CCM Tacks Skates - Toe Caps

[Jamarquan 201]

Hello everyone

My CCM Tacks skates that I've had since summer are starting to bother me at the toe caps. My feet are now sliding up the side of the toecaps as opposed to feathering the endcap, causing discomfort. I've worn the skates ~40 times and had them baked twice. Is this a fit problem or can I solve this another way?

The skates are the Tacks Vector Plus (based on the 5092), by the way.

[Monty22 835]

You could try powerfoit inserts to keep your toes in the correct location. Are you certain the skate size is correct on these for you?

[Jamarquan 201]

7.5D, but I wear a 10.5D sneaker now (Asics) and I do not have Powerfoot inserts, though I could try them. I am having problems with the heel locks as well, they feel a little bit too high and my heels are moving. 

[Monty22 835]

 If you are getting a lot of movement in the heel as well as movement in the toe box it sounds like that skate ,size or both isn't right for your feet. Were you fitted at a shop? 

[Jamarquan 201]

18 minutes ago, Monty22 said:

 If you are getting a lot of movement in the heel as well as movement in the toe box it sounds like that skate ,size or both isn't right for your feet. Were you fitted at a shop? 

Blueline Sports in Darien, if you live in the west part of the state.

[Monty22 835]

Never been.  I would start there. Bring your skates in and let them know what issues you are having. 

[OzziesDad 89]

I've noticed my Tacks have really "opened up" after 2 months (skating regularly 2-4x a week).  Meaning, while the  boot is still very stiff, and I feel like I am getting proper heel lock, I do notice that the overall fit just isn't as snug.  Obviously this is fairly normal as the skate has become more broken in over time.  Would Powerfeet take up a bit more room in the toe box, for possibly a bit more "tighter" fit in that area?

[Kgbeast 195]

Tacks are very roomy skates to begin with. It looks like OP picked skates that are too roomy based on heel-lock comment (kind of like you should have been in Vapors, but got Nexus instead). They also need the superfeet inserts with shims and all as that toebox is huge. Foot slides forward because the instep is too deep while skates are too stiff to really tie them down. In a first instance, you can try waxed laces or alternate lacing pattern in effort to tie the crap out of the skates especially in the upper 6 holes. It will not solve the heel-lock, but perhaps will help to secure instep. If you have only regular cotton laces, you can try this (www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyxQvQdk7K8). If this works, you can just do that and heat, c-clamp heel to improve instep.

Not sure about your LHS. They may or may not be capable of helping you out, but it worth while to ask and see.  Other way to look for remedies is to contact CCM ( ConsumerServices@reebokccm.com ) and write all the concerns as in your original post.

If all fails, you might be able to warm up the skates and wrap them with a strap in effort to compress the instep and fold-in in the areas of upper 5 eyelets. At the same time, you need to use large c-clamp to squeeze the boot in the heel just under the ankle bone. Even if successful, I doubt it will last  very long, but if you up to it, you can try that. Obviously before you stick your skates in the oven, make sure you have figured a way to do wrapping and clamping as well as if you have a proper (ish) oven as it needs to be air-circulating (fan) and set to the right temperature (digital thermometer). It might be best to bake them for c-clamping heel area, but heat-gun and work the upper while the skates are off the feet. 

[tpedersen3118 58]

I had an old pair of Supreme 6000 and when they heated those I tide them up and then they put my feet into this "box" with airbags that pushed on the skates from on all sides to mold them to my foot. I want to say is was a machine from Mission but this was long ago. Not sure those are still around as the the heat mold abilities and materials changed so much over the years. Not sure those exist anymore but I would think something like that would help.

[Jamarquan 201]

 

1 hour ago, tpedersen3118 said:

I had an old pair of Supreme 6000 and when they heated those I tide them up and then they put my feet into this "box" with airbags that pushed on the skates from on all sides to mold them to my foot. I want to say is was a machine from Mission but this was long ago. Not sure those are still around as the the heat mold abilities and materials changed so much over the years. Not sure those exist anymore but I would think something like that would help.

I'm not sure that such a thing exists anymore let alone is in a LHS near me. 

