Creasing Around Ankle Area

[Horseandpony]

Hello! I'm 17 and I started skating around 4 and a half months ago. I take group lessons and I'm planning to start privates soon. I'm currently learning backwards crossovers and forward outside three turns.

I currently skate three times a week for around three hours each time (so I average nine hours a week).

I bought a pair of Jackson Mystique skates when I started skating, and they've been pretty great. However, a crease is starting to appear near the flex notch on my right skate. It's not too deep yet, but it's over an inch long, and if I push down on the area above it, then the boot bends more easier than the other boot. I'm starting to feel a tiny bit more insecure in them (or it may just be my imagination). The crease has been growing at a steady rate for around 2 months.

I have already sprained my ankle in them. Is this a sign that they are not supportive enough?

So, I don't think I need new skates yet, but I would like to know an estimate of when I should upgrade. Should I hold out until I start jumping (probably not for at least another 5/6 months)? I like to plan ahead and I'm on a tight budget, so I'd prefer to start saving in advance. Also, I'd really like to avoid getting another ankle injury.

I attached two pictures. I have no idea how to use this forum, so I hope they work! One of the pictures is just of the crease and the other one is an example of how my boot bends in that area.

Thanks in advance for your help. 

[davincisop]

Yes. If you've been doing a lot of skating then your skates will break down quicker, but spraining your ankle sounds both like it could be improper fit and that they aren't supportive enough. With adults we tend to purchase a bit stiffer than a kid would because we weigh more than a 5 year old and we need skates to last more than a few months.

Your best bet is to go to a fitter and get fitted for new skates.

[Loops]

Agree with Davincisop.  Creases in the same place as yours are normal, but somehow yours look kind of weird (popping out instead of in???  Or is it the picture, I can't tell).  If in doubt, show them to your coach, and get their evaluation.  Even if they say you're OK, do expect to be buying new skates at some point, so starting now to save your pennies is a good thing.

When you do go for skates, make sure you get properly fitted.  Ask your coach and other skaters at your rink where they go.  A good fitter will of course measure your feet, but also know which brand is likely to fit you the best, and make alterations to the boot if necessary.  S/he can also advise you,  based on you and your skating, what stiffness of boots to get.  If you don't live in an urban center, don't be surprised if you have to drive a loooong way (I have to drive around 10 hours).  But skates are not like shoes, and won't fit the same.  Please don't get them over the internet.

[nicklaszlo]

In the second picture, the skates appear broken.  I can't tell how much force you are using.  It should take a lot of force to bend the boot that much.

If you practice nine hours a week, you should be jumping much sooner than five months (unless you do not want to). 

Most likely you should get new boots as soon as possible, at quite a bit higher level stiffness.

[Horseandpony]

Hi! Thanks for the prompt replies.

Yeah, the crease does pop out. I'm not entirely sure how that happened.

I didn't use too much force in the second picture. I didn't have to strain my hand or work very hard to get my skate to bend like that. The Jackson Mystique is a pretty flexible boot anyway, so even in brand new conditions it doesn't take too much force to bend it.

Hmm, I think my skates fit well. They pinch my toes a little sometimes, but my heel is secure and my toes touch the end of the skate comfortably.

Oh, I hope I start jumping in less than 5/6 months! But I guess it's better to undersell myself rather than oversell. Skate school is out for 2 months as well, so that will slow down my progress.

Ok, I will start saving money for new skates now. I will get properly fitted at the pro shop in my city. I did get my current skates fitted at the pro shop in my rink, which probably wasn't the best place to do it. The fitter did advise me that I would need to upgrade sometime, but 4 months feels a little soon to me.

Thank you! 

(Edited on 5/12/14 to fix typo)

[sarahspins]

Needing new skates at 4 months may seem extreme to you, however you are essentially wearing skates that are intended mainly for occasional recreational use - not regular practice.  No recreational boot will hold up for long when you skate in them a lot.

Also, creases may sometimes be a very late sign of breakdown in a boot, or they may not be a sign of breakdown at all - it just depend son the boot.  I've broken down two pairs of Jacksons without them showing any significant creases, yet my Harlicks have deep creases at the ankle and are definitely not broken down at all.

As an "adult" sized skater you can also get away with a little more boot than what would be recommended for a small child at your level, so if what you end up looking at for your next pair is rated for single jumps through axel, or even a little higher, don't be too alarmed

[Horseandpony]

Hello again! Sorry for dragging this back up, but i just wanted to give you all an update since you guys gave me such good advice.

I skates in my new Jackson Freestyles for the first time today! They feel a lot stiffer than my old skates, but overall I really like them! The blade is a lot better and I find spinning slightly easier in them.

And true to Nicklaszlo's word, I started learning bunny hops a few weeks ago, so technically I've started jumping. Hooray, 5 months ahead of schedule. 

I still feel a little ridiculous for upgrading so early though. I probably would have held it off longer but every time I fell slightly awkwardly in my old skates, I'd actually injure my ankle a little each time (happened about once a week).

I did look at my old skates though and I realised that there is actually plenty of support left, compared to another pair of skates I've seen. 

Thank you all for your lovely advice! Now I've just got to survive the break-in.

[jlspink22]

Freestyles are heat moldable which will speed in the break in process if you haven't had it done already.

[Matsumoto]

I don't think you will regret getting the Freestyles.  My daughter has been in them for over a year and used them to learn all the single jumps (working on her Axel at the moment) and spins (scratch, back scratch, camel, sit) so they should serve you well with plenty of support.

Happy skating!

[alejeather]

Jackson Freestyles were the first boot I got when I moved out of rental skates. I think they are fine for adults who are just getting their start, but can also last through a lot of progress.

[Horseandpony]

I haven't had them heat molded. The pro shop said that they didn't like to heat mold except for a last resort because the fabric might break. Oh well, the padding is already starting to compress a little and it's shaping itself to my foot.

Many adults at my rink started with the Freestyles and did just fine with them. I regret getting the Mystiques, because they really don't last long for an adult who wants to skate a lot and go far. The fitter at the pro shop called me a high frequency skater and said that I'm very dedicated for someone who is not doing singles yet. 

I'm planning to use the Freestyles all the way through single jumps. The fitter showed me the Jackson elites and MK Phantom blades and recommended them to me I'm "one or two years" when I start double jumps. Haha, maybe in 5 or 6. Or never. 

[Loops]

Never say "Never!!"

Glad you were able to get the skate situation sorted out, and that you're liking your new skates!  Don't worry about not having heat molded.  As I understand it, the interior padding will heat mold itself as you skate (gets pretty hot in there, I think....my feet certainly sweat).  Doing it in the shop just speeds up the process. 

Enjoy!!!