Filling in empty heel space (stable 26? bunga?)

[SLAYEROFSOULS 7]

So, I got to take my new Nexus skates out on the ice for a public skating today (3 hours total). Definitely better for my feet then my previous CCM's that gave me so much foot pain i'd have to limp my way to the benches and loosen them for 5-10 mins every so often to bear them.

I'm not completely in love with them - and i'm sure they need some more breaking in to fit better but I do believe they have noticeable heel volume that I won't fill up, more so in my right foot then my left foot as I had to retighten the skate 3-4 times during my skating (using waxed laces) and have visible skin irritation from my socks moving/my foot moving down in the ankle area (lower side of my foot below the inner ankle bone).

I've done some googling and have seen mentions of Stable 26 socks, and Bunga Pads (not sure what type of bunga pad would work best to try for this sort of issue). Should I try a sock like the stable 26? Or should I wait and just try to lace tighter? I for sure had my ankle coming loose as i'd feel a wobble in my right ankle and lose power in my strides. I should also mention that i've got yellow superfeet in them already, so that takes up some volume but even those seem to be moving with my foot towards the front of the skate (traced the insole to the bauer insoles that were in the skate). I will most likely tinker with lacing technique and try the lace loop through the 2nd to first eyelets and crossing them over to see if that helps but i'm not very hopeful that will solve my heel volume issue since my heel isn't incredibly wide (rest of my foot is though >.>).

Also - if anyone has the stable 26 socks, how does the sizing run? My Nexus are 4.5 (yes, junior..lol) but I wear a 7 4E shoe, would I need an XS or a S?

[donkers 31]

I have Nexus skates too and the 1000's fit my forefoot but not my heel. These help a lot:

http://www.hockeymonkey.com/elite-sports-medicine-achilles-heel-gel-pad.html

[Tubesteak 1]

Those gel pads look ok. I like the ezeefit 2mm booties. I don't wear socks and those have worked great. I don't notice them at all. 3hrs is a long time on a brand new pair of skates though. Maybe that was the problem.

[SLAYEROFSOULS 7]

Those gel pads look ok. I like the ezeefit 2mm booties. I don't wear socks and those have worked great. I don't notice them at all. 3hrs is a long time on a brand new pair of skates though. Maybe that was the problem.

Well, I didn't skate the FULL 3 hours, fairly close though I guess. Foot discomfort I guess I should've expected since they are new skates but my heel is for sure moving around ;/ I may order the booties to try first - can't beat a slip on and see how it goes type of thing.

[chippa13 1844]

Sounds to me like you should have gone with a different skate.

[SLAYEROFSOULS 7]

Sounds to me like you should have gone with a different skate.

Heh, probably. But what? Pretty sure any boot I try on i'm going to be short in depth (Nexus is pretty close to being good depth wise but apparently won't lock my heel). RBZ wasn't good depth wise, Reebok seemed off width and depth wise. All my LHS carry is Bauer/CCM/RBK.

All I can imagine trying is some Reebok's in a D width since the EE I tried I believe was a little too roomy, and I assume the D width would have a smaller heel, was definitely too loose in the heel in the EE. But again I don't see myself passing the depth test, and that pretty much means I will end up with lacing issues and foot pain from too much pressure from the tongue/laces.

No one has Graf down here - and no way i'm ordering to just have to keep paying return shipping etc (plus turn around times..yikes).

[fatwabbit 93]

The prob I had with the neoprene type booties is that its the same thickness all around and not in the areas that I needed additional volume. The stable socks worked for me, as they were a thin sock that had the gel pads in the right place... and also that you could chagne the thickness of the gel pad by just changing the gel pads...

[laserrobottime 149]

+1 on the elite heel gel pads. I had some heel slip in my nexus 1000 and used these. Adhered the pad to my sock just above the heel and had no more issues.

The adhesive is good enough and when it gets less sticky you just run it under the faucet to clean it and it's as good as new.

[SLAYEROFSOULS 7]

The prob I had with the neoprene type booties is that its the same thickness all around and not in the areas that I needed additional volume. The stable socks worked for me, as they were a thin sock that had the gel pads in the right place... and also that you could chagne the thickness of the gel pad by just changing the gel pads...

I was thinking that might be an issue - but its tough to say. I am very much torn on what to do in general, i'd really just like some skates that fit without magical inserts etc lol or atleast close enough that a thick sock might be enough to bridge the gap. What all was included with the socks when you ordered them? I notice they have a $10 pack for more inserts, do they include enough with a pair of socks to not need the extra $10 purchase?

+1 on the elite heel gel pads. I had some heel slip in my nexus 1000 and used these. Adhered the pad to my sock just above the heel and had no more issues.