 

4 hours ago, OzziesDad said:

I've noticed my Tacks have really "opened up" after 2 months (skating regularly 2-4x a week).  Meaning, while the  boot is still very stiff, and I feel like I am getting proper heel lock, I do notice that the overall fit just isn't as snug.  Obviously this is fairly normal as the skate has become more broken in over time.  Would Powerfeet take up a bit more room in the toe box, for possibly a bit more "tighter" fit in that area?

Me too.

 

4 hours ago, Monty22 said:

Never been.  I would start there. Bring your skates in and let them know what issues you are having. 

Will do, especially since I haven't had a team to play for for 5 weeks. If it doesn't work out, I can at least sell the skates back to them.

 

3 hours ago, Kgbeast said:

Tacks are very roomy skates to begin with. It looks like OP picked skates that are too roomy based on heel-lock comment (kind of like you should have been in Vapors, but got Nexus instead). They also need the superfeet inserts with shims and all as that toebox is huge. Foot slides forward because the instep is too deep while skates are too stiff to really tie them down. In a first instance, you can try waxed laces or alternate lacing pattern in effort to tie the crap out of the skates especially in the upper 6 holes. It will not solve the heel-lock, but perhaps will help to secure instep. If you have only regular cotton laces, you can try this (www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyxQvQdk7K8). If this works, you can just do that and heat, c-clamp heel to improve instep.

Not sure about your LHS. They may or may not be capable of helping you out, but it worth while to ask and see.  Other way to look for remedies is to contact CCM ( ConsumerServices@reebokccm.com ) and write all the concerns as in your original post.

If all fails, you might be able to warm up the skates and wrap them with a strap in effort to compress the instep and fold-in in the areas of upper 5 eyelets. At the same time, you need to use large c-clamp to squeeze the boot in the heel just under the ankle bone. Even if successful, I doubt it will last  very long, but if you up to it, you can try that. Obviously before you stick your skates in the oven, make sure you have figured a way to do wrapping and clamping as well as if you have a proper (ish) oven as it needs to be air-circulating (fan) and set to the right temperature (digital thermometer). It might be best to bake them for c-clamping heel area, but heat-gun and work the upper while the skates are off the feet. 

If I'm reading this correctly, I should be wearing Jetspeeds / Vapors as opposed to Tacks / Supreme (my last two skates have been Tacks/Supremes), and to put inserts in the skates. For now though, try waxed laces, inserts, etc. If not, put my skates in my oven and use a C clamp. 

 

Side question: If I do need to go the new skate route, Mako M8's are available in 9.5D. Is their fit similar to Vapors / Jetspeeds or Supreme / Tacks?

[Kgbeast 195]

Tacks are more of a Nexus fit to the way I see it, but again it is not an exact science. Mako M8 is most likely correct fit for you, but 9.5D probably is not you. In theory, Makos still go 2 sizes down like most other skates. 

The air-bags fitting box is an awesome thing, but those are not a common thing among LHS.

 

check at 3:30 roughly and see if this something your LHS has. 

 

[Jamarquan 201]

18 minutes ago, Kgbeast said:

Tacks are more of a Nexus fit to the way I see it, but again it is not an exact science. Mako M8 is most likely correct fit for you, but 9.5D probably is not you. In theory, Makos still go 2 sizes down like most other skates. 

The air-bags fitting box is an awesome thing, but those are not a common thing among LHS.

 

check at 3:30 roughly and see if this something your LHS has. 

 

Ok, but Makos are a damn near impossible find these days. Just checked and no Makos available in 8.5 or 9 anywhere, but the Mako M8s are available from Monkey for 340 in 8 and 9.5. I should also mention that I do wear a size 11.5 basketball shoe that does fit, however it is from Under Armour and I do not know how their size structure differs from Asics. The reason I am in Tacks was because my I was in Supremes, so my LHS figured to put me in 2016 Tacks which were supposed to be more Supreme  - like fit, because they do not carry Makos.  And no, my LHS does not have that. Because the Makos may not be available, is there a different skate worth trying? (I was thinking RibCors / Vapors / Jetspeeds, and VH is way out of reach.)

