Getting Fit For Custom Skates

[Hockeydog 8]

Hockeymom is right !! If you don't have any major fit issues you may well be able to find a skate that works great for you. Just go to a shop that has a big selection and try on everything. I have a pair of One90's that were a pro return, and I was very lucky because the left skate was a 1/4 size bigger than the right, which is exactly how my feet are length- wise. I got a custom fit. If you are looking for the "perfect fit" then custom order may be the way to go, but there are many different skates out there that fit differently. You may find what you need off the shelf.

By the way Roscoe, I'm originally from Davenport, so hey from another Quad Citian (sp) Other than a little pond skating at Vanderveer park and that pond by Eastern Ave and Kimberly road I didn't do too much on the ice until I left the area. Too bad, I coulda been a contenda!

I got your PM, Hockeymom, will reply as soon as my darn phone quits ringing!

[roscoe6 1]

Thanks for all the help guys. I am currently using Vapor XXX's and like them, to a certain extent. The main problem is because I think I should be wearing a half-size smaller, but after practice/games my heels, and sides of my feet (the outside of my arches?) are killing me! And being on the ice a minimum of 5 days a week, this just isnt fun. I also use the Shock Doctor insoles, but Im not sold on how well they help my foot stay comfy and supported. I dont know if I just need to try a different brand of skate, or if I should just convince myself that you only live once and splurge on the extra cost.

Thanks again everyone.

[Hockeydog 8]

Are your heels getting blisters? If the sides of your arches hurt you may not want a smaller size if the length of the skate is okay. I'd pitch the Shock Doctors. I had them and they didn't do anything for me. Although I have yet to try them, the Superfeet grey insoles come highly regarded by many, including NHL players. You may just need to tweak your currect skates.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Try a thinner insole. Go back to your original ones and see what happens.

[roscoe6 1]

Sounds like a plan. Shock Doctors are out! And yes I am getting blisters on my heels (and toes, oddly). Why did you ask Hockeydog?

[Hockeydog 8]

When I was trying to make a pair of Graf 704's work I even went as far as getting some cheap Dr Scholl insoles and cut them to size. They wre very thin and I was trying to get more volume space in that skate. No heel cup or arch support though.

[roscoe6 1]

Hockeydog, its great to see another Quad Citian on here! Haha. You mentioned earlier that you are currently skating in One90's, how do you like them? Comfort wise, and also the "zero-negetive space". Would you recomend them?

[Hockeydog 8]

For my feet, it's the best skate I have ever worn, and I have tried about 10 pairs. I love them and they really are extensions of my feet. Stiff, yet mobile.They are not comfortable in a plush sort of way, but comfortable in that they fit very snug to my feet. As Hockeymom can probably tell you, there is a break in like any other skate, but my feet are not sore. Most of the experts here ( I am not among) would say that a skate that is a comfy as street shoes doesn't fit right for hockey.

Now the only catch here is that my One90's are pro returns. I got lucky because my left foot is slightly longer, and thses skates are 1/4 size longer in the left boot. Also I have a narrow heel and these skates are made with a size aa heel and C forefoot. I have taken some hard shots to the ankle and side of foot, and am no worse for wear. The Graf 301's I was trying to make work had me doubled over when I got popped in the ankle. Now granted these skates were custom and made just like my feet, but the skate is fantastic just based on it's own merits. If they fit your feet you wouldn't be sorry. Glad to here from someone in the QC !! I think there are more places to play than when I was a kid. You have the Mallards now, we had to hope a Blackhawks game was on TV.

[roscoe6 1]

Thanks for all your info Hockeydog. Where did you happen upon these pro returns? You know who they were made for?

Also, what runners are on the skates? It seems like all the One90's I see in the NHL are either the white Lightspeeds or the Custom +.

Thanks.

[Hockeydog 8]

The blade holders are Lightspeed2 Power. I live in an area with a pro team that sometimes sells off their used stuff. The Mallards might do the same.

[roscoe6 1]

Alright, well I talked to the Mallards equipment manager, who was very informative and helpfull, and he said that he would get in contact with NBH and see what he could do for me.

He also gave me an Itech HS22S half-shield! Haha. He said they just throw them out and he just took it off. Barley any scratches!

Also, what all can be done to the skate that would make it custom. (Besides the obvious that it is made from YOUR foot prints.) He mentioned, extra long or extra thick tongues, different eyelet patterns, and different TUUK's. Anyone know of anything else that is commonly done to make skates one-of-a-kind?

Thanks.

[DamnLocust 0]

there are different stiffness levels that you can choose from (I want to say 4 levels). I think you can also have the seams double stitched (possibly as part of a stiffener package).

There may be more, I'm not sure.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Most pros go with the retail (#2) stiffness.

You have your choice of:

Length/width

Liner

Tongue

Sole

Holder

Stiffness

Eyelet orientation

Reinforced eyelets/rows

Low/high vamping

Ankle pad thickness

and more...

[wonderenzo 0]

out of the customs that i have seen come through the shop the ankle pad thickness is coolest thing... not going to find a retail skate with anywhere near the padding inside.

another note on the time frame for customs.. 6 wks is what they say, but we idk if nbh is just messing with us but we have seen up to 9 wks for the skates to actually get to the shop, we also had a pair that was lost by fedex and took them another 2 wks to find. customer was pissed off. not saying it will happen to you, but still blows.

[Sven 1]

Most pros go with the retail (#2) stiffness.

You have your choice of:

Length/width

Liner

Tongue

Sole

Holder

Stiffness

Eyelet orientation

Reinforced eyelets/rows

Low/high vamping

Ankle pad thickness

and more...

So?

Thanks a lot anyways.

Edit:

Whats low/high vamping? Especially on a C9

[roscoe6 1]

Hey thanks guys! Wonderenzo, what does the different ankle padding look like? Just reall thick? Or is it a different material all together?

JR, just curious, but how do you know so much about hockey equipment? Equipment manager? LHS owner? Or do you just love hockey equipment that much? :D Totally jealous of your knowledge and thanks for all the help.

[Hockeydog 8]

Roscoe, my pro returns have a lot of extra anhle padding. Not only good for protection but that padding is all thermoformable. Heel lock is great. My One90's are a stiffness of 3, which is stiff but the skate is still has very good forward flex.

JR, don't you also get a choice of Heel width? Mine are C/aa.

[wonderenzo 0]

same material just a load of it. they do different thickness of the angle padding tho but then it will wrap around your ankle after baking.

[Sven 1]

Another question: Whats the actual heel width of a EE skate (8090 retail in my case)? The heel width is fine for me so id like to get the same width in my customs.

[Chadd 916]

Another question: Whats the actual heel width of a EE skate (8090 retail in my case)? The heel width is fine for me so id like to get the same width in my customs.

B

[Sven 1]

Another question: Whats the actual heel width of a EE skate (8090 retail in my case)? The heel width is fine for me so id like to get the same width in my customs.

B

Thanks.

And whats "High/low vamping" ?