Frustrated with skates

[bolt91 31]

I'm a beginner as far as skating is concerned and I'm at my wits end. I can't seem to find a pair of skates that fit my foot. I've gotten pain in different places. Toes, sides of my feet, and ball of my feet. I've also had my feet go numb a great number of times. So far I've tried...

CCM U+12 Size 5.5D- Was fitted for these at an LHS. Too small width wise and too big length wise. My foot was always sliding forward.

Bauer Supreme One100 Size 5D- Fitted for these at an LHS. Okay length wise (I think) and too small width wise. Also the boot was too stiff. Foot slid forward.

Reebok 6K Size 5E- Purchased online. My foot slid way too far forward in these and I had zero heel lock.

Graf Supra 502 SE Size 5W- Purchased online. Too narrow width wise.

Easton EQ30 Size 4.5D- Fitted at LHS. This is my current skate. Good width wise. My foot is now cramped against the toe cap after less than 10 sessions with them. I started out with SuperFeet in these but took them out due to the volume of the boot increasing with the superfeet. I am in a lot of pain at the balls of my feet when I skate with them.

Bauer Nexus 800 Size 5EE- Tried these at the Bauer Experience. For the time I had them on, they were comfortable. My foot slid forward just a little.

I have tried superfeet and it always ends up where the volume of the boot increases so I get lace bite and I can't tie my laces tight at all.

I normally wear a men's size 8 in reebok gym shoes and a 7 1/2 in dress shoes.

I have no idea what to do. I feel totally lost. I would pay any amount of money to purchase skates that do not hurt my feet.

Please help! Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[DigDug 5]

I feel your pain (quite literally!). Not knowing how your feet are, noone can really say for sure exactly what the issue is. I'm surprised that your Easton started out fine but "after 10 sessions" are causing toe cramping at the top. Skates usually give a little in the length department as the heel breaks in.

From what you've written above, it sounds like one of your major problems is lace bite and numbing, which suggests that you require some depth in your skate - I have the same problem and no skates other than Bauer have ever provided me with adequate depth. I would suggest, trying out the Bauer Nexus line one more time. If you find them *too* deep, you can always throw in super feet.

[JR Boucicaut 3815]

What I don't get is how you were 5 and above in most but dropped down to 4.5 in the Easton; obviously, the 5 was too big; hence the sliding forward.

And since you slid just a little in the 5s, a lot in the 5.5 and you're crammed in the 4.5 (and Easton fits 1/2sz up from Bauer, you should be in a 4.5 Bauer and 5 Easton. That would alleviate your toecap issues in the EQ30 and your heel sliding in the 5 Nexus.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

It's also worth pointing out that you don't need to crank on your laces, either.

[TommyKru06 2]

Just my point of view, and kind of building on what JR said as in re-evaluating the sizing, I would try to sit down with a lot of different combos of the same boot instead of jumping from brand to brand and line from line and try to find the right size and width in one boot.

In my opinion, going from one skate to the next with different boot styles can make it kinda hard to pinpoint exactly where you need to address issues.

I also suggest thinking about/looking into punching out a boot. I have never done this but I know a lot of people on here can toss their two cents in about this and if it could be a helpful solution.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

I agree with JZR but a picture of the foot from all angles on a Brannock would make things so much easier!

[bolt91 31]

I feel your pain (quite literally!). Not knowing how your feet are, no one can really say for sure exactly what the issue is. I'm surprised that your Easton started out fine but "after 10 sessions" are causing toe cramping at the top. Skates usually give a little in the length department as the heel breaks in.

From what you've written above, it sounds like one of your major problems is lace bite and numbing, which suggests that you require some depth in your skate - I have the same problem and no skates other than Bauer have ever provided me with adequate depth. I would suggest, trying out the Bauer Nexus line one more time. If you find them *too* deep, you can always throw in super feet.

I'm definitely going to give the Nexus a try.

What I don't get is how you were 5 and above in most but dropped down to 4.5 in the Easton; obviously, the 5 was too big; hence the sliding forward.

And since you slid just a little in the 5s, a lot in the 5.5 and you're crammed in the 4.5 (and Easton fits 1/2sz up from Bauer, you should be in a 4.5 Bauer and 5 Easton. That would alleviate your toecap issues in the EQ30 and your heel sliding in the 5 Nexus.

I was going along with what the guy who fitted me for the EQ30s said. Since I've started playing ice hockey, I haven't been in a skate that has fit me correctly so I'm still not sure how a "correct" skate should feel. Thanks for suggestions. I'll try the 4.5 Bauer Nexus.