[althoma1 575]

If you have 2016 Tacks and feather the cap then you would likely need a 7.5 mako. If there is room then a 7 might be needed. 9.5 would be humongous.

[Jamarquan 201]

12 minutes ago, althoma1 said:

Are the Tacks you're in current models or tge 2014 models? The 2014 models fut wider overall and more like a nexus and fit about a half size bigger than non ccm skates. The newer models have a better heel lock and also size similar to other brands.

If 7.5 2014 Tacks fit with your toes feathering the cap then you would likely want size 8 Makos. If your toes are a little off the cap you may need a 7.5. If you have 2016 Tacks abd feather the cap then you would likely need a 7.5 mako. If there is room then a 7 might be needed. 9.5 would be humongous...anything over 8 would be too large if you can fit 7.5 Tacks.

If you actually have 2014 Tacks then trying the new line may help. Ask your LHS when your skates were released.

From the new line. http://www.icewarehouse.com/CCM_Tacks_5092_Ice_Hockey_Skates_Sr_2016/descpage-C592IS.html

I am wearing a 7.5D in the new Tacks. However, my toes are more on the side of the caps than feathering the end. I can find a 7 and an 8 but no 7.5.

EDIT: These are the real skates: http://www.sourceforsports.com/11314-CCM-Tacks-Vector-Plus-Senior-Hockey-Skates.aspx, however they're based on the 5092. I do live in the US, however, so I don't know where my LHS got them.

[Jamarquan 201]

32 minutes ago, althoma1 said:

If you have 2016 Tacks and feather the cap then you would likely need a 7.5 mako. If there is room then a 7 might be needed. 9.5 would be humongous.

Found size 7 Makos from Monkey, but that's it.

[althoma1 575]

Remove the top 2 laces in your current skates and then really loosen the rest. Put your foot in and push it forward until you can brush the cap with your longest toe. While seated with your knee over your toes, put a standard pencil or Bic pen behind your heel. If you can fit the pen in easily and move it slightly then the 7 Makos will likely work after baking them (many people can't get there feet in the right size Makos before baking).  If you can't fit a pen back there at all or it's a painful squeeze then you would need 7.5. If there's a tonne of room (you can fit a thick marker) you may need a 6.5. If you need a 6.5 or 7.5 you would have to scour places like eBay, Craigslist, kijiji and sites if you want to try Makos.

I wear 8EE Mako skates and tried on Supertacks in 8EE and the length felt similar. 

[Jamarquan 201]

10 minutes ago, althoma1 said:

Remove the top 2 laces in your current skates and then really loosen the rest. Put your foot in and push it forward until you can brush the cap with your longest toe. While seated with your knee over your toes, put a standard pencil or Bic pen behind your heel. If you can fit the pen in easily and move it slightly then the 7 Makos will likely work after baking them (many people can't get there feet in the right size Makos before baking).  If you can't fit a pen back there at all or it's a painful squeeze then you would need 7.5. If there's a tonne of room (you can fit a thick marker) you may need a 6.5. If you need a 6.5 or 7.5 you would have to scour places like eBay, Craigslist, kijiji and sites if you want to try Makos.

I wear 8EE Mako skates and tried on Supertacks in 8EE and the length felt similar. 

Kijiji is out, I'm not from Canada. Tried Ebay today with no luck. Craigslist in my area is trash. I'll try the skates on when I get home from school tomorrow after my new stick arrives. If it doesn't work out, what's the next best fit to try?

[Monty22 835]

3 hours ago, Jamarquan said:

Ok, but Makos are a damn near impossible find these days. Just checked and no Makos available in 8.5 or 9 anywhere, but the Mako M8s are available from Monkey for 340 in 8 and 9.5. I should also mention that I do wear a size 11.5 basketball shoe that does fit, however it is from Under Armour and I do not know how their size structure differs from Asics. The reason I am in Tacks was because my I was in Supremes, so my LHS figured to put me in 2016 Tacks which were supposed to be more Supreme  - like fit, because they do not carry Makos.  And no, my LHS does not have that. Because the Makos may not be available, is there a different skate worth trying? (I was thinking RibCors / Vapors / Jetspeeds, and VH is way out of reach.)

