Pump question - should I be worried?

[B-Nads 0]

I skated in my new 7k's for the first time today. The skate fit very well, and the pump bladdrs do what they are supposed to - lock a smaller ankle into a wider fitting skate. After skating for about 45 minutes I noticed the left foot felt a little sloppy so I gave a couple more shots of air. Anyway, before taking the skates off I released the air from the pumps, and while the right skate made an audible hiss, the left didn't. I'll try to get out on them in another day or so to pay closer attention to this. Does this sound like a leak issue?

[jimmy 194]

Could be a leak. Were the skates heat molded, if so at what temp, how long and were the bags inflated or deflated during the heating process?

I inflated mine nearly 2 yrs ago and the same air is still in there. These things are very durable, but improper heat molding will cause them to fail in a heartbeat.

[B-Nads 0]

As far as a know, they were not heat moulded.

[pavel12345 0]

jimmy^ u never deflate after ur done with a session?

[habookus 1]

That happens with my 9k's, my left pumps up nice but the right doesn't. I've just gotten used to it and just tape the top of my skates.

[Spreedizzle 1]

6 months in my 7K's with no issues....have pumped and deflated properly everytime. I DO however release the air pressure each time that I take the skates off, and then give them 10-15 pumps before I hit the ice.

[B-Nads 0]

Well, I put them on last night and walked around the basement for a while with them, stretching ad pushing a lot, trying to simulate a few shifts. The left boot did seem to have less air in it than the right after a while, although it did have some, so if there is a leak it is a slow one. The guy I bought them off of is supposed to set me up with a receipt just in case so I can bring them down to Montreal to RBK hq and get them fixed or replaced if needs be - I'll give them a couple ice runs first - love the skate apart from that.

[AnthonyJTa 0]

I made it a point to check mine thoroughly before purchasing... just because the sales guy told me "Pump them up about 25 times, then slip them on..." I told him I'd rather pump after putting them on, as I just imagine that's not very good for the skate.

Sure enough, a kid I skate with has 5K's, and never deflates them when he's taking his skates off and ruined the air bladder in one skate.

[Monty22 835]

One of the reasons I stay away from features like this is that the more parts go into something, the increased likleyhod one will fail. I've always felt a skate either fits you or it dosen't. If someone is relying on the pump's air bladder to make a skate fit, if/when it fails they left with an uncomfortable, ill fitting boot.The pump should be a very slight enhancement to a boot with an already satisfactory fit, not relied upon for use of a certin style of boot. Just my 2 cents....

[AnthonyJTa 0]

The pump should be a very slight enhancement to a boot with an already satisfactory fit, not relied upon for use of a certin style of boot. Just my 2 cents....

that's my only issue with my 9K's... I would have liked to have at least seen some bit of an ankle pack in there, then utilize the air bladders to extend them.... without using the pump, there's nay ankle support.

[Spreedizzle 1]

One of the reasons I stay away from features like this is that the more parts go into something, the increased likleyhod one will fail. I've always felt a skate either fits you or it dosen't. If someone is relying on the pump's air bladder to make a skate fit, if/when it fails they left with an uncomfortable, ill fitting boot.The pump should be a very slight enhancement to a boot with an already satisfactory fit, not relied upon for use of a certin style of boot. Just my 2 cents....

I'll agree with you there.....which is exactly why I tried these skates on just like every other pair that I have ever purchased. I didn't use the pump once while trying them on and making my purchasing decision. I didn't want that feature to influence my purchase. Since then I have used the pump during my games as I like the added effect to keep my soaking wet heel (I sweat like a faucet) locked down and in my skate.

[Hockeydog 8]

I have a pair of 5k pumps that do pretty much the same thing. I have not baked them as I was told the 5K can't be baked. I have to give the pump about 25 hits to firm up the support in my ankles, and then have to hit it again during a game or practice. For my pair at least I am convinced that they do leak a small amount of air and that the pump is not a fix - all if the boot doesn't fit before pumping up. I have also tried pumping them up before

trying up the boot, it just crammed my toes up against the toe cap.

[sk8 0]

I may have the same problem with my 9k's where one boot seems to have less air then the other. It really doesn't bother me though since I view the pump as more of a fine tune adjustment. I can skate without any air with the same comfort as if it were inflated. It could also be related to how you press the pump. For example, if you press both pumps at the same time like I do you may be adding more air in one then the other.

