Miller55

The shell on the mako was not super stiff by any means. It was the softest and most flexible of all the skates of its type (mlx, vh, true)

What changes in the construction are you referring to? Keep in mind, the Vapor 2X pro exists in both the old D/EE sizing and the 3 fit system. It's anecdotal, yes, but I personally know people who were not able to go from a 2XPro D to a Fit 1. The skate is identical

Meh, I have 2 teammates and my younger brother who were both in vapor D and could not get fit 1 to work for them. All three are in ft2s now, so idk. One is anecdotal, the other is from a Bauer PM which in theory should be credible, but... Yeah

There is no EE 90k...

The fit profiles are 3 different lasts that are totally unique to the research of the Bauer scan data. They are not the same as a D, E, EE width. Fit 1 was supposed to replace a D Vapor, which was a true D width. However, a lot of people I know who were on Vapor D have found Fit2 to be preferable. Fit 2 was supposed to be a Supreme D or true E width, with a different overall fit profile from the Supreme. However, I know a lot of folks, myself included, who came from Supreme D or Tacks D and couldn't really find a happy medium between Fits 2 and 3. If I had to buy Bauers, I'd go for a fit 3, but it's not a perfect fit. This is the long way to answer that you have to try them on because the really doesn't seem to be any clear cut way to categorize the 3 fits and compare them to the previous D/EE fit system.

It continues under the holders. The outsole that you can drill into is the same width all around the outsole

Yeah that looks like you got a large instead of a medium.

I would definitely recommend the CCM Jetspeed ft3 pro that others mentioned. After that would be a ribcore and a Nexus Geo. I think P88 or P92 is your best curve option coming from p14, depending on what you like about the p14.

I hear what you're saying. If I had the money and knew that I was ok with a certain skate from using either a previous gen custom or a retail version, I still think I would go custom if it afforded me either more comfort or more options for details, like CCM and Graf seem to still offer. I agree though, there would have to be done reason to go custom, whether for fit or for additional options (like increased our reduced stiffness, etc).

Is it really a waste of money? BTM sells true customs for $950 USD. That's the same price as retail 2x pros, and probably cheaper than the hyperlite will be. Obviously if you don't need customs then there's no reason not to save 300 bucks and get tf9s, but customs aren't extensive compared to any other top of the line skate.

Idk, I had a pair of Dynasty pro stock elbows and they were on par with MiS Jofas imo, they were just a bit heavier. Personally, I've been using Bauer 1S elbows and I like the sleeve, but I do not wear anything on my arms. I still have some jofa 8k pros (forget the jofa number version) and some Easton Synergy 700 pro stocks, as well as Eagle aeros and I find the 1S to be the most comfortable for me as of now. But for you, as others said, consider replacing the Velcro and/or straps if they are in otherwise good shape. Otherwise CCM tacks will be the closest

reminded me of this

Ratchet clamp to mold the heel tighter

Lol seriously, I had no idea. Oakley def makes the best visors and they're not hard to find

Yeah that makes sense, gives me a couple weeks to skate and actually see if they get too loose after some break in time. Thanks

Thanks, as always, for taking the time to write this up. I hear what you're saying about width. I would have to stretch the Fit 2 in the forefoot most likely, the Fit 2/3 for me is more about the heel. For example, I couldn't get into an 8.5 Fit2, but I'm fine in an 8.5 Fit3, I would just clamp the heel a drop if I baked them. I'm thinking I'll order 8W from IW and bake them with the saran wrap method. If they feel to sloppy I'll just swap them for another pair.

So I'm trying to grab a pair of TF9, but no local shops are carrying them unfortunately. It'll be about 2 months before I'm planning to be by a shop that stocks these and I'll probably need skates sooner. I'm between a Bauer Supreme 8.5 Fit3 and 9 Fit2, so tentatively an 8.75 length. I'm assuming I'll go with an 8 TF9 for length, but I'm unsure about the width. My heel is somewhat wide and I have very flat feet. In proper dress shoes I wear a 10EE. Not sure if an 8R in the TF9 will open up enough for me in the width, or of I should go with an 8W or maybe a 7.5W. Concerned that a W will be too sloppy after baking, out that an R won't expand enough in width to accommodate my heel. Any suggestions? @PBH or others who are knowledgeable on this subject. In theory I always have the option of ordering a few pairs from IW and baking them to see, but I'm hoping to not have to order 3 pairs of $600 skates...

Doesn't look like the put everything there, so you might still have hope. As someone who recently moved from PM9/E4 to P88, I would say the move wasn't terrible, and the performance is a mix of pros and cons. However, at this point it looks like you will have to switch either the pattern or the stick at some point soon, unless you find a pro on your hand and flex that uses a Vapor PM9

Yup, definitely less wrap and it's stiffer than a regular facing so it restricts forward flex as well. It also improves lateral stiffness and it locks the laces in really nicely. I wish you could just put those plastic teeth inside a regular eyelet to grip and hooks the lace, that would be the best of both worlds

They are legitimately hideous. Plaid skates? I mean, Tour has made their fair share of ugly skates, from the Qs to the Tabus to those white FB reissue things, but the last 2 lines were actually looking ok. At that price I think the Tf7s are definitely a better value

Go for Reebok out jofa pros. Otherwise, Nexus like above

It's pretty easy to just drill out the teeth of the injected facing and make them regular eyelets. Or not be ghetto and just have the facing replaced. Yes, I agree that if you're going custom you shouldn't have to do any work afterwards, but it is what it is. Personally, in thinking of going for custom as3 pro when my 2s pros are done. They're on their last leg now

What holders are those?

Leaving eyelets undone for a casual skate is very different from playing with them undone. Takes a lot more adjustment and stability to keep your feet under you when you're making hard cuts and in the middle of the action than just cruising down the street. Not trying to criticize, just trying to help you understand so you experiment safely and incrementally. First time I ever dropped laces was because my laces were all frayed at the end and they came out of the top eyelet and I couldn't get them back in and didn't have a spare set. I felt like a baby giraffe and took a while to get adjusted.

You're welcome. I actually got the suggestion from pbh on here when I was looking for something closer to Easton iginla. PM9 was ok for a while, p88 was decent, but the mcdavid pro is great, bit deeper than iginla, but very easy to get used to