of the same muscles and controlling a puck simultaneously.

I've got a Jofa that my brother in law gave me when I first started skating a few years back. Love the way that thing fits. Nothing else I've tried has come close. I've considered throwing a cage on it.

Yep, VH is definitely on my radar, not that I need new skates any time soon, fingers crossed. And I would need to get WAY better before I could justify that expense. Are the Super Tacks and Jetspeed FT1 going to have the same moldability and minimal negative space fit parameters? I have really weird feet that have been a bear to fit in just about anything on the market. So keeping up with this kind of tech in skates will be important to me going forward. I just started skating about 2 years ago, so finding boots that fit has been a long frustrating process on top of learning the balance and mechanics. I tried the current Jetspeeds on (forget which model, mid-bottom of the line probably) and barely got them laced up before I wanted to rip them off my feet. Super uncomfortable.

I'm actually kicking myself for not getting on the bandwagon sooner. By far the best fitting, most comfortable skate I have found in my short skating career. Sad to see them going the way of the Dodo. Hopefully mine hold up for awhile.

Quick update. Still no movement on the hard carbon in the heel. But I was able to further adjust fit in the heel, just above the hard carbon. My left heel is pretty narrow coming up into the Achilles. So I still had more play and less heel lock than I wanted after a few skates in them. Last night, took the heat gun out, took the tendon guard off (key for getting to the area I wanted movement in). and was able to really nicely pinch in the very back of the heel area above the carbon heel cup. Hopefully will skate on them this weekend, but my quick step in post adjustment and cooling is feeling very promising. It may need a bit more tweaking on the sides of my heel, but I am purposefully making small adjustments step by step. So far, unlike the above poster who is breaking up with his Makos, these are the best skates I have found in fit for my wacky feet. Add the incredible thermo-forming abilities and I am one happy camper. After only a few sessions I am feeling way more comfortable and competent in these than I ever did after a year in my Grafs and very close to the same feeling I had after over a year in my Vapors. Granted, I learned alot with those previous skates that I am sure is carrying over to the Makos, but to my delight, the transition has been a real pleasure.

Mike, I've switched skates (from Grafs to Easton Makos) and the pair I have are too thick. Tried them last night (they do have the shim adhered) and my toes felt really cramped. Any suggestion on modifying the pair I have? Can I get the shim off without doing damage to the insert? Or do I need to open my wallet? I did like them quite a bit in my Grafs, so am assuming the Makos will have the same favorable results.

Sorry, just seeing this. Was away for the holidays and didn't even get a chance to skate in these until this week. I was not able to get the hard carbon area to move for me, at least not that I could tell, whether with a heat gun or re-bake. It sure as heck gets hot though, ouch! In the heel I was able to get the upper, just above the hard carbon to come in for me, and although the jury is still out, I think that addresses my fit needs. I skated with them yesterday for an hour and then re-baked the left skate last night using compression bandages and some clamps to get them as conformed as possible. I'd already spot heated the right skate and compressioned/clamped the heel in them a few weeks back. If the arch is too high for you, pretty sure you can heat it (from the inside and outside of the boot) and push it out with the butt-end of a screwdriver or thumbs. There is a video out there from Easton showing this method. Might be worth giving it a shot.

Yep, thanks. I've done that method with other skates. Was trying the subtle approach first this time around. We'll see tonight how it worked out.

Quick report back... results largely untested. I did my work last night with my foot out of the boot. I was mostly focusing heat on the carbon lower heel section and just above where the reinforcement band runs around the upper heel before angling down towards the sole. Heated them for probably about 5-8 minutes per boot. The carbon section was super hot so grabbed a dish towel to protect my hands. Interlaced my fingers and used my palms to squeeze the heel in. I could feel it giving a bit. Certainly not the play-doh feel of the upper after a full bake, but it did soften. The upper heel band area softened more in comparison. Squeezed and massaged for a good 5 minutes or so and then set aside once it had started to cool a decent amount. Unfortunately by the time I got through both boots it was pretty late, so I put them aside for a bit. Did slip one boot on as I was getting ready for bed, but I was barefoot, so not an accurate sense. But based on that quick slip on and tie, I think I managed to get them to come in a bit. Will give them a full try-on tonight with socks after work to assess just how much things changed. Depending on those results, will figure out if I need to get a bit more aggressive with the heatgun and a clamp.