The adhesive is good enough and when it gets less sticky you just run it under the faucet to clean it and it's as good as new.

Pretty sure these would be useless for me - I went back to my LHS today (wasted 4 hours of my time, plus lots of gas + tolls..not thrilled) and one of the crappy employees popped some of those into my skates to try out (without removing the adhesive) and they didn't seem to do very much.

[fatwabbit 93]

I think (cant remember exactly) they provide with 3 sets of different thickness gel pads. To me it was more than enough to help with the fit.

Also one point to note is that if you have a higher/bigger instep, the booties will be difficult pull over your heel.

[AIREAYE 248]

I'm not completely in love with them - and i'm sure they need some more breaking in to fit better but I do believe they have noticeable heel volume that I won't fill up, more so in my right foot then my left foot as I had to retighten the skate 3-4 times during my skating (using waxed laces) and have visible skin irritation from my socks moving/my foot moving down in the ankle area (lower side of my foot below the inner ankle bone).

With this mention, I would definitely suggest you try Stable 26. The 3 different gel thicknesses will be key in adjusting for that negative space.

Their sizing is a little weird. I wear a 9.5 shoe and a 7.5 Bauer skate. I thought that I could fit M (8-9.5 on their scale) but I needed L. I don't have a good suggestion here. Maybe oldtrainerguy can jump in.

[SLAYEROFSOULS 7]

With this mention, I would definitely suggest you try Stable 26. The 3 different gel thicknesses will be key in adjusting for that negative space.

Their sizing is a little weird. I wear a 9.5 shoe and a 7.5 Bauer skate. I thought that I could fit M (8-9.5 on their scale) but I needed L. I don't have a good suggestion here. Maybe oldtrainerguy can jump in.

Yeah, I sent them an email about sizing, hopefully they can help me figure it out before I order (if I do, still trying to contact other shops in my area to see if I can find a better fitting skate). But in the event I do wait til the new Supremes hit the stores here, I will try these and see if they can make my Nexus usable til then.

[Pure Hockey 4]

The Stable 26 would be a Small for you wearing a sz 7 shoe. I have worn them a few times, they take a little bit of playing with to get the right size pads in them, but they do help. It does solidify the negative space and help lock your ankle in. I would recommend them. I've worn them with Mako's, RBZ's and old Vapor 40's so far and no problems with any.

My worry was with the fit of the Mako they may not work great, it was a different feel when I put them on, but in a few minutes they felt good.

My recommendation if you go with them, is to start with the smallest pads and work up. I made the mistake the first skate assuming that because my 40's were so old and broken in, they would need more correction, they really didn't and It ended up pushing my foot slightly forward because I had put too much padding in. Start with the thinnest and work up. All in all i've liked them and the logic behind the design makes a lot of sense.

[norwood 1]

Go to the auto parts store and buy a synthetic chamois. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Absorber-High-Performance-Drying-Towel/16767897 the ones used to dry a car. Also get some contact cement and just cut and paste as needed. This works VERY WELL and is cheap and permanent. Had to do this on my Flexlites but had no issues with my new Nexus 1000's , but I would not hesitate to do it again

[SLAYEROFSOULS 7]

I appreciate the feedback and advice guys, but looks like the Nexus just weren't right for me at all. Beautiful on depth (no other skate is) but just too roomy just about everywhere with the heel just not being right for my heel size/shape. The manager at my LHS was nice enough to take back my skates even after I used them and gave me store credit - he personally helped fit me since his employees are apparently lacking in experience lol. Actually ended up in size 4 Vapor 100 LE's that didn't really give me much foot discomfort but were snug as a glove on my feet, but had slight arch pressure so he is ordering a EE for me to try and wants to wait until the new Supremes come in before I make a choice on skates.

[MrTrololo 4]

Hi. did you find your skates?

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

With this mention, I would definitely suggest you try Stable 26. The 3 different gel thicknesses will be key in adjusting for that negative space.

Their sizing is a little weird. I wear a 9.5 shoe and a 7.5 Bauer skate. I thought that I could fit M (8-9.5 on their scale) but I needed L. I don't have a good suggestion here. Maybe oldtrainerguy can jump in.

I didn't finish reading the whole thread. I have to say after fitting about 200 to 300 High end elite hoockey players that have various foot issues the easiest way to fit these if not in front of me is a picture of the heel and side of the foot with a description of fitting the skate has at present. Also a picture of the insole would also help as in most cases one foot is bigger than the other. I would be glad to assist anyone with the online purchase if you do not have a shop nearby. It is always better to take your skates to a local shop so you can try them on but if that is not possible we are working on an online fitting protocol similar to what I have mentioned above.