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About Me Height: 5’11” Weight: 215 lbs Skate size: 9.5D Foot type: Normal forefoot, narrow heel Level: Currently adult A/B league, on the ice at least twice each week. Use period: 5 months After a many year hiatus from hockey, I finally got myself back on the ice this past summer and decided that I should treat myself to some new skates. Growing up, Easton skates always fit me the best, and I used older Synergy skates (can’t remember the model) and then my first year playing Junior hockey (just C and B), I went into the Stealth S12’s. Those were the second-tier skate the year Easton released the S15’s, which I was advised to stay away from by my LHS due to my size and powerful stride (I’m about the same size as I was back then in high school, now with a much less powerful stride…). Well…the S12’s didn’t fare much better for me, and after a season they were pretty much destroyed. In search of a stiffer, more durable boot, I moved into Bauer Supreme One95’s. They were great skates, and what I used in my intermittent time on the ice from then until this year, when I grabbed the Mako M8’s on closeout. One thing that I could never get used to with the One95’s was the pitch – I missed the aggressive forward pitch of the S12’s, and wanted to get back to that. Enter the M8. Fit – 10/10 If you don’t know the deal with Mako, they were what came from the acquisition of MLX by Easton. This resulted in the unique fitting properties of this line of skates, which are typically very uncomfortable (or borderline unable to be squeezed into) for most people until the skates are baked. Upon baking, these skates become more pliable than any other skate that I’ve encountered - some people described them as being like Play-doh in consistency after baking, and I’d agree with that assessment. Before the bake, I could barely squeeze my foot into the boot, but once it was inside it was actually surprisingly comfortable, which I took as a great sign. After baking the skates and sitting with them on and laced for about half an hour (I baked them at a total hockey that had the NHL network going on TV, so I wasn’t in any rush to stand up), these skates were by far the best fitting skates I’ve ever worn. There is basically no negative space inside the boot, and that even extends into the toecap, where there is foam that comes down from the top and fills some space. That was new for me, but I like it -- I used to have a bad tendency of curling my toes when skating, and these made that go away quickly due to the fact that as soon as I started to curl them, I’d feel them touch the top of the toe cap and I remembered to flatten them out. Now they don’t start to curl, and I feel like I transfer some more power into the boot and therefore the ice when skating hard. My One95’s fit me really well, but these are on another level. Blade/Holder -- 9/10 8/10 After skating on my One95’s it was great to get back into the Easton way of doing holders. These have a pretty aggressive forward pitch, which I could never seem to match with profiling on my One95’s. Even though I play defense, I really prefer being up on my toes as opposed to neutral, as I always felt a bit like I was back on my heels throughout my time on the One95’s. While I’d gotten used to the more neutral position on those skates, it felt like “coming home” as soon as I stepped on the ice in these, and I never looked back. The holder has two screws, and the skates include the correct tools to loosen or tighten them to swap out the steel if needed. These tend to loosen up a bit and produce a “clicking” sound when walking around off the ice, but don’t seem to have any negative effects when skating. I tighten them once every few sessions when I remember, but since it hasn’t caused any issues I doubt they loosen themselves up enough to be an actual problem when playing. In terms of the blade itself, these don’t seem to hold onto an edge quite as long as the LS2 steel from my One95’s. I’m also skating at a different rink than I was with the One95’s, so the ice could play a factor here. I do notice that the edges seem to get slight burrs or little nicks more frequently than my LS2 steel did, and I don’t think that’s due to the ice conditions being different. I suppose there could be more debris embedded into the mats at this rink, but I’m not sure. I’m knocking a point off here for the reduced edge longevity compared to the LS2 steel. Structurally, the holder and steel seem sound, and I’m a huge fan of that aggressive holder pitch. UPDATE: Just went through my gear and saw that the holder on the left skate has cracked through at the front of the rear tower. I honestly don't remember ever blocking a shot/pass with the my left foot while I've had the skates, and looking at the crack I can't see a clear point of impact (no spiderwebbing or anything from any one spot), so I'm hoping this is just a