How are your figure skates suppose to feel and which size boots should I choose?

Question

I'm currently taking group figure skating lessons, and use rental skates. My first boot attempt was size 9. When standing up, those boots really hurt the lateral (pinky) and medial (big toe) side of my foot (distal end of my fifth metatarsal and between the proximal and middle phalanges for the lateral, and distal end of my first metatarsal and between the proximal and middle phalanges for the medial).

Then I upgraded to 9.5. Those felt alot better. However, there was still some discomfort and pain (but less) in the same areas as size 9 when standing up.

Then I upgraded to 10. There was almost no pain with the right foot, but with my left foot there was still discomfort and pain at the lateral side of my foot, and additional pain in the mid medial region of that foot (a sharp pain in the medial arch of my foot). The size 10 boots also feel too loose. I can move my heel forward and backwards a bit, so I think they may be too big.

I'm open to all advice.

Answer 1

You really know your feet parts!!  :)

It sounds like to me that you may have a wide foot, wide for the rentals anyway  . . . the front part of those rental skates are squishing front half of your foot.  And yes, the size 10 do sound too big.  I think moleskin will only add to the pressure you are experiencing in the 9 or 9-1/2s.    

When you put your foot in the skate, your heel should fit all the way into the back of the skate, and there should be just enough room in the toe area to wiggle your toes.  Your feel should not be slipping at all . . . this means there is too much room and it could cause blisters.    

Rentals are made for the "average" feet - and of course everyone does not have the same type of feet.  Some will have success with them and use them in group class til they get to spins and jumps.  Others will just have problems that hinder their skating.  There's only so much support a rental boot can give . . . and the blades really aren't the greatest.  Sooner than later, if you will be continuing lessons, you will need your own pair of skates.  There's not much you can do to make rentals feel better on your feet.    

When you get your own skates, hopefully you will find an expert skate fitter in your area to guide you through getting the right skates for you/your feet.  When you break them in, the inside will mold to your feet (it will "personalize" them) and will fit you MUCH better than rentals.  With a zillion people putting their feet in a rental skate, can you imagine what the interior of those boots must be like?  Initially you will have the "pain" of breaking them in, but you shouldn't have the discomfort you are experiencing now.  

And when you do get your own skates, if they are little areas of discomfort, you can either get it punched out in your boot, or you can try something like Bunga Pads http://www.bungapads.com/  They are little jelly type pads that can help with pressure areas.  You can use them in your rentals if you wanted in invest in those pads, but I have a feeling those rentals will continue to give you problems.    

Getting your own skates will much such a difference (not just the boot but the blades as well).  You will learn much faster as you won't have to worry about your equipment failing on you.  Pain is no fun.  

In general as a skater, foot massaging, foot stretches and strength exercises are a good idea too.    

Best of luck!!!