Four factors to consider when purchasing your boot are: your weight, how often you skate, your skating level and your foot width. Stronger skaters or larger adult skaters might want to move up to the next higher level boot, lighter or younger skaters might want to move down to the next lower level but purchase a higher level blade. This is especially true for young girls skating at higher skill levels, but their physical size can’t justify a figure skate boot built for a senior lady. When in doubt consult your coach or instructor.
Figure skating boots should fit snuggly like a glove, like they're molded to your feet. There should be no movement at all in the heel. Here is a list of a few common ill-fitting symptoms:
•Too Big (length or width): The boot will form creases near the toes and blisters will form from feet slipping.
•Too Small (length or width): The skater will need to recognize that the boot is too small. The toes will often curl on top of each other (width) or the toe knuckles will curl up and rise (length). Boots that are too small may be “relasted” (stretched) one half size to release the length/width to accommodate the skater’s feet. For specific pressure points the boot can be molded to release pressure (outside toes, ankles, navicular bones [arches]).
•Boot Twisting: Boot twisting is usually caused by the pronation of the skater’s feet. This may be reduced by, choosing a custom fit boot and using an Orthotic correction (Dr. Orthotic, Harlick Skating Orthotic, Inside Wedge, and/or Asymmetrical Lacing).
•Arch Cramping: When the skater’s navicular bone, arch muscle, and/or low/flat arches do not match the shape of the arch counter of the boot, the skater will experience pain and cramping in the arch and plantar muscle. This may be corrected by, choosing a custom fit boot and using an Orthotic correction (Dr. Orthotic, Harlick Skating Orthotic, Inside Wedge, and/or Asymmetrical Lacing).
•Slipping Heels: Heels will slip when the shape of the foot is narrower in the heel area of the boot than the shape of the boot. To correct this problem the skater needs a custom fit boot (boot is built more narrow in the heel area) or a combination width stock boot (only one size difference from ball to heel is available in stock boots). In custom boots Heel Hugger and Achilles tendon padding may also be added to the boots to help prevent the heels from slipping.
If you have chosen the right boot and skate several times a week, then it should take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to break them in. If your feet are killing you after 5 or 6 months then you probably picked the wrong boot for your skating level. Expect blisters and sore spots during the break in process.
