Anyone ever try to use a slightly too big boot?

[Ray 0]

I know the answer is to find something that fits right, but here is the deal. I've found that RBK/CCM fits me well. I have a pair of 5k size 9D for ice and like them (except for the pump). I had a Tour size 9 for roller and liked it except for the lack of ankle padding. So I had a local shop add some, but this pushed my foot up too far in the boot so that my toes are way too cramped. So I got a good deal on a used Graf 709 setup ($30) that I converted to roller with Sprungs. The Grafs are size 10. So not only are they slightly bigger than my Tours/RBK's, but the heel on this specific Graf boot is extremely deep. So when I skate, my heel picks up in the boot. The logical next move it to ditch the Grafs right? Well in order to get a decent boot new on closeout, I'd be spending about $150 (Easton S7, CCM V06 etc). I am not opposed to going that route, but I played around with the Grafs last night and found that if I put a spacer under the footbed (I used my Tour footbed, I know this isn't ideal, but I wanted to test the concept) and put a spacer behind my achilles, the skates felt pretty good. I felt like my toes were in the toe cap where I wanted them to be and I felt like I was getting the type of feed back from the boot that I should be getting. Granted I was just skating around in my basement. So my plan now is to have the LHS glue in some padding in the achilles area and make me a proper footbed lift, or else do the lift myself. Has anyone ever done that just to be able to use a boot that is too big otherwise?

[Jarick 5]

Yes, my heel slid around, I got blisters, and my skating suffered. Within 15 minutes of skating in the proper size skates, my crossovers, edges, stopping, turning, and everything was much improved.

[fatwabbit 93]

Tried that before... too much sloppy movement in the heel area, leading to blisters, loss of stride etc...

[Law Goalie 147]

I've successfully worn a boot that was about a half size to 3/4 too long, but well-fitted in width along the boot and in depth generally. Because the only excess space was between the tips of my toes and the end of the boot, and because the top of my foot was correctly secured, there was no movement at all. Oddly enough, mine were 709s too.

[adam14 182]

used a 9k all year that was half a size too big and a width too wide. dont ever do it. you will be put through hell.

[vinceyuen 0]

i've worn a boot 2 sizes too big. felt heavy, sloppy, lots of movement as my heels wouldn't stay down.

as adam14 said.. it really puts you through hell

[Powerfibers 8]

Yep, got three pairs in the SALE section because of it. Tried them all, and it ain;t worth it!

[Keith 0]

Yeah, it feels horrible.

[Ray 0]

I've successfully worn a boot that was about a half size to 3/4 too long, but well-fitted in width along the boot and in depth generally. Because the only excess space was between the tips of my toes and the end of the boot, and because the top of my foot was correctly secured, there was no movement at all. Oddly enough, mine were 709s too.

That is good to hear. I would say the my boot is too long by about the same amount. With the heel pad I think it actually feels right. I think my small modifications might work. I know this isnt ideal by any means, but I'm willing to try it and see how it feels. I think I'm going to jump on a closout S11, S7, or V06 at some point since I have another roller chassis that needs to be mounted. Thanks for all the feedback.

[Law Goalie 147]

Just be damn sure that the boot fits correctly in width and depth all the way along, and the fit should be fine. If there's any extra room, particularly over the arch or along the forefoot, you're going to have a horrible time in those boots. $30 is a lovely deal, but don't cling to that if it's going to wreck your feet.

I'm trying to picture this 'heel pad'... Is that extra padding holding your heel down, or is it pushing your foot forward into the toe-cap? If it's holding it down, does your heel slip up because it's too narrow all around for that relatively spacious heel-counter, or because the contour of your Achilles' just doesn't fit with the built-in padding of the boot?

Just so you know, a cobbler might be cheaper and better suited for this type of repair than a hockey shop.

[hockeyshmockey10 0]

i really wouldn't recommend it, before i really started to get interested in hockey gear, i really trusted my LHS with whatever they put on my foot. obviously i went with what fit the best. but a lazy employee one time gave me the wrong pair of skates during the baking process and i spent an entire summer skating in 10.5 d's when i should have been in 8.5 ee's. it was a pair of vapor xx's and i never skated them before, i just figured that thats how they fit after baking. since then i try and make sure that no matter what level i'm playing at, i still stay current with the gear and if i need to replace something i make sure i get the right size in everything.

[rmnyi 0]

I've successfully worn a boot that was about a half size to 3/4 too long, but well-fitted in width along the boot and in depth generally. Because the only excess space was between the tips of my toes and the end of the boot, and because the top of my foot was correctly secured, there was no movement at all. Oddly enough, mine were 709s too.

My 709's (10W) are now a year old and feel a little sloppy. Probably should have a 9 or 9.5 in regular width. Would you know the difference in width in a 709, assuming the size is the same?

[Ray 0]

I'm trying to picture this 'heel pad'... Is that extra padding holding your heel down, or is it pushing your foot forward into the toe-cap? If it's holding it down, does your heel slip up because it's too narrow all around for that relatively spacious heel-counter, or because the contour of your Achilles' just doesn't fit with the built-in padding of the boot?

Just so you know, a cobbler might be cheaper and better suited for this type of repair than a hockey shop.

The heel padding is used to both "un-deepen" the heel a little AND act as a spacer to push my foot forward a little. The heel width seems to be just right as well as the width in general. If anything, the ball area width is a tad tight so that should get better with a few hard skates. The arch fit seems to be just right with the makeshift pad I put in there. I assume this is from making the heel a bit more shallow. I'm getting the skates back from the shop tonight so I'll see how they work. I'm still planning to pick up a pair of closeout V06's soon to make another pair of rollers and I'll just use the ones I like better as my main pair and have the other ones as back up, or setup with wheels for ourdoor or different court materials. Good idea about the cobbler, thanks.

[Law Goalie 147]

Sounds like that might well work, Ray - worth a shot, anyhow, and a fun experiment at the very least.

My 709's (10W) are now a year old and feel a little sloppy. Probably should have a 9 or 9.5 in regular width. Would you know the difference in width in a 709, assuming the size is the same?

IIRC, the 'official' difference in measurement between standard lettered widths is 3/16ths of an inch all along the last. As to how exactly that applies in Graf's widths (N, R, W, WW) send a PM to GrafPro55 (Tyler) - he'll be able to tell you exactly.

[jcp2 2]

I wear 6.0 in Graf 705 but got a good deal on used 703's that were 6.5 just to fool around in. My foot doesn't move around at all in the larger skates, but I think that's because the heel and instep fits well. For skating around, there isn't much difference in feel, but I'm more clumsy when actually playing. The increased length throws me a bit off, and I catch my toes a bit.