How to Break in New Figure Skates

Figure skate boots are traditionally made of leather. Even the most precisely custom-made boot requires some breaking in to fit the skater exactly and to prevent injury or premature breakdown of the skate boot. Luckily, breaking in new figure skates is a simple process that can be done at home between ice sessions.

Things You'll Need

  • skates, laced with blades mounted
  • skate guards
  • timer
  • stairs (optional)
  • vacuum cleaner (optional)
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Instructions

  1. Breaking in New Figure Skates

    • 1

      Cover the blades with the skate guards, then put on the new skates. Lace the skates with medium pressure up to the second-to-last hook at the top of the boot. Set a timer to go off in ten to fifteen minutes.

    • 2

      Alternate walking, crouching, and sitting while wearing your new skate boots, until the timer rings in ten to fifteen minutes. Vacuuming the house mimics the actions you take on the ice, such as stepping forward and backward and performing deep knee bends. It also gives you clean floors in addition to broken-in boots.

    • 3

      Remove the skates when the timer rings. Take the laces completely out of both boots, then re-lace them. Put the boots back on, again taking care to lace with only medium pressure, leaving the top hook unlaced.

    • 4

      Repeat steps 1 through 3 for a total of four to six hours. If you decide to skate in your new boots during this time, practice only stroking, edges, and spins. Do not jump in your new skate boots until you have broken them in for at least four hours. Jumping before the boots are properly broken in will weaken the upper and may cause ankle or knee injuries.