Reducing boot stiffness

[Tamara]

I've recently returned to skating after quiting competitions just over 7 years ago, and quitting synchro 3 years ago. I have a pair of Risport RF1's (stiffness rating 85) which I've recently found out are supposed to be for skaters doing triples. When I bought them about 8-9 years ago I was at the point of learning doubles, two footing the landings etc.

They got about 6-12 months of solid use before I had to quit competing due to a knee injury (and life in general), and some extra use in 2011 during a brief synchro stint. So they've been broken in, but since theyre a solid skill level or two above my capabilities the leather, particularly around the ankles & back, are *really* stiff making it hard to get back into the swing of things. Especially with trying to get into edges (and staying in them) and stroking.

Can anyone suggest ways of reducing the stiffness of the leather?

They've been heat molded to my feet & the toe box stretched to accommodate my toes growing after I quit.

I would *really* like to find a way of reducing the stiffness instead of having to buy a new pair since they haven't really been used all that much and buying a new pair is currently not an option.

[Query]

Repeated heat molding tends to reduce boot stiffness. (After which you will probably have to stretch the toes again.) So does repeatedly bending the boot at the break down point, especially if it is done while the boot has been warmed up with a hair drier.

But! Those things cause the boots to break down more quickly. That could be a problem.

Your boot may be too high end to be softened significantly by oiling the leather, which works somewhat on low end single-layer leather shoes and boots.

In any event, if you haven't tried using them for at least a month, maybe you will eventually find them OK. Given the potential for damage, I wouldn't suggest you do anything until you have tried that. You may even find your muscles get stronger after a few weeks, and that you need the stiff boots.

Many boot makers can rebuild boots, with a different degree of stiffness for much less than the cost of a new pair. Call or email Risport for info on rebuilding - I hope they have someone who speaks a language that you do too. If the price is reasonable that is the best option.

[Tamara]

I returned to skating in early january; 2-3 times a week, 3-4 hour long sessions (admittedly not constant skating though). So far I've tried using neutral coloured dubbin on the inside and outside to see if that helps make them a bit more supple but I'm afraid of using it too much in case it breaks down the leather. 

What kind of temperature is the right heat when using a hair dryer? I've never tried using a hair dryer on skates before.

[sarahspins]

Remember leaving the top hook unlaced while you were breaking them in?  I'd go back to leaving that top hook undone and not worry that they are "too much" boot for your level.  At this very moment while you are getting back into things they might be, but as you re-develop the muscles you use to skate, I would bet that in just a few months they won't be too stiff, but you need to allow yourself some time to get there.

Also, don't put too much faith in the stiffness ratings - adults usually need a stiffer boot than an 80lb 12 year old would, and there are plenty of us out there who skate successfully in stiffer boots without any problems.  I skate in boots rated for triples and I'll absolutely never be attempting any triples in mine   I have no troubles with knee bend or anything else that would suggest they are too stiff... it all just depends on the skater.  If they were fine for you before, odds are good they will be again.

[Loops]

I came back to skating recently in boots that were pretty stiff.   I did need to replace them but not because they were too stiff.  Honestly, the first couple sessions were difficult, but those boots knew the steps, and remembered them quickly, so to speak.  Once I got my legs back a little they were fine.  So before you do anything to your skates, why don't you give yourself some time to re-adjust, get your legs back and then see how it goes?

Otherwise, a rebuild might be the best option.

[Query]

What kind of temperature is the right heat when using a hair dryer?

I would just heat it until it starts to get a little soft, to the extant that you can just start to mold it to shape.

But if you call or email Risport, and list the boot model, they may be willing to list the heat molding temperature.

The problem is that that isn't quite the way they usually give directions. Instead they tell you the pre-heated oven temperature, and how long to leave it in the oven. That particular combination gets the gel, or whatever, up to the desired combination, but it is probably a higher temperature than your boot can safely take for the longer exposure it may take a hair drier to get up to that temperature.

BTW, I wouldn't trust a kitchen oven. Kitchen ovens can be off on calibrated temperatures by a lot more than the boot ovens, and may cycle by too many degrees.

I always try to be careful and cautious on such things. If you go too high, the boot may fall apart. My best guess is that a hair drier can't get that hot, but I might be wrong. (A heat gun can definitely get hot enough to do that, or to burn the leather.)

If your laces are not cotton, you might consider removing the laces, because they can melt too - I'm not sure at what temperature. OTOH, by the time you re-lace, the boot may be too cool to do you any good.

I flexed my ankles continuously while I was heat molding, in an attempt to break them in faster. It worked, but a while later, they broke down, so that may not have been a great idea.

I really think that talking to Risport is a good idea first - and letting them rebuild it, if they do that, would risk doing less damage. $60 or so plus shipping is a pretty typical rebuilding charge. They would remove the top stitches, pull out whatever is stiffening the boots, and put in something less stiff. It's pretty routine.