Do you remember your first pair of roller-skates? The clean smell, the sense of freedom, the . . . well, pinched toes? Just because you’ve found the perfect pair doesn’t mean there won’t be discomfort the first time you wear them. But we promise, once you’ve broken them in, you’ll wonder how you went so long without a pair of boots molded to the exact shape of your foot.
How to Break In Skates
Buy the right pair. If you grab any old boot off the shelf, you may deal with more than a little discomfort. Figure out which pair of skates fits your skating style (and your foot) before you buy.- Apply a little heat. The pros go to skate shops with custom ovens made for heating up roller-skate boots. While it’s a bad idea to stick skates in your oven at home (you’ll wind up with cracked skates at best and a house fire at worst), there is a secret weapon in mom’s DIY arsenal: a hairdryer. Carefully heat the boot with a hair dryer, taking care not to stay in one spot too long. Then put on a pair of socks (gotta protect those feet!), slip on the boots, and lace ‘em up. Wear for 5 minutes and they’ll mold to your feet.
- Condition, condition, condition. Is the leather of your new skates too stiff? Several applications of leather conditioner (over the course of a few days) will soften it, leaving a more comfortable boot.
- Lacing. Improperly lacing roller-skates doesn’t just cause discomfort, it can cause serious injury, too. If you’re having trouble lacing your skates, ask a Skate Guard to help you find the right technique to support your foot and ankle.
- Get comfortable. The best way to break in a new pair of roller-skates is to settle in for the long haul. The more you wear them, the more the leather will conform to the individual shape of your foot. Sounds like a good excuse to go roller-skating this weekend!
Want to learn more about choosing the right skate, breaking in your skates, or switching between inline and quad skates? Call Skate World Lakeland or visit our pro shop.
