WILL RBK PUMP SOLVE ANKLE ISSUES

[curtstyle24 0]

I just started both an Ice and Inline league and I havent played either for about 8 yrs. I bought a pair of cheap skates for both and am noticing that my ankles are getting sore and tired very quickly. I try to tighen my skates as tight as they will go and it solves the issue for awhile but I have to tighten them after every period. Will the rbk pump will stop my ankles from moving around as much.

[stevo_323 0]

Have you tried taping your ankles?

[curtstyle24 0]

Have you tried taping your ankles?

no, should i just tape around the top of the boot and ankle to hold them in place?

[chippa13 1844]

If by cheap you mean low level skates, your problem is most likely coming from the fact that they usually won't have as much ankle support or stiffness as higher level skates. Rather than focusing on a particular brand or feature, your best best would be to move up to more of a mid-level skate which will give you more support and/or stiffness.

[curtstyle24 0]

If by cheap you mean low level skates, your problem is most likely coming from the fact that they usually won't have as much ankle support or stiffness as higher level skates. Rather than focusing on a particular brand or feature, your best best would be to move up to more of a mid-level skate which will give you more support and/or stiffness.

yes I have low level skates. Rbk just caught my eye because of the lace lock and pump system for ankle support so it looked like a no brainer. Plus I like the wideness of the boot, i have 2ks right now :( . CCM also fits well (i know they and RBK are same company)

[GuitarAwesome 1]

As someone just starting out again, you should NOT be taping your ankles. You need to build some ankle strength, and taping the ankles takes all of that away. The low level skates, as said before, have no support, which could be your issue. The RBK pump will not help for this, it only locks your heel in place, doesnt really do much for the support (in my opinion).

[curtstyle24 0]

As someone just starting out again, you should NOT be taping your ankles. You need to build some ankle strength, and taping the ankles takes all of that away. The low level skates, as said before, have no support, which could be your issue. The RBK pump will not help for this, it only locks your heel in place, doesnt really do much for the support (in my opinion).

Sounds good like I just need better skates. I was just looking for something quick to help while my ankle strength builds up again. I will be looking in the 200-300 range for skates and still not break the bank. thanks for the help guys

[EvilPepe 24]

In my experience, the vast majority of "ankle strength" problems in beginners have absolutely nothing to do with their ankles, and everything to do with the skate. Two biggest things to consider:

1) The quality of the boot, as others have suggested already.

2) The FIT of the boot. You could have the stiffest boot in the world but if it is a size too big or just has a wider heel/ankle area than you need, it won't matter much.

Tape and tight laces and all that are fine and dandy, but make sure the skates fit.

[Axxion89 32]

The Pump will add some support but will not provide that much support. I use pumps in my goalie skate and they hold in there most of the game but some air does escape and it is only air so it will move within the bladder and not be firm support, just a little extra. You need firmer skates in the ankle area or tape as Rubo stated. Make sure your skates fit correct and the skates are stiff for your needs and you will be ok.

[ponder 0]

I've seen plenty of beginners, even in decent skates, with their ankles wobbling all over the place. Skates aren't supposed to completely eliminate lateral ankle mobility, you need a certainly level of ankle mobility (not just front/back, but side to side too) to be able to skate properly. Seriously, tie up your high end skates nice and tight, step onto the ice, and even standing still just check out how much you can roll your ankle side to side, there's significant mobility there in basically all skates, it's not just the skates keeping your ankles nice and straight, it's your muscles doing it automatically (well, doing it automatically IF you're an experienced skater). You can call it ankle strength, or simply learning how to get that fine level of control, but either way it's something that a stiffer boot will just help, not eliminate. As Rubo said, stiffer skates can help to prevent injuries from rolling over way too far on your ankles, but unless you're taping your ankles to some ridiculous degree you're gonna have some side to side mobility, and that's a good thing!

