Help, haven't bought skates since the '90s :)

[CVette 1]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum but not to hockey.  I'll try to keep it short.  I was a goalie for 15 years and had to quit due to back surgery in 2005.  I also skated out from 1998 to 2002 using 652 Tacks (size 10.5 D).  Last year I started skating out and my back has been holding up so far.  I've had to replace the holders on my Tacks once and one of them is starting to crack again.  I started trying on skates at Hockey Giant and wow how things have changed.

 

I wear an 11 wide shoe and have a normal/med arch per the CCM footdisc.  I've read a lot of posts and tried on a lot of skates and was hoping for some opinions.

 

Vapors...too tight in the lower heel and overall

Supremes...160 9.5EE...decent at the forefoot but pinched the inside ankle bone.  The gentleman helping me said this was a common pain point.

Nexus...6000 9.5D...too wide in the forefoot and a little pressure at the arch

Tacks...3052 9.5EE...best fit so far. The heel and most of the foot feels snug.  I bought these, baked them and wore them for 10min.

 

A few questions:

1) The Tacks aren't painful but they feel tight.  It reminds me of how my skates felt back in the day before they were broken in, not painful, but tight and a little soreness.  Is this how a good fit feels before breaking them in?  With the modern  construction of boots and the stiffness, I don't know how much they'll form compared to my old Tacks, which are not very stiff in comparison.

2) The sides of the Tacks are really low compared to other models like the Supremes.  The eyelets hardly wrap my foot at all and I'm looking at mostly laces.  Is this normal or a sign of a poor fit?  It feels like everything above the toe box is exposed and not great for shot blocking.  The Supreme and Nexus definitely wrapped my foot more.

3) I've exhausted my local resources for trying on skates.  I'd have to go online with Easton or Graf.  How do they compare to Tacks with respect to fit?  Based on everything so far, are the Tacks my best fit?

 

I think I've done all I can to get a proper fit and I just need to skate on them and bite the bullet if there's a problem.

Thanks!

[z1ggy 81]

Unfortunately when I got my Mako's the Tack's skate was not out yet. But I can say, compared to Vapor, Supreme (can't say Nexus), all the Grafs & the Reebok/CCM Ribcor, the Mako had the best wrap of my foot by far. I know on this forum I'm a huge proponent of that skate, but I really believe it's one of the best anatomical fitting skate if you have the right foot type. If you can afford it, order a pair in EE and see how they fit.

[CVette 1]

I've seen a lot of posts about the Mako.  When you say anatomical, do you mean the fit type of the Supreme and kind of like Tacks?  I don't see a model below the Mako M7 and $400 is more than I wanted to pay, but I'll look into it.  Thank you.

[althoma1 575]

Bauer recently acquired Easton and the Mako is being discontinued. If you look around you should definitely be able to find the Mako M7 for less than $400. In Canada Sport Chek already has the M7 marked down to $259 (they don't ship to the US though).  I know in store, Total Hockey had the Mako 2 (orig. $799) marked down to $399...I'm not sure how the M7 was priced, but I imagine it'd be less.

[shoot_the_goalie 281]

9 hours ago, CVette said:

A few questions:

1) The Tacks aren't painful but they feel tight.  It reminds me of how my skates felt back in the day before they were broken in, not painful, but tight and a little soreness.  Is this how a good fit feels before breaking them in?  With the modern  construction of boots and the stiffness, I don't know how much they'll form compared to my old Tacks, which are not very stiff in comparison.

 

This is typically normal, and you'll need to have the skate break in a bit before they're fully comfortable.  The 3052 isn't that stiff of a skate (compared to the top tier boot), so it should happen fairly quickly.  Did you have them baked?  The 3052 quarters are thermoform-able, so that should help as well.

 

2) The sides of the Tacks are really low compared to other models like the Supremes.  The eyelets hardly wrap my foot at all and I'm looking at mostly laces.  Is this normal or a sign of a poor fit?  It feels like everything above the toe box is exposed and not great for shot blocking.  The Supreme and Nexus definitely wrapped my foot more.

 

Seeing this question, I reiterate...did you get them baked?  All Tacks (and CCM boots) out of the box, are a much different fit after being baked.  The CCM line out of the box, are a bit boxy (if that makes sense), but they are highly thermoform-able.  After baking, they wrap extremely well, and almost look like a completely different skate.  I think the member Aireaye had pictures of pre & post bake CCM RBZs somewhere on this site and the fit was night vs day (and the way the RBZs form is pretty similar to Tacks)

 

3) I've exhausted my local resources for trying on skates.  I'd have to go online with Easton or Graf.  How do they compare to Tacks with respect to fit?  Based on everything so far, are the Tacks my best fit?

