Toebox sides of toe too snug

[hockeyfreak 0]

The area where the boot joins the toecap feels snug, can this be fixed? Does stretching widen the toe box at all?

PS: Vapor 40's

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

Nope. You can try to heat the ever-lovin' crap out of it and punch it out, but it will be minimal at best and very specific to the area (think no larger than a nickel size/diameter wise). At least, not within the cap itself.

[Jordan 13]

My LHS was able to punch out the toe caps on my XXXXs with great success.

It did however take a couple of attempts to get it where it had to be.

[jeffw 1]

Try leaving the first set of eyelets (at the toe end) unlaced. I did that with my Mission skates until they got broken in and it worked great.

[TBLfan 25]

I had an issue where the toe cap was rubbing my big toe on my right foot. It gave me a blister... I put tape on it for a few games. When the skates started to break in the pressure left and I stopped taping the toe. Don't have any issues anymore.

[hockeyfreak 0]

This is where it feels snug, my toes sorta go numb, I had it punched out already because it was blistering but that whole area feels snug in general.

Will this loosen after it breaks in?

Should I bake

them?

http://s95.photobucket.com/albums/l152/the...G_0348Small.jpg

[TBLfan 25]

That's right at the spot that was bothering me(opposite side obviously). I'd try toughing it out and if it's still there after 5-6 more icetimes start thinking it's time to do more.

Baking wouldnt hurt.

[doogie24 0]

is there any good ways to widen where he is showing? i am having the exact same problem with one30s...only on one foot.

[jeffw 1]

is there any good ways to widen where he is showing? i am having the exact same problem with one30s...only on one foot.

Again...this works.

Try leaving the first set of eyelets (at the toe end) unlaced. I did that with my Mission skates until they got broken in and it worked great.

[Marrick66 0]

Is it just me, or does that pic look like he needs a deeper boot? Unrelated, I know, but it struck me as odd.

[jeffw 1]

Is it just me, or does that pic look like he needs a deeper boot? Unrelated, I know, but it struck me as odd.

I thought that too.

[hockeyfreak 0]

i am an adult wearing a junior size, i tried on a lot of boots and they were never optimal depth. I do not get any pain from these skates however, in terms of them be too shallow

[Marrick66 0]

No worries, I'm in the same boat.

[sds 0]

I don't know if it is universal, but I had this done to my 9k's in that exact area and it worked great. The area was VERY tight and after a few tries I told them to stretch the crap out of it. Worked like a charm.

However, you can see a small 1/16" gap between the toe cap and the piece of the boot that is supposed to butt end to. The skate appears fine, but you can see the difference between my left and right boots.

[Law Goalie 147]

Missions and Grafs can easily have the toe-box heated and stretched -- I'm talking about the plastic toe-cap, here. Other skates, not so much (NBH, Easton, etc.). Older skates, like pre-One9x Supremes or Tacks or Microns, forget it.

The only guy who ever talked about having success with older skates was using automotive tools (brake disc spreaders), a lot of heat, and WEEKS of pressure. I looked into it, and I would not trust the integrity of the toe-cap after this process. If you've got a few pairs of skates, give it a try; otherwise, it's not worth the risk.

Leaving the first eyelets undone only works if your problem is at the base of the big/little toe (first joint), rather than above it. My toes are actually wider at the second joint, so I need a toe-box that's bigger than the forefoot of the skate - which ain't structurally possible, as I understand it. I will, eventually, settle for a merely oversized toebox with the sides stretched and/or punched out.

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

Missions and Grafs can easily have the toe-box heated and stretched -- I'm talking about the plastic toe-cap, here. Other skates, not so much (NBH, Easton, etc.). Older skates, like pre-One9x Supremes or Tacks or Microns, forget it.

Mine were tacks. Like I said, I was only able to squeeze a VERY minimal bump and it was quite tough to get it in the right spot as it's a hard to reach spot and the punch out region was quite small.

[Law Goalie 147]

So you heated to hellish temperatures, then used a standard ball-and-socket skate punch? Good to know that can have at least a moderate effect on Tacks.

[sds 0]

It pulled the toe cap slightly off the bed on the right skate, but only by a little. When I say "pulled off, I don't mean all the way off, I mean the glue joint looks shifted by about an 1/8". There are no holes there. I checked the rest of the cap and it is still structurally sound. It made an unbearable fit completely usable.

[Ankles 3]

If a shop has the right tools and know-how, a plastic toecap can absolutely be punched or stretched if needed. Blademaster products work beautifully. The only boots/toecaps you cannot stretch or punch are composite.

[hockeyfreak 0]

after more analysis, I don't even think my baby toe is really in the toe cap that much. It is the material right before where the toe cap starts, I think I'll get them heated tmr and hopefully this area breaks in a bit. I already did that trick where I skip the first eyelet.

[Jarick 5]

So let's say you've got blisters on the outside of the little toe, on both feet. Would leaving the bottom eyelet untied help? Or should it be punched?

[Jordan 13]

That depends.

If your toes are inside the toe cap, the answer is no.

If your toes are rubbing before the toe cap, then perhaps.

[eric42434224 1]

OK. seeing that my Bauer Supreme 50's wont sell here or on ebay, I am left with the decision to keep them as back-up skates. The problem is that I am having this same problem, and it is why I switched to the s15's. My problem is the joint where the toecap meets the boot. My LHS tried to punch at first, but with no success (not sure if it was due to lack of proper equipment, or lack of professional knowledge).

So....I need to know, specifically, if the Bauer Supreme 50 can be puched out in that area. Can the toecap be widened, can I do it myself, and exactly how can I do it. I think I need to stretch both the boot, and the toecap. Please advise, as it looks like I am stuck with these skates, and would like to be able to use them if necessary. I am not concerned about aesthetics, and can handle minor damage to the skate. Any home-made remedies here?

JR, it looks like I will eventually have to go the custom route, as I just dont see myself paying 5 bills for new s15's or scouring eBay for used ones, every year (not to mention when they stop making them and I cant find them anymore). I will be in Orlando in Nov. If you are going to leave for the North, can you post here on MSH, so I can make a trip up to Orlando before you go?

Thanks!

[Ogie Oglethorpe 14]

I had somewhat the same problem and tried to have several pairs of skates punched out in/around there with little results. Once you get inside the toe cap area it's tough to pin-point exactly where it needs to be punched out. Then you get maybe 1/8 an inch relief with about the size of a dime.

You may have better luck, though, as it's right where the two meet. Mine was just barely over that line in the toe cap so I tried punching on both my 1152's and Kor Shift1's with no luck.

I eventually tried the Synnergy skates that had the wider toe box (didn't like the lace bit), Pro Tack size E (then the ankle was sloppy), and the Kor Shift2's but got them custom. I fluctuate between the two skates now but have come to the conclusion that the Shift2 may just be too stiff a skate for my liking and will end up with the Pro Tacks (ankle slop and all).

Not going custom again as my hockey "career" is in it's twilight and now that I am on the IR with yet another injury for a significant period may end up selling all my crap off anyway.

[gxc999 7]

I never lace up the first eyelet either. I have medium/slightly wide feet, (flat footed) but they really widen out at the toe box. It's a huge

annoyance for me in both skates and ordinary shoes.