Breaking in Klingbeils?

Question

I have Klingbeils S2 boots here and they fit almost perfectly. Since I ordered them from the net, no blades are mounted yet. My coach is on vacation and I don't think the pro-shop is opened yet.

Is it alright to walk in the boots? Without blades? Will there be structural damage? I understand that the method of breaking in skates when wearing guards has some controversy but it worked for my last pair of skates. The only difference is that this pair is not mounted yet.

The tongue is very hard and kind of bulges up even when I lace them all the way. No contact with my ankle... How do I get the tongue to conform to my feet?

Side notes:

They measure 9 inches across the sole. What should the length of the blades be?

Is it alright to wear them barefooted?

How to lace them with Klingbeil's signature hook?

http://www.klingbeilskatingboots.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=stock

Answer 1

I had a pair of Klingbeils once.....they lasted me a looong time!

You can wear your boots without blades on them, but I wouldn't recommend actually walking in them.  Get a comfy spot on the couch, put them on, lace them up, get the tounge where you want it, wear them for a bit while you watch TV to allow them to conform to your feet a bit, but as I've been told, walking in just the boots can sometimes cause damage to the soles.  Unlike shoes that are supposed to be a little flexible with walking, skating boots are not flexible and would be like trying to walk with cement blocks for shoes.  Also you don't want anything you might walk on to cause dents and damage to the bottoms of your soles.  I don't think wearing your skates with guards at home to break them in is a bad idea at all.  I have done it with all of my skates and have recommended it to plenty of skaters.

What kind of laces are you using?  I have found that it is easier to tie your skates with the cotton blend laces than the nylon ones.  The nylon ones stretch a little, making it hard to pull your laces tight....especially in new boots.  This may be why the tounge of your skates isn't setting up where you want it.....because the laces have too much give and stretch when you try to pull them tight.

As for blade measurements, I'm no expert.  If I remember correctly, I've been told you should measure down the middle of the sole from heel to the tip of the toe, then subtract 1/4-inch.  I'd just take them to your pro shop and ask to be safe.  :)

I wear my skates barefooted sometimes.  Some people like it, some hate it.  It's up to you.

I'm not 100% positive, but I think you just lace them them the same way you would any other skates.  Lace the hooks in order, it's just the "signature hook" is set back towards the heel a bit.  

Congrats on your new skates!  :)

Answer 2

I can't answer all of your questions, but I can some.

it is okay to walk in them.  just do it only on carpet.

for breaking them in, put your blowdrier in your boot and leave it in until it's warm.  then put your foot in.  this works even if they aren't heat moldable.

get bungapads

I think www.bungapads.com

and it's just fine to wear them bear foot.

good luck!

Answer 3

I have clingbile they rule

Answer 4

It is not best to walk in them since they have no blades on them, because they do not have blades on them you will break them in different places than when you skate with them because your balance is different when there is a blade on them rather than just the boot. You will lace the skates as you do with any other pair of skates, the only difference is that the one set of hooks goes out slightly further than a "normal" pair of skates. You can wear your skates barefooted, but I would suggest at least wearing a thin pair of polyester or nylon socks to help prevent possible blisters. One other problem with wearing your skates barefooted is that they often times begin to smell easier from all of the sweat that is absorbed from your feet, instead of being absorbed into a sock it is absorbed into the lining of your boots. It sounds like either your need to put a different pair of laces in your skates so that you can lace them tighter or your boots may actually be slightly too large; my coach always told me that you should never have more space than your index finger in between your ankle and the tongue of your skate. As far as getting blades, I would suggest going to a pro shop to have them sized for a proper blade length. Good luck and enjoy your new skates!