Newbie Skates: lots of Q's

[Norm 0]

Howdy everyone!

I've just started learning to skate for real (at the ripe old age of 36) with hopes of playing in a league. I've got couple of questions about breaking in skates.

I have pair of '04 CCM Pro Tacks E width. I bought them over the internet, but I also asked a few people and they all said CCM's run wide which is good 'cuz I have wide feet. Front to back they fit right (big toe 'feathers' front of boot) and I also had them "baked" and "F-I-T" ed with that giant CCM contraption.

They still feel tight though. I hardly tighten the forefoot at all. In fact, the laces down there can be easily pulled up.

So my questions are:

Does baking effect just the foam lining or the hard outer shell too?

How many times can you bake a skate?

Can they be widened when they are warm?

I heard walking aroung the house is a good way to break them in, but I also heard that damp socks (mimicing sweat) help too. Opinions?

And finally, how much of the break-in process is really about breaking in your feet? I've heard folks say they're skates are soooo comfortable, but compared to what? A roomy pair of Nike's? A cast iron foot binder from the Inquistion days?

Thanks for any tips you can give this old dog learnig new tricks!!

Norm

[AtlantaThrashers01 0]

my opinion on baking skates is that it does do sumwhat but doesnt really help a whole lot, it still takes me a few ice times to break them. Bakeing just molds the inside of the skate (foam part) and not the shell. Every year it happens to me i dont know about other people but thats me. I think you can bake a skate as many times as u like. walking around the house is a good way to break them in but breaking in skates hurts, but it takes a while.

[Squirrel 0]

They still feel tight though.

Hey Norm,

If i'm not mistaken, they still could stretch too. But for break in purposes just wear em around with damp socks and with the guards on. Try to make it out to public skatings/ice time as much as you can. As for people saying they're skates are so comfy, its probably because they've tried on a bunch of skates at a LHS and found the one that fits their foot best.

[kevinbelt 0]

1. baking does not affect the outer shell. it affects the padding between the shell and the liner, mostly in the ankle area.

2. theoretically, you can bake it as many times as you want, but most manufacturers say no more than twice. if it was done correctly, you shouldn't need to do it more than once, really (especially if your foot is no longer growing).

3. having them on your feet is a good way to break them in. whether that be sitting w/ your feet in a fit machine, walking around the house, or skating in them. think about shoes: the more you wear them, the more comfortable they are (until they're worn out, at least). same thing with skates.

4. comfortable as compared to other brands/models of skates. a hockey skate will never be as comfy as a pair of running shoes - they're made differently. hockey skates are a lot stiffer, which means less comfort.

5. i don't mean to sound like an ass, but this is why your lhs is better than the internet. if you have a store nearby, go there and try on some skates - if e width tacks are too narrow for you, i'd recommend the bauer 8090 in a ee width. if that's still too narrow, you have clown feet, and you'll probably have to get a pair of custom skates.

good luck. it's a great sport, and i'm sure you'll love it.

-k

[hunter4oz 0]

its not a good idea at all to bake skates more than twice.

[Norm 0]

Thanks all! I wore them around the house today and replaced the footbeds. I had a lesson plus public skate tonight and they feel alot better. I've heard there are some that take the footbeds out and/or don't wear socks so they can feel the ice, but not me, not yet. You can definately put me in the tenderfoot column for now!

5. i don't mean to sound like an ass, but this is why your lhs is better than the internet

I went to my LHS and tried to ask the guy some questions and he basically made me feel like I was interupting his day. So I saved $275 and his attitude. And like I said they're starting to come around. I can't wait for my first pickup game in a week. Aw man is that gonna be scary!!! :o

[Chadd 916]

I only suggest baking skates if you encounter problems after you purchase a skate. If you're going to buy skates, make sure you get ones that fit properly to begin with an all of the alterations aren't needed. Then again, I usually suggest people stay away from skates that are extremely stiff and restrictive.

[awall 0]

Howdy everyone!

I've just started learning to skate for real (at the ripe old age of 36) with hopes of playing in a league. I've got couple of questions about breaking in skates.

I have pair of '04 CCM Pro Tacks E width. I bought them over the internet, but I also asked a few people and they all said CCM's run wide which is good 'cuz I have wide feet. Front to back they fit right (big toe 'feathers' front of boot) and I also had them "baked" and "F-I-T" ed with that giant CCM contraption.

They still feel tight though. I hardly tighten the forefoot at all. In fact, the laces down there can be easily pulled up.

So my questions are:

Does baking effect just the foam lining or the hard outer shell too?

How many times can you bake a skate?

Can they be widened when they are warm?

I heard walking aroung the house is a good way to break them in, but I also heard that damp socks (mimicing sweat) help too. Opinions?

And finally, how much of the break-in process is really about breaking in your feet? I've heard folks say they're skates are soooo comfortable, but compared to what? A roomy pair of Nike's? A cast iron foot binder from the Inquistion days?

Thanks for any tips you can give this old dog learnig new tricks!!

Norm

It makes my heart sing to hear of another old fart picking up skating. I just turned 34 this year and started skating in Jauary. I have been taking lessons at my local rink and just recently picked up a private coach on the side.

My expierence breaking in my skates was uncomfortable. I have a pair of Vector 6's in 8 E since I have "flipper" feet (wide feet). I went with CCM becaue they were reputed to make wider skates and I didn't like the way Bauers fit my feet. Unlike you, I didn't have my skates baked or F-I-Tted, I did it the hard way. I figured that it took a good month of skating twice a week to break in my skates and my feet. I am assuming that you haven't skated much until recently and are probably not in athletic shape so remember that you are also having to build up muscles you haven't used before, even muscles in your feet.

I am sorry to hear that your LHS expierence was poor. Hopefully there is another in your area that you can check out. If you let us know what city you're in someone might be able to make a personal recommendation.

There are a few of us old dogs learning new tricks so feel free to ask any questions you might have. There are also a lot of guys here that offer great advice (Chadd and JR Boucicaut are two of my favorites).