Ezeefit Ankle Booties

[Davetronz 109]

I was getting some irritation from a pair of skates where the liner had rolled a bit and the tendon guard assembly was digging into the back of my heel slightly.

The skates, over time, were starting to become a bit looser in the heel. I decided to pick up a pair of Ezeefit booties in the thinnest design to give them a try.

Here's a pic what they look like:

Background:

30 years old / 5’11 / 215lbs / left-handed

Men's div B/C and shinny hockey (former minor league rep team player)

On ice ~5 hours a week

Fit

I fit into a pair of M-L or L depending on the cut. I have a 7.5 skate size and anywhere between a 9.5-10.5 shoe size.

I have a very high arch and the booties are stretchy enough to fit over this added volume.

The booties do stretch a bit over time, but I find they shrink back when you toss them in the washer and then the dryer (which is not recommended by the manufacturer).

The booties come in 3 different thicknesses at time of writing. You can customize how much protection or how much volume you're looking to add.

9/10

Protection

These protect insanely well against abrasion, rubbing and pressure. If there's something awry in your skate, these might be enough to protect your foot a bit.

They provide some protection against shots as they are slighly padded through their design. The thicker models would likely offer more protection.

I'm not going to bill them as offering protection against shots, but they do add a layer of padding. For the purpose of their design they protect your foot from irritation and injury.

The back seam of the bootie MAY irritate the back of your heel a bit. I noticed it at first, but I think I've gotten used to it and the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

8.5/10

Weight

There's nothing to them. Lightweight and fold up to the size of a small pair of socks in your bag.

10/10

Durability

The logos have both worn off from washing, and the red interior has bled a bit onto my hockey skate socks, but they've held up design-wise.

No problems with stitching, and I've been using them for upwards of 9 months, rotating two pairs.

They do stretch out over use, but they shrink back after a wash and dry.

10/10

Intangibles

These also work really well in Cowboy boots or in footwear that just isn't confortable on the heel or ankle.

I haven't found any footwear in which they don't work to some degree.

Your foot does get warmer, and I recommend that you wear the bootie UNDER your sock to prevent slipping. You can wear it above as well, but it holds in place better under the sock.

I find that due to my insanely narrow ankle and heel (custom AA is still even a bit loose for me) these booties help by providing a bit more volume, yet are much more comfortable and adaptable than Stable 26.

They also offer full foot booties (like a sock) and toe-box booties (for the toes only) - maybe this would help others who have issues with this area of their skate or footwear.

10/10

Conclusion

I love these ankle booties for reducing pressure to the tendon at the top of my ankle and for adding a bit of bulk to my very narrow ankle and heel.

They're very protective (when it comes to friction and abrasion) and they are extremely durable.

They're washable and they are very economical when compared to something like Stable26 or using pro-wrap for a similar purpose.

47.5/50 - 95/100 = 95%

[sticktime 12]

Been thinking about getting these for my 190's. My ankles/heels are on the narrower side and while my foot is locked in left skate, my right has a minute amount of possible side to side movement. It's weird, my heel doesn't lift but I feel like it could be more locked in. I also use cheap dollar store flat insoles under the stock insoles to give a slightly snigger fit. I wish Vapors would work but the 6.5 is too small and the 7 is too long. But the way it grabs my foot is what I'm trying to replicate in the supremes. And with these booties they may do it.

Incidentally, I tried skating barefoot last week and I can't wear socks ever again. It's that much better; can just feel the blade and ice better.

The only other boot that works is the Ribcor 28 or 30k, it's snug like a vapor and grabs my heel. But I don't want to drop another 4 bills.

So going to go e these booties a try in my right skate.