 

Easton Makos almost feel like you're wearing running shoes, in a good way, in that there's very little negative space in the boot, including the toe box.  They are going to have slightly less volume all around than Tacks though.  As someone mentioned though, I believe they are being discontinued with Bauer buying out Easton.  Grafs are pretty comfy skates as well, and they are a little more forgiving that the Tacks in terms of stiffness.  Grafs are somewhat similar in volume to Tacks.

 

 

[CVette 1]

Hi shoot_the_goalie, I did have them baked at Hockey Giant but they didn't feel that warm and were cool already in 10min or less.  I did see that post with the pre-bake and the post-bake and how the boxy shape did become less boxy.  Maybe I just got a crappy bake.

Since the tightness seems typical, the fit feels decent and finding Easton & Graf models is going to be hard, I'm thinking it's time to hit the ice.

[z1ggy 81]

I'm just tossing this out there but if you have a Amazon Prime membership... Is it possible that Mako's could be find under the Prime free shipping thing? Just one way you can try out things risk free.

[myhockeyknowledge 4]

Based off what i have seen and tried on the mako's have a snugger fit than the Tacks so if the tacks are feeling tight then the mako's will feel even tighter yet. I currently have tacks skates and i had to get them to be baked twice before they started feeling good. What i did the second time i baked them was leave the bottom of the skate laced loosely instead of cranking them tight and that helps a lot, as i have a wide food. As far as protection goes i have worn them for most of this season playing 50+ games and i haven't had a problem yet getting hit with pucks. This all my experience and might not be the same for you, everyones foot is different. Best of luck.

[althoma1 575]

I tried on D width tacks at a msh event and they were quite tight in the forefoot and toe box. I have very wide forfeet and after baking Ee Makos feel great. Form fitting and svelte, but comfortable.

[z1ggy 81]

The nice thing with Mako's Cvette, is they are one of, if not the most moldable skate on the market. If it's just "snug" in areas, the boot is very easily punched out or expanded. See if you can't find a pair.. Good luck!

[z1ggy 81]

8 hours ago, althoma1 said:

Bauer recently acquired Easton and the Mako is being discontinued. If you look around you should definitely be able to find the Mako M7 for less than $400. In Canada Sport Chek already has the M7 marked down to $259 (they don't ship to the US though).  I know in store, Total Hockey had the Mako 2 (orig. $799) marked down to $399...I'm not sure how the M7 was priced, but I imagine it'd be less.

On their Website the M7 is currently $399. The Mako 2 is still $799. Was this sale seen in person?

[althoma1 575]

It was never advertised online. It was an in store clearance, but one member contacted corporate and got a pair shipped to him at the clearance price.

[CVette 1]

Thanks everyone.  I'm going to contact Easton directly and determine the best way to get my feet in a Mako to see how they fit.

[z1ggy 81]

14 hours ago, althoma1 said:

It was never advertised online. It was an in store clearance, but one member contacted corporate and got a pair shipped to him at the clearance price.

Do you still know if this sale is good? For $250 or whatever, I would buy a pair of M7's right now.

[tnpe61 0]

I'm currently in M7's and absolutely love them. For $250 that's an absolute steal. If I could snag Mako II's for ~$450 I would do it in a heartbeat.

[shoot_the_goalie 281]

23 hours ago, CVette said:

Hi shoot_the_goalie, I did have them baked at Hockey Giant but they didn't feel that warm and were cool already in 10min or less.  I did see that post with the pre-bake and the post-bake and how the boxy shape did become less boxy.  Maybe I just got a crappy bake.

Since the tightness seems typical, the fit feels decent and finding Easton & Graf models is going to be hard, I'm thinking it's time to hit the ice.

 

Definitely skate in them.   You really won't know if they're the right boot for you until you get a couple of skates in.  I would give it around 6-10 hard skates to break them in, and go from there.   Assuming that the skates fit correctly (toes feathering cap, good heel lock, correct volume, etc.)  and they still feel a little tight after a bunch of skates, here's what you can try, listed in order, to improve the fit:

-wear thinner socks or no socks at all (I recommend Fox River liner socks)

-lace your skates from the outside-in to the eyelet (allows for a tiny bit more volume)

-bake the skates again (you can bake them up to 3 times, and Tacks should really wrap around your foot post bake - and if baked properly, the liner should expand a bit to your foot

-all else fails, have the boot stretched/punched.  Most LHS will do this for free if you bought directly from them, from my experience.

 

best of luck!

 

[althoma1 575]

3 hours ago, z1ggy said:

Do you still know if this sale is good? For $250 or whatever, I would buy a pair of M7's right now.

