FAQ: How Tight Should Ice Skates Be?

How do you know if ice skates are too tight?

It’s normal to have your little toe and the fourth toe close to the edge of the insole or completely off the edge. Signs your skates are not the right fit include very little space at the toe, zero space at the toe and having your toes hang over the front edge, and the third toe hanging off the side of the insole.

Should ice skates be stiff?

Skate stiffness is important. Usually the stiffer boots are a better choice for experienced or heavier players as they have strong ankle support and enhanced power.

How do you know if your skates are too small?

Bent toes or the inability to wiggle the toes. This means that they are too small for you. There is not enough room in the toe of the skate boot for your foot to sit comfortably. While they do stretch and change shape width/contour wise, they will not grow longer.

Why should skates be tight?

Develop Ankle Strength: I would advise new skaters to tie their skates as tightly as possible (without cutting blood circulation) allowing them to use the skates’ stability to help them strengthen their ankles over time. I do NOT recommend wrapping laces around the back of the boot.

What happens if your skates are too tight?

With a boot that is too stiff to flex, the ankle bones have to slide forward and back against the boot as their ankles flex and point (hence they use padding to prevent blisters). If you pulled laces too tight, the ankles couldn’t slide, and they couldn’t flex or point, which would make skating hard.

Why are ice skates so uncomfortable?

One of the biggest causes for uncomfortable hockey skates comes from them not being broken in. When you first get a pair of hockey skates, they will be very stiff and tight. In a way, this is a good thing because it allows the skates to form to your foot as they break-in.

Can skates be too stiff?

Trust the material of hockey skates these days to provide you with all the ankle support you will need. High end (read: expensive) skates are built for performance and may be too stiff for kids or smaller players to use.

How do I make my figure skates less stiff?

Deep bending motions will help you break in a new pair of figure skates. For example, movements that require you to bend your knees and ankles will help soften the leather and break in the skates. Try doing back crossovers in both directions. Allow at least six hours to break in new skates.

How long do skates take to break in?

For most people it will take about 12 hours to break in a pair of skates over the course of roughly a month. Start out with shorter skate adventures and build up to longer skate adventures.

Why do the sides of my feet hurt when I skate?

Tendonitis and sprains — Tendonitis and sprains in the feet, ankles, and knees are common due to overuse and pressure placed on the feet while skateboarding. There is usually localized pain, swelling, and stiffness. A sprain will occur suddenly while tendonitis often develops over time.

Should my toes touch the end of my skates?

Almost all skaters worry about their toes touching the end when they first put on skates. This is perfectly normal.

Should you buy skates a size bigger?

Bauer, CCM, and True hockey skates normally fit 1 to 1½ sizes smaller than your shoe size. For children, it is acceptable to order a half size bigger than that to accommodate growing feet; however, wearing skates any larger will cause blisters and will break down the sides of the boot.

Do you size up or down for figure skates?

The general rule of thumb is 1.5 sizes down from your shoe size. Since shoe sizing can vary from brand to brand, it’s best to measure your feet in the following manner.