Can a Skate tongue be too thick?

[kovalchuk71 212]

I just purchased some Graf 705s. They are a fantastic skate, except the tongue, which has to be a solid 1/2" of straight high density felt. When I lace them up, the volume is great, but the thick tongue is giving my foot some pain near the bottom part of the top of my foot. Can I speed up the compression of the felt somehow or possibly shave some of it? Or do I just need to look into replacing the tongues with my old Supreme tongues, which have drastically thinner felt?

[interpathway 9]

If you're technically capable you could probably exact-o or straight razor some felt off. Might need nimble fingers though.

[Davetronz 109]

I'm having the exact same problem with my new Bauer One80's. I've been using skates with thinner tongues for a while, so I'm not used to the extra felt.

It's causing pain right in front of my ankle bone, in the small little indents on either side of my left foot. For some unknown reason it's only happening on my left foot.

I looked into shaving or cutting the tongue, but decided against it because I didn't want a "permanent" solution at this point since the skate is only a couple weeks old.

I bought some Silipos gel:

http://www.silipos.com/003_prod/product.aspx?cat_name=Orthopedics&subcat_name=Sleeves%20&%20Wraps&product_name=Gel-E-Roll&product_id=103xx&cat_id=7&subcat_id=4

I cut a couple squares around 2x2" and placed them in the areas that are causing the pain. I've skated twice now without any issues.

I'll keep using them for a while until the tongue felt beats down a bit, or until I'm convinced that cutting the felt will permanently solve the problem.

Any place that sells competitive *cough* figure skating *cough* equipment should sell something similar.

[skyscrape 5]

If you're technically capable you could probably exact-o or straight razor some felt off. Might need nimble fingers though.

I did this for a felt tongue that was too thick. Keep in mind this probably will void your warranty. I solved my problems in less than 15 minutes though.

Unlace the boot and see if there are any raised spots on the tongue that are causing pressure or pain. A single edged razor does the trick. I had a double edge blade for a safety razor and it did the trick. Only problem was I did slip and slice my finger a little. The felt shaves smoothly and easily. But know that once it is gone...it is gone.

[HockeySavants 5]

Try not to over tighten your laces. That would be one of the first things you want to check first

[greenstripetowel 1]

I'm having the exact same problem with my new Bauer One80's. I've been using skates with thinner tongues for a while, so I'm not used to the extra felt.

It's causing pain right in front of my ankle bone, in the small little indents on either side of my left foot. For some unknown reason it's only happening on my left foot.

I looked into shaving or cutting the tongue, but decided against it because I didn't want a "permanent" solution at this point since the skate is only a couple weeks old.

I bought some Silipos gel:

http://www.silipos.com/003_prod/product.aspx?cat_name=Orthopedics&subcat_name=Sleeves%20&%20Wraps&product_name=Gel-E-Roll&product_id=103xx&cat_id=7&subcat_id=4

I cut a couple squares around 2x2" and placed them in the areas that are causing the pain. I've skated twice now without any issues.

I'll keep using them for a while until the tongue felt beats down a bit, or until I'm convinced that cutting the felt will permanently solve the problem.

Any place that sells competitive *cough* figure skating *cough* equipment should sell something similar.

[greenstripetowel 1]

I'm having the same problem with my new one100s after one skate. The pain is on the front of my left inside ankle. It actually cut me through my sock due to rubbing during my stride. I am going to try lacing them looser before cutting the tongue because the skates are new. If this doesn't work ill be cutting the tongue. Will post my results.

[greenstripetowel 1]

Skates are great now. I used thin Dr Scholls blister pads, bauer vapour socks, flattened the area of tongue that was cutting me with pliers and skipped the top eyelet. Hope this helps others as it sure fixed my problem.

[interpathway 9]

If you had a planer with a new sharp razor, you think you could plane away felt off an uninstalled (obviously) tongue?

[skyscrape 5]

If you had a planer with a new sharp razor, you think you could plane away felt off an uninstalled (obviously) tongue?

Absolutely! I used a fresh razor and it cut through the felt like butter. Smooth edges.