Hello!

My boots do't have leather bottoms, they are cheap i guess?

they are these ones here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Belati-Classic...QQcmdZViewItem

How does this affect repair?

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starting at 28

Then I think you're out of luck.....but I would have expected the blade to be riveted on rather than screwed on. Not sure...

!!! please mroe responses.. can you repair these shoes if the bottom isn't leather?

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starting at 28

Hmm. . . I think most skate boot repair specialists are used to dealing with the higher quality boots with leather soles, so it may pose quite a challenge for them. It sounds like it may be time to upgrade to new boots. . .?

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"You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams." - Dara Torres, 41, after her 2nd medal at the 2008 Olympics

I think boot in this country are really expensive, and they only lasted me 15 months...

Are expensive boots likely to last longer?

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starting at 28

I would certainly expect them to last longer than 15 months! My last pair of Riedell 375 (Gold Star) boots lasted 5-1/2 years and the soles are fine. Aside from the time I took off the blade to waterproof under the mounting plate, I've never even had to tighten a screw.

It's the inside leather that got worn through from my ankle bones rubbing against it.

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Bill Schneider

Hi, here are picture of my boots!

The soles are PVC or somethign similar. They are in really good condition, leather is still really tough, apart from the screw holes!





These cost me like, £90 or $180... I can't find a website or anywhere to look in the uk, they obnly have these types, not any nicer ones.

How do prices compare to the US?

--

Is it worth buying the blade and shoe separately for me, as I am not advanced or anything, been skating 15 months? ANd where to buy?

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starting at 28

According to that picture, your skates are not screwed into every available hole - add in the missing screws, and that should solve your problem.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Can I do this myself? Ill have a try

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starting at 28

You can screw blades on yourself, I would think you'd need either a drill or a strong electric screwdriver though.

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-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

My husband put the additional screws in my skates after I first got them. He used an electric drill.
(I was too afraid of doing it myself. I had visions of the drill slipping and scratching my blades, or somehow drilling the screws in sideways...)

When our fitter put Husband's blades on, he used an electric screwdriver, but my coach, adding extra screws into mine, just used brute force! So yes, you could certainly do it yourself, but screw the ones you have in tightly first to make sure your blades don't slip off-line.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

There are plastic caulks that I think would hold in the old screws, but if you've got extra screw holes, or can use larger screws, go ahead.

The suggestion to use larger screws would clearly work, was really inspired, and should have been obvious. Why didn't I think of that? I'll add it to my list.

If you go with using different screw holes, you still want to caulk or seal (e.g., that silicone stuff) the unused holes so nothing rots when water gets in. I'm not sure if the plastic rots, but it can't hurt.

You don't need a drill to drill pilot holes (smaller holes that guide the final screw and prevent cracking) - starting with a smaller diameter screw, or a thin nail of the same length would do the same thing. You don't need an electric screwdriver or adapted drill to screw it in - what you need is pressure on the screwdriver so it doesn't strip again.

If you are really really worried about doing it yourself, and you can't find a competent skate shop, maybe a shoe repair place or even a car mechanic would do it for you. We are talking ultra minor league repair here. On par with changing the oil in your car. Many of your friends with basic tools could do it. Smile at a handy guy.

The more you skate with loose screws, the more the holes will wear, so it will get worse. You can hurt yourself skating with loose screws (of the physical variety :-). Do it now. Stop worrying - it's worse if you don't repair.

If your boots fit and don't hurt, if they provide enough support for your needs, then they are good boots. Nothing else matters.