JimmyTheDriver
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Posts posted by JimmyTheDriver
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I have the original makos, the fastest skate I've ever been on and its not close. HOWEVER does anyone have an issue of their Achilles throbbing due to constant pressure?
Its absolute murder and now have developed a calcium build up just on the inside part of my Achilles, like a bump and leaves me in tears during/after skating about 10 min.
Had my skates now for a year.
I referee so I'm on the ice 4 to 10 times a week.
I saw a video about heating the heel area, then pinching them to form around that area. Maybe you could do the opposite, heat throughout pain spot with a heat gun and push it out a bit wiry thumbs?
Else just a full bake, widening that spot a little before putting on?
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I only had a few issues which I think are fixable. One is that I had a lot of pressure in my arch/lower ankle area, but it didn't really bother me until I got off the ice.
Just a week ago I posted about this same thing. Then talked to Easton who recommend heat with a heat gun. I did it a few times with no relief. Superfeet Yellow insoles have fixed it for me. By raising my heel and arch a few milimeters, it has my foot off the rub spot that was occurring above arch/under ankle...that small protruding bone. I wish I just did the insoles to begin with and didn't heat.
I plan to bake them for a second time now that the pain spots are gone and my foot is sitting a little higher in the boot.
-Jim
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Good Christmas!
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Exactly, they aren't going to react the same way. Hell, Easton even tells you to change the time if using a different brand of skate oven.
You all have me scared now... I'll take them to a skate oven.
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Well, considering the inventor of the skate promotes doing it in a conventional oven, not sure what the issue is. I've baked two different pairs of Makos a couple times each in my oven at home with no issues. I used to sweat over home baking, but not anymore (at least skates).
Where does he say that? Not questioning your statement, would just be curious to read more.
Thanks!
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I personally wouldn't recommend baking skates at home unless you have a convection oven.
For what its worth, I put my superfeet into my Makos without rebaking with no issues.
10/4. I'll give them a skate first. Worst case I can pay the local Play It Again to use theirs...
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You HAVE to bake Makos to be able to tell how they're going to feel for you. I couldn't even get them on my feet before baking.
I had mine set to 10' (9 is stock) with a slight negative pitch to eliminate the pitch from the holders.
Somewhat off topic to your post but... since initial bake - I've added Superfeet Yellows which I'd imagine means I should bake again as my heel is a good bit higher. Safe to do in home oven at 200 for 6 minutes?
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Thanks man! Very helpful... as my pain is basically 1 inch above his example of arch relief. I'll go grab a heat gun and get on it.
Heat didn't provide much relief, But I think Superfeet Yellows did. Haven't gotten to skate yet, but the additional heel and arch lift is enough to keep my low arch off the steep arch of the skate. Didn't feel that pain spot when walking around the house, which was immediately present when I put the stock foot beds back in.
-Jim
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I happened to come across this video earlier about baking Makos and it describes how to relieve pressure points with a heat gun:
Hope that helps!
Thanks man! Very helpful... as my pain is basically 1 inch above his example of arch relief. I'll go grab a heat gun and get on it.
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I'd go from the outside because you will need to keep the heat gun about 8" + away and you will be able to work the area more accurately from the outside. Just remember to keep the gun moving, I use small circles around the area.
Blow dryer enough heat to get it moving? I'd have to buy or track down/borrow a heat gun.
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Just ordered some M8's, merry Christmas to me. I got the same size as my Supreme's, we'll see how that works out. FYI, Ice Warehouse has a 25% off coupon that works on these skates (HM's current sale code excludes them), that pushed me over the edge to try them. I'm sure the Mako 2's are a bit nicer, but I can't bring myself to spend that much money on skates even on sale.
Nice! I got mine 20% off in store with Hockey Giant, which would generally have the Mako 2 excluded. My shoe size is 9.5 to 10. I fit in the Mako 8.5, which the box has labeled as shoe size 10.
