|
Well, there they are, those shiny new skates that will allow you to skate like a star. There’s just one problem. They’re new. If this is your first pair of new skates, be prepared to experience some discomfort. That’s not what you want to read and it doesn’t always happen but this is the reality of the sport. When you tried on your new skates you may have been shocked to feel the inflexibility and how confined your feet were inside the boots.
That’s why you never buy new skates and use them right away. You won’t make much progress and you’d leave the rink with blisters. So here are some guidelines on how to correctly break in new skates.
What to do off ice:
Put on your thinnest socks or nylons. Dampen them with warm water and put on your skates. Carefully lace them, leaving the TOP TWO hooks undone. Lacing them up all the way won’t help, as you wouldn’t be able to bend your knees. It also puts too much strain on the boot leather. Too much too soon applies to all aspects of skating, especially breaking in skates.
For 20 to 30 minutes at a time you should wear your new skates with the socks or nylons. When you remove them, you’ll find that the socks are dry. The slight amount of water you added will help to soften the boots.
If possible, you’ll want to spend [at least] one hour total off ice wearing your new boots. You can just walk around, but it’s beneficial to do some squats and leg lifts. Get accustomed to wearing them so the transition to the ice is simpler.
Gel-type padding:
Is padding necessary? Most of the time it is, especially during the breaking in process. Fortunately for us, the use of silicone padding is common and there are different brands available through your pro shop or via the Internet. Bunga Pad has several varieties and even sells a “Bunga Skater’s Kit.”
The most common areas of pain are the anklebones and the area above the ankle where the boot ends. Little toes can also be hotspots for pain. Heel problems can occur from the backs of the skates. You might not have any pain or problems, or you might be visiting the pro shop more frequently than you think. The cure for internal boot problems is simple and economical. Should there be friction in a certain area of the boot, it can be punched out. This procedure can be done at shoe repair shops.
Punching out means one of two things:
1. The boot has a metal ball inserted into the problem area where it remains for at least 24 hours.
2. The area which causes you pain is actually removed with a knife. Better the surgery on your boots than your feet!
Other kinds of padding:
You don’t necessarily have to use gel-type padding. Other kinds are available like the sponge disc-shaped pads, which cost less than the gel type, or you might want to buy some lamb’s wool to stuff into problem areas. Dr. Scholl’s makes a wide variety of insoles should you need any extra cushioning and support.
What to do on the ice:
Be prepared to lose a few moves or find they’re harder to do in new skates. You’re not able to bend as well and those blades will feel a lot sharper, especially if you’ve just graduated from unsharpened ones. Skating forwards will be more difficult in new boots and this will really teach you the lesson that bending your knees is as essential to skating as is the wearing of skates!
You might have to readjust your laces every few minutes. This is normal. Keep adjusting them until they’re comfortable. Sometimes you’re able to leave the top hook unlaced, but it’s important that you don’t lace them all the way at first.
Maintaining & protecting your skates:
Eventually your skates will become scuffed and dirty. You’ll need to invest in a can or bottle of matching polish. You can also find the spray-on ‘paint’ which does a superior job of bringing back the skates’ original color.
Maintaining the leather of your skates and soles is necessary to keep them in good condition. When the ice melts, the water can do a lot of damage. Weakened skates can be dangerous. Should there be rotting in the soles, the screws that keep the blades in place can rust and fall out.
To keep the skates water proofed, invest in a jar of Sno Seal or any other brand of beeswax waterproofing. You can find a jar at your pro shop or hardware store.
Protected blades are clean blades:
Skating on nicked blades impairs your ability to execute even the most basic of moves. A pair of rubber blade guards costs about $10 and will last for a long time. They come in a length that would fit the largest pair of blades and you cut them to size or have the pro shop employee do this. Make sure you periodically wipe the inside of the rubber blade guards to keep them clean.
Blade soakers:
Blades have two enemies: nicks or scratches, and rust. Blade guards will protect your blades while you’re at the rink, but leave them on your blades, even if you’ve wiped them clean, and they’ll start to rust. If your blades get rusty, the only remedy is a good sharpening. An easy way to protect your blades when your skates are at home or in your bag is to leave on a pair of terry cloth soakers. These soakers absorb residual water. They come in many colors and are inexpensive. If you know how to sew, you can make your own.
Boot bags:
Boot bags aren’t an absolute necessity, but they help prolong the life of your skates. Each bag is made from a durable terry cloth, and has a drawstring closure. Available in assorted colors and patterns, these bags are sold in pairs. Air your skates out for at least 24 hours after you skate, and then put them into the boot bags.
Boot covers:
Many new skaters invest in boot covers to wear when they skate. This is done to keep the skates looking new. Boot covers are often bought in the same color as the boots but are sold in different colors. They’re usually one-size-fits-all and are made of Lycra. Some boot covers, which are made from a piling-lining, are worn to prevent cold from seeping through. More coaches than students wear these type of boot covers. However, if you have poor circulation and skate in a very cold rink, your feet would probably feel a lot warmer with these.
Your skates will last a lot longer with proper care and maintenance.
| 