fluke. I've initiated a warranty claim on the holder, and am interested to hear back on what they say. In the mean time I've ordered another pair of holders, since they're getting hard to find. Knocking another point off of this section for the bizarre breakage (I've never broken a holder before, and I've blocked plenty of shots throughout my hockey "career"). UPDATE 2: Wanted to touch base and update based on the holder replacement situation. Apparently, there's no getting another CXN holder in my future. Stock is apparently pretty depleted, especially in common sizes - at least that's the message I got. I ended up swapping the holders out with some Tuuk LS2's...grudgingly. My LHS did a small heel lift and profiled the steel to mimic the forward lean of the CXN holders/steel, and they did a great job, and I adjusted quickly. I'm not changing my final score here, as it does not change my opinion on the skate. Weight/Protection -- 7/10 In terms of weight, these probably aren’t the lightest skates on the market, but do not feel noticeably heavier in any way than my One95’s. Therefore, I’d put them firmly in the acceptable category for a high-end skate, and they’re especially impressive if you’re grabbing them now while they’re being closed out -- you can find them for around $220 out the door at several places if you look for them and grab them with a coupon code. At that price, I’d imagine that they’re lighter than most of the entry/mid level quality skates on the market. If this category was just based on weight, I’d rate them a solid 9. Protection is the only area that I’m really disappointed with these skates. I’ve always been pretty fearless when it comes to blocking shots, which I don’t do nearly as often because, well, beer league. However, sometimes you still take a shot off of the ankle, or in my case, a decent saucer pass. I took a pass off of my ankle bone that seriously turned half of my foot purple...this was the kind of thing that I wouldn’t have even felt in my One95’s, and it dropped me in the M8’s. I’m pretty sure that it would have felt the same if I’d taken that puck on my ankle just under jeans with no protection. Seriously, if you block shots frequently at anywhere near a high level, look into skate fenders. If this section was only based on protection, it’d be a 5. Maybe. Durability -- 10/10 I’ve been playing at least two or three times a week since I got these, and other than the laces they look brand new. There are no stitches pulling, no scuffs from pucks or skates, and no evidence of the holder rivets rusting out or pulling. I’m thoroughly delighted with the durability of the skates so far, especially with my weight. They’re as stiff as they were on day 1, and I have full confidence that they’ll last several years before breaking down at all. Even the tongue looks brand new; there is no evidence of any damage, and I haven’t had any lace bite a single time I’ve skated. Color me impressed. Intangibles -- N/A The look on these could be polarizing I guess, as it has a kind of “webbed” look of the black over the grey. I like the look, but I could see people not liking it. Also, it definitely looks a bit different compared to a traditional skate boot - some of that speedskating MLX inspiration is evident if you look for it. Again, I like that it’s a bit different, but for the traditionalist it might not be their cup of tea. Also, as a Syracuse University alum, I really like the orange accents! Conclusion -- 9/10 (36/40) 8.75/10 (35/40) Overall, these are my favorite skates that I’ve ever worn. The perform well, are durable, and fit better than I’d imagined was possible for skates. The protection is...lacking...but I’m not playing in the NHL, I’m playing with a bunch of guys that get together a few times a week to have some fun, play some hockey, and drink some beer. I’d recommend that anyone in the market for new skates give the Mako line a look, especially the M8 as the price/performance ratio at the current price-point is pretty incredible. While I don’t believe that any one skate will be the perfect fit for everyone, I think that the extremely moldable nature of the boot makes it able to accommodate a wider variation of foot types from the original mold than a traditionally constructed skate could. For me, these are almost the perfect skate, and I think they’re one of the best hockey-related equipment investments I’ve ever made. UPDATE: I'm no longer skating in the Mako M8s for serious play. The combination of the lack of shot protection and a buddy of mine looking to sell a pair of SuperTacks (which I fit well into) at a steal brought an end to the Mako M8 era for my feet. I still wear them once in awhile at stick/puck and open skate, but this is likely the last update I'll be giving here on their performance. I plan on writing up a review of the SuperTacks once I have had more time in them, and will draw some comparisons there to these.

