Heat Molding: Fact or Fiction

[stable26 0]

I would like to hear your opinions on this topic. I have heard this term used a number of times and I am trying to wade through all the marketing of this process. It appears as there is no real molding that happens with this process. It appears as though the heating accelerates the breakdown of the liner (since the liners break down quickly anyway, do we want this?) Following the heating of the skate, the player then sits in the skate. Arent we "molding" the foot in a non skating position that the foot will never be in when skating? Are we not better to just skate and let the liner break in using our own body heat and the mechanics of our feet? From a retailers perspective are we actually molding the skate or just making the consumer feel better about their purchase?

I am not on any one side of the fence, it just seems to be a confusing message. Look forward to your feedback

[ArrogantOwl 7]

I'd say it works. For someone with wider feet, after the boot was heated up it was much more comfortable to slide my feet in. It shrunk back a little bit so I'll now look into re-baking it or getting them punched out. Part of the problem I may have had is that I over-pronate so while I'm sitting my feet do not expand when they do have weight on them, so I'll have to look into that.

[kenneth 5]

depends on the skates: mlx, u-foam, and one series skates i think it really molds to your feet. Many of us have been able tighten the heel on the one series skates by pinching the just below the ankles to help shape that area. I also use it to help the front eyelets wrap around the foot.

[AIREAYE 248]

It works. Just look at the U Foam like kenneth mentioned. One of my colleagues (a member here) said that the mouldability of those guys was substantial enough throughout the whole boot to even bridge the gap between different widths (ie. supposedly could wrap an E boot enough around a foot to border a D or EE width). Another few friends also said that the level of padding fit customization with a pair of CLs was better than their own pair of custom X:60s. I've seen how soft the boot of the CL gets and I'm a believer too.

Even my own pair of S15s with EPP foam, once baked, had more 'personal' contours shaped into the ankle padding than before. From what I've seen however, the effect of a bake doesn't accelerate the breakdown of the liner. Those are more other factors imo such as the friction between the shin pad and liner to simply a poorly constructed boot.

[Vet88 674]

It really depends what the boot is made of. Low end boots do not lend themselves to heat molding, high end boots do as the manufacturer adds more carbon fibre or U-foam etc to the construction of the boot. Look at the MLX, this was one of the most moldable boots around. Speed skaters have been doing this for years and I baked my bonts 3 times before the fit was perfect.

I must admit I've never "shrunk" a boot but have certainly reshaped a lot with heat molding for pressure points.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Another few friends also said that the level of padding fit customization with a pair of CLs was better than their own pair of custom X:60s.

Maybe the person who fit them for X:60s didn't know what he was doing.

[AIREAYE 248]

Maybe the person who fit them for X:60s didn't know what he was doing.

Possibly, one guy had to get his X:60s rebaked a couple times because they just didn't feel right.

[jbss71 1]

I'd say it works. For someone with wider feet, after the boot was heated up it was much more comfortable to slide my feet in. It shrunk back a little bit so I'll now look into re-baking it or getting them punched out. Part of the problem I may have had is that I over-pronate so while I'm sitting my feet do not expand when they do have weight on them, so I'll have to look into that.

that is my biggest issue. sitting down everything was good. on the ice i want to cut my feet off to stop the pain.

I'll add in that of my three Bauer skates i've had baked by four different people, have been done four different ways.

[Chadd 916]

There is no question as to the effectiveness of baking skates. Especially as many newer skates require it for proper fit. Remember, you shouldn't be trying to take a boot that doesn't fit and force it to work for your foot. Way too many people think baking will fix fit problems, it doesn't make a poorly fitting boot suddenly work for you.

[Justin 1933 134]

Here is how I heat fit all players:

I have them lace the skates as tight as possible and have them sit for 1-2 minutes. Next I have them stand for 1-2 minutes to help form the boot to the shape of their foot. I push the boot around the heel and ankle to make sure the heel is secure. When they are standing I make sure they do not flex the boot and just stand straight up. Finally I have them sit down for another 8-10 minutes to allow the skates to cool.

You can stand up when heat fitting a skate, as long as you don't flex the boot in any direction.

[chippa13 1844]

Possibly, one guy had to get his X:60s rebaked a couple times because they just didn't feel right.

With the exception of the odd punch out issue, my belief is that one heat molding should be all it takes if the skate truly fits your foot.

[the_sock 1]

Alive composite and UFoam yes. Everything else, not really.

[natbat 0]

The foot doctor I see, told me that your foot should be in a "neutral position" when you skate. He told me that I should not stand up when the skates are baked. When you stand up your arch collapses and your foot is not in a neutral position. He noticed that my old skates the arch was collapsed. I used to purposely stand up during the backing process to widen my skates. He also suggested Graf insoles or Super-feet during the backing process.

[natbat 0]

He recommended to me that I purchase an insole with arch support prior to baking them. I don't use an orthotic anymore. He felt that my problem was I wasn't getting enough arch support. In my 8090's my arch's were collapsing and twisting my foot outward, thus the side pain. When we took the laces out of my 8090's and pulled out the tongue, you could see my foot move sideways as I pressed down. The skate was comfortable, but not performing well. He looked over my new Bauer one80's and gave me the green light. I added a Graf insoles and my feet felt great after baking.

[VakarLajos 5]

With the exception of the odd punch out issue, my belief is that one heat molding should be all it takes if the skate truly fits your foot.

Damn right. That's the key.

I can't count how many I've had customers come in with skates they bought online because the price with no regards to whether or not the skate fits their foot. If your foot fits best into a Vapor 7 D then no amount of baking a Supreme 10 EE will make it fit.

[kayhat12 0]

Damn right. That's the key.

I can't count how many I've had customers come in with skates they bought online because the price with no regards to whether or not the skate fits their foot. If your foot fits best into a Vapor 7 D then no amount of baking a Supreme 10 EE will make it fit.

Did they try putting them in the dryer? I've heard that's the ticket. :P