Skates too tight at toes

[Slick]

I purchased a pair of Bauer Vapor 12's last year. They were never worn, and got a decent deal on them. I had them baked, and wore them for probably 5-6 games last year, and a couple public skates this year. However, my small toes feel like they are crushed in the skates. I thought this would go away upon breaking them in, but it hasn't. I've heard of something called "punching" to stretch the skate near the toes, has anyone done this? I assume it's just a metal rod or something that they put in there? I'm a bit worried it might stretch the boot out so that it's not longer really tight around my feet, so I'm just looking for any experience anyone has had, or suggestions how to remedy this problem.

 

[Toonces]

Both punching and stretching can be done, but they are a little different. Punching refers to having a device somewhat literally punch out a pressure point. With stretching, a device that is kinda shaped like the front of your foot it placed in the skate, and adjusted to expand, literally stretching out the front of your skate.

How well both of these methods work depends on alot of things, such as the material you are trying to alter. Go check out modsquadhockey.com, they have quite a few skate professionals over there who can give you much better advice then I.

 

[Crosbyfan]

I purchased a pair of Bauer Vapor 12's last year. They were never worn, and got a decent deal on them. I had them baked, and wore them for probably 5-6 games last year, and a couple public skates this year. However, my small toes feel like they are crushed in the skates. I thought this would go away upon breaking them in, but it hasn't. I've heard of something called "punching" to stretch the skate near the toes, has anyone done this? I assume it's just a metal rod or something that they put in there? I'm a bit worried it might stretch the boot out so that it's not longer really tight around my feet, so I'm just looking for any experience anyone has had, or suggestions how to remedy this problem.

I had the same thing and one thing I found that helped was not to lace the bottom two sets of eyelets. I originally did it temporarily to allow that area to stretch/mold to my foot faster, but after skating for a year on them (once a week on average) I haven't switched back.

 

[Slick]

I had the same thing and one thing I found that helped was not to lace the bottom two sets of eyelets. I originally did it temporarily to allow that area to stretch/mold to my foot faster, but after skating for a year on them (once a week on average) I haven't switched back.

You know, I never thought of doing that. I'll give it a try.

 

[vivianmb]

get a dremel tool inside the skate and grind down the inside edge of the toe cap where it meets the rest of the skate.(where your little toe knuckles would be.) the toe cap starts abruptly.if you grind the edge down to sort of "a ramp " , your toes will have a little more room.i did it and it made a world of difference.

 

[LilWinger11]

Leaving the bottom eyelets undone sounds like a good idea- I would never in a million years have thought of that- but if it doesn't work, punching should. I have problems with both little toes (going back to ill-fitting figure skates when I was a teenager) and with almost every pair of figure skates I owned after that, I had to have the little toe area punched out.

Yet another reason I like hockey better- the skates are wide enough that they actually fit me from day one