Skates stored in garage for years, please advise?

[nvmbrrr]

Hi, I am a 5’10”, 170lb adult woman, used to skate casually from when I was a kid. My current pair of skates are Jackson Mystique (don’t know size/width off the top of my head but I’m US 11 and exclusively wear barefoot-style shoes off-ice, so I’m guessing I got the Jacksons because of the wider toe box), which I was breaking in when I got them somewhere in 2017-2018. Various life and health events occurred and I realized a few weeks ago they’d been in storage in a non-temp-controlled garage (temps ranging from approx 20F-90F) for at least 5 of those years

I’ve gone skating twice in the last two weeks and would really like to resume regular casual skating for fun/fitness (I’d like to go back to LTS, but I’m chronically ill and do not want to jump or get into serious spins—nothing particularly risky). I’m slightly concerned about my skates, though.

Since I’ve gotten them back out again, I’ve noticed a kind of cracking or crazing on the “leather.” More worryingly, the leather and padding(?) at the toe seam is visibly split and pulling away from the stitching. I’ve been able to find some information online that the cracking may just be the finish, but I can’t find anything about the toe situation. I suspect this is damage/degradation from the storage conditions?

Would love advice about whether these are safe to use, and what the warning signs might be if they head towards unsafe. I don’t really trust my own intuition here because they’re still not broken in and I was in secondhand skates before. If not safe, would love opinions on what skates might be a good fit for my needs!

 

[tstop4me]

Hi, I am a 5’10”, 170lb adult woman, used to skate casually from when I was a kid. My current pair of skates are Jackson Mystique (don’t know size/width off the top of my head but I’m US 10 and exclusively wear barefoot-style shoes off-ice, so I’m guessing I got the Jacksons because of the wider toe box), which I was breaking in when I got them somewhere in 2017-2018. Various life and health events occurred and I realized a few weeks ago they’d been in storage in a non-temp-controlled garage (temps ranging from approx 20F-90F) for at least 5 of those years

I’ve gone skating twice in the last two weeks and would really like to resume regular casual skating for fun/fitness (I’d like to go back to LTS, but I’m chronically ill and do not want to jump or get into serious spins—nothing particularly risky). I’m slightly concerned about my skates, though.

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Since I’ve gotten them back out again, I’ve noticed a kind of cracking or crazing on the “leather.” More worryingly, the leather and padding(?) at the toe seam is visibly split and pulling away from the stitching. I’ve been able to find some information online that the cracking may just be the finish, but I can’t find anything about the toe situation. I suspect this is damage/degradation from the storage conditions?

Would love advice about whether these are safe to use, and what the warning signs might be if they head towards unsafe. I don’t really trust my own intuition here because they’re still not broken in and I was in secondhand skates before. If not safe, would love opinions on what skates might be a good fit for my needs!

I don't know whether you were about the same height and weight when you first bought the boots. If you were, the boots did not have adequate support then. Regardless, given your current height and weight now, and the deterioration of the boots over time under improper storage conditions, you should ditch the old boots. Others here can provide recommendations for current models.

 

[nvmbrrr]

I don't know whether you were about the same height and weight when you first bought the boots. If you were, the boots did not have adequate support then. Regardless, given your current height and weight now, and the deterioration of the boots over time under improper storage conditions, you should ditch the old boots. Others here can provide recommendations for current models.

I was! I didn’t even realize until my research the last few weeks that height & weight had an impact on boot selection—when I was fitted for the Mystiques the only information they took into account was that I planned to skate casually. As I’ve been investigating I’ve been suspecting the Mystiques were not a great choice, given my height and weight, even though I’m not a serious skater. Thanks for confirming/your input, I look forward to other ppl’s advice on what to replace them with!

 

[tstop4me]

I was! I didn’t even realize until my research the last few weeks that height & weight had an impact on boot selection—when I was fitted for the Mystiques the only information they took into account was that I planned to skate casually. As I’ve been investigating I’ve been suspecting the Mystiques were not a great choice, given my height and weight, even though I’m not a serious skater. Thanks for confirming/your input, I look forward to other ppl’s advice on what to replace them with!

Hi. The people who can recommend boots have probably overlooked this thread because of the original topic. I suggest that you post a new thread with a title such as, "Adult Returning to Skating Seeks Advice on Boots and Blades". In addition to your height, weight, and skating background and level, also include: (a) your foot shape according to the chart in https://www.sportspodiatry.com.au/2020/07/30/do-you-have-greek-feet/ ; (b) your best guess at arch height (low, medium, high); (c) any other foot issues, such as wide ball and narrow heel, bunions, .... If you tell us where you live (country, state or province, city or town), you'll also get recommendations for fitters. Good Luck!

