Skate length after break in

[Hockeydog 8]

This topic has been covered to some degree here, with some different opinions. Basically I am asking will a modern skates ( in my case a CCM U+12 ) length increase after break-in. Some say yes it will as the ankle foams break in and allow the foot to slide farther back, and some say there is not enough foam in the back of the skate to compress, and the length off the shelf is all you get. After a bake and about 3 hrs of ice time, my toe still goes numb because of the length. I bought this size based on getting a very close fit and the idea that after break in I'd get the half of a pencil width in length I'd need for a spot on fit. I did buy from my LHS, but there is not a lot of expert advice behind that counter. I am okay dealing with the break in pains IF I know there is light at the end of the tunnel. In the past I have bought based on comfort and not a performance fit and that doesn't work either, so I am looking for the best balance for my stupid feet! ( or stupid brain) My feet are slightly different lengths, so other than custom, I am stuck trying to find a compromise. I stretched the budget on these so if they will not give a little I'd need to sell them, so I'd like to know if it is hopeless while they are still in like new condition. Any advise would be greatly appreciated, being a gear whore with skates is fun for a while, but at some point it starts to get old !!

[icewalker_bg 126]

I am not sure about those skates, but most skates i have had give a bit after some time, like a couple of weeks of playing or so. If that does not work you, buy some superfeet insoles, i rases your heel slightly and gives a bit more space in front, it prevents also the foot from 'splashing' in the forefoot hence giving you a bit more space in the that area.

[shinedown21 0]

i have the crazy lights and once i broke them in, my heel wasn't locked into place... get a smaller size to be safe,

[Zorlac 22]

Sounds like your initial fitting was a bit too tight length wise...Your toes should have been "touching" or brushing against the toe cap, not crammed. I'd try yellow superfeet as suggested above. Also ensure you're wearing super thin performance socks. Try watching TV in them for at least 45 minutes a night. Kick your ankle back with a bit of force so you get a tight and seated fit.

[hunt3rsean 44]

I bought my Bauer X:4.0 and my toes were more crammed then they probably should have been. I've always preferred a tight fitting skate. Until they fully broke in my big toes would go numb. But now that they are broken in that has stopped and there is definitly more room. My toes feel fine and Im happy with them. Can't speak for the CCM skates but that was my experience with the Bauers.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

Let's pretend that heel foam compressed fully... you get maybe what, 3mm?

I don't think you'll get a magic fit from break in if you're having that much trouble.

[trtaylor 3]

You can get the skate stretched, if it is still tight after break-in. Might take a little while longer to break in this skate, though. Are you wearing a super thin sock? Think silk sock liner or even silk dress sock.

[Chadd 916]

You can get the skate stretched, if it is still tight after break-in. Might take a little while longer to break in this skate, though. Are you wearing a super thin sock? Think silk sock liner or even silk dress sock.

Or no sock if it's that tight. It's not uncommon for a skate to give up half the width of a pencil in added length, when you compare the out of the box fit to baked and broken in, but it takes a lot longer than 3 hours of skating for that to happen. If you need that much room after baking, you aren't going to find it in most skates.

[Hockeydog 8]

Thanks for all the advice everyone ! I have not tried skating with no socks yet so I'll try that. I also have some grey superfeet laying around somewhere, I'll see if they help. If I could even get a 1/4 pencil width it could be enough as my toes are not curled up, just pushed up against the cap. I really need custom skates with my funky feet, and had I just gone that route a while back I'd be better off financially than I am now !

[Chadd 916]

Superfeet won't do anything to make the skate feel longer.

[tareatingrat 4]

I really need custom skates with my funky feet, and had I just gone that route a while back I'd be better off financially than I am now !

You would think so, but I had skates custom made to my feet and I hated them. They were just too big and clunky because I have always worn skates that were a little too small for me. Turns out, that's what I prefer.

I lost about $800 on my custom skates, because they were a weird size (two different sizes, like yours) and I couldn't sell them.

It really sounds like you bought them a bit small. They will break in, but like Chadd said, it's gonna take some time. If you have a wide foot, that will break in, allowing your foot to relax a little more and pull away from the toe. You'll get a small amount of room from the padding compressing, but if they're crammed right up in there, it might not be enough.

Good luck, though. Nothing worse than having to find new skates.

Also, may I ask what you wore before the CCM's?

[interpathway 9]

I'd get the half of a pencil width in length I'd need for a spot on fit.

Try half the width of the pencil's graphite. I wouldn't expect anything over 2-3 millimeters growth over the life of the skate.

[flyers10 57]

I don't think your going to get much length. If the U+12 doesn't have a cushy back heel then you'll probably get only 0-1mm. I remember on my X:60s that the heel just seemed to be the fabric over solid material. No padding there at all to compress over time.

[goodguy 7]

The CCM ankle foam in particular will want to push your foot forward. You really have to tie it tight and maybe bake it again. Went through this yesterday after having my son try on Vapors, CCM's, Reeboks, Supremes, Eastons RS's.

The CCMS's were definitely a different fit and (at least based upon my sons foot) not a good match for his foot. Big tendency to push the foot forward in the boot.

If they have issues when you buy them (i.e. crushing, too short, etc) they will probably always have issues - at least long enough to frustrate you.

You aren't looking for cushy comfort so much as you are looking for the best skate without "issues" (pinching, pain, hot spots, crushing, pushing bones together, bending toes) right off the bat.

I would say having to bend toes to fit in a skate at the fitting phase should have been a major red flag and would have been a major "issue" before buying (unless that is how you like them).

Perhaps you can try a thinner insert at the store (as some mentioned yellow superfeet), perhaps a bit of a width adjustment (ala punching out, stretch) will change the toe dynamic a bit.

Since the CCM has so much foam at the heel, I would think it would eventually pack down and reduce the amount of pushing-the-foot-forward tendency but the question is- how long will that take. That being said, if you are right up against the actual hard part of the heel back of the skate, - there is not much there to compress.

Good luck.

[Hockeydog 8]

Thanks for the info! I'll fool around with them a bit more, but may just go back to my other skates. Only major issues with them is that I need to lace the last 3 eyelets really tight to keep heel locked in, with waxed laces and inside out lacing, and I get some arch pain, but I can minimize that by lacing looser in the mid-foot.

[trtaylor 3]

Thanks for the info! I'll fool around with them a bit more, but may just go back to my other skates. Only major issues with them is that I need to lace the last 3 eyelets really tight to keep heel locked in, with waxed laces and inside out lacing, and I get some arch pain, but I can minimize that by lacing looser in the mid-foot.

I don't get it, there is no room behind your heel, yet you can't lock your heel in? From what you are describing this boot just isn't a good fit for you.