It's like when kids first hit the bench press at the gym, they don't have the proper muscle control and they can't push the bar up smoothly, it's shaking all over the place, but literally within a few trips to the gym their form is way better. With both skating and bench pressing it's IMO partly strength, but largely fine motor control/technique. If a skate fits you poorly, that can be a major problem, but if it fits well but is just on the softer side, I don't think a stiffer skate will eliminate the ankle wobble, it's something that your muscles just have to learn how to do.

If you're sticking with ice hockey, I think mid-range skates that fit great are a VERY good investment, but don't expect them to eliminate ankle wobble on their own.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

[quote name='Rubo' timestamp='1311354866' post='881232'

GuitarAwesome please don't give people bad advise unless you have searched enough on this subject, but more importantly use your logic.

There's no need to be like this. You have your opinion, he has his. Just saying.

Anyway, curt... you can get pretty decent skates for that price range. The key is to get to a LHS and try them ALL on. Don't even look at the brand name - it's irrelevant. Ask them to bring you every model in your price range in your size out for you. Don't feel bad asking for them to do that - that's their job (I used to feel really bad for "inconveniencing" the shop guys). Once you have something that feels good and fits well, then you know they will be just that much better once they're baked. Baking and stuff like RBK pumps will not make a poor fitting skate fit well.

[AIREAYE 248]

I tihnk its mostly been covered, once you find the proper fitting skate, grab some Superfeet to give your heel some support.

[GuitarAwesome 1]

GuitarAwesome please don't give people bad advise unless you have searched enough on this subject, but more importantly use your logic.

You cannot improve your ankle strength? Are you insane? Wow, that's impressively obtuse. There are so many exercises, weights and routines for this, I don't even know where to begin.

By the way bud, any beginner slapping tape around his ankles is setting himself up for a big fall. You need to learn the motions, and, you know, actually SKATE, as opposed to leaning on your ankles the wrong way, just cause they're held up with tape. Without the tape, if you lean too far and fall over, maybe you need a bit more technique, as opposed to skating directly on your ankles just cause you can. If your beginner level skates have nothing, move on. Do NOT lock your ankle in place and risk an injury with all that tape.

This is my opinion, there is a chance I could be wrong, but I sure would appreciate a better response than that paragraph of garbage I went through.

Absolutely shocked at your arrogance and ignorance.

[Drewhunz 3]

How about BOTH of you stop being assholes? Both of you have given as much bad advice as you have good.

Like Goldilocks- keep trying and one will be JUUUUUUUUUUST RIGHT.

1. Taping your skates prevents mobility and DESTROYS tendon guards.

2. Relying on an overly stiff skate prevents proper skating technique.

3. Underbuying on skate stiffness also prevents proper skating technique

As far as stiffness goes-

- don't buy a skate that is so loose you get a full wrap across the foot without baking.

-don't but a skate that is so stiff that you get NO wrap without baking.

As stated earlier- try on everything that you can and get what fits best without having to resort to tape, air bladders, braces etc...

That said, ankle injuries have INCREASED with the stiffness of skates- Crosby for example.

Just go slow and focus on your technique and build up ankle strength slowly. It's best to build up slowly than risk the chance of iunjury by going too fast.

[Chadd 916]

Don't expect the pump to "fix" fit problems. It's most effective as the "icing on the cake" for a skate that fits well.

[curtstyle24 0]

Yes thanks for everyones posts, and arguements ha. I tried my buddies skates on and I think it just has to do with it being a higher end skate with a stiffer boot. His 8ks were immediately better, but so were a pair of mission t6 inlines. But at least I know that the pump only does extra fit for the heel and not really the ankle area. Once again thanks alot for everyones feedback

[milezone 0]

Yes thanks for everyones posts, and arguements ha. I tried my buddies skates on and I think it just has to do with it being a higher end skate with a stiffer boot. His 8ks were immediately better, but so were a pair of mission t6 inlines. But at least I know that the pump only does extra fit for the heel and not really the ankle area. Once again thanks alot for everyones feedback

Just toughen up man. haha

I just started skating again and I have always been a mission skater and just switched to bauer. Wow the stiffness difference is so painful but once you wear them in you will get use to it.

My ankles now have resilience to the pain. :)