Fitting Guidelines | Size Charts | Heat Molding | Tracing Instructions

Fitting Guidelines

The purchase of a boot and blade is a major decision which can represent a substantial financial investment. A proper fitting boot and blade insures your investment in ice time and coaching fees.

Fitting Basics
A skater’s size, weight, and skating level are very important. These aspects will determine what boot and blade to purchase and how long they will last. While seated, the boot should be snug in the heel, arch, and ball areas for best support. Toes should be able to wiggle freely but not slide to any great degree. After the boot is laced and the skater stands, the boot should feel slightly tighter. There should be little to no movement when the skater tries to lift her or his heel. The toes should just be touching the front of the boot. Toes should feel slight pressure but not severe bending or pain. Toes should also not be cramped or curled under.

It is important to have a correctly fitted boot for optimal skater performance. The boot must be snugly fit so that it responds exactly to the skater’s movement. Additional room in the skate can cause the foot to slide and thus may impede the skater’s progress.

As a parent, it can be difficult to afford boot after boot to accommodate a child’s growing foot in a short period of time. In many instances, a larger boot will be purchased to handle a growth spurt in an effort to reduce the cost. This is acceptable when the skater is in a basic level (pre-alpha – delta) or beginning freestyle. In this case we recommend a ½ to 1 size bigger than they are measured by a professional with the possible addition of a growth insole.

Note: Since every skate manufacturer is different, you cannot go by a person’s shoe size to determine the proper fitting skate.

Improperly Fitted Boots and Early Skate Breakdown
However, we recommend that you not buy a larger sized boot than necessary. The longer the boot, the larger the ankle dimensions. The skater will have to work harder to tighten the laces so that the boot will fit snugly. When laces are tightened over a boot that is too large for the skater, it causes the boot to break down faster losing the ankle support vital to skating.

Improperly Fitted Boots and Foot Ailments
Another negative effect from wearing a boot that is too large is the potential to develop foot problems. Wearing a large boot can lead to the development of blisters from the boot rubbing on the foot. Tendonitis, bone spurs and bunions are just a few of the other ailments that an improper fitting skate may create. The skater’s progress may be impeded as well because a larger boot will place the skater on the wrong balance point. Often, what was meant to save money may end up costing more in the long run with lessons, medical bills, and time lost.

If you have any questions regarding the proper fitting of figure skates, contact our boot and blade expert at asktheexpert@rainbosports.com.

Heat Molding Instructions and Tips

The ideal way of heating molding boots is to heat them in a convection oven. This allows for even distribution of the heat. Regular household ovens are not recommended because the heat from the radiant elements is too direct and may damage the boots voiding the warranty. If you do not have a convection oven, you can use a hair dryer. Before beginning, make sure the skater has on tights or very thin socks. Failure to wear some kind of stocking may lead to burning of the feet.

Convection Oven Instructions
1) Set the oven to 180 degrees and put the boots in the oven for approximately 3-5 minutes until the boots begin to become pliable.

2) Remove the boots from the oven taking care not to burn yourself on the blades or lace hooks. Let the boots cool slightly so that you can handle them.

3) For Jackson boots, press down on the toe box slightly where the laces start. This will open the toe box slightly allowing for a better fit.

4) When the boots are cool enough to handle, place them on the feet pushing the heels all the way into the heel cups. Lace the boots up very snuggly; slightly tighter than normal so that the boots will wrap around the shape of the feet. Leave the boots on the feet for 10 minutes until the boots cool down.

5) Do not walk or even stand on the boots while they are on the feet. This may keep them from molding properly.

6) Remove the boots and let them cool down to room temperature (another 10 minutes).

7) Put the boots back on after cooling to room temperature. You may now stand and walk in them to determine whether the boots fit properly or whether they need any other adjustments. In the case of boot and blade sets, please wear had guards to protect the blades and your floors.

Hair Dryer Instructions
Using a hair dryer set to high, move the heat back and forth over the entire outer surface of the boots. Do not leave the heat source in one spot for a long time or the boot may burn. It will probably take 7-10 minutes for the boots to become pliable. At this point, follow directions 2-7 above.

Precautions
Beware of hot blades and lace hooks
Do not do molding barefoot
Do not walk or stand in warm boots
Do not bend your knees while the boots are warm
Do not use a regular oven
Make sure heels are all the way back in the heel cup before molding