How to pick Skates - Bad middle arch pain

[wooohooo]

So I'm a beginner skater and I've tried a few pairs of skates before one CCM (sized too big) and an Easton Synergy 900 Skates. Whenever I tried them they would hurt like a MOFO especially in the middle arch area. I could barely walk after them, but it felt so good to take them off. I've been told it could be that I laced too tight or skates didn't fit.

So I got a used pair of GRAF skates that fit nicely when I was in the store. However, I still get the same problem when I skate. Bad, bad arch pain. I can seriously put them on take a few strides and that's about it.

Anyone had similar problems/fixes? Is it just my crappy skating style/improper fit??? I'm getting incredibly frustrated and I've stopped playing hockey because of it.

[Pooty]

It's probably a case of the crappy insoles that come in most skates. A pair of superfeet yellow insoles might work out really well, I know a whole bunch of people that use them specifically for arch pain (me included). They'll give you good arch support and also help to neutrally align your body so your skating posture is a little better. I think they're like $40 at most sports stores.

edit: Also, just if it didn't come across as such, arch issues usually aren't specifically skate related. As long as you're not getting pressure points and such then you'll want to be looking at insoles. If the superfeet don't work a custom made one is your next best bet, both options probably being cheaper than new skates.

[Jayems]

Depends how much $$ you want to spend, but a lot of new skates can be heat molded to your foot. Hurts for the first few skates (at least for me) but now mine are great.

I also have the superfeet insole

[nickerjones]

Yeah you can get them baked for sure... but all skates seem to hurt until they are broken in. I used to have arch pain and found that if I didnt tighten my skates to tight ( in the 3 eyelets below the top 3 or 4 eyelets) that it relieved some of that pain.


That being said there are different models of Grafs ( or any skate brand for that matter) that are made for certain feet. For example I love the Bauer Supreme line but I couldnt wear the Vapor line if my life depended on it bc they are too narrow and kill my feet.

[Hatter]

Both of these guys are spot on. Superfeet and a skate bake should help a lot.

[BOSSY]

New skates always hurt for first bit but because they hurt so bad so quick sounds like might be too narrow... Mid-priced skates come in different widths as well as length - try wider you'll be surprised at the difference.

[Pooty]

Also, if you can't get to a skate bake oven its pretty simple to do at home if you have a decent thermometer. Put your oven on the lowest setting until it hits 120F then shut it off and shove your skates in there for 4-5minutes then put em on, lace em up and then make sure to sit down and keep the skates unweighted for 10 minutes. then bam, good to go after resting em for a day.

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

Yeah you can get them baked for sure... but all skates seem to hurt until they are broken in. I used to have arch pain and found that if I didnt tighten my skates to tight ( in the 3 eyelets below the top 3 or 4 eyelets) that it relieved some of that pain.

This. Once you break your skates in your feet should stop hurting. I find it takes at least five hours of skating before you start seeing a difference. Never tried really expensive skates or the skate and bake thing though.

[wooohooo]

I bought used grafs in hopes of them being worn in. I might try this super feet idea. I do have high arches so that could be a problem

[Hockeyguy15]

Combination of bad insoles and doing up your skates too tight, especially if they feel fine at the start and gradually get worse the longer you wear them.

[core_upt]

Skate related question.
What do you get from a $400 pair of hockey skates vs a $200 pair?
I bought my skates 7 years ago from Sport Chek, $300 skates on sale for $150. They are great for pond hockey and rec league hockey - they fit really well and I don't get any pain from them. Any sense in upgrading? Has anything new come out in skates? Will better skates make me a better skater?

[Coach]

+1 for super feet. I used to work at sportchek and they get the sales people to push them hard so I can understand why people stay away. But I've had them in my skates since and they make a world of difference. Great for ski/board boots as well

[Northendzone]

^ more expensive skates will likely be lighter and be made a little better overall. Also you will note that the interior of the boot is more comfortable with a thicker tounge.

