Is it absolutely necessary to fill the holes?

[christy]

So, I think I've found a store where I can try several different boots, which is great, however when I was discussing blade fitting the skate tech told me that if he has to change the position of the blade he doesn't fill the old holes. I was surprised that he said that, and it makes me wonder if I should find somewhere else. I'm probably getting Risport RF3s, so should the holes be filled and if so how? Would I be able to do it myself (like the Edea)?

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

So, I think I've found a store where I can try several different boots, which is great, however when I was discussing blade fitting the skate tech told me that if he has to change the position of the blade he doesn't fill the old holes. I was surprised that he said that, and it makes me wonder if I should find somewhere else. I'm probably getting Risport RF3s, so should the holes be filled and if so how? Would I be able to do it myself (like the Edea)?

The holes MUST be filled unless you want to risk getting ice/water/all kinds of nasty things up into the sole of your boot that will then cause rot. Also, no you can't do it yourself. Make sure your blade is mounted in the place it most definitely needs to be.

 

[christy]

Yeah, I was surprised when they said they didn't fill the holes as everything I've ever known, read, etc. has always said they have to be filled, and it's just common sense really. It does make me question whether I should find somewhere else to get fitted, although they do get good reviews.
I pronate quite a bit some I'm guessing the mounting may not be perfect immediately, and may need to be moved by my local tech (who has zero experience with Risport so I was hoping he could get guidance from the fitter).

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I sent you a DM

 

[supersharp]

Whenever possible, pronation should be corrected with the insole so that the blade can be properly centered under the foot. if you have severe pronation, your joints may be out of alignment, which will make skating more difficult and can cause joint damage. A trip to the podiatrist might be the best investment you could make.

...and the holes should be filled for all reasons listed above...perhaps the tech meant that the holes wouldn't be filled until you were through trying different blades, so that in cases where the holes from one sole plate also work for another, there would not be unnecessary filling and re-drilling? That is the only thing I can think of that would make leaving the holes open make sense. But a lot of the time, some of the holes will be different by about 1/2 the diameter of the existing holes, which means you must fill, wait for it to cure, and then re-drill in the overlapping location. I wish this was not the case, but it seems to be almost inevitable due to the proprietary nature of every blade manufacturer's sole plate layout.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Whenever possible, pronation should be corrected with the insole so that the blade can be properly centered under the foot. if you have severe pronation, your joints may be out of alignment, which will make skating more difficult and can cause joint damage. A trip to the podiatrist might be the best investment you could make.

...and the holes should be filled for all reasons listed above...perhaps the tech meant that the holes wouldn't be filled until you were through trying different blades, so that in cases where the holes from one sole plate also work for another, there would not be unnecessary filling and re-drilling? That is the only thing I can think of that would make leaving the holes open make sense. But a lot of the time, some of the holes will be different by about 1/2 the diameter of the existing holes, which means you must fill, wait for it to cure, and then re-drill in the overlapping location. I wish this was not the case, but it seems to be almost inevitable due to the proprietary nature of every blade manufacturer's sole plate layout.

And OP, if you have pronation you are going to need to see an Orthopaedist or a Podiatrist more than likely to get special custom insoles made to fit your boots, you may still end up with possible tendonitis in your ankles though.

I wish you luck OP!

 

[christy]

And OP, if you have pronation you are going to need to see an Orthopaedist or a Podiatrist more than likely to get special custom insoles made to fit your boots, you may still end up with possible tendonitis in your ankles though.

I wish you luck OP!

Thank you

Interestingly I actually saw a podiatrist a few years ago, but not someone who was a sports specialist, and she told me that I didn't have any pronation issues and didn't need a specialist insole! Before and after seeing her I've had a couple of skate techs tell me I pronate, so I'm planning to find a specialist podiatrist.

 

[tstop4me]

Thank you

Interestingly I actually saw a podiatrist a few years ago, but not someone who was a sports specialist, and she told me that I didn't have any pronation issues and didn't need a specialist insole! Before and after seeing her I've had a couple of skate techs tell me I pronate, so I'm planning to find a specialist podiatrist.

But not just any sports specialist. You need to find a podiatrist with specific experience in fitting orthotics for figure skates (these orthotics are different from orthotics for walking shoes or running shoes, e.g.). Unfortunately such podiatrists are hard to come by.