http://modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php/files/file/193-2015-easton-hockey-catalogue/ Sticks - Last season, Easton rebooted the Synergy line. This year, Stealth is finally back. Starting with the CX, which is using the original Stealth process to marry the shaft and blade - the shaft goes further down into the blade, with zero overlap of materials. (I examined a CX that the taper/blade was dissected and it's extremely clean.) The blade also offers their Exo-Rim technology, which is essentially a bumper that runs along the edge of the blade, adding strength while resisting blade splitting. Also features a stiffened toe, which has been standard on the past two generations of Easton sticks. One feature that is a first for Easton is 12k spread tow carbon fiber on their top-end stick. They are also using a new resin. Available in 4 different colors, when the stick debuts, there will be a 60-day warranty on it. You're getting slightly down-spec'd carbon fiber on the CXT, then on the CX ST, you're getting their EC80 carbon fiber and micro-bladder construction process. No change on the Synergy side. Skates - no changes. Expect a new skate next year. Gloves - 3 families now, with Stealth, Pro and Synergy, with 3 types of fits. The Stealth glove is their Natural fit and features their Connex palm; single layer of their Tactik microsuede palm, that is enhanced by their Venta laminate, which is a polyurethane layer that's fused to the palm in areas that get the most abrasion. It's also perforated for ventilation. The CX glove also has their Bio-Dri Zero liner, that gives a cooling feeling as well as wick moisture away. 3-piece fingers and Ergo thumb as well. The Pro series also has been redone, with 2 gloves - Pro 10 and Pro 7. Volume fit, with a 2-layer palm and grip overlay. Protective - 3 families here too - Stealth, Pro and Synergy. Starting with Stealth, the theme here is low profile and lightweight. Starting with the CX shoulder pads, you're getting exposed Hyperlite foam in the chest, and molded HDPE in the sternum area. The caps have their Dual Shox foam, which has a higher density foam on the outer layer to disperse impact, but lower density foam on the inner layer to cushion. The torso, sternum and spine are all ventilated. On the elbow pads, it's a 2-piece design with an EVA covered cap, but the bicep and forearm has molded Hyperlite foam. The shin pad tends to fall in between the Pro and Synergy by having a mid-volume fit. Vented knee cap, wide calf strap with a wrap-around lock strap, and Hyperlite foam calf wing. On the Pro series, you're seeing a lot of segmentation and HD foam - typically what you see in a lot of pro-style pads. The caps are NHL-spec, with dual density foam in the torso, sternum and spine. Perforated jacket as well for ventilation, and a rib wrap for additional protection. The elbow pads are a 3-piece design, with an EVA foam covered cap, and a y-shaped strap to lock it down. The shin pad features quite a bit protection in the knee - very thick in the liner. No vents on the pads anywhere, but the calf-wing is perforated. Very wide calf strap. On the pants side, with the Stealth, which is forward-canted, the kidney and hip pads are molded Hyperlite foam and the spine pad is designed to stay on the body while moving. Has a 2-way belt. The shell is a nylon/mesh mix that allows for ventilation. On the Pro side, your typical pro cut, but carries over a few of the features from the Stealth pant, albeit HD foam. The shell is similar, but uses 600D nylon for better wear characteristics. The pant is also adjustable for length - you can drop it 1" or 2".

After some committed time on the ice with my Easton Mako skates, I'm glad to say that they are working just as well as I had hoped them to. Allow me to expand on my thoughts and experience with them! It is commonplace for hockey players to be creatures of habit that do not welcome change when it comes to the equipment they wear. We've all seen the guys wearing the same shoulder pads and shin guards they had when they were younger, and how people stick with the same brands that they wore growing up unless an endorsement deal sways them. I've come to the conclusion that being a creature of habit can be to a fault though, if you deny yourself something that could potentially allow you a higher level of performance. In my case, I had worn Bauer skates all my life, with the Supreme line fitting my foot very well and performing just as well (I am transitioning from Bauer TotalONE NXG skates). However, when the Mako was announced, it had features that seemed to suit me very well, as it was designed for increased mobility and foot support, while not following the "Super stiff for super performance" mentality. The boot isn't noticeably as stiff as other high end skates, but it is stiff in the right areas when it comes to skating mechanics. That, coupled with the fact that it fits your foot like a running shoe makes it an extremely capable skate only limited by the foot and connected body that inhabits it. There wasn't much of an adjustment period for me with the skates since they were so comfortable, and the more aggressive pitch of the blade was more welcomed than a hinderance. My skating is much more explosive with less effort, and I can turn much sharper and smoother. Backwards skating is an area I didn't expect to see so much improvement though, as quickly transitioning to fast backward skating and matching speed of oncoming skaters was instantly apparent. In my earlier sessions with them I felt like I wasn't moving as quickly, but it was an illusion because it takes less overall effort to get to speed with the Makos. The extra mobility is a tangible benefit to my skating stride, and my ability to corner and change direction has definitely