How to Heat a Hockey Skate

Heating hockey skates is done to help mold the fit quickly and comfortably, greatly reducing the break-in time. The heat softens the memory foam in the skates allowing it to conform perfectly to the foot of the owner. While many hockey-supply stores offer their own skate-heating services, for those who prefer, the process can be performed at home in only a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

  • Oven
  • Hockey skates
  • Baking sheet
  • Timer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare the oven by preheating it to 180˚F. When the oven reaches that temperature, turn it off. You only want the oven hot enough to help mold the skates.

    • 2

      Ensure that the skates are laced very loosely and place them on a baking sheet in the preheated oven.

    • 3

      Leave the skates in the oven for the time specified in the heat-molding instructions provided with them. If you are unsure, the time is generally between 8 and 10 minutes. Check on the skates every couple of minutes to assess whether the memory foam has softened.

    • 4

      Take the skates out of the oven and place them on your feet. Begin to lace the skates, being careful to not put pressure on the eyelets, which may be momentarily weakened by the heat. To do this, pull out on the laces as opposed to pulling up. Lace the skates tighter than you would normally wear them. This will allow the memory foam to mold to your foot more accurately.

    • 5

      Remain sitting for 15 minutes with the skates on your feet to allow time for cooling. Once the skates have cooled, unlace them and take them off, again being careful not to pull out an eyelet. Allow the skates to cool for an additional 24 hours before you skate in them.