Breaking In Hockey Skates

[PricklyPete]

Well I bought myself a new pair of hockey skates...and it has been over 10 years since the last time I bought a pair...so I'm not looking forward to the break in period.

I seem to remember doing something like boiling water and then placing the skate uppers in the water for 5 minutes, then putting my feet in the skates for 30 minutes with the laces all laced up. Is this the best way to mold the skate to your foot...or is there a better way these days. I didn't know if newer materials used negate the need to do this type of stuff.

For reference, I bought the Bauer Supreme 8090s.

 

[mjh]

This is how I broke in my last pair of ice hockey skates:

A good clean way to break in your new skates is to lace them up at home. You could also use a hair dryer to warm them, but be careful not to overheat any one area. Let them completely cool before walking in them.

If you do this for a few hours, it will help reduce the break in period and your feet will feel better when you hit the ice for the first skate with them.

 

[ShOcKwAvE827]

Just get some skate guards. Put on your skates really tight. And walk around the house for a few days.

 

[mjh]

Shockwave, thanks for throwing in the bit about the skate guards. You'd be surprised how many people walk around their house without them.

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
Well I bought myself a new pair of hockey skates...and it has been over 10 years since the last time I bought a pair...so I'm not looking forward to the break in period.

I seem to remember doing something like boiling water and then placing the skate uppers in the water for 5 minutes, then putting my feet in the skates for 30 minutes with the laces all laced up. Is this the best way to mold the skate to your foot...or is there a better way these days. I didn't know if newer materials used negate the need to do this type of stuff.

For reference, I bought the Bauer Supreme 8090s.

I believe most higher end skates have a material designed for skates ovens. Once warmed, you can wear them and break them in that way. Most pro shops have a skate oven.

 

[DigDug]

No, no. Don't do the boiling water thing. Unecessary and you could damage your skates.

I'm pretty sure thsoe Bauers are heat-moldable. Get them "baked" at your local pro shop - I'm surprised they didn't offer this service for you at the point of sale. They'll put them in a convection oven, and then same them on for you tight. You sit for 30 mins or so, take them off, and wait 24 hours before skating.

Makes break-in easy!

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: DigDug
No, no. Don't do the boiling water thing. Unecessary and you could damage your skates.

I'm pretty sure thsoe Bauers are heat-moldable. Get them "baked" at your local pro shop - I'm surprised they didn't offer this service for you at the point of sale. They'll put them in a convection oven, and then same them on for you tight. You sit for 30 mins or so, take them off, and wait 24 hours before skating.

Makes break-in easy!

Well it is because I no longer live up north and had to order a pair online (oh the misery). There are no pro shops in the area unfortunately.

What is difference between a skate oven and a regular oven?

 

[PricklyPete]

And yes...they are heat moldable. I believe the bauer term is "thermoformable".