improved. I'm in a place where my skating technique will most likely not change or get better, so the skates ability to extend my toes further at the end of each stride really makes a difference with me. I think with the high quality equipment that is being made by all of the companies in the game, players are really doing themselves a disservice by falling too deep in their habits and not wanting to try new concepts from different brands. Fit I would have never got the skates had they not fit my feet so beautifully. Baking only made things better, and while my fit with my stock NXGs was good, the Mako in comparison felt more like a truly custom skate. I had a little bit of rubbing irritation on the outer area above my left ankle early on, but that is no longer there. I really can't give enough praise about the fit. Blade/Holder I have to admit that with previous Easton skates, I felt like the look of the Razor Bladz was a major detractor. However, they got it right with the CXN holder. On the ice the performance was fine and didn't really stick out to me in any way. The more aggressive pitch on the steel wasn't an issue, although when sharpening them it took a bit more effort to get the edge on them. The steel feels harder than other skates I sharpened, and it holds an edge very well. I only got one nick in them so far, and it was from stepping on a stick I believe. Weight/Protection Going from a really light skate like the NXGs to the Mako, the weight addition is noticed, but only in hand. Once they are on your feet, they are a part of you, and I equate this with comparing a super light stick to another one that is heavier, but feels lighter due to a better overall balance. While also comparing the Mako to the NXG, which doesn't feature a super rigid outer material like the Bauers, I thought it would be a less protective skate, but so far I have been hit with sticks and pucks and haven't felt anything out of the ordinary. Durability Compared to previous Easton skates, the Makos look extremely well made and put together in a fashion that doesn't seem as prone to breaking down. The stitching around the ankle area doesn't look like it's ready to unravel before use (A problem I had with my Bauers), and once they are in your hand you can see that they are a real deal skate. Extending from my thoughts on protection, I've taken abuse in games, be it from sticks or pucks, and they have held up fine, with expected scuffing on the toe cap. Naturally, with extended use I will have a better gauge on the durability. Intangibles Not a whole lot to say other than they perform as marketed and as expected. People have commented on them based on the looks, and they are definitely flashier than what I've used, but they are a good attention getter and are worthy of the praise I give them when people ask me about them. Conclusion Easton has delivered a skate that is not only worthy to stand beside other companies' top level skates, but also a skate that has achieved this while not simply trying to replicate what the bigger brands are offering.

Easton Mako 2012 model, no grip Flex: 85 Curve: Getzlaf Height: 5'-9" Weight: 200 Postition: D/C B level Adult Hockey player with 20 years experience Time-frame of use: 3 months Aesthetics: I was pleased with the white appearance and subtle graphics. The white paint does chip easily though, revealing the black carbon below. N/A Weight and Balance: My previous two sticks were Warrior Dynasty and a Totalone LE. I found the Mako felt noticeably heavier than both. Not so much as to be bothersome, but noticeable nonetheless. 8.5/10 Blade: I really enjoy the Getzlaf curve and the blade has good feel. I don't find it too hard, and don't have an issues recieving passes with it. It has been durable, and remained consistent after 40+ games. 10/10 Shaft/Flex: Coming from a 77 flex Totalone I was suprised by the sticks flex. This stick feels far whippier than the Totalone, and really took some getting used to. I eventually cut the stick down an additional two inches. For reference this puts the butt end of the stick at the bottom of my chin *without* skates on. I ended up enjoying the shorter stick, however if I couldn't have adjusted it would have been a deal breaker. Even so, if I was to purchase another I would move up to a higher flex rating. I may end up cutting it down further and trying a wood plug. The shaft is nice and responsive though, providing great feel and feedback. 8.5/10 Stickhandling and Passing: Passing is accurate and predictable. However the increased flex can cause the puck to pass under the blade when reaching far for an errant puck. 9/10 Shooting: Snap shots are crisp, accurate, and hard. Compared to the Totalone and Dynasty, slapshots and clappers are not as strong. The puck also releases lower than the Dynasty, which had a similar curve. 9/10 Durability: After 40+ games the stick is holding up great. Cosmetic chips to the paint, nothing else to note. For reference, my Totalone broke after a year(slapshot to the shaft), however the Dynasty broke(just above the blade) after 6 weeks of use. I haven't found the stick to be deteriorating in anyway. Flex and feel remain the same. 10/10 Conclusion: I really enjoy this stick, but wish I had purchased a stiffer flex. I will probably try something different next, but recommend it to anyone in the market. 9/10

