Dr. Scholls' Heel Inserts?

[WaltzJump413]

As I've mentioned before, I got mens' wide skates because my foot width was way too wide for ladies' skates. My fitter did mention that the heel might feel bigger, since I have normal width heels, and suggested getting heel inserts.

I tried them (they are this shape but not the same brand, very similar though http://www.drscholls.com/Products/MassagingGelHeelCups) last week and they still don't feel "right".

Has anyone else had experience with using heel inserts? I was thinking that maybe I could use medical tape to secure two in one skate--so they would be resting on my ankle bones rather than under my heel...not sure how that would work out?

Thanks for your suggestions!

[sarahspins]

Those aren't the right kind of heel inserts.  You'd need something like these: http://www.amazon.com/Pedag-Stop-Padded-Leather-Grips/dp/B004BD71JK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hpc_1

The heel cups are for a different problem, you want something that will basically sit above your heel bones and wrap around the back of your ankle to help lock your heel down into place.

[WaltzJump413]

Thanks, sarahspins! No wonder they didn't feel right 

[WaltzJump413]

Do you think these would work?

http://www.drscholls.com/Products/ForHerHeelLiners

[AgnesNitt]

You have the right idea, but those won't take the wear in a figure skate, I've tried them, they peel right off. What you need is a heel counter (see here marked d).

There is another option to modifying the skate. Modifying the skate is hard to get it just right. The option is a gel sleeve.

You can find gel sleeves at various places. I prefer a gel ankle sleeve. It's 3 inches by 10 usually and is basically a tube lined throughout with orthopedic gel. Don't get the ones made of fabric with gel patches here and there. They're not heavy enough.

The only place I can find that sells them online is here. Other manufacturers (silipos, bunga) have switched to fabric sleeves with gel inserts which are useless for your needs.

Cut the tube in half. Slip one half on your foot so that it hugs your heel. You'll need to wear a thin sock or knee hi's over it to protect it.  This is what I use. I go through a sleeve a year.

If THAT doesn't work. Go to a shoe repair shop, tell them your problem, and they may be able to glue in suede leather to reduce the space in the heel. Their glue will be much stronger than anything you can buy.

Next pair of boots, get split width.

[aussieskater]

If your toes are already at or close to the ends of your boots, be careful using something which goes behind the heel, as it will take up length and may make the boots too short.  If you do end up having to get a bootmaker to glue in some leather to take up the space, be sure to ask him/her to preserve the boot's internal length.  You only need width taken up, not length.  I'd also suggest asking the bootmaker to use smooth leather rather than suede, as it's easier to slide your foot past smooth leather.

Second Agnes's suggestion of split width for your next pair!

[WaltzJump413]

Thanks, AgnesNitt and aussieskater!

AgnesNitt-I'm glad I didn't go for the Dr. Scholls ones, then!Are the gel sleeves sold at "normal stores" like Walmart?

aussieskater--Luckily, my toes don't reach the end of the boot (actually the boots are a bit long since they're mens' boots)...but if I do take them in to the bootmaker I'll be very careful. 

Split width is a great suggestion for next time!

[AgnesNitt]

Thanks, AgnesNitt and aussieskater!

AgnesNitt-I'm glad I didn't go for the Dr. Scholls ones, then!Are the gel sleeves sold at "normal stores" like Walmart?

No. They are not available in Walmart.

You might get them in a hockey shop or a skating shop.

Don't get anything that looks like these as they will no help with your narrow heel. They're much too thin.

[WaltzJump413]

I'll keep that in mind; thanks. 

[AgnesNitt]

If your toes are already at or close to the ends of your boots, be careful using something which goes behind the heel, as it will take up length and may make the boots too short.  If you do end up having to get a bootmaker to glue in some leather to take up the space, be sure to ask him/her to preserve the boot's internal length.  You only need width taken up, not length.  I'd also suggest asking the bootmaker to use smooth leather rather than suede, as it's easier to slide your foot past smooth leather.

Second Agnes's suggestion of split width for your next pair!

Good point about something behind the heel. Something on the sides is better.

It's an interesting point about smooth vs sueded leather. Since I want the boots to 'stick' to my heel, I would go with sueded or rough leather, but smooth has its advantages too.

[sarahspins]

The goal is mostly to take up extra space on either side of your achilles, that is what helps lock the heel down into place.  The specifics of "how" that is done isn't as critical... you can even layer up duct tape (I've done it) if you don't have any other options.  If I had a reasonably new pair of boots and I wanted something done that would last, I'd take them to a shoe repair place and see what they can do to help.  They may have a pre-made solution available or they can fabricate something to work.

[icedancer]

It's an interesting point about smooth vs sueded leather. Since I want the boots to 'stick' to my heel, I would go with sueded or rough leather, but smooth has its advantages too.

"Too smooth" can definitely be a problem because the heel will still slip.

In my own boots with the "Clarino lining" I find I can't wear footed tights anymore because my feet will slip - I know it is because I was used to just leather lining in the old-timey boots I had before...

[WaltzJump413]

The goal is mostly to take up extra space on either side of your achilles, that is what helps lock the heel down into place.  The specifics of "how" that is done isn't as critical... you can even layer up duct tape (I've done it) if you don't have any other options.  If I had a reasonably new pair of boots and I wanted something done that would last, I'd take them to a shoe repair place and see what they can do to help.  They may have a pre-made solution available or they can fabricate something to work.

I tried the style inserts you suggested and they seemed pretty good (I skated with them on for the first time today). They were just ones from Walmart, but they seem strong and thick enough, and I liked the price ($2.50) I think they might need some tweaking with the exact position, but my feet did feel more snug in my skates. Thanks for the suggestion!

[aussieskater]

It's an interesting point about smooth vs sueded leather. Since I want the boots to 'stick' to my heel, I would go with sueded or rough leather, but smooth has its advantages too.

"Too smooth" can definitely be a problem because the heel will still slip.

I agree with both of you, but what made me suggest the smooth over the rough for this alteration is that if the extra piece is in contact with the foot, its edges might have a greater tendency to be pulled or rolled unstuck as the foot goes past it?

[amy1984]

I used actual heel cups meant for runners.

I found that the ones saraspins rec'd weren't big enough and didn't stick.

Theses worked beautifully:
http://www.diamondathletic.com/product;cat,0;item,1156;Insoles-Tuli's-Heel-Cups
I'm sure something similar would work just as wonderfully.

[WaltzJump413]

I used actual heel cups meant for runners.

I found that the ones saraspins rec'd weren't big enough and didn't stick.

Theses worked beautifully:
http://www.diamondathletic.com/product;cat,0;item,1156;Insoles-Tuli's-Heel-Cups
I'm sure something similar would work just as wonderfully.

Those are neat! Thanks for the suggestion. Where did you buy them?

[sampaguita]

I use cosmetic pads on my feet to keep the heel from slipping. They're sandwiched between my skin and my socks. They work, but it's hard to find the perfect spot to place them. I'm saving up for split width boots.

[WaltzJump413]

sarahspins--Is there an estimated distance to put the heel inserts in at (say 1.5 inches from the top, etc)?

They were working reasonably well in my boots, but then I took them out to redo them and couldn't find the "sweet spot" again where the skates feel snug enough.

Thanks!

[sarahspins]

It's going to be slightly different for everyone, but you want them to rest just above your heel bone.  To low on your heel is likely to cause pain, and too high is still going to allow your heel to slip more than if they were lower.

[WaltzJump413]

It's going to be slightly different for everyone, but you want them to rest just above your heel bone.  To low on your heel is likely to cause pain, and too high is still going to allow your heel to slip more than if they were lower.

Thank you! That helps.