NOS Mission NME Nine-1 skates - some questions

[RWB 0]

Hello Modsquadhockey members. This is my first post, although I have read various threads here in the past. I am playing hockey again after a 7 year layoff, and a 10 year layoff prior to that short stint. It’s just shinny at the local rink, but it's with full gear and there's often two goalies, which is great.

I decided my 30 year old CCM 652 Vaccutacks were due for replacing. They were really tired, and I recently discovered they are one of the heaviest skates ever made. I had been looking for skates for a while, and last week stumbled onto a pair of brand new Mission NME Nine-1 in my size (8.5 D) still in the box, and never heat formed. The price was right so I bought them. Before buying, I scoured the internet for information and found this interesting Mission NME Nine-1 thread from 2008.

In any event, I had the skates heat molded at a local store, and have been on them twice since then. They are comfortable everywhere except the arches. I’m not certain only an issue of high arches, as it also seems the boot is too narrow at the arch, thus crushing the side of my foot at the arch. I like the store where I had them heat treated, but I think a couple of steps in the baking process went wrong. The tech forgot to put the insole back into one skate before lacing me up, and by the time we realized, unlaced the boot, put the sole back in and laced up again, I believe the boot cooled enough to not have full pliability. I may have also contributed to the problem by not walking around a bit after ten minutes as he recommended, as this was not in the Mission instructions, but a few players at shinny said they walked around a bit once treated, and apparently this helps the forming process.

I don’t hold anything against the tech who did the first baking, but I’d much rather heat treat them a second time myself. I know this would not normally be advised, but I actually have twenty-five years of solid shop experience including the use of heaters and ovens and tight temperature controls. Mind you, to do this as well as possible, I need some other information that I cannot seem to find, and would be grateful for any insight. Here's my questions:

1. The heat forming instructions that came with the skate advise using a Mission oven, but it does not say what the Mission oven temperature was set at. Does anyone know what temperature Mission ovens were set for?

2. Assuming I cannot find out what exact temperature Mission recommended, what is the range of temperature used for today’s skates, and what's a good guess for these Missions?

3. Why is it recommended to sit while cooling instead of standing? I know there is concern about leaning forward or back hard thus placing strain on the weakened eyelets, but wouldn’t it make sense for those of us with fairly flat feet to carefully stand for a short time while cooling so the sides at the arch can get pushed out a bit?

4. Why do some companies say the skates can only be heated a maximum of three times? What happens if one tries to heat treat them 4 or more times? I sometimes work with synthetic materials that can be bent repeatedly without issue, especially when being bent in the gentle arcing that a skate might see, so I cannot understand the limitation with skates.

Any other technical insight into heat treating would be greatly appreciated. Aside from the current problem, I feel these will be good skates for me once I solve the fit. I would also be curious to hear from anyone who still has NME Nine-1 skates. Thanks.

[krisdrum 233]

Most skates these days are baked at about 185 F.  Some recommend higher temps.  Some longer time in the oven.  But I think most LHS ovens heat to about that temp.  If you decide to do this yourself, make sure you are using a convention oven so the temp is circulated and consistent throughout.

I think the idea behind sitting is so you aren't deforming the boot while warm in a way that would cause issues going forward.  I've heard stories of folks standing and destroying their boots. 

My understanding on the 3 times max for some is the loss of rigidity after every bake.  I've never really understood this either, as most skates are plenty stiff to take some extra baking. 

If the rest of the skate fits you well post-bake, I might suggest you look into spot heating the problem areas and having them punched out if needed, or at least re-molded without baking the entire skate.  That will likely be more efficient and get you to your desired state faster than going through the full re-bake process. 

[RWB 0]

Thanks for the informative reply.  Spot heating had crossed my mind and I'm glad you mentioned it. I have an infrared thermometer and could closely monitor the heat applied from a variable heat gun. I'll do some further searching about this idea. The only other spot that seems troublesome is around the right baby toe, but I have the feeling the arch side is so tight it's driving my entire foot to the right. I'd be inclined to solve the arch problem first and see if the toe issue resolves itself.

[Cavs019 710]

The advice I always give to most guys who are coming back after a long hiatus is don't crank on your laces, especially over the arch.

Today's boots (if they fit correctly) are built to support your foot on their own, not lace tightness. That should help alleviate some of the arch pain you're experiencing. 

[RWB 0]

Sounds like good advice. Will try that. I have been doing some reading and I have seen references to Superfeet yellow, which is a flatter insole. I have a feeling this might also help me.

[krisdrum 233]

The Superfeet are heel stabilizers.  Obviously they provide some arch support as well, but that is not their primary function.  And based on my experience with them, I'd hardly call them "flatter" compared to most stock insoles I've seen. 

And I don't think you need to use a thermometer while spot heating.  Just don't put the gun too close (at least a few inches), keep it moving, and keep checking for the material softening up.