Avoiding retying skates during practice

[WaltzJump413]

I usually put on my skates on the way to the rink. After being on the ice for several minutes, (pretty much right after group lesson warmup) I have to retie them. And then at least one other time later on (I get right on the ice, have a 30-minute lesson, then skate for about 2 more hours after that).

Is there any way to get them really tight and keep them that way? Should I wait to put them on until I get there? I like them really tight for support

Thanks!

[sampaguita]

Reply #15 may help: http://skatingforums.com/index.php?topic=4459.0

[WaltzJump413]

Thank you SO much, sampaguita! That whole thread is great. 

[sarahspins]

Another thought - since you mention lacing them up on the way to the rink, how much are you walking in your skates off-ice?  If it's a significant amount, that could be loosening your lace job faster than skating would since your ankles flex differently while walking than skating.  In that case I'd suggest lacing up right before getting on the ice, otherwise you might not be able to avoid the need to re-tie them.

[WaltzJump413]

sarahspins-- Now that I think about it, my off-ice walking time might be significant enough that it could mess up my laces. (I usually put my skates on in the car, since I'm not the one driving  ) and then just walk in that way. I've never tried to minimize my time walking around with them on, but I think it would help.

I will try putting them right before skating. Thank you!!!

[WaltzJump413]

I tried it...I waited until right before getting on the ice to put on my skates.

I got through a full 30-minute lesson and a bit longer without having to go sit in the hockey box to retie!

Thanks so much for your help!

[sampaguita]

Great!!!!

[Qarol]

You could try varying the way you lace up. http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/lacingmethods.htm

I have this problem, too. What seems to have fixed it (for the most part) is wearing thicker socks.

[WaltzJump413]

Thanks so much Qarol! I will look into those methods.

What kind of socks do you use?

[Qarol]

What kind of socks do you use?

Just a medium thickness knee sock. (Think roller derby knee socks.) I was doubling up on my thin trouser socks at first. Trial and error. Good luck! I still have to retighten sometimes, but it's not every session now.

[WaltzJump413]

Thanks!

[dlbritton]

Is it typical for laces to constantly loosen up while breaking in new boots (Riedell 255 TS)?  I can pull the laces as tight as they will go, and 15 minutes later I can slip a finger partway under the laces which are passing through the eyelets, so I have to constantly retie them. Occasionally the knot will even come untied. I am flexing into the boot quite a bit.

[Qarol]

It's not uncommon, to have to retighten, at any point in the boot's lifetime. It depends on what you're working on and how long you skate. If you've got a concern that it's abnormal, you could always have a pro shop or coach take a look.

[SynchKat]

All laces will loosen somewhat. I tie my skates as tight as possible then bend to loosen them.  I refuse to retie my skates because it just breeds bad habits and when you are competing you often don't have time to retie a bunch of times. 

While breaking in skates you won't have them as tight as they can do because then you wouldn't be able to move.    The knots will come undone sometimes too.  Hooks will break, all sorts of stuff happens with tied skates.  Just do what you can to make them comfortable. 

[dlbritton]

The knots will come undone sometimes too.  Hooks will break, all sorts of stuff happens with tied skates.  Just do what you can to make them comfortable.

I am spoiled by having micro-adjustable buckles and a velcro strap on my ski boots. I can tweak any particular spot to get a good fit.
Of course it helps that I have custom foam injected liners in my boots so they conform almost perfectly to my foot.

I followed the link to the lacingmethods site and am going to try some of the patterns there. It may be that I am actually tying a granny knot.

[SynchKat]

You should see if the ski boot makers want to go into skate manufacturing.   

For your skates though, and this is coming from someone who has always liked her skates tied as tightly as humanly possible, you do want them to loosen up slightly so you can increase your knee bend by bending your ankles.  I am really hard on skates most likely because I like them so tight and I bend a lot.

But with a lot of skating you will find it's a lot of trial and error.  You will figure out what works best for you.

[ChristyRN]

. I tie my skates as tight as possible then bend to loosen them.  I refuse to retie my skates because it just breeds bad habits and when you are competing you often don't have time to retie a bunch of times. 

This. I tie mine once and deal with it unless it is so tight I can't feel my toes or so loose I fear breaking something. Both these events are rare.

I skate with a woman that will retie three or four times in an hour session. I'm not sure how she gets any skating in since she spends all her time on the bench.

I had my lace pop off a hook one time.  Quite scary since I was nowhere near anywhere to sit down and my skills were still shaky enough to be leery of one-foot gliding all the way.

[Doubletoe]

I always have to re-lace my skates, so I just get it over with before I even get on the ice.  I lace up the left one, then the right one, then go back and re-tighten the left one, pulling up slack from the toe box, over the arch, then re-lacing the hook area and re-tying, then doing the same with the right one.  I think what happens is that the boots soften and loosen up after you lace them up, due to the heat from your foot (makes sense considering most of our boots are heat-moldable).