Don't tie your laces anywhere near as tight as you're used to. There's no reason to when you have such good wrap.
Went out to another pickup, this time empty rink all to myself. Only lasted about 10 minutes out before I had to stop from pain. Shame since I've never had the rink all to myself - ever.
I ended up getting Easton support on the phone, who got me in touch with one of their higher up fit guys. He said it was in an easily mold-able spot and I just needed a little heat via blow dryer/heat gun and the end of a screwdriver to push it out a few mm.
Should I come at it with heat from the outside or inside? Pic below of suspect location...
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My nasty mega sized foot pic just made me cringe - sorry fellas! I posted it via phone and didn't realize the size Imgur presented it as. Fixed.
Anyway - that was the only gripe I had with the skates.
So, the amazing parts, in bullets so I don't get all scattered...
-Fit like a tennis shoe with zero extra space. I couldn't be happier with the fit, before/after bake and after first skate. Nothing else I have owned comes close
-Love how I don't have to crank down the laces. First thing I noticed was the snug fit despite 100% less effort than my Vapors. Fingers didn't hurt after lacing up
-No lace bite across top of foot, which has been an issue plaguing me since childhood
-Zero adjustment time. Right when I hit the ice I felt comfortable, forwards and backwards. Heard about the pitch throwing folks off, but I had no issue
-Fast as shit. Easily the fastest I've been in skates. There are a few guys in the league that are faster than I, and they all have that signature wooshy/grind sound when they power forward, obviously their edge just straight up digging into the ice. I had that, for the first time ever.
-On the last point, my stride immediately changed. With somewhat weak ankles, I've always had to crank down skates to keep ankle support which killed forward flex. In the Makos my ankles felt perfect, but I still had all the forward flex I wanted
-Turning was dreamy. Most confident I've felt in a turn ever. I found myself less reliant on my stick skills as I could effortlessly weave between players
Overall, an amazing experience. I plan to throw some mole skin on the small blister and get back out today.
Thanks again for the recommendation. A week ago I would have never considered the Makos, now I doubt I'd ever consider anything else.
-Jim
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Got out for an hour and a half of pickup. I'll detail the experience when I can get in front of a keyboard, but for now, a question.
Felt a hot spot slightly above arch where a small bone protrudes on my foot. Best guess was it's behind the inside support rib that kind of runs up the lower side of the skate. This something my feet will get used to, or that I can fix via heat?
It was pickup with no subs so my first skate on them lasted an hour and a half straight.
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I have a feeling this happens a lot. When I bought new skates last spring, the guy helping me basically recommended only the Supreme line for my foot and when I asked about other skates like Easton's etc. he had the attitude of "if you really want to you can try them on but I don't recommend them." I wish I had tried more before buying. Glad the Mako's worked for you and interested to hear your impressions after taking them for a spin. I applaud Easton for at least trying to move things forward with their Mako line even if not everything was a home run.
No joke all the youngster store employees, independent of each other, were scoffing everything other than Jetspeeds, which must be the new Vapor level cool.
Even at the very end of the transaction, the guy doing the sharpening goes "I've never even sharpened these skates before... We sell these?"
Headed out to pickup tonight to give them a whirl.
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It's no wonder you and the other fellas here love them so much. I went and tried on all the top skates, including the Jetspeeds I was sure I'd leave with.They have plenty of support, they're just not like ski boots.
Of the traditional boots I liked the Jetspeed best, but had saved the Makos for last.
When I mentioned wanting to try them to the kid there talked like he didn't want to sell them to me. "oh well those are weird skates. We don't sell alot. Last shipment we got of those was a year ago. If you break your steel it's harder to find at LHS. Not many pros use them. All my friends use Jetspeed." An older guy walked buy and dropped in "yeah but anyone who tries these loves them".
Well anyway, they were more comfortable than the tennis shoes I wore into the store. I didn't realize a skate could feel like this and still perform. Baked once and am now waiting for a skate.
-Jim.
