Debunking my LHS skate fit myth

[Hockeydog 8]

So I am on the ice with someone from my LHS and I ask him to watch my skates from behind and see if they are tilted in at all while I am just gliding straight forward on the flats of the blades, feet about hip width apart. He tells me my right skate is somewhat tilted in but my left skate is aligned correctly with my leg. He also tells me that is not unusual and is not a problem. I am not sure this is correct. Perhaps he is covering up for the skates he sold me that are too big? I can say I am not the greatest skater but do not feel in control of the skates. Ironically - or not- the skate that tilts, or caves a bit is on my longer foot ( by about 1/4 "). the foot that has more space by virtue of compromise is mostly aligned correctly. When I look in a mirror- or the glass on the rink- I can see not all but about half the tendon guard poking out from the inside of my calf. I think I left my fate to an ill informed or non-caring LHS.

My questions are these. Skates should not tilt or collapse inward much at all- correct? And what aspect of skate fit causes this? Too long? Too wide? Heel too wide? other?

as always thanks !

[wetwilly17 6]

you might also want to check if one leg is longer than the other. i knew a guy that had minor lifts added to one skate because of this.

[jeremyp 3]

Your skates can also tilt inwards if your feet pronate (roll inward). This is the problem I have. This can be corrected with insoles such as Superfeet, aligning the blade holders to compensate or putting a slight lift on the outside of the blade holder to compensate. My CCM U+ CL's had to have a slight lift on the outside of the blade holders and it made a world of a difference.

Hope this helps.

JP

[Hockeydog 8]

Thanks for the responses. I have tried Superfeet, same result. I have a feeling it is either a length issue, or a width issue. The skates I have not had this problem with are always borderline too small, so it could be that unlike some people, I can't get away with a fit that is slightly bigger. It could be a leg length issue, the longer leg is the skate with the issue. I do appreciate the responses, also hoping some of the experts could weigh in. Not looking to eliminate the step of trying on skates before buying, just trying to narrow down what I need, as LHS is of no help.

[Hermans 9]

I wobble in my right skate and not my left; my right foot is a different size and it's normal for people to have one side slightly over or undersized compared to the other side of their body. This can affect fit and performance of footwear.

[DarkStar50 680]

????

What model skates?

How long have you had them?

Were they baked?

How long have you been skating?

How often do you skate?

What skates did you have before these?

Did you have the same problems with those skates?

[Hockeydog 8]

????

What model skates?

Bauer One70 - size 8D

How long have you had them?

One month- skated twice

Were they baked?

Yes they were baked

How long have you been skating?

about 3 years

How often do you skate?

ususally twice per week- sometimes only 1 time per week

What skates did you have before these?

Mission AGX

Did you have the same problems with those skates?

No. When in a neutral gliding position I feel like I am on the flats.

[DarkStar50 680]

Dog, two skates in a month isn't enough time to judge your skates yet. Just my two cents.

[fiimb 1]

could be posture. if you lean on one leg more than the other, one leg might have weaker posture muscles and therefore unable to keep your foot aligned properly. as an extension, you're one leg could pronate more than the other.

i know my right foot pronates more than my left foot by far. part of it is posture, part of it is that my right foot has been weakened by years of volleyball ankle injuries, and subsequently rely more on the boots stiffness to keep upright.

[Hockeydog 8]

Dog, two skates in a month isn't enough time to judge your skates yet. Just my two cents.

I'll start using them again, I won't have a choice soon as the AGX insides are coming apart.

Just hope I can adapt to them.

could be posture. if you lean on one leg more than the other, one leg might have weaker posture muscles and therefore unable to keep your foot aligned properly. as an extension, you're one leg could pronate more than the other.

i know my right foot pronates more than my left foot by far. part of it is posture, part of it is that my right foot has been weakened by years of volleyball ankle injuries, and subsequently rely more on the boots stiffness to keep upright.

Maybe you are on to something, the skate with the "issue" is on my slightly longer foot. That could cause a weight shift towards the shorter foot. Hmmmm

Thanks both youse for the responses !

[Hockeydog 8]

Another bit of info regarding my issues. The One70 skates are perhaps slightly too long. At no point - sitting, standing, etc- do my toes graze the toe cap. They are not far from doing that, with the skate laces undone and my foot slid up to the toecap I can stick my index finger between my foot and the back of the skate, not loosely but I can. My skates that work for me that I am trying to phase out due to their condition fit much closer. Toes graze and just barely pull off toe cap when skating. Now I have hung around this board long enough to know that is the ideal fit for skate length, but the question is can something less than that fit cause skate control issues? It's just hard to find a skate in which every aspect of the fit is dead on.

[pby 0]

I'm inclined to think that your skates are too big or there is too much volume in the boot for a snug fit. You're basically pronating inside the boot which leads to the tilt. Suggest you try a smaller pair. Your toes should more or less feather the toe cap when you're sitting down, I'm aware that you have a slightly larger foot so you're going to have to somewhat compromise half a size.

[Hockeydog 8]

I'm inclined to think that your skates are too big or there is too much volume in the boot for a snug fit. You're basically pronating inside the boot which leads to the tilt. Suggest you try a smaller pair. Your toes should more or less feather the toe cap when you're sitting down, I'm aware that you have a slightly larger foot so you're going to have to somewhat compromise half a size.

Thanks for the reply, I am thinking you are right. I like the skate in general, may go to LHS and try on a half or even whole size down.

[DarkStar50 680]

Take out the footbeds and stand on them. How much length from the end of your toes to the end of the footbed? I'll bet there is more than a 1/4".

[Hockeydog 8]

Take out the footbeds and stand on them. How much length from the end of your toes to the end of the footbed? I'll bet there is more than a 1/4".

A careful measurement as you suggested comes in at 6/16th of an inch so you are dead on, it i more than 1/4". And that is on the longer foot. ( but also the one that is the issue)