Modifying Skate Fit and Balance:

Equalize Pressure

© 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 by Mitchell Grunes

It is highly desirable to approximately equalize pressure over all parts of your foot. This helps you effectively control the boot, and therefore the edge. If there is a gap or low pressure point between part of your foot and the boot, you will have trouble exerting prsesure there, or there may be times when the boot is not under control as you switch from one edge to the other, or change your lean. They also represent points where the boot can slide against your for or sock (if you use one), causing blisters. It will also help prevent overuse injuries of muscles and ligaments that bear the unsymmetric load on your feet.

Some people prefer to minimize pressure around and above the ankle bones. Obviously, that provides extra room for a breakdown crease to form in the leather, so they need stiffer boots to slow the breakdown that will rapidly occur because there is room for the leather to indent. They may need to also use silicone pads (or adhesive strips, or sports wrap), to avoid bruising and/or blisters.

For the health of your toes, leave a little room in front of and to the sides of all toes.

Tape

Pressure equalizaion is accomplished in the lower foot area by sticking athletic tape under the insole, where required. You can alternately tape the surface of the boot. (If you have removed the insole completely, you may also want to cover exposed threads, so you don't indent the foot there.)

Near other parts of the foot, you can apply tape to the leather, but it will tend to come off. Moleskin sticks better to the sides of the boot than athletic tape. Or apply adhesive felt.

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