Just my point of view, and kind of building on what JR said as in re-evaluating the sizing, I would try to sit down with a lot of different combos of the same boot instead of jumping from brand to brand and line from line and try to find the right size and width in one boot.

In my opinion, going from one skate to the next with different boot styles can make it kinda hard to pinpoint exactly where you need to address issues.

I also suggest thinking about/looking into punching out a boot. I have never done this but I know a lot of people on here can toss their two cents in about this and if it could be a helpful solution.

Thanks for the feedback. Next time I go to an LHS I will definitely do that.

Thank you for the responses so far!

[bolt91 31]

Small update: I've gone back to wearing my CCMs for now because they give me the least amount of pain.

I ordered a pair of Nexus 400 in 4.5 EE. I loved the width but the 4.5 felt a little short.

Anyone know a shop in the Chicagoland area that's really good at fitting skates? However it's also difficult to do since most stores don't carry the EE width in Jr.

[althoma1 575]

Based on what you're saying you should be a 4.5 Bauer, CCM, or RBK or 5 Easton (JR already told you as much). Maybe you're really a 4 3/4 in Bauers, CCMs, or RBKs, but if that's the case you're still better off going with a 4.5 vs. a 5 and getting them stretched by 1/4 than going with a bigger size. Skates can be made bit bigger, but not smaller and if you have skates that are too big for you then you're losing performance, they can break down sooner and can cause pain.

The 4.5EE's Nexus skate felt a little too short - my current skates felt that way when I first tried them on before baking them, but after baking and breaking them in they fit very well. I'd go with a 4.5EE in a Nexus model if they felt good lengthwise, bake them if applicable (I don't know if you can bake the 400s like you can the 800s or 1000s) and try to break them in - the padding will compress a bit and give you some more space. If they still feel too short after a while a good shop should be able to stretch them...they shouldn't even need to be stretched more than a quarter size since size 5 is too long.

You want the skates to be as tight as possible without causing pain. Your foot might feel like it's pressed against the end when you first put on the boot, but lacing them up and then standing in a skating position will give you a bit more room. Baking them and breaking them in should provide additional room - the ideal fit is to have your toes brushing the toe cap when you're in a skating position.

[bolt91 31]

Thanks for the great advice!

[sickwilly 37]

It may be helpful to try tying your skates standing up, with some weight on the skate you're tying. I have very wide feet and goes a long way in reducing the foot pain that I experience. Good luck!

[bolt91 31]

Thanks, I'll give that a shot!

[dserbon 1]

Jerrys is a reputable hockey store in Chicago land, and they have several locations throughout the suburbs. Gunzos is another pro shop with a good reputation. Have you tried either of those?

[IPv6Freely 2100]

It may be helpful to try tying your skates standing up, with some weight on the skate you're tying. I have very wide feet and goes a long way in reducing the foot pain that I experience. Good luck!

Hmm, I never thought of doing that. I've just lately been tightening until snug without really pulling hard on the laces (until I get past the lace locks).

Though I doubt I'd be able to bend over far enough, but thats a whole other story.

[bolt91 31]

Jerrys is a reputable hockey store in Chicago land, and they have several locations throughout the suburbs. Gunzos is another pro shop with a good reputation. Have you tried either of those?

I went to Jerrys when I was originally buying skates but they didn't have any in my size. I've never been to Gunzos for skates so I'll have to give both a try.

[IPv6Freely 2100]

Trying on skates is tough when stores don't carry your size. I have hockeymonkey, hockeygiant and hockeytron all nearby (just over an hour away), but none of them ever have enough sizes in stock, especially EE/W. It's frustrating when you want to buy, THEY want you to buy, but you end up going home empty handed because you weren't able to decide on a pair because of their stock, or lack thereof.

It's even harder with local shops rather than the superstores... I'd love to work with somebody in a small shop on buying skates, but with their inventory being 1/10 what a superstore is, it's not really a viable option.

[The MAD Line 2]

Small update: I've gone back to wearing my CCMs for now because they give me the least amount of pain.

I ordered a pair of Nexus 400 in 4.5 EE. I loved the width but the 4.5 felt a little short.

Anyone know a shop in the Chicagoland area that's really good at fitting skates? However it's also difficult to do since most stores don't carry the EE width in Jr.

So you ordered a pair of skates that are too small? I'm confused here.

[bolt91 31]

So you ordered a pair of skates that are too small? I'm confused here.

I ordered them to try them on. No one around my area stocks 4.5 EE. It was free return shipping anyway.

