So my current skates are dying-- my landing-foot boot is starting to feel unstable on landing from jumps so I know it's broken down to the point that I'd better stop jumping on it soon (it feels fine for everything else). However, I'm not skating that much anymore (no class, just on my own for fun and reviewing stuff), so buying new skates is just not warranted as an expense. I'm open to secondhand.
At a secondhand sports store today, I actually found my brand in my size (I have narrow feet and wear Riedell; seems most of the non-crap secondhand skates I see are Jacksons, so this is a rarity). No clue which model, but probably not anything really recent. I tried them on, and they feel good... except. My heel slides up and down in them, noticeably, on any sort of jumping action. (No doubt the inner padding is broken down enough by the previous owner, though they otherwise feel stable and from the very little I did in the store, I feel like I could land jumps in them, but takeoff has a heel slip.) It does not seem to be a problem just on my feet or walking in them. Is this a dealbreaker or do you all suppose it could be remedied by some sort of heel grip/stabilizer added in the boot? (I'm not sure different lacing could do much for me here-- then again, I've never had to try anything else with my current boots.) I thought of buying them anyway and trying it out, but figured before I dropped the money on them, I'd better make sure it's a viable remedy rather than taking a risk. If it matters, I'm on the light-ish side, average height, have only a couple single jumps.
I do have narrow heels and "heel slippage" is normal life for me in most shoes, but, it is not normal for me in skates. (Admittedly, my current skates were heat-molded to my foot, but still.) Do you all think this is an issue that could be remedied with inserts, or should I give these the miss? (If it wasn't that I rarely see them in my size/brand and the price is pretty good, I probably wouldn't bother. I'd had myself resigned to just giving up jumping in my current boots. OTOH, it's possible the previous owner gave them up due to this issue, which may tell me there's nothing to be done and they're only suitable for rec skating now.)
Thank you in advance!
I'd say you can make them work, but my opinion is that most people are pretty finicky and wouldn't agree. The Soviet skaters I know are absolutely incredibly forgiving of setups, and while I'm just an adult whatever I think they aren't wrong.
ETA: there are all kinds of hacks for heel slippage. Bunga pad stuff and more DIY padding too.
If they mostly fit that is pretty wonderful, especially if they are fairly cheap. Though it is always possible they may not last very long.
Just apply a little moleskin (but avoid the dollar store junk, unless you are willing to keep redoing it) around the inside of the heel of the boat - enough layers to make it snug and not slip. Push hard so it keeps sticking.
You could maybe do the same thing with your old boots - but once boots start to break down, they tend to keep breaking down, so that won't work for long.
But yes, there are lots of people who say the fit should be perfect from the start. But I started looking for kludges after paying for badly fit full custom boots.
From my perspective a little too big is much better than a little too small - because it leaves me room to fill space to make the fit perfect, within reason. In contrast, it is hard to make stretches hold for long, though I've done that too.
BTW, I suggest you do the same thing for your other shoes. It is really easy to get injured in any type of shoe (especially if used for athletic purposes - and I admit skates are the only high heel footwear I've used) if you have a lot of slippage. Loose skates are of course much worse than most loose shoes (with the possible exception of climbing shoes and some performance dance shoes), because you are balanced on edges, high above the ice.
Kat,
I responded to your thread in another forum. I gave a succinct answer there. Here, I'll give a more detailed, nuanced response.
(1) Yes, some skaters can perform even advanced maneuvers with heel slippage. There are several Russian coaches at the rinks I go to, and I've heard their stories. One skater I know once bought new boots and had heel slippage. He first asked my advice. I told him to go back to his fitter and return them. He then asked one of the Russian coaches. She said, "Not a problem. Just skate!" He listened to her, of course, since she's a much more advanced skater than me, and she's a coach. He kept having problems, but the Russian coach kept telling him, "Not a problem. Just skate!" Two months in, he had heel bumps, blisters, and bloody scars on his heels. He finally went back to his fitter. Fortunately, the fitter was one of the rare good guys who took the boots back and gave him full credit towards a different pair of boots that fit properly.
(2) Gel sleeves work wonders to reduce abrasion and minimize inflammation. They are super squishy and conformal. If the slippage is very minor, they might work. But if the slippage is substantial, they don't work so well. One skater (here or on another forum) tried to layer 2 or 3 gel sleeves ... unsuccessfully, too mushy.
[cont'd below]
(3) Moleskin and molefoam are intended for temporary use; they are not durable enough for long-term use. For some skate remedies (e.g., tongue liners and DIY insoles), I use industrial Poron. But I would not recommend it for your issue. The specific mechanics work against you. If you attach a foam liner to the heel pocket of your boot, what happens when you stick your foot in? Your foot will catch the top edge of the liner and push it down. Even if you use a stronger adhesive than the standard self-stick stuff, after several times, your foot will dislodge the liner. You can get a custom insole with an extended heel cup; that may work, but that gets pricey. Or you can wrap molefoam around the heel of your foot and cover it with a gel sleeve. That may work, but that gets messy, and you have to redo it every time you skate.
(4) In summary, there's a big difference between whether you can and whether you should. If you're stuck in a country in which you only have a choice between skating with ill-fitting gear or not skating at all, that's one consideration. If you've already shelled out $$$ for custom boots, they don't fit right, and the fitter won't take them back (or, in another scenario, the fitter would take them back, but the skater was leaving the country and couldn't wait for them to be redone), that's a second consideration. But to intentionally buy used boots with heel slippage because you think you're saving money, that's a third consideration (here, you do have other options).
Perhaps it isn't perfect, but I've used moleskin for years.
But I'm a low level skater. Maybe it wouldn't work with high level jumps?
I posted a whole reply the other day and now it has gone... no idea why. I'll try to remember and replicate later today when I have more time.