Good to know. I'm going to try it first just hands and see where that takes me. Appreciate all the sage advice.

Yeah, agree. My assessment last night was going 1/2 size down would be too tight. Thanks for the video. Have never done that method, so will give it a look. I've used clamps PLENTY to help narrow things. I have a super narrow heel and wide forefoot for the length of my foot, so it is pretty normal for me to need to either stretch the forefoot or clamp the heel as NO ONE makes a last that matches up exactly with my foot. I plan to spot heat the heels with a heat gun tonight. Hope to not use a clamp as I've seen it do damage. Hoping with how moldable these get with heat, I can get away with some good palm pressure or simple pinching. We shall see how realistic that is. Fingers crossed.

Pen/pencil test done. Able to get the pen all the way down, but with some effort and it was held there with slightly uncomfortable pressure. No play front to back except the flex of the pen shaft itself. Came back out with a bit of effort. And that was with toes firmly against the front of the boot. Paid a bit more attention to feathering the toe cap once laced up tonight, and standing straight, I am just barely touching. Bend knees and it pulls me right back. Overall width is good, wore them for about 30 minutes around the house, standing and move with no real discomfort. Heel is a bit too wide, and the pocket is a bit too high, so will give it a bit of heat gun and massage tomorrow to see if I can narrow it a bit. Even with that, the heel is pretty well locked in, so I don't think it will take much to sure that up a bit more. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but things are continuing to look positive. A/Bed them with my Grafs and those feel like boats by comparison. Big and clunky and excessive. The Grafs have amazing heel lock, but that is their MO and I've worked with them a bit to get them there. The rest of the boot is not nearly as comfortable or form fitting and feels less supportive, especially up around the ankle.

Cool, thanks. Makes sense. Agree, my old Vapors had a much narrower non-anatomical toe cap. So I bet you are right on actual length not being different between the Mako and the Vapor. Just feels different because of the design. I'll try the pen test tonight. Assuming something like a standard Bic/Papermate or similar is the circumference we are talking about. About as thick as a standard #2 pencil if it were round. And I assume I should be going down the inside of the tendon guard at the peak of the heel. The width is spot on. The EE is definitely the right choice there. Nice wrap, minimal negative space along the entire length of the foot up into the toebox, pretty consistent and sufficient distance eyelet to eyelet once tied. The only question is length.

Hmm. I mean the price is cheap enough to just order the 4.5 to try and hold off sharpening the 5 I baked. Did I mention I had small feet? I've actually found my Grafs fit shorter than my Vapors. Same size. With the Makos, same size fitting just a bit longer than the Vapors. So, maybe I do have room to go down.

Wish I had taken the chance and tried these on a few years ago when I started skating. The shop I went to had a pair in D width, but I couldn't get my foot in. They didn't bother to tell me how heat moldable they were or I might get them to fit if we threw them in the oven. I get it, why mold them if you aren't walking out in them. This shop primarily deals in Graf. I ended up in some Vapors in a EE as the Grafs were just too much for my wallet at the time and I came to realize my foot shape needed a narrow heel and wide forefoot. Fast forward a few years... I've picked up some Graf 535 wides, but they still aren't hitting the mark for me. I've been regretting parting with my Vapors, despite their shortcomings. So, I've been reading and searching through here and HM is blowing out their Mako stock, so I took the plunge and ordered some M7 EEs during the 35% off sale. Luckily for me, I have small feet and can wear junior sizes. I figured worst case, I'd return them and be out some shipping costs. Seemed worth the risk. Got them Monday night. Tried them on and WOW. Pre-bake a bit roomy in the heel, but not bad, nothing a bit of massage while warm shouldn't fix. Liked the arch support, as I typically wear Superfeet and have arches that typically flatten out and cause pain. A bit long in the length, but compared the insoles to my Grafs and only a 2mm difference, so although I am not quite touching the toe of the boot, I am awfully close. Contemplated going down another 1/2 size, but was too impatient after my pre-bake try-on to order another pair and wait. Baked them myself last night. Will try them on again tonight after work, but feel I was able to narrow/mold the heel and back of ankle enough to take any play out. The rest of the boot felt really supportive and conforming. Like they were made for my feet. Will report back with more tonight, but I am super excited so far with what I am seeing/feeling, as I have struggled to find a skate that works with my weird feet. Assuming these feel good tonight after a bit of time in them, I can see why folks are stockpiling, and may have to pick up another pair or at least spare parts. Fingers crossed I have a winner here.

