How does it look like when an Edea boot breaks down?

[migureskater]

Hello!

I'm skating in my Edea Wave boots, and I can't wait to see my boots breaking down (so that I could upgrade my boots).
As I heard, Edea boots don't crease in the ankles when they break down, because the flex and support come from their tongues and laces...
Then how do I know, and how they look like when they're broken down?

I have seen some Edea boots which have creases in the ankles, but some people say the boots are not supposed to be like that.
So I wonder how the boots look like when they're broken down in the 'right' way.

Thank you, and I'll appreciate it more with any pictures!

 

[hope_skate]

Hello!

I'm skating in my Edea Wave boots, and I can't wait to see my boots breaking down (so that I could upgrade my boots).
As I heard, Edea boots don't crease in the ankles when they break down, because the flex and support come from their tongues and laces...
Then how do I know, and how they look like when they're broken down?

I have seen some Edea boots which have creases in the ankles, but some people say the boots are not supposed to be like that.
So I wonder how the boots look like when they're broken down in the 'right' way.

Thank you, and I'll appreciate it more with any pictures!

Just a side note, if you're an adult, this model may not be supportive enough for you so you may need a different pair of boots + blade anyway. I'm around 97-100lbs and 155cm in height and the Wave is not supportive enough for me. I used my Wave just for recreational skating in public session so they're not broken down yet

 

[LolaSkatesInJapan]

I wear Edeas and consider it's time for new skates when I can easily squeeze in the part where the hooks are, around the ankle. New, they're VERY hard and can't be squeezed easily at all.

And I agree with what @hope_skate says above (I am 165 cm, 50 kg and wear a much harder Edea model), even though I have no idea how much you weight, your height and many many other factors that determine how hard one's skates must be. I've never skated in something so soft as Wave, so maybe you can squeeze the ankle part even when they're new.

 

[WednesdayMarch]

Being able to physically squeeze the ankle in with your hands isn't necessarily the first sign of boots being no longer supportive enough for you. My boots always appear pristine, and very solid, but I know when it's time for new ones because my foot/ankle hurts when I bend. It's not even a feeling of insecurity.

An actual crease at the ankle is usually a sign that the boots were too big to start with and need replacing for fit anyway.

If you feel insecure or are getting discomfort, go and see a reputable fitter. A good fitter won't sell you equipment you don't need.

 

[migureskater]

Just a side note, if you're an adult, this model may not be supportive enough for you so you may need a different pair of boots + blade anyway. I'm around 97-100lbs and 155cm in height and the Wave is not supportive enough for me. I used my Wave just for recreational skating in public session so they're not broken down yet

Thank you! I'm 161cm and 49kg but I still find they are good enough. Wave was much more stiffer than I thought!
I'm not bad at using ankles and edges so it was pretty amazing for me...!

 

[migureskater]

I wear Edeas and consider it's time for new skates when I can easily squeeze in the part where the hooks are, around the ankle. New, they're VERY hard and can't be squeezed easily at all.

And I agree with what @hope_skate says above (I am 165 cm, 50 kg and wear a much harder Edea model), even though I have no idea how much you weight, your height and many many other factors that determine how hard one's skates must be. I've never skated in something so soft as Wave, so maybe you can squeeze the ankle part even when they're new.

Thank you! Do you mean squeezing the boots with hands?

 

[migureskater]

Being able to physically squeeze the ankle in with your hands isn't necessarily the first sign of boots being no longer supportive enough for you. My boots always appear pristine, and very solid, but I know when it's time for new ones because my foot/ankle hurts when I bend. It's not even a feeling of insecurity.

An actual crease at the ankle is usually a sign that the boots were too big to start with and need replacing for fit anyway.

If you feel insecure or are getting discomfort, go and see a reputable fitter. A good fitter won't sell you equipment you don't need.

Thank you for sharing your experience! What boots are you using now? Do you get hurt suddenly or gradually?
So it means I can't judge whether it is broken down from the appearance, right?

 

[hope_skate]

Thank you! I'm 161cm and 49kg but I still find they are good enough. Wave was much more stiffer than I thought!
I'm not bad at using ankles and edges so it was pretty amazing for me...!

I think it's because the shell is very stiff but for me (maybe because of my ballet background - being en pointe gives you lots of ankle strength) I mainly switched because of these reasons:

1. Creasing on the tongue. Maybe I was tying it too tight (to compensate for lack of support) so I don't feel supported in them anymore
2. I wanted a better blade for jumps and spins. I do not like/trust the Balance blade enough to jump on them
3. The mesh vs sponge padding. Definitely prefer the sponge padding more because my heel wasn't locking in place with the mesh padding in the Wave.

In relation to your question, I definitely think my issue with the Wave was because it wasn't supportive in the first place rather than it breaking down. I'm also in the camp of "hey if it works for you, why not eh?"

I know few people have been asking around to buy my Wave (2nd hand) to use for figure skating. So, definitely not unheard of. Although I am honest with them saying that maybe not to try jumps on them (for adults)

 

[LolaSkatesInJapan]

Thank you! Do you mean squeezing the boots with hands?

Yes!

 

[migureskater]

I think it's because the shell is very stiff but for me (maybe because of my ballet background - being en pointe gives you lots of ankle strength) I mainly switched because of these reasons:

1. Creasing on the tongue. Maybe I was tying it too tight (to compensate for lack of support) so I don't feel supported in them anymore
2. I wanted a better blade for jumps and spins. I do not like/trust the Balance blade enough to jump on them
3. The mesh vs sponge padding. Definitely prefer the sponge padding more because my heel wasn't locking in place with the mesh padding in the Wave.

In relation to your question, I definitely think my issue with the Wave was because it wasn't supportive in the first place rather than it breaking down. I'm also in the camp of "hey if it works for you, why not eh?"

I know few people have been asking around to buy my Wave (2nd hand) to use for figure skating. So, definitely not unheard of. Although I am honest with them saying that maybe not to try jumps on them (for adults)

I agree to the 1st reason. I feel the same and I'm lacing it tight too. When not laced super tightly, it was not supportive enogh... But I am just trying to break them anyways!
Thank you for the detailed reply!

 

[WednesdayMarch]

Thank you for sharing your experience! What boots are you using now? Do you get hurt suddenly or gradually?
So it means I can't judge whether it is broken down from the appearance, right?

I currently skate in Jackson Elite Pros but to nowhere the standard I did. Back in the 1990s, I was going through a pair of top of the line SP-Teri boots at the rate of a pair every 9-12 months. As an ice dancer. (Graf Dance had only just come on the market and I didn't like them. There were no other specialised dance boots available.)

I would notice discomfort in my ankles when I bent them. It would rapidly get worse and the only solution was new boots. My fitter would shake his head every time, and there was always a market for my "old" boots as they were still in such good condition (apart from the soles being worn down at the edges from the steepness of my edges!) But the boots were done for me.

It's worth remembering that new boots nearly always come with a break-in period that isn't much fun. Trying to "break" your current boots may be counter-productive. If you want new boots, go to a reputable fitter and say so. Then sell the Waves to a recreational skater.