Breaking in stiff ice skates?
I just bought a new pair of figure skates and I used them for about half an hour and it started hurting a lot because the sides dug into my skin above my ankles and left cuts. are there any ways to break in skates? are there ways without wearing them? (my ankles still hurt and it was a week ago)
Answers:
Which is easier skiing or snowboarding?
This isn't unusual with new skates, and there are things you can do.First, for the ankle cuts right now. Put neosporin on them, or a similar antibacterial ointment. That will help them heal. You can also wear bandaids over them if it makes them more comfortable.
When you next wear your skates, be sure to put something in those "rubby" areas, where your skates cut you, to prevent these cuts from reoccurring. I use Bunga ankle sleeves (link below). Those work wonders. But before I bought those, I used to put large bandaids on my skin before I put on my socks, before I skated. This helped cushion those areas, and the skates tended to slide off the bandaids, rather than digging in. I preferred the really big bandaids, not the tiny ones.
Even today, if I don't wear socks with my skates, I get these cuts. So if you don't already do so, make sure you wear skating tights or thin socks (trouser socks - socks that are like tights, no thinner or thicker).
If you bought your skates at a real skating pro shop, you can also bring them back there and speak to the skate pro. They should be able to adjust those specific areas to make them less likely to cut into your skin.
Also, when skates are brand new, it's not uncommon for a skater not to lace them all the way to the top in their first couple of times wearing them. I lace mine and stop just below the last hole/hook. I tie them just below that, and leave the last hook open. This allows the boots time to break in a bit before I lace them all the way up.
Lastly, know that, since the skates are new, it may take some time for them to break in. I usually try to wear my new skates only for about a half hour each session when I first get them. It's only after I've skated in them a couple of times that I wear them for the whole session.
As for what others said about breaking in your skates. It's true that you can dampen your socks, put them on, then put on your boots and wear them while sitting on the couch. But this weakens the leather, causing it to break down more quickly, and I tried it once, and it didn't seem to do anything. So I don't recommend that you do this.
As for the person who suggested soaking your skates in water for 15 minutes - really, spectacularly bad idea.
Do speed skaters wear protective gear like a helmet?
I always wore thick socks under them its just a perseverance thingWell, most skaters at higher levels will get their skates heat molded and/or ankles punched out so it doesn't dig in. Without that, before skating, bend in the skates a little. Then when you get on, just stroke around for awhile until you are comfortable on the ice. Also, if they are new you probably just had them sharpened. This is probably the worst time of the process. Wear them in to a skating level and don't try any moves in them. Trust me, you may fall.
I don't know any way of breaking them in without wearing them, however I've heard if you wear damp socks it will slightly mold to your foot. I can't verify that though.
Also, if you can, get skating tights. They are more comfy than socks when skating. ;]
Is anyone willing to give away a pair of No Boundaries Snow-pants?
Someone told me that if you wear damp socks or put just the boots in the oven they will loosen up a little bit, but I was way too scared to try that. I usually just suck up the pain for a week until they are broken in. And sometimes I get them heat molded by a skating boot pro who has an ice skating shop.when i used to figure skate i wore super thin nylon kinda socks. the only way i know how to break in a pair of figure skates is to wear them. i think some lady at my rink once told me to wear wet socks and put the skates on and just walk around the house with the blade guards on... thats what i'd do. i also know that you can get these pad things from the grocery store that help from getting blisters. They are like these thick plastic band-aid thingys that i dr. scholls makes. i had to wear them when i was breaking in a pair of riding boots (for horseback riding) they should work until you get the boots broken in and they get a little softer. thats my best bet!
Ok...first wash your skates with hot water (make sure the water does not get in the skate and you have take off the blade!) and let them soak in a bucket for around 15 min...then take them out and dry them off. Wear comfy socks, and put your blades back on the skate. Place you blade guards on the skates and walk around your house on particularly soft floor for around half an hour every day. When you go on the ice, do NOT try any hard moves.you'll just damage your feet. Just go forwards and backwards, and gently start breaking in.:D
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