I also prefer this method, it locks the laces as you tighten so each level maintains its differential tension without loosening again as you move up to the next set of eyelets. It helps to pull the laces directly outwards to the sides until you get to the hooks. I’ve actually found that Edea laces work better than the Risport ones when using this method as they seem to be less stretchy but they’re also wider and only just fit under the small Risport hooks. I still use a lace hook to tighten a bit extra before doing the hooks.
Update on boots and Everglides for anybody interested.
- Thread starter Vladik
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
Starting to get used to it!
Skated on my new skates today and love them (for the most part). The blades seem to glide so much faster and the boots are so comfy, I had no pain at all, even after skating for just under 4 hours.
There’s one major issue! Hopefully somebody can give me some advice here. I’m pronating quite a lot. It’s making outside edges really hard. I’m pronating more than I was in my previous skates, I’m not sure if it’s the way the ankle is built. Would insoles help with this? I’m really stuck on what to do. Where would I get insoles? Thanks!
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2023
There are gel arch support insoles on Amazon. It's only for the middle part of the feet, so most likely won't affect the fit of the boot. I had looked into it previously but never used it. It's cheap, so won't hurt your wallet to give it a try.
I have no clue if there’s a right or wrong way, except for Edea. I’ve always laced all my shoes the other way, and cannot stand them laced the Edea way. I will literally replace shoes in a store before I try them on. (Hello, sensory issues. Also probably why I can only skate in tights…)
* There’s no one right way to lace up boots. Each has its own pluses and minuses. It’s a matter of personal preference. In case you’re interested, this website describes a zillion ways, including “in-out” vs “out-in”:
Shoe Lacing Methods
An extensive selection of shoe lacing tutorials, including traditional, decorative, functional and military methods.
You simply need to experiment, and find out what works best for you. Below are strictly my personal preferences.
* I’d caution you not to become dependent on a lace hook. They’re very easy to lose. I have more gadgets in my kit bag than most skaters, but not a lace hook. I’ve lost count of all the skaters who’ve come to me, “My coach told me you have a lot of tools. Could I borrow a lace hook?”, only to have me reply, “Sorry. I don’t have one.”
* I’ve tried the “out-in” method (as described on the Edea website) on Riedell and Jackson boots. I hate it. For one thing, it’s difficult to get it right. But more importantly, if you don’t get it right the first time around, it’s extremely difficult to adjust the laces without starting all over again. And as I pointed out in a previous post (https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/t...verglides-for-anybody-interested.95257/page-3) [Reply #56, section on “Lacing Up”], if you lace some sections loose and some sections tight, and if you don’t do anything special to maintain the differences in tension, the tight sections will get looser as you skate. The “out-in” method doesn’t reliably lock in the differences in tension. At my rink, skaters with Edea boots are constantly re-tying their laces (but that can be solved with a different brand of lace).
* One big advantage of the “in-out” method along with the multiple loops at the top row of eyelets (as I described previously) is that you can readily re-adjust the lacing. That is, after your first go around, if a particular row is too loose, you can tighten up that row and the ones above it, and take up the extra slack by pulling on the last row. Note: with the “in-out” method, the first row of eyelets (closest to the front tip of the boot) is started with “out-in” configuration.; then the rest are “in-out”.
* The 360 degree loop around the hooks, as described in the Edea website, works well. No minuses I can think of.
* I don’t wear Risports, but a friend of mine does. She was having problems with her laces, so I swapped them out for Derby Laces. There is a wide variety of Derby Laces, “EDGE” works well for Risports (https://derbylaces.com/product-category/derby-laces/waxed-edge-laces-4-5mm/). These are firmer and stronger than the Risport laces, and they are lightly waxed. The wax acts as a lubricant when pulling the laces through eyelets and around hooks. And once tied, the wax anchors the laces to each other where they cross, making them less likely to loosen.
Note: Play around with the quantity for best pricing. E.g., for shipping to UK and Europe, shipping is free with a minimum of quantity of 4. But there is 10% off if you buy a minimum quantity of 5.
I'm heavily pronating (have totally colapsed arches) and I use superfeet yellow / carbon hockey pro in my Risport.
Works super well and I don't have any problems since using them.
Weren't you planning to get custom insoles at Everglides at a later date? Also, remember the previous discussions on temp mounts? After you break in your boots more, your coach can help assess your degree of pronation. If slight, repositioning/realigning the blade may do the trick. Otherwise, off-the-shelf corrective insoles are going to be hit or miss. There are previous threads on that.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
Thank you! I’m not sure what laces I have? I asked the guy at Al’s skate shop to lace them up for me and he did so. Would the standard be Risport laces?* There’s no one right way to lace up boots. Each has its own pluses and minuses. It’s a matter of personal preference. In case you’re interested, this website describes a zillion ways, including “in-out” vs “out-in”:
Shoe Lacing Methods
An extensive selection of shoe lacing tutorials, including traditional, decorative, functional and military methods.www.fieggen.com
You simply need to experiment, and find out what works best for you. Below are strictly my personal preferences.