It's worth trying all of them on. Often people think their feet are a certain shape and are surprised to learn otherwise when actually trying on different models/brands.   South Windsor Arena was the last place around here that had the Tacks F.I.T. machine, not sure how much use it gets, if any at this point.  

[Jamarquan 201]

6 minutes ago, Monty22 said:

It's worth trying all of them on. Often people think their feet are a certain shape and are surprised to learn otherwise when actually trying on different models/brands.   South Windsor Arena was the last place around here that had the Tacks F.I.T. machine, not sure how much use it gets, if any at this point.  

Windsor's 1.5 hours from here, so maybe not. And if nobody uses it, it's probably gone, but Blueline and Pure Hockey aren't too far. Blueline doesn't sell RibCors so I'll have to try them in Norwalk (Pure).

[Kgbeast 195]

I like JetSpeed. I actually have a lower end model. They are much tighter than Tacks and have one of the best heel locks around. I would recommend those for you. RibCors probably going to be to tight if you felt good in Supremes.

[Jamarquan 201]

54 minutes ago, Kgbeast said:

I like JetSpeed. I actually have a lower end model. They are much tighter than Tacks and have one of the best heel locks around. I would recommend those for you. RibCors probably going to be to tight if you felt good in Supremes.

I don't remember my Supremes much, and they were the 200$ model at the time anyway, which made me learn that Bauer has awful low end models. With the money I could get from selling my Tacks, I'm looking in the 3-400$ range, which includes Jetspeeds, RibCor's (will try them on extensively), and Makos if I can find them.

 

[Jamarquan 201]

I went to a public skate yesterday - the skates are hurting my arches, especially during turns. The toe cap problem remains, and they're too small. Is the arch problem a result of tying too tight, the fit of the skate itself, or that it's too small? 

[althoma1 575]

If the skates are the wrong size then your foot may not be lining up properly in the skate - the arch of your foot may not be exactly over the arch portion of the skate.

Why are you so sure they're too small though? You said in your original post that your toes do not brush the ends, but the sides of the cap. If that's the case then the caps just might be too narrow for your feet. The same length skates with a different toe cap may be just fine. Did you try pushing your feet as far forward as possible and trying to fit a standard pen/pencil behind the heel while your seated and your knees are over your toes?

Another thing you can do to try to get general sizing advice is take a piece of standard computer paper and put it against the wall, stand on it with your heel against the wall and then mark the longest part of your foot on the paper. Do this for both feet and then measure the results. This will be much more helpful when it comes to getting sizing advice then any mention of shoe size.

[Jamarquan 201]

38 minutes ago, althoma1 said:

If the skates are the wrong size then your foot may not be lining up properly in the skate - the arch of your foot may not be exactly over the arch portion of the skate.

Why are you so sure they're too small though? You said in your original post that your toes do not brush the ends, but the sides of the cap. If that's the case then the caps just might be too narrow for your feet. The same length skates with a different toe cap may be just fine. Did you try pushing your feet as far forward as possible and trying to fit a standard pen/pencil behind the heel while your seated and your knees are over your toes?

Another thing you can do to try to get general sizing advice is take a piece of standard computer paper and put it against the wall, stand on it with your heel against the wall and then mark the longest part of your foot on the paper. Do this for both feet and then measure the results. This will be much more helpful when it comes to getting sizing advice then any mention of shoe size.

To address your size question, if I move my toes off the sides of the cap they're feathering the ends. The arches of the skates are on the arches of my feet. I have not tried the pencil / computer paper tests yet, I will tomorrow.

[althoma1 575]

If your toes feather the cap then it sounds like they are the right length. That doesn't mean they're the right fit, but they aren't too small length wise. If the were too small then your toes would be mashed hard against the cap or be curled up.

If your arch in the right spot on the skate then the pain could be caused by the arch being either too high or too low for your foot. Ccm does make insoles for high, low and medium arches. Trying a different insole may help.