Breaking in new figure skates???

Question

I just got fitted for new skates. My only pair of skates I have ever had is getting so old and worn down and its really affecting my skating. The skate I am getting comes with the blade and is the Jackson brand and the skate fitter said it will take me through Freestyle 3 at least. Its a really, really stiff boot and it feels so weird. What is the best way to break them in? My plans are to have both pairs of skates and do just basic stroking with the new pair for the first day or two and do my lessons and everything else with the old skates. Is that the best way to break them in?

Answer 1

walk around your house in them with the blade covours on them. then just do some  basic skatin gon the ice and work your way up from there

Answer 2

I have Jacksons too! They always start off pretty stiff!!

Put your gaurds on and wear them around the house making sure to bend at your ankles alot!!

You should be good in about a week or so depeding on how much you skate =)

Answer 3

To use the new, stiffer, more uncomfortable pair for the "easy" stuff and leaving the more vigorous stuff to your old, worn down skates are not the best way to break them in.

Cut your pain short and start wearing your new pair and lock up your old...

Some people use bunga gel which is generally silicon gel pad used to reduce friction. That is entirely up to you. However, do wear thin socks.

This method has a bit of controversy. It is to wear your skates with the hard silicon/plastic guard on AT HOME and walk around in it for a while. Some people say that the place being stretched is different thus is not a very good way. But others say that they is no significant damage or difference.

When you wear your skates in ice, leave the first hook untied. Do your basic stuff and bend a lot, gently.I like to lace all the way up and then go back down and tie the knot. It give more bendability.

Basically, Go wear your new skates and skate. Every twenty minutes or so, take a water break and use the chance to take off your skates, air them, massage your feet and wiggle a bit. Then wear then back after about five minutes of rest or anything that you feel comfortable with. It'll cause you less pain this way and prevent any creases from being "wrongly" formed.

On the side note, all new skates generally feel stiff, especially as you get higher and higher. I think you mean you have the Jackson Freestyle skates? If you have the Jackson Elite series, well then, they are too hard. Otherwise, I think they should be the right stiffness. Unless you have weak calf and ankle muscles, are very light/short, or skate for a short period of time, you should continue with your new skates, in my opinion.

This is the Jackson skates company. Check your serial number to know your skates better if you don't already.

http://www.jacksonskates.com/html/frames...

Answer 4

just wear them the pair you're getting isnt that stiff and you'll be fine after a few hours promise

Answer 5

The best way to break them in is to just wear them!  :)  When you get them, put on your guards and wear them at home a little.  Walk in them and identify the areas that are rubbing on your feet and causing pain.  The model you're getting isn't the stiffest you can get, but they will feel strange to you if you've never had that level of stiffness in your ankles.  Since you're in the freestyle 3 area, they're not going to put you in the stiffest boots possible because you don't need that level of support and would have a hard time breaking them in.  Don't worry -- it shouldn't be too bad though.  

Once you get on the ice, don't lace them up all the way.  Leave the top hook unlaced to allow your poor ankles a little bit of flexibility!  You can also try skipping the last hole until you have them broken in a little.  When you feel comfortable in them, lace them as you normally would.  Probably the best thing to do is to just skate in your new ones.  Tell your coach you have new skates -- they'll understand.  Do lots of backward crossovers, waltz jumps, swizzles -- things that get your ankles bending so you get a little crease going.  You may notice areas that rub hard on your ankles, toes and joints.  If you take them back to the shop they have tools that can "punch" out those areas for you.  All it is is a metal tool that stretches out the leather in the places you need more room.  I would also get round makeup sponges to put over the areas that could blister (they're cheaper than Bunga pads!).  I usually have trouble with my ankles bleeding from the rubbing with the tounge and side of the boot....to help that, cut the off the top part of a sock and wear it to protect that area.  

Also, make sure they sharpen your blades before you use them!  They don't always come sharpened and sometimes the shop forgets if you don't remind them!  :)  Good luck!