As far as upgrading - how many times per week do you play? are your current skates still comfortable?

I think better skates will have more ankle support thus making it easier to skate, but i would not expect a huge difference in your skating ability.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by core_upt

Skate related question.
What do you get from a $400 pair of hockey skates vs a $200 pair?
I bought my skates 7 years ago from Sport Chek, $300 skates on sale for $150. They are great for pond hockey and rec league hockey - they fit really well and I don't get any pain from them. Any sense in upgrading? Has anything new come out in skates? Will better skates make me a better skater?

Stiffness and weight tend to be the biggest influences on price. If they fit nice and you're comfortable there's likely no reason to change. Skates won't make you better, but certain ones will compliment certain strengths in your stride.

[pylon]

1 word, Graf.

Seriously, go to pro skate, and get fitted into a set of 703's or 705's. I know the G3's and G5's look better, but they don't hold up like the tank like build of the older style 703's and 5's. I think they are only $500 now too.

I have a 6 year old pair of 703's, that have a ton of miles left in them, and the guys at pro-skate fit them so perfectly, I could probably play without laces. Unbelievably comfortable skates.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by pylon

1 word, Graf.

Seriously, go to pro skate, and get fitted into a set of 703's or 705's. I know the G3's and G5's look better, but they don't hold up like the tank like build of the older style 703's and 5's. I think they are only $500 now too.

I have a 6 year old pair of 703's, that have a ton of miles left in them, and the guys at pro-skate fit them so perfectly, I could probably play without laces. Unbelievably comfortable skates.

Completely agree. I've had my 705s for 8 years (since I was 15 and my feet stopped growing). They still fit like a glove, actually even better. Wouldn't go back at this point. They are quite a bit heavier than newer skates though.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Completely agree. I've had my 705s for 8 years (since I was 15 and my feet stopped growing). They still fit like a glove, actually even better. Wouldn't go back at this point. They are quite a bit heavier than newer skates though.

And by the sounds of it, the OP has either a flat foot, or high arch problem. 703's are for flat footed cavemen like me, and 705's are more for the higher arch folk. Then you have about 6 or 7 models, and specific fits in between.

The best analogy I have ever heard, is Graf is the 'New Balance', of skates.

[Northendzone]

+1 for Graf's. Bought pair of 570's a few years ago and it was like putting on a pair of slippers. could not beleive how comfortable they were out of the box. I also have a pair of superfeet insoles as well.

If you opt to buy skates go to a place like pro skate or one of the otehr shops in town and take your time.

[moncton golden flames]

Originally Posted by pylon

1 word, Graf.

Seriously, go to pro skate, and get fitted into a set of 703's or 705's. I know the G3's and G5's look better, but they don't hold up like the tank like build of the older style 703's and 5's. I think they are only $500 now too.

I have a 6 year old pair of 703's, that have a ton of miles left in them, and the guys at pro-skate fit them so perfectly, I could probably play without laces. Unbelievably comfortable skates.

speaking of older is better...

i recently switched back to my bauer supreme 4000 last week at hockey. i bought them back in 1994 and they are hands down better than the skates i bought less than 5 years ago. they are stronger, stiffer, more comfortable... just all around a better boot. now that i look back, i can't believe i ever switched.

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by pylon

1 word, Graf.

Seriously, go to pro skate, and get fitted into a set of 703's or 705's. I know the G3's and G5's look better, but they don't hold up like the tank like build of the older style 703's and 5's. I think they are only $500 now too.

I have a 6 year old pair of 703's, that have a ton of miles left in them, and the guys at pro-skate fit them so perfectly, I could probably play without laces. Unbelievably comfortable skates.

My only problem with Graf's is I couldnt get used to height and lean of the cobra holder compared to the Tuuks. I switched from Easton to CCM to Bauer pretty easily. However the G35s and to cobra holder really messed with me. The boot itself was really comfy.... it was just the holder. I got them brand new for 199 so I wasnt going to complain. I just sold them for 250 and moved on.