New Skate Issues

[lizzy15]

Do any other adult skaters have trouble with their pro shop? I had quite a time even getting a pair that was appropriate for my skill level and the right fit for me I’m worried now that after all that they didn't take enough time with me (I realized after leaving that they never even heat molded them for me). I know the breaking in process that pain to be expected for at least a couple weeks or months depending how much ice time I get (I was a skater for years when I was younger), and this is my second pair as an adult. However, the last couple times I was on ice my toes kept going numb. Am I just being a baby about it lol and need to work through the pain? Or is the fit of my skate wrong (or hopefully just part of it could be punched out)?

Thanks! Sorry if any of my questions are silly.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Do any other adult skaters have trouble with their pro shop? I had quite a time even getting a pair that was appropriate for my skill level and the right fit for me I’m worried now that after all that they didn't take enough time with me (I realized after leaving that they never even heat molded them for me). I know the breaking in process that pain to be expected for at least a couple weeks or months depending how much ice time I get (I was a skater for years when I was younger), and this is my second pair as an adult. However, the last couple times I was on ice my toes kept going numb. Am I just being a baby about it lol and need to work through the pain? Or is the fit of my skate wrong (or hopefully just part of it could be punched out)?

Thanks! Sorry if any of my questions are silly.

hi! If you're in a pro shop in a rink the problem is most likely b/c they are mostly hockey based. You will need to find a pro fitter for figure skating that will properly fit you and care for your boots and blades. If you let us know where in the world you are, myself and others can suggest a proper fitter for figure skating, which I think we've all discussed in another thread before IIRC?!?

 

[lizzy15]

hi! If you're in a pro shop in a rink the problem is most likely b/c they are mostly hockey based. You will need to find a pro fitter for figure skating that will properly fit you and care for your boots and blades. If you let us know where in the world you are, myself and others can suggest a proper fitter for figure skating, which I think we've all discussed in another thread before IIRC?!?

Yes, you did address finding a fitter for me. It unfortunately was not a hockey shop I had issues at but a fitter dedicated to figure skating. Sorry I shouldn’t have said pro shop because that implies it was a hockey based shop.

 

[lizzy15]

Should I try to deal with my original fitter again or would someone new be willing to address it? Or is just a matter of needing to break them in more?

 

[Diana Delafield]

Should I try to deal with my original fitter again or would someone new be willing to address it? Or is just a matter of needing to break them in more?

That depends on where you live? In some parts of the world there aren't a lot of choices for fitters, but if you tell us what country/province/state you are in, there are people on here from all over the globe who can advise you where the nearest good skate shop and fitter are to your location.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Should I try to deal with my original fitter again or would someone new be willing to address it? Or is just a matter of needing to break them in more?

Try one of the other fitters I messaged you with previously.

 

[lizzy15]

Try one of the other fitters I messaged you with previously.

Thanks! Overthinker that I am, I was concerned that if I went to a new fitter they'd tell me to see my original one.

 

[tstop4me]

Thanks! Overthinker that I am, I was concerned that if I went to a new fitter they'd tell me to see my original one.

If your original fitter is close-by (or approximately the same distance as alternatives), you should probably go back there first and give them a chance to respond. Policies vary with the shop, so you should check. But in my area, if you buy the boots and blades from a fitter, necessary services (such as initial blade mounting, subsequent blade adjustment, heat molding, punchouts, ...) are included. If you go to a different fitter for these services, you will most likely need to pay a fee (which can be hefty, so check first).

Some fitters will automatically recommend a heat molding on initial purchase; others will wait for you to try them out on the ice a few times first. Jackson at one time had an information video with the advice along the lines of, "Just because the boots have a hangtag that says heat moldable, don't insist that you get them heat molded. Not everyone needs it. ..."

In summary, don't discard your first fitter just because things weren't perfect when you hit the ice; they rarely are. The proof of the pudding comes when you return with a list of issues and see how they respond. Then decide whether you need to go elsewhere, or not.

ETA: By the way, what boots and blades did you end up with?

 

[hope_skate]

If your original fitter is close-by (or approximately the same distance as alternatives), you should probably go back there first and give them a chance to respond. Policies vary with the shop, so you should check. But in my area, if you buy the boots and blades from a fitter, necessary services (such as initial blade mounting, subsequent blade adjustment, heat molding, punchouts, ...) are included. If you go to a different fitter for these services, you will most like need to pay a fee (which can be hefty, so check first).

Some fitters will automatically recommend a heat molding on initial purchase; others will wait for you to try them out on the ice a few times first. Jackson at one time had an information video with the advice along the lines of, "Just because the boots have a hangtag that says heat moldable, don't insist that you get them heat molded. Not everyone needs it. ..."

In summary, don't discard your first fitter just because things weren't perfect when you hit the ice; they rarely are. The proof of the pudding comes when you return with a list of issues and see how they respond. Then decide whether you need to go elsewhere, or not.

ETA: By the way, what boots and blades did you end up with?

This! especially on how things don't turn out perfect out of the box, even when it's a great fit. I had a great experience and enjoy the boots they fit me in. But as I spend more time on ice, I would notice little things. Nothing major but enough to irk me. Went back to the fitter and skate tech and they moved my blade for free. Even threw in "if it is still an issue, come back and we'll help you sort it out".

Because we are fitted on "dry land", the skate tech and fitter cannot foresee how we will skate or break in the boots on ice. They can only work with what they can see i.e. our feet. So, this is where communication comes into play and why it is so important to develop good relationship with your skate tech and/or fitter

 

[lizzy15]

If your original fitter is close-by (or approximately the same distance as alternatives), you should probably go back there first and give them a chance to respond. Policies vary with the shop, so you should check. But in my area, if you buy the boots and blades from a fitter, necessary services (such as initial blade mounting, subsequent blade adjustment, heat molding, punchouts, ...) are included. If you go to a different fitter for these services, you will most likely need to pay a fee (which can be hefty, so check first).

Some fitters will automatically recommend a heat molding on initial purchase; others will wait for you to try them out on the ice a few times first. Jackson at one time had an information video with the advice along the lines of, "Just because the boots have a hangtag that says heat moldable, don't insist that you get them heat molded. Not everyone needs it. ..."

In summary, don't discard your first fitter just because things weren't perfect when you hit the ice; they rarely are. The proof of the pudding comes when you return with a list of issues and see how they respond. Then decide whether you need to go elsewhere, or not.

ETA: By the way, what boots and blades did you end up with?

Yes, I didn't think about that if I went to my original fitter at least they should cover the cost of any adjustments. I'm just wary of them because I had such an overall bad experience there. It's good to know that heat molding isn't necessarily something that is always done initially (the whole heat molding thing is new to me!). But, as you say I could at least see how they respond if I come back.

I ended up with Risport Electra (I wanted RF3 Pros but was told I didn't need them yet) and Ultima Aspire XP blades