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When I read the Mako II boot is soft - what exactly does it mean? I used to hate when my lower end skates creased around mid foot and all support was lost. This kind of soft?
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Tough to get through everything in this thread - but it looks like the benefit is better feel on feet than most skates, and great forward flex while also allowing for good support?
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Yes they are THAT good. Don't let the poor adoption rate sway you... People just don't know what they're missing.
I wouldn't wait, personally. Who knows when the next iteration is coming out.
Well I am done getting the popular skates that kill my feet. Last two pairs have been Bauer RX60 for roller followed by X7.0 for ice (I know... basically same skate). I really look forward to trying these on.
Only knock I have seen was durability on the first generation - safe to assume thats been fixed?
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Hey fellas,
If there is anything I've noticed lurking around here the past few years - this thread is always somewhere near the top. Are these skates really that amazing? I never hear about them at the rink, or have even seen someone wearing a pair - but around here they get all the hype. Currently skate in Bauer X7.0s and have never really loved them. I can't really tie them too tight or it kills my arch... but with them as loose as I need, my toes just jam into the front fighting on boards, or my heel lock stinks. Looking to pick up my next pair of skates around Christmas.
I see a few posts up about a new Easton model and the potential end of the Mako 2. If you were buying in December, would you wait to see whats next or hop on the Mako 2?
Thanks!
Jim
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CCM Tacks
Flex: 75 (cut to 78 mark)
Pattern: P19 Nugent-Hopkins
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 178lbs
Position: Center/Left Wing
Background: Bought recently, somewhat on a whim, to replace a Bauer TotalOne NXG Vintage of similar flex/blade pattern. I loved the Total One line for years, but the recent sticks just haven’t felt the same. I like a true mid-flex. In talking to Bauer, and subsequently CCM, it seems they moved the Supreme/Total One flex point up a bit, and now call it a “full motion shot” stick. This stick was recommended by some forum members and CCM as a suitable replacement to my older Bauers. They were right.
Comparisons: Nike Bauer Supreme One95 (fav stick ever), Bauer Total One, Bauer APX2, Bauer Total One NXG (Vintage Graphics)
Graphics
Very clean. There is nothing that stands out on this stick, but maybe that’s a plus? Compared to an almost all black Ribcore, this stands out, but it’s far less tacky than most sticks out. As I age, the sticks I get seem to be more and more subtle. I don’t buy a stick for the graphics, but these are very classic, and I love it. I only give it an 8 since I like the new Tacks Ultra (not released yet) graphics even better.
8/10
Stick Construction, Weight and Balance
Excellent construction, as I would expect with a top model CCM stick. Although I don’t have a scale, it feels a bit lighter than my Total One NXG. Specs say the CCM Tacks weighs 430 grams, vs Total One NXG at 406… which leads me right into balance. On paper, the Tacks is heavier, but in my hands, it feels lighter, likely due to the balance. This stick feels extremely balanced, giving a better overall perception of weight than my previous Bauer sticks. The Bauers felt a notch blade heavy, while the Tacks is spot on for me.
10/10
Blade
Ah yes, the blade. Blades these days just aren’t what they used to be. I find almost all sticks are too pingy now and players like that. Nobody wants that butter, they just want massive shots. Well, I like butter. This blade is as soft as I have played with. Not that I have tried every stick out there, but I really like the feel of this one.
10/10
Shaft/Flex
Perfection. This is what really makes the stick shine for me. This is a true, mid kick stick, and the first stick in years I’ve had that compares to my old Total Ones shot wise. I love the way it loads my wrist and snap shots. I bought a 75 flex and cut it about 2 inches down to a 78 flex. In theory, this is what I did on my old Bauers as well, but they always felt stiffer. This stick maintained virtually the same feel and flex after cutting. I would call the grip on this shaft medium. Definitely tackier than no grip, but not the tackiest I have felt. I’ve always used non-grip sticks, and this is an interesting change. Enough to give me some extra hold, but not so much I feel like I can’t move my hands.