* I’d caution you not to become dependent on a lace hook. They’re very easy to lose. I have more gadgets in my kit bag than most skaters, but not a lace hook. I’ve lost count of all the skaters who’ve come to me, “My coach told me you have a lot of tools. Could I borrow a lace hook?”, only to have me reply, “Sorry. I don’t have one.”
* I’ve tried the “out-in” method (as described on the Edea website) on Riedell and Jackson boots. I hate it. For one thing, it’s difficult to get it right. But more importantly, if you don’t get it right the first time around, it’s extremely difficult to adjust the laces without starting all over again. And as I pointed out in a previous post (https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/t...verglides-for-anybody-interested.95257/page-3) [Reply #56, section on “Lacing Up”], if you lace some sections loose and some sections tight, and if you don’t do anything special to maintain the differences in tension, the tight sections will get looser as you skate. The “out-in” method doesn’t reliably lock in the differences in tension. At my rink, skaters with Edea boots are constantly re-tying their laces (but that can be solved with a different brand of lace).
* One big advantage of the “in-out” method along with the multiple loops at the top row of eyelets (as I described previously) is that you can readily re-adjust the lacing. That is, after your first go around, if a particular row is too loose, you can tighten up that row and the ones above it, and take up the extra slack by pulling on the last row. Note: with the “in-out” method, the first row of eyelets (closest to the front tip of the boot) is started with “out-in” configuration.; then the rest are “in-out”.
* The 360 degree loop around the hooks, as described in the Edea website, works well. No minuses I can think of.
* I don’t wear Risports, but a friend of mine does. She was having problems with her laces, so I swapped them out for Derby Laces. There is a wide variety of Derby Laces, “EDGE” works well for Risports (https://derbylaces.com/product-category/derby-laces/waxed-edge-laces-4-5mm/). These are firmer and stronger than the Risport laces, and they are lightly waxed. The wax acts as a lubricant when pulling the laces through eyelets and around hooks. And once tied, the wax anchors the laces to each other where they cross, making them less likely to loosen.
Note: Play around with the quantity for best pricing. E.g., for shipping to UK and Europe, shipping is free with a minimum of quantity of 4. But there is 10% off if you buy a minimum quantity of 5.
I think I’ll have to experiment a bit. I’ve been skating with them yesterday tied the “Edea” way, and haven’t noticed any benefits of sorts, but I haven’t tried them my original lacing way yet. It’s definitely more difficult to tie.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
Do they sort of force your feet outwards?
Also what do you mean by collapsed arches? I’m not too sure about terminology here lol. Don’t even know if I have low or high arches.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
I must have mentioned it before! Just wasn’t sure if they’d be helpful and they’re expensive. I didn’t know whether getting insoles from a doctor/specialist would be better. However, I’m not sure how’d I’d go about that, as I’d need them made for skates, rather than shoes. The guy at Al has given me a permanent mount, I think?? I’m not sure. All the screws are in.
Collapsed arches mean that I have natural arches in my feet, but when applying pressure to them (like standing upright, walking etc.), there's literaly no arch and the sole of my feet are flat like a pancakes.
Not sure about your feet, but I need orthopedic insoles in all my street shoes, or else my feet hurt and my ankles are tipped inwards.
No, they don't. They have a very nice heel cup and arch support, so my feet aren't collapsed and my ankles are straight. They are a bit pricey, but for me they work.
I tried out different insoles because getting some made by a skate tech would have been way more expensive and I wanted to try out my options.
Higher-end boots are supplied with the same brand laces. So you would have Risport laces by default.
The best option for corrective insoles are prescription orthotics from a podiatrist experienced with fitting them for figure skates (US terms). But in the US they're hard to find. Orthotics for figure skates are different from those for walking or running shoes that most podiatrists are familiar with.
The tech should not have installed all the screws unless he specifically asked you and you OK'd it. As discussed in one of my previous posts to you, the first mount should be a temp mount: https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/t...blade-advice-needed.95119/page-2#post-3112881 Reply #38.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
I think I’m relatively similar in terms of the arches. I also have to wear insoles in my everyday shoes, or used to for many years. I can’t find any of my insoles anymore but ideally should be wearing them. I just sort of gave up as I got older as I saw no improvement. I’m what you’d call “pigeon-toed”.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
I’m in the UK so not sure what I’d do.
And yeah I was a bit confused, but he installed all of the screws for some reason..