I imagine the in store clearance prices are on until the stock is depleted. Your best bet is to contact a Total Hockey store or corporate to ask about the clearance pricing for the Mako line. Obviously it's not online at this point and still in store only, but if you contact the right person you may be able to get the in store price as someone in another thread mentioned they had success with this for the Mako 2 by contacting corporate. I'm in Canada so the exchange rate and the shipping costs kill most US deals; so I've been keeping a closer eye on Canadian Mako deals. 

[boo10 323]

M7 is $259.99 CAD at Sportchek.

https://www.sportchek.ca/categories/equipment/hockey/hockey-skates/player-skates/senior-hockey-skates/product/easton-mako-m7-skate-331788673.html

[CVette 1]

FWIW, I spoke to an Easton corporate rep and they don't have any regional reps anymore.  There is a freeze on orders so any inventory out there is all there is.

I want to try the M7s but I'd have to find a deal for under my $300 budget with the ability to return them.  Plus I've read they don't fit that well at first but really mold to your feet after heat molding - after which I might have a harder time returning them.

I wore my Tacks for 1 hour in the house last night.  I want to try all my options (Makos) but I've already purchased the Tacks and they feel pretty good.  Thanks to everyone for the help.

[CVette 1]

Another question...

If I flex the top of the boot by pinching the top eyelets together I get a crinkling sound and then spreading them apart I get crinkling and a loud click.  Is this typical?  Am I overly concerned about what sounds to me like delayering of the composites?  I'm used to 1990s boot construction.  Are there any known issues with Tacks that I should know about?  Mine say they're made in China.  The guy at Hockey Giant claims it is normal, not sure I believe him :)

[CVette 1]

Hi all,

I'm bringing this thread back because my 3052 Tacks (9.5EE) are just too tight in the forefoot.  Everywhere else they feel great.  I've tried everything and nothing has helped relieve the pressure.  Nothing else from Bauer or CCM seems to fit well.

 

I know Easton and Graf are headed out of business but would either of these be similar to the Tacks but wider in the forefoot?  Where are these in the lineup and features compared to my 3052?

 

Graf 5035

Easton Mako M7 - I know the M7 were suggested earlier but it sounds like less volume would give me more problems unless the fact that they are more moldable helps.

 

Both are down in price and in stock at hockeymonkey in 9.5EE which I'm assuming is the size I'd try.  I don't know if they'd be returnable since they're clearance but at this point I'm willing to try anything.

 

If these don't work I'm saving my pennies for VH customs or replacing my old Tack holders every couple of months when they break.

[althoma1 575]

There are no sizing guarantees when you move from brand to brand so it's best to try things on before buying if you can. With that said, most people in the Mako thread seem to fit either the same size as they used to wear in fairly recent Bauer or CCM skates and some went up or down a half size either way - so a 9.5EE for the Makos seems like a good starting point for you. I haven't worn Graf skates, but have tried some on at events - between that and what I've read, I believe most people go a half size up for Grafs compared to the major brands...so you'd likely be looking at a 10EE Graf. Someone with more experience with Graf can correct me if I'm wrong.

 

I can say, I'm very happy with my original Makos. I have very wide forefeet and a proper bake along with the ergonomic toe caps makes them very comfortable for me in this area. Plus, there's little to no negative space and the wrap extremely well. Since the Mako line is discontinued I'm certainly looking for good deals on Mako 2's in my size even though my originals are still going strong. If you're going with the Mako line, the M7 isn't a bad option, but you may be able to find the M8 for not much more and that skate offers more lace bit protection; so if there are any slight volume issues you'll be more protected.

[CVette 1]

Thanks althoma1.

I started calling local stores within a 2 hour radius to try to find some Easton skates to try on before ordering online.  A store I haven't been to in 20 years (Wesco Sports in Brookfield Ct) claims they can either get my Tacks to fit or get me into other Bauer or CCM skates.  He claims they can make some modifications to get me a perfect fit.  I'm unsure it will work but I'm going to give it a try.

[CVette 1]

Just to close out this thread, I am extremely disappointed in Hockey Giant.  Their employees just don't know how to fit skates.  I made repeated visits since I was unsure I was getting the best fit.  On Monday I drove 2.5 hours to the best local hockey shop I know - Wesco Sports in Brookfield Ct.  After about an hour, I had a great fit.

 

The key was not assuming I need a wide skate just because I wear a wide sneaker.  Hockey Giant had me in 9.5 EE Supremes and they pinched at the ankle.  I was told it may or may not mold out,  At Wesco I bought 9.5 D Supremes and they fit very well.  I was shocked how great the D width felt when the wides pinched.  Wesco was able to warm punch the padding near the ankle to alleviate a small amount of pinching.  Wesco believed the EE's weren't locking my ankle properly which exacerbated the ankle pinch.  What a difference a skate fitting expert made.

 

I can't wait to get on this ice with them!