I would have liked to see the stick in a non-grip model, so -1 for lack of options.
9/10
Stick handling, Passing and Shooting
Stick handling is excellent likely due to blade feel and balance. I honestly haven’t even been thinking about it, which is how I like it. When I use a stick I don’t like, I constantly think about the stick handling… not this time. I don’t have much of a slap shot, so no input there. Wrist/snap shots are perfect. Accuracy is there, but so is the power I have been missing for a year or two. It loads so easily that I am actually having trouble with passes. Half of my passes have more of a shot velocity than a pass, and are sailing higher than intended. To me, it’s a good thing – and I will adjust.
10/10
Durability
It broke in my third game using the stick. Ill give it a 3/10... one point for each game I was able to use it. For reference, I have never broken a stick in my life, but… I understand that doesn’t mean much. Hopefully it was just a fluke. I am waiting on my warranty replacement and praying it lasts longer.
****EDIT**** The replacement stick from CCM has held up just fine. Bumping durability review from 3 to 7.
7/10
Overall (NOT AVERAGE)
I am going to omit the durability score for now, and see how the replacement holds up.
I haven’t purchased anything other than Bauer Total Ones for the past 6 or so years… have been too scared to drop money on a stick I might hate. This stick got me out of that funk – and already has me drooling for the new “Ultra” coming in a few months. Excellent overall stick and it already holds a spot in my top sticks of all time.
9/10
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Just for future reference for making your sticks last longer, use MORE tape on your blades. Wonder why the chipping happens at the toe? Im guessing because its untaped. I have the same problem (or used to, not as bad now that I tape my sticks better) where I don't often break sticks but the blade starts to chip and breaks down until its pretty much unusable/ready to snap. From my own experience, warrior is really bad with chipping, whereas Bauer has held up pretty well. I always used to just tape starting about an inch or so in from the heel to maybe a couple inches from the end of the blade. Pretty standard tape job. I would start to see chipping at the toe as well as right back at the heel just before the tape would start (both uncovered areas). So I started taping my stick where I would put a small 2-3 inch piece along the bottom of the blade at the heel where it was usually uncovered and starts to connect to the shaft. Then I would start the tape a few inches into the blade as normal but I would go all the way to the toe. Often I put a strip along the edge of the toe before fully taping it as well... Doing this has made a HUGE difference. It really protects the blade well from getting chips and it doesn't change how the stick plays at all. The only time I find a chip is where the tape at the toe starts to come off/has a tear and I've neglected to re-tape it. Its really not that much extra tape to use and it's definitely a lot cheaper to buy a few extra rolls of tape vs. a few extra sticks.
This will definitely help already chipped sticks from getting further chipped as well. However beware that I have noticed that sometimes if its already chipped some material will come off a little bit when you take the tape off, but probably still less than what will come off if you leave it bare and keep chipping it on the boards etc. Just be careful when taking tape off.
I can post a pic of my taped stick if you want
I wouldn't mind a pic. I tape the toe of mine pretty heavily... but it always seems to chip anyway.
-Jim
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I have tried JB Weld. Hard as hell, but that's the problem... it is harder than the blade and cracks, off. BUT - to the point of sanding, a metal file works great.
https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=metal%20file
-Jim
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How many seasons you guys get out of sticks? I seem to be averaging almost 2 years or 8-10 seasons. Maybe I need to just zip it and get a new stick.
-Jim
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Good question - no clue. In my head, I play at a high level, and have always just justified the price/models pros use. I am far from pro, but for whatever reason, feel I need to use their equipment. Anyway... I never hear much about 2 pieces anymore, so I have stayed away since I was a kid.
-Jim
Easton Mako Skates
in Ice Hockey Equipment
Posted · Edited by JimmyTheDriver · Report reply
Is Easton still honoring the fit guarantee? When I purchased at Hockey Giant a few weeks ago they said no.