stretching skates

[ChrisMolnar 14]

Recently ordered a custom pair of MX3/190 skates, and after being in vapors for the past 3 pairs I've realized how poorly the vapors actually fit. The MX3s feel unbelievable compared to my old pairs except for a few small problems. Before I ordered them, I tried on multiple different sizes to make sure I had it right. 9 was a tad bit too big, but 8.5 was slightly too small. Ended up going with 8 3/4. After wearing them a handful of times I never realized that my right foot is barely bigger and the end of my big toe comes in contact with the toe box. The left skate fits perfectly however. Is there any way to stretch the boot to add a bit of length? Also is there any way to improve the heel lock? It seems that my heel isn't staying in the correct position and sliding a bit. Sorry for the long post and thanks for any answers.

[AIREAYE 248]

1. Did you bake the skates properly?

2. Did you replace the stock insole with an insole that doesn't have the little flaps? Those flaps throw a lot of people off for sizing.

[ChrisMolnar 14]

Skates were baked as instructed and I made sure to use different foot beds when sizing the skates. Not sure if it would make any difference but I currently have super feet in them and have used those footbeds the past 4 seasons.

[AIREAYE 248]

Feathering the toe box isn't a bad thing, unless you prefer more room?

Attempting to stretch for length is hit and miss. Even if you manage to get some space initially, it will come back to where it was. Most of the time one shouldn't bother.

[ChrisMolnar 14]

What would feathering the toe box consist of? Never heard that term before. Also any suggestions on heel lock?

[AIREAYE 248]

Skimming it with your toes.

Try Stable26 socks for heel lock.

You shouldn't be having these issues with custom skates.

[Vet88 674]

You can get the toebox punched, there is a poster on these forums (customworkx I think is the name) who has developed a tool for this. For the life of me I can't find a previous post about this so hopefully someone else will chime in with the right info.

As to heel lock, the previous poster had it right, you shouldn't get this issue with custom skates. It sounds as though the boot is too wide through the heel and ankle for your foot shape.

[ChrisMolnar 14]

Update: ended up getting the skates baked for a second time and it worked perfectly. Made sure my heel was as far back as it could go and made sure I got better ankle wrap this time around. After a handful of times on them, even multiple times in a day they feel unbelievable. Heel locks in and length is perfect. Made me realize how poorly my previous skates have actually fit me.