punching out skates?

[jcookie1982]

I just got a new pair of skates, same brand I usually skate in, but half a size smaller. Although they are good in length and width, there is one part (the ball area) that is super tight on my feet. I've had skates stretched before, but never punched out, so I'm curious to what they actually do, but i'm thinking I need to get it done.

[Mrs Redboots]

It is much the same concept as stretching - they put them on a machine that has a ball bit one side and a round bit the other, and marry the two together, leaving it for 30 minutes or so, so it stretches the leather. Makes a huge difference - I had to wear a bunion pad until I had my skate punched out and I wished I'd had it done 18 months earlier!

Interestingly, there is a hint page for how to stretch your own shoes (and would presumably apply to skates as well) here (http://www.tipking.co.uk/tip/4798.html).