Upgraded Vapors: Heel lock problems

[steelnation248 102]

So here's the story. I'm newer to hockey in general, I played roller for awhile and recently got more into ice over the past year. I played a lot of pond hockey so I picked up a pair of X:15's to use on the pond and they were cheap enough that I wouldn't mind getting them dirty and etc out on the ice. The 15's fit me very well and I actually liked them a lot. I have since got more into ice hockey and upgraded to the X:40's for use at the arena. I've only wore them a few times and have had some foot pain breaking them but it's been getting better. The one thing I noticed is that my heels are lifting a lot more in the boots then it did 15's.

I was wondering if I should give them a couple more skates and see what it's like when they're fully broken in. I was also thinking I could rebake them or try a new footbed. Also, the weird thing is that 15's were 9.5D but I got measured and purchased the 40's in a 8.5D, which is my proper size.

Can you guys help me out? Any suggestion will be much appreciated.

Sorry for the long winded post and sorry if this has been discussed before. I'm on my phone and tried to search for a similar topic but didn't get anything.

[nicksmission14 0]

So here's the story. I'm newer to hockey in general, I played roller for awhile and recently got more into ice over the past year. I played a lot of pond hockey so I picked up a pair of X:15's to use on the pond and they were cheap enough that I wouldn't mind getting them dirty and etc out on the ice. The 15's fit me very well and I actually liked them a lot. I have since got more into ice hockey and upgraded to the X:40's for use at the arena. I've only wore them a few times and have had some foot pain breaking them but it's been getting better. The one thing I noticed is that my heels are lifting a lot more in the boots then it did 15's.

I was wondering if I should give them a couple more skates and see what it's like when they're fully broken in. I was also thinking I could rebake them or try a new footbed. Also, the weird thing is that 15's were 9.5D but I got measured and purchased the 40's in a 8.5D, which is my proper size.

Can you guys help me out? Any suggestion will be much appreciated.

Sorry for the long winded post and sorry if this has been discussed before. I'm on my phone and tried to search for a similar topic but didn't get anything.

On a skate like the Vapor with traditional materials the heel isn't going to change much like an ALIVE or Composite Skate.

Basically the heel is too wide on the Vapors for your foot and the baking really isn't going to help it.... As the skate breaks in it will probably get worse as well.

You'd probably do better in a Supreme heel.

[steelnation248 102]

The S15 does have a very good heel lock for sure. On a skate like the Vapor with traditional materials the heel isn't going to change much like an ALIVE or Composite Skate.

Basically the heel is too wide on the Vapors for your foot and the baking really isn't going to help it.... As the skate breaks in it will probably get worse as well.

You'd probably do better in a Supreme heel. Similar heel lock to the S15.

S15?

I'm talking about going for the Vapor X:15's to the Vapor X:40's. I didn't have problems with the 15's heel but I do with the 40's heel. Granted, it's not a totally terrible fit in the 40's, it's just a little slip that I didn't feel with the 15's. I guess I should have mentioned that in the original post.

[nicksmission14 0]

S15?

I'm talking about going for the Vapor X:15's to the Vapor X:40's. I didn't have problems with the 15's heel but I do with the 40's heel. Granted, it's not a totally terrible fit in the 40's, it's just a little slip that I didn't feel with the 15's. I guess I should have mentioned that in the original post.

I'm sorry I mis-read thought you said S15, my bad.

[steelnation248 102]

I'm sorry I mis-read thought you said S15, my bad.

Haha that's what I thought. No worries though.

[Axxion89 32]

Are you tying your skates as tight as the 15's? The stiffer boot might not allow you to tie the skates as tight. Its an idea and might be a cause of the problem

[steelnation248 102]

Are you tying your skates as tight as the 15's? The stiffer boot might not allow you to tie the skates as tight. Its an idea and might be a cause of the problem

I do not tie them as tight because of the boot being stiffer and it also fits my foot better all around because of the proper sizing.

That might be it. Good call, I didn't think of that. Is there anything that can be done to fix this?

[nicksmission14 0]

I do not tie them as tight because of the boot being stiffer and it also fits my foot better all around because of the proper sizing.

That might be it. Good call, I didn't think of that. Is there anything that can be done to fix this?

Do you use Wax laces? You will be able to pull them a bit better for tightness and they will hold better as well.

[massive74 4]

The Wax laces were my first thought as well , and somebody already mentioned here in other topic , that this can be solution

[ktang 34]

Maybe the lining in the 40s is more slippery and/or thinner than the 15s'?

[steelnation248 102]

I'll give the wax laces a try. I think I've seen it on here before, but is there any brand/type of wax laces that you guys prefer?

Those ankle booties look like they would be pretty beneficial as well. I think I'll order a pair.

[Axxion89 32]

I use Elite wax laces but beware, I have bought some that were perfectly coated (white and black colored) with wax and a blue set (drenched in wax = terrible) so the lace waxiness is inconsistent. Try em and see how you like. All you really need to do is crank your laces really tight around the 3rd/4th eyelet to get that ankle locked in. Personally, I go snug all the way till the 4th eyelet then tie them tight.

[trtaylor 3]

I think I've seen it on here before, but is there any brand/type of wax laces that you guys prefer?

I've used both Bauer and Graf wax laces. Would recommend either.

[xvdarkyvx 0]

I'm currently using the EZ Ankle Booties/Sleeves + waxed laces. The combination of the two locks it in place pretty well in my opinion. If they don't work for you, then I recommend getting new skates. I had the Vapor 40's before, and didn't have the Sleeves. I ended up getting bone spurs. I got the Sleeves, and well it stopped it from hurting at least. I eventually bought some Total Ones and I think they hold my heel in better. However, I still use the Ankle Sleeves and waxed laces.

[Andoy 5]

With lower end skates you can get away with a bit of slop because you can always crank down on the laces and not feel pain because low end skates are softer in general. But in a high end skate where materials are stiffer and less forgiving on the foot, fit is absolutely crucial. Having said that it doesn't sound like the heel of the skates don't fit you.

You can try wearing insoles like superfeet and see if it helps a bit

[steelnation248 102]

With lower end skates you can get away with a bit of slop because you can always crank down on the laces and not feel pain because low end skates are softer in general. But in a high end skate where materials are stiffer and less forgiving on the foot, fit is absolutely crucial. Having said that it doesn't sound like the heel of the skates don't fit you.

You can try wearing insoles like superfeet and see if it helps a bit

Yeah. I get what you're saying. I mean it's not like they are totally wrong for my foot. It's just that they slip a little in my heel. I think buying an insole or those ankle booties that were suggested would solve the problem.

I just don't think I play enough to justify buying new skates. I just want to make the ones I have perfect.