It is mostly personal preference from what I have seen. I skate in Jacksons and hate having boots laced inside out, I have met people who had their boots laced inside out and had terrible foot cramps in risport until they decided to swap to outside in but then I have also seen vice versa happen. Try both, don't worry about what is easier or harder for you to tie as it will get easier with time, focus on what makes you feel more supported/comfortable.
You will want to look into insoles to correct that, if that doesn't work then you will want to move your blades inwards. I personally have had custom insoles made and had my blades moved for everything to be aligned properly.
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
Where should I look into custom insoles? Everglides? A doctor? I’m unsure.
Do you not pronate anymore at all since having blades moved and insoles made?
Did you try sensomotoric / sensory-motor insoles?
I use them since I'm little and they did actually improve the condition of my feet.
I think if you should normal wear insoles / used to wear them, then you may need insoles in your skates as well.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
Never heard of those! They sound expensive though.
I’ll give you a quick run-through. Always been “pigeon-toed” as a kid. Began seeing a podiatrist (I think) at a young age. Every 6 months or so I’d go and get custom insoles made (for shoes), they’d take moulds of my feet. Issue was, they always worked (actually forced my feet outwards) for about a week, before they sort of broke in and wouldn’t have any affect anymore. Keep in mind, this short-lived effect I would get was not permanent and I never saw any long-term results. Eventually I just gave up on it all.
When I started high-school I got teased about it, so started forcing my feet outwards. Now whenever I walk naturally, my feet point outwards and it appears pretty normal, unless you pay close attention. I don’t even have to think about it anymore it just happens, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re constantly doing something 24/7. However, since starting skating, it’s really become apparent. Guess that’s what happens when you have blades on your feet! Pronation is a real issue for me.
Where would I get insoles for skates?
(Disclaimer that everyone’s body is different, your mileage may vary, and that I am not an orthopaedic specialist!)
If your knees and ankles still collapse inwards even if you force your feet outwards when walking in street shoes, I would also work on the proper tracking of your knee and ankle with regards to your foot - lots of exercises available online. This will help against overly straining your ligaments. If you keep pronating and loading onto that weight bearing pattern, you’ll end up putting undue pressure on your ankle and knee. I was also born with fairly collapsed arches and my knees and ankles had a tendency to pitch slightly inwards as a result, which targeted exercises have improved. Do your street shoes have a noticeable wear pattern on the bottom?
Regarding insoles - you can go to shops like Scholl, Decathlon, Timpson, Boots or any shoe shop and get insoles, which you can cut to fit your street shoe and/or skate (if your local branch is very small you might need to buy it online). You can modify these pretty heavily until you find something you like as they are easy enough to come by. There are many types - hard, soft etc. See what works for you!!
If you find that you still fit in your skate with the insole (which might be a little thicker than the one your skate comes with), then you can invest in a custom insole if you would prefer (like Everglides or other retailers of custom orthotics. I’ve not got customs done in the UK before so I can’t offer any reviews unfortunately.)
If your knees and ankles still collapse inwards even if you force your feet outwards when walking in street shoes, I would also work on the proper tracking of your knee and ankle with regards to your foot - lots of exercises available online. This will help against overly straining your ligaments. If you keep pronating and loading onto that weight bearing pattern, you’ll end up putting undue pressure on your ankle and knee. I was also born with fairly collapsed arches and my knees and ankles had a tendency to pitch slightly inwards as a result, which targeted exercises have improved. Do your street shoes have a noticeable wear pattern on the bottom?
Regarding insoles - you can go to shops like Scholl, Decathlon, Timpson, Boots or any shoe shop and get insoles, which you can cut to fit your street shoe and/or skate (if your local branch is very small you might need to buy it online). You can modify these pretty heavily until you find something you like as they are easy enough to come by. There are many types - hard, soft etc. See what works for you!!
If you find that you still fit in your skate with the insole (which might be a little thicker than the one your skate comes with), then you can invest in a custom insole if you would prefer (like Everglides or other retailers of custom orthotics. I’ve not got customs done in the UK before so I can’t offer any reviews unfortunately.)
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2022
Thanks so much! Also to clarify, I don’t think my ankles and knees collapse too much inwards whilst walking, that’s what the guy at Al’s Skate Shop said. He told me I didn’t pronate that badly, only a very little bit. The issue in walking shoes is my feet point inwards (my toes pointing inwards rather than out). I’m assuming it’s all linked though.
I’ve been skating on my skates for a couple days now and I think I’m getting used to the feel. I’ve been forcing my feet outwards whilst skating, and definitely would like a pair of insoles. However, when I first tried these new skates on ice, I was unable to even get a decent outside edge because of the wider ankle. Things have definitely improved though and my edges are now better than ever. Still would like insoles though!
Thanks so much for your advice!!
