Wobbly Skate?

[k13 0]

I'm kinda new to Ice hockey, so don't hate on me if this is a noobish question.

I got new Easton S7 skates, and had my first game in them tonight. I found that when i was gliding, my skates would wobble uncontrolably. Is this an issue with the skate? I tried tying the skates tighter too, but it only helped slightly.

Its odd, because I thought the skates fit perfectly, had them baked and everything. I even have superfeet in them (which i found were kinda making my feet sore, probably needs some adjustment time).

Any insight?

edit: by wobble, i mean they wobble by gliding in a S pattern, not ankle wobble.

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

I don't know about your wobble problem, but on the Superfeet issue, they need some time to break in. I would recommend wearing them in your street shoes as much as possible before skating with them. It will make a big difference.

[SirJW 207]

Could it be an issue w/ the blade not sharpened properly or the ice being bumpy?

[k13 0]

Could it be an issue w/ the blade not sharpened properly or the ice being bumpy?

the ice was fine. the blade looked fine to me, but i'm not an expert on that.

[Darkbyte 0]

How fast were you going? glide as in public skate speed or faster?

Get the blade checked.

If its not the ice or skate issue, I dont know if this is true for ice, but with inline, if I have my weight too far over my toes when im trying to skate above public session speeds they wobble about in little 's' shapes like you described.

[k13 0]

How fast were you going? glide as in public skate speed or faster?

I dont know if its true for ice as it is with inline, but if I have my weight too far over my toes when im trying to go above public skate speeds they wobble

Gliding towards the bench speeds. I've never had this problem with my inlines, or my old pair of skates...

[BearsEatBeets 0]

It's probably you're not used to the balance on skates so you are uneven on your edges for the one foot. So when you try to compensate you end up overcompensating leading to the wobble S pattern you feel. But if you're sure it's not you, then check your blade to see if your blade is bent anywhere down the blade. This will be very slight and can contribute to the S wobble you may feel too. I've had this happen to me with previous skates where the blade just didn't feel right and I take a closer look at the blade and find that it's not in fact straight but slightly bent.

But most likely I just don't think you're used to your edges and putting even pressure on them. I know this is pretty common and happens to me when mess around and I don't put even pressure on my edges.

[Chadd 916]

You might want to double check and make sure the holders are properly aligned and the steel is straight.

[chrisg19 5]

When I switched over after playing roller for a number of years, I had a similar problem. For me it was just that I was not used to the way an ice blade glides, compared to wheels, and it went away as I got more comfortable on ice skates.

[k13 0]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll have to doublecheck the skates, but I highly doubt a factory defect.

[sebseb 0]

if we're on the wobbling subject, any idea why sometimes, at very low speeds one of my ankles starts wobbling? i figured it had to do with the strengh of the foot, but i would like to hear the opinion of a more experienced skater

[Holden Caulfield 5]

A couple years ago, I got back into ice hockey after a long hiatis and skating on inlines for 5 years. The first time out I noticed that I could not glide in nice straight lines with ice skates and encountered a wobble like you described.

The reason you feel wobbly is because inline skates have no rocker and no edges - 4 wheels on the ground at all times and the highest point of the wheels is dead center. That said, you can glide super smooth in perfect straight lines over very long distances.

Ice skate blades are rockered (curved) and you are always on one of the edges at all times so when your brain tries to replicate the same inline glide your edges are carving quick little turns. The wobble is at it worst when trying to go in perfect straight lines while you are completely centered over your skates, easy to do on inlines, but on ice skates you will oscilate between inside and outside edges.

Do not despair - your brain will adjust and you will learn to ice skate smoothly. You just need to learn edge control for ice skates.

Bottom line - probably not the skates - just need to re-learn your edges for ice skating.

[Stacey 0]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll have to doublecheck the skates, but I highly doubt a factory defect.

I highly doubt that it isn't...skate wobble is almost always attributed to bent steel as many others have mentioned. It doesn't have to be a severe bend either, the tiniest bit is enough to wreak havoc.

[1stLiner91 0]

EDIT: i didn't see the S wobble thing, my fault...

hmmm, might be the blade, but no idea

[chilimax21 0]

You could try to lay the blade of the skate on something flat like a glass table to see if the blade is bent.

[giogolf 9]

Maybe a stupid question, but did you ever get them sharpened after you purchased them? Many people just starting out on ice assume that the skates out of the box are good to go. Just a thought.

I'm kinda new to Ice hockey, so don't hate on me if this is a noobish question.

I got new Easton S7 skates, and had my first game in them tonight. I found that when i was gliding, my skates would wobble uncontrolably. Is this an issue with the skate? I tried tying the skates tighter too, but it only helped slightly.

Its odd, because I thought the skates fit perfectly, had them baked and everything. I even have superfeet in them (which i found were kinda making my feet sore, probably needs some adjustment time).

Any insight?

edit: by wobble, i mean they wobble by gliding in a S pattern, not ankle wobble.

[squashguy 0]

If your plastic blade holder is not mounted properly onto the boot, and it pointing toe out or toe in by a few degrees, that could easily cause the wobble.

Also if the blade is not tight in the holder.

[k13 0]

yep, of course I had them sharpened :P

Not sure if its mounted wrong or not, but they lay flat on a table. I have a game this saturday, so I'll try them out again.

[Larry54 243]

Try putting less of your weight on the balls of your feet when your gliding.

[k13 0]

So I put a few more games into them. Still wobble, though less without the superfeet (weren't really for me).

I find that if i'm at a fast glide, the skates make a scraping sound. (going straight too!)

Is it the skate? My stance? I have no idea. I can get pictures up, but I wouldn't really know what i'm taking pictures of.

[Stacey 0]

Well have you taken any of the suggestions? From my experience with working on skates, what you are describing is indicative of a bent blade, more so now that you are describing scraping sounds. There may also be a blade alignment in the works for you as well. Take them to the shop and ask them to look over the skates for you.

[k13 0]

i did lay the skate blade on a table, but they seem straight. I'll check with the LHS when I take them in for a sharpening today.

I'm not sure if its the skates, or me. Like i said, first time playing ice hockey after coming primarily from roller.

[k13 0]

Here's a picture of my skates. The holders look misaligned? Took it to the LHS, and they said it was nothing.

Sorry if the picture is too big.

[k13 0]

Here's another picture. Its hard to see since the outsole is black.

[Rylake 0]

I had some big problems with Eastons holders. They are fragile and didn't balance well for me. After I snapped one I took the opportunity to get rid of them and get TUUK's put on.

I like the boots, but the holders are junk IMO.