Trying on skates is tough when stores don't carry your size. I have hockeymonkey, hockeygiant and hockeytron all nearby (just over an hour away), but none of them ever have enough sizes in stock, especially EE/W. It's frustrating when you want to buy, THEY want you to buy, but you end up going home empty handed because you weren't able to decide on a pair because of their stock, or lack thereof.

It's even harder with local shops rather than the superstores... I'd love to work with somebody in a small shop on buying skates, but with their inventory being 1/10 what a superstore is, it's not really a viable option.

This is so true. I can't tell you how many times I've left a store empty handed.

[The MAD Line 2]

I ordered them to try them on. No one around my area stocks 4.5 EE. It was free return shipping anyway.

This is so true. I can't tell you how many times I've left a store empty handed.

Free shipping help and I understand that no one carried your width, but you also mentioned a 4.5 feeling too short?

[bolt91 31]

Free shipping help and I understand that no one carried your width, but you also mentioned a 4.5 feeling too short?

Per JR's suggestion I went with 4.5 EE in Bauer since Easton runs smaller. I'm willing to try anything.

[JR Boucicaut 3815]

If they felt a bit short when standing up in them, they should be good; once you get your knees bent they will pull back a little. Not to mention once they are broken in. I analyzed her post and that was my assessment.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

If they felt a bit short when standing up in them, they should be good; once you get your knees bent they will pull back a little. Not to mention once they are broken in. I analyzed her post and that was my assessment.

JR did I miss something is the OP a female or male? As Maybe would have had some better input knowing??

[BraveFart 1]

I'm a little surprised at the dramatic decrease from your regular shoe size to the skate size. I'm normally one size below my shoe size. For example; my shoe size is a 10 - 10.5 depending on the shoe, and I normally go with a skate that's a size 9. From the skates that I've either tried on or actually owned, they have varied in terms of the fit. I don't have flat feet. I'm 5'10" and weigh about 170 lbs and have realized that for comfort, either CCM or Bauer's fit me very well. I did also bake my skates which made a very significant difference for me in terms of a better fit and comfort. I've had friends who've had lifelong issues with skate sizes even when going for a wider fit (usually "E" or "EE") and typically it was because they had flat and wide feet. No insole, no skate manufacturer, could assist with resolving that issue. That being said, I think someone already mentioned that you should try several types of sizes. Probably from 4.5 - 5.5 in D, E, and EE and take it from there. Perhaps people can post their own experiences and you can take it from there? All the best.

[bolt91 31]

If they felt a bit short when standing up in them, they should be good; once you get your knees bent they will pull back a little. Not to mention once they are broken in. I analyzed her post and that was my assessment.

Thanks JR. I had some pressure points where the toe cap and the boot meet. I'm sure that could be solved with a punch though. My feet are weird.

I'm a little surprised at the dramatic decrease from your regular shoe size to the skate size. I'm normally one size below my shoe size. For example; my shoe size is a 10 - 10.5 depending on the shoe, and I normally go with a skate that's a size 9. From the skates that I've either tried on or actually owned, they have varied in terms of the fit. I don't have flat feet. I'm 5'10" and weigh about 170 lbs and have realized that for comfort, either CCM or Bauer's fit me very well. I did also bake my skates which made a very significant difference for me in terms of a better fit and comfort. I've had friends who've had lifelong issues with skate sizes even when going for a wider fit (usually "E" or "EE") and typically it was because they had flat and wide feet. No insole, no skate manufacturer, could assist with resolving that issue. That being said, I think someone already mentioned that you should try several types of sizes. Probably from 4.5 - 5.5 in D, E, and EE and take it from there. Perhaps people can post their own experiences and you can take it from there? All the best.

I was very surprised as well. It is very weird. I usually bake them right after buying. I do have flat and wide feet so I'm not sure there is a solution to my problem. I've never felt comfortable in a pair of skates.

[BraveFart 1]

Thanks JR. I had some pressure points where the toe cap and the boot meet. I'm sure that could be solved with a punch though. My feet are weird.

I was very surprised as well. It is very weird. I usually bake them right after buying. I do have flat and wide feet so I'm not sure there is a solution to my problem. I've never felt comfortable in a pair of skates.

Just a suggestion, and in the case you've spent a great deal of money on trying to buy a pair of skates to fit perfectly, but if you're covered by your insurance...maybe you can see a orthopedics specialist.?

just saw this: http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/57890-skates-for-small-flat-wide-feet/ - "'m a size 6E in Reebok 10k skates (with my right foot probably closer to a 5.5/5.75), and I'm totally flat-footed. I tried on S17's and they hurt my feet to no end. The 10k's fit beautifully."

as well: http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/43841-skates-for-wideflat-feet/