 

[Query]

I doubt that particular temperature range matters much. It is mostly higher temperatures that mess up boots.

But high humidity can sometimes be a very big deal with leather. I'm not sure if humidity can impact glue lifetime too.

Another possible issue is that many boots (and shoes) aren't made anymore in a way that is designed to last a long time. They are frequently glued together rather than sewn, and sometimes with glues that have a very finite lifetime, which I think annoying.

To some extent what you are talking about could simply mean that the glue is degrading. Even if you don't use them, 8 years is a long time to expect of modern boots.

If you mean that the upper part of the boot is separating from the sole, I think that could eventually be a real safety issue. Also, it would prevent you from skating well. I personally would be tempted to apply a good waterproof epoxy, and clamp (or tape) them together for a few days, but I'm sure most of the people here would say you should buy new boots. And don't expect that even so, they would last a lot longer.

 

[Query]

BTW, I should have mentioned that epoxies seem to usually work better if you roughen the surfaces with sandpaper first. Partly to get rid of the old glue, partly because that helps form a "secondary bond", which means they adhere partly by filling in indentations in the surface. I'm not an expert, but I would choose a good grade marine epoxy.

Of course, if you can afford it, new boots fit by a really expert fitter would be better.

 

[tstop4me]

BTW, I should have mentioned that epoxies seem to usually work better if you roughen the surfaces with sandpaper first. Partly to get rid of the old glue, partly because that helps form a "secondary bond", which means they adhere partly by filling in indentations in the surface. I'm not an expert, but I would choose a good grade marine epoxy.

Of course, if you can afford it, new boots fit by a really expert fitter would be better.

You can't recommend an adhesive unless you first know the materials to be joined. Jackson is constantly playing around with materials (both uppers and outsoles), so it's not clear what materials the OP's particular boots are fabricated from. Also, for seams that are subject to constant flexing and stress, adhesive by itself may not be adequate for a safe, reliable repair. Regardless, the Mystiques, even in good condition, are just too flimsy for the OP, so there's no point in trying to repair them.

 

[nvmbrrr]

Thank you!! I did skate one more time with them the day after I made my initial post, and the splitting around the toe seams at the front spread through the whole seam on both feet. Additionally, the fit was shockingly loose compared to the week before, such that my heels were lifting about 1cm. I definitely need new skates, and will never put them in the garage again!!

Will make another post now, thanks so much.

Hi. The people who can recommend boots have probably overlooked this thread because of the original topic. I suggest that you post a new thread with a title such as, "Adult Returning to Skating Seeks Advice on Boots and Blades". In addition to your height, weight, and skating background and level, also include: (a) your foot shape according to the chart in https://www.sportspodiatry.com.au/2020/07/30/do-you-have-greek-feet/ ; (b) your best guess at arch height (low, medium, high); (c) any other foot issues, such as wide ball and narrow heel, bunions, .... If you tell us where you live (country, state or province, city or town), you'll also get recommendations for fitters. Good Luck!

 

[Query]

tstop4me - so you are saying you wouldn't even try epoxy? I would. One of the cool things about epoxy is that if you can create a rough pitted surface by sanding, the materials do not need to form a primary (chemical bond). They just need to be strong enough to make pulling out of the pits difficult. It would be a fun experiment in any case.

Though the further damage she mentions, combined with her weight, height and the relatively low level that model is designed for, probably makes it unlikely to last much time. And the loose fit, combined with her recent inexperience, could easily help cause an injury.

In any event I might have been wrong about the temperature range. While 90 deg F is less than normal body temperature, 20 is pretty low, though I've skated at lower temperatures. But maybe if you add that to humidity variation, you could get something akin to frost heave.

 

[tstop4me]

tstop4me - so you are saying you wouldn't even try epoxy? I would. One of the cool things about epoxy is that if you can create a rough pitted surface by sanding, the materials do not need to form a primary (chemical bond). They just need to be strong enough to make pulling out of the pits difficult. It would be a fun experiment in any case.

Though the further damage she mentions, combined with her weight, height and the relatively low level that model is designed for, probably makes it unlikely to last much time. And the loose fit, combined with her recent inexperience, could easily help cause an injury.

In any event I might have been wrong about the temperature range. While 90 deg F is less than normal body temperature, 20 is pretty low, though I've skated at lower temperatures. But maybe if you add that to humidity variation, you could get something akin to frost heave.

If you were talking about your boots, and if you wanted to experiment, and if you were willing to assume the risk of injury to yourself, you, of course, would be free to do so; knock yourself out having lots of fun. But I am talking about the OP and her boots, and I do not recommend that she does so.