[B-Nads 0]

Well, actually I pump the two skates to where they are comfortable - my worry is more to do with the fact that the left skate appears to lose air during use, whereas the right doesn't. The skates are very comfortable, and do fit well, although the added fitting of the pump does help with my smaller ankles. I have read in a few places that this may happen as the skate breaks in due to the expansion and stretching of the materials - I just want to be sure this is the case because they are new enough to return now if there is a problem.

[5minutesforfighting 0]

Did you take any shots to the foot?

Played a pick up game with a guy, he got shot in the foot and the pump broke.

[B-Nads 0]

Nope - just used them in a free skate.

[pavel12345 0]

for those who are pumping more than 15 times, stop. the guy at my lhs said to pump it up 13 times max. so according to this guy 25 tiems is too much. also i think the pump system is kinda dumb. i have a pair of 7k's. the ankle is wider than most other skates in the market, so pumping it up makes it the same as lets say a nike bauer skate or ccm.

[Hockeydog 8]

You know I realized if I have to pump them up that many times they are too big in the ankles. A team mate has 7K's and he only needs a few pumps to "fine tune" them. That is good advice for anyone looking at these saktes, wish I had heard that before I bought mine.

[thejackal 46]

my pump tennis shoes need at least 30 pumps to feel tightened up, so that could be the reason the salesman said 25.

[B-Nads 0]

Well, it isn't like I need to pump them up to hold my feet in - I probably pump about 15 - 20 times on the right foot - a little less on the left due to a couple severe injuries that have mis-shaped that ankle. That is actually another reason why I went with the RBK's - although I have smaller ankles, my left ankle is a bit of a mess and cannot fit comfortably into the same shaped boot my right foot can. So, like many others, it is more a fine tuning for me as well. In any case, I appreciate the feedback in here, even from those who have gone a bit off track and simply started Pump-bashing - lol.

[RadioGaGa 162]

The first time I tried on my 9k's at the store...they still had air in them, and there was no way I could put them on without taking the air out first.

I need 7 pumps - tops.

[AnthonyJTa 0]

You know I realized if I have to pump them up that many times they are too big in the ankles. A team mate has 7K's and he only needs a few pumps to "fine tune" them. That is good advice for anyone looking at these saktes, wish I had heard that before I bought mine.

That's really all that's necessary. 7, 8 times... that's why I was kinda sketched out when the guy told me "pump 25 times, slip the skate on... tie it, then pump more if needed"..

[jimmy 194]

jimmy^ u never deflate after ur done with a session?

Nope, I got mine neary 2 yrs ago. Heat molded them properly. Inflated them back then and the same air is still in them. I've heard of people springing leaks, but none of the skates I've sold have gotten any, could be coincidence, but again, improper heat molding is likely the cause. They have toi be molded properly and chain of custody is critical. Air bag technology is great, and durable. I've had a promasque goal mask with air bag for 7 yrs. The air bag is fully exposed. I've taken dozens of hard shots to the head. No leaks (but perhaps a little brain damage) but nevertheless, the air bags hold. I doubt a shot to the skate could break a airbag or seal. I still have customers with 1992 pump tacks where the air bags still work. IMO, for a RBK air bag to leak something unsual had to happen, be it heat molding or abuse. I've sold hundreds of pump skates, if there was a significant problem with design, I think I would have had many failures. Unlike other brands which have many problems like soleplate seperation, blade breakage, loose runners, etc, I think the anecdotal reports of RBK airbag failure are totally insignificant.

[sds 0]

our RBK rep told our LHS to NOT let the air out after skating. Find the spot you like and leave it. The constant repressurizing causes leaks in the release valve.

[chk hrd 164]

our RBK rep told our LHS to NOT let the air out after skating. Find the spot you like and leave it. The constant repressurizing causes leaks in the release valve.

then what's the purpose of having an inflaittable bladder. Your skates are never tied the exact same and your body always changes shape and size from swelling, water, etc.

I've bought 3 pairs of pumps, 9k's for me that I've used for over a year, 5k's that were my son's first pumps and his current 9k's. We always deflate them before taking them off and pump them up to fine tune the fit. We have yet to have any problems.