http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/files/file/149-2013-easton-hockey-catalogue/ We covered the majority of this in the Vegas Show thread, so this is primarily a copy/paste job from that thread, however, added the R800 to the helmet section as we were told to hold off on details until Dec 1. Sticks - The Mako 2 replaces the Mako; starting off with shaft; it's lighter than its predecessor, and it's slightly concaved with texture. Also, using uni-directional fibers which make it stronger and lighter, and smoother. Blade has been lightened as well, and the ribs are actually shifted a bit upward increasing the area where puck meets blade. As mentioned, the Scott Bjudstad/Kreps E28 is the new pattern for 2013 - 12mm 1/2" lie 5 open toe curve. Available in stores in February, but however, may be January. The M5 is the latest revision of the ST concept; it is now the same weight as the 2011 Mako; also built to the CHL/European stronger-built spec. Another story Easton is trying to tell, especially with the Hall and E28 patterns is lie - open curves and beveled toe rockers have a secondary lie on the toe which transitions into the main lie as the best way to shoot with those patterns is to pull the puck back by turning it downward then loading the shaft. Skates - there has been some details of the Mako skate released so far; as previously stated, it's the ready-for-primetime version of the MLX concept. We sat down with Neil Wensley and Dave Cruikshank to discuss it. Fit profile is the same. The base of the skate is still one piece however the plastic is molded (together with the carbon in manufacturing) around the toebox and the toecap. You see two "windows" of the carbon on top of the toecap. The whole toecap is widened as well and much more ergonomic. The tongue is attached, and extends into the toecap to the point where it curves down, eliminating negative space in there and giving comfort. The asymmetrical pattern of the boot is still present, as well as rolled edges on top for comfort. The tongue is felt with a lace-bite guard. The tendon guard is flexible of course, and can be removed (however, it's got stronger loctite on it) We both tried on the boot - I was in an 11D (I probably could drop down to 10.5 with baking), and Chadd was in a 9.5 (but needed an EE.) For me, the skate felt comfortable, however, the skate is built with a higher arch and so I had pressure there. It would most likely flatten out with a bake. The CXN holder is also new - the steel follows the radius the MLX skate had, which was smooth and a 9'. The rear tower is raised slightly and coupled with the boot pitch, allows for an extremely aggressive stance. Mako is a standalone skate for 2013. RS skate remains unchanged, however, a running change for the material on the inside top eyelets for prevent abrasion. The RS family also gains 4 siblings in the 85S, 75S, 65S and 55S. Helmets - The new helmet for 2013 is the R800, which is based on the Riddell 360 football helmet, which was designed with concussion reduction in mind. When we saw the helmet in October, it was still being tweaked. It shares the same hexagonal liner that is in the 360 for energy dispersal, along with an air pump to blow up the bladders for a better fit. The liner that covers that is removable, moisture-resistant and anti-microbial - just pull it off and throw it in the wash. The profile of the helmet is the same as the S9/S17, however, the shell material is different than a standard hockey helmet. The R800 has much more padding thickness than a standard helmet as well - the sample size was a M and I couldn't put it on, but then again, it was still being refined at the time and was told it would be a bit thinner (but still will be thicker than standard.) The adjustment mechanism will be on top of the helmet, but once again, the sample didn't have that at the time. There will be a call-out to Riddell on the back of the helmet, in form of a bumper, just like on its football counterpart. The helmet will retail for $299.99 and will be available in the summer. The E700 and down stay unchanged. Gloves - New Mako gloves - the glove picture that was floating out there is an early revision of the concept, and while the concept is the same, aesthetically it's a bit different. The concept is called Fast Fingers - instead of having the breaks in the fingers on top of the glove, the breaks are actually wider and UNDER the finger. What this does is eliminate gaps in protection and actually follows the natural motion of the finger. Best way to look at it is to stick your hand out and look at the palm lines on your index finger. When you bend your finger, it compresses. Same concept. So, there's no backrolls on the face of the glove; it has one backroll on top and the four "fingers" seem to slide in and out of it, like a pocket. Like the RS before, some colorways look weird and some don't. Protective - Shoulder pads are extremely interesting - it is a vest-style shoulder pad with a front entry; as in the chest place (which is ergonomic covering sternum and heart) comes apart and you put the pads on like a jacket. Once that is secure, the two straps that would normally be the conventional strapping method on shoulder pads, are attached to the spine pad and pulls the entire bottom of the shoulder pad together. The concept carries throughout the line, however NHL-spec shoulder caps on the Mako. Elbows are a three-piece pad, with the elbow being two pieces. The cap of the elbow is pushed slightly back as well. The shin pad has a newly-designed knee as well - the break is lower so when it bends, you don't get that feeling as if the pad is sliding off, as it feels more secure on top. Also, the shin face is floating which helps with dispersion. The pants are extremely mobile; it has a 2-way belt system which sits on the hips - instead of having a belt that comes across your stomach, it actually stops at the ends. You pull each strap like a parachute chute and it holds it in place. Fully vented and different grade nylons in certain areas. RS line has new shoulder caps on them. I apologize for the scan; I upgraded my Mac and the software I used before doesn't really play all that well with it. Have to figure out the best settings for it.