Huge fit difference between G3035 and 535S models. The G3035 (and related, 5035, 7035, 9035, etc.) are more of a medium fit all around. With the more expensive models having more padding in the heel and ankle, which changes the volume a bit. The 535S on the other hand has a narrow heel and medium/wide forefoot. They also don't have any carbon/composite materials in the boot. They are definitely soft compared to the G3035 or any of the typical models from the big guys (Bauer, CCM, etc.). I've tried the 5035 and 535 on alot. The 5035 has a much wider heel pocket. I can nearly pull my heel out with them tied up. I can't in the 535. Obviously, I am in a pair of 535s now, coming from some Vapor 4.0s. I am not a great skater yet, so there is definitely a learning curve for me, but the transition I think has been slower because of the differences in the boots. To me, the 535 is like a manual camera and the Vapors are more of a point and shoot. Both can give you great pictures, but one requires significantly more feel and technique. I'd imagine the 3035 are more of a point and shoot as well given their stiffness and construction.

Quick update: been using my inserts for about 5 skates now. Added the shim a bit later since I am in a JR skate (thanks Mike for sending those along). I was skeptical to be honest, but they definitely help my foot stay more relaxed and neutral. I've noticed reduced aches and pains in my feet both while on the ice and immediately after.

Pure beginner here... so nothing too flashy Helmet - Bauer 2100 with cage (new) Shoulders - Bauer Vapor X30 (swap meet for $20) Elbows - Bauer Supreme 3000 (eBay) Gloves - MIA, think Warrior acquired them (hand me downs from brother in-law) Pants - CCM Powerline (from brother in-law) Shins - Bauer Vapor APX (from brother in-law) Skates - Graf 535 (new) Sticks - Easton S17 (from brother in-law), S7 (clearance), Hespeler Nemesis (from Hockey Tron on clearance) It is nice having an experienced player (brother in-law), basically the same size as me.

Inspiring stuff Mark and others. Thanks for sharing so openly. Finding myself on this journey as well. I just turned 40. My son plays, has been for about 3 years now. About 2 years ago I got the brilliant idea to try to keep up with him (ha!), so got some skates and some protection and signed up for the local rink's adult group lessons. My first time on ice since I was in HS, and back then, it was the occasional Friday or Saturday night open skate with my friends maybe a few times a winter. I grew up doing some alpine skiing, so the concept of edges and such wasn't too foreign. So I took lessons once a week and tried to do a bit of open skate either solo or with my son another day or two a week. I was getting pretty decent, confident forward crossovers on either side, ok going backwards using c-cuts/swizzles, was starting to work on backwards crossovers and mohawks. Stopping was never a strong suit, but getting better. Then the rink closed for the summer and we moved. Only been on skates maybe 10 times since (which was last summer). Man, what a step backwards. It probably doesn't help I switched skates in the interim from Vapors to Grafs. The Grafs seem to need alot more attention from the driver then the Bauers did. Ultimately I am happy with the switch as the fit is significantly better, particularly in the heel (which I know is key), but so far it feels alot like starting over. Had that realization yesterday at an open skate. I need to get back to basics and rebuild. So I bought myself an open skate 10 pass and am going to explore taking group lessons again. Hopefully alot of the foundation I started will come back relatively quickly. But we shall see. I also asked my son if he'd be interested in doing a family stick n puck session with me, and he said yes, so hopefully we can make that happen and not embarrass him too much in the process.

I just ordered a pair...