Heat moldable skate question

[icedancer2]

ON one of the other threads someone mentioned that the heat-moldable skates have a thin layer of plastic between the leather layers that get soft when they are heated and are, hence, heat-moldable!

So what happens when these boots break down? Do you ever get the crease like you do in leather boots? Will I ever be able to really bend my ankles like I would like to to get maximum push and flow for dance?

Or will they always be stiff and smooth, with the only bend coming in the tongue??

How long have heat-moldable boots been around?

[TaBalie]

Absolutely they break down... The plastic shell is very thin, and just acts as moldable source around the foot and ankle. The heat-molding is for the footbed and ankle -- it forms around any funny sticking-out bones, bunions, etc so that you don't have to deal with blisters, or getting the skates punched out. But yes, the leather breaks down, you get creases, there is no problem with flexing, bending the knees and ankles, etc.

Think of heat-moldable boots at semi-customizable boots for the feet/ankle--you get that added room and comfort where you need it without the months of bunga pads, blisters, moleskins, etc.

Heat-molding in ski boots has been around for at least 8-10 years, in skates, maybe 4 or 5?

I have Graf Edmonton Specials, and I had them heat molded after about 4 hours of ice time. At around 6 hours I could do full bends, sit spins, etc. I now have skated maybe 20 hours total. I haven't gotten even one blister, they were very easy to break in.

A heat-moldable SP-Teri or Harlick (traditionally very stiff boots) will take longer to break in, but not as long as non-heat-moldable SP-Teri or Harlick since they will probably be more comfortable on your feet to begin with (so not as torturous, and just more pleasant all around LOL ;) )...

[russiet]

Heat-molding in ski boots has been around for at least 8-10 years...

Longer than that! In the late 1970's I worked in an on-the-mountain ski shop & fit many ski boots.

The thick plastic shell of a ski boot is moldable as well, but not in a subtle way. I have bunions that need to be accommdated in both my ski boots & skates. I am using Jackson Elites at the moment.

To custom stretch the boot (skate or ski) for the bunion, a hot air gun is used carefully on the area to be enlarged. After it's warmed-up, a levered boot press is used to bubble-out, then blend to the surrounding area. This kind of pressing-out can be used with all leather boots, but not as well. Once cooled, the plastic holds it's stretch-out better without as much return to it's original shape.

I had my skate fitter handle my Jackson....he has the appropriate boot press.

I bought a new pair of ski-boots last year and ended up stretching my own shells using a c-clamp, home made wooden forms, and a hot air gun. I wouldn't reccommend trying this unless you feel really confident. I can send you a picture showing my ski boot being tortured. I documented the operation with a couple of digital pics.

Oh, yes. I forgot to mention that my Jacksons have creased and formed very nicely. I can also send a pic of what they look like after using them since last December.

Jon

[TaBalie]

Oops I should have just googled before answering -- all I knew was that the technology has been around quite a while with ski boots... :)

I love my heat-moldable Grafs!

[icedancer2]

Oh, yes. I forgot to mention that my Jacksons have creased and formed very nicely. I can also send a pic of what they look like after using them since last December.

Jon

Thanks for the info. I would love to see a picture of the boots with the creases -- I have new heat-moldable SP Teri Dance boots and I can't believe they will ever crease in the ankles. They are just so stiff and smooth there!

I'm breaking them in okay and have had them "punched out" as it were and they are doing fine. I just don't know whether they will ever bend the way I would like them to for dance!

[russiet]

Thanks for the info. I would love to see a picture of the boots with the creases -- I have new heat-moldable SP Teri Dance boots and I can't believe they will ever crease in the ankles. They are just so stiff and smooth there!

I'm breaking them in okay and have had them "punched out" as it were and they are doing fine. I just don't know whether they will ever bend the way I would like them to for dance!

Well here is where the pictures are posted:

http://www.sendpix.com/albums/05082005/8xzrw7wd8g/

The skates have been resting since last April, waiting for the ice, coming on Sept 8th. I've been on inline skates (Pic skate frams with inexpensive Jackson boots) to keep up form & have fun in the mean time.

The skates in the pictures are Jackson Elites in the suede finish.

As far as any other break-in factors, I weigh 160 pounds, 6 feet tall. The skate boots were new December 2004 & I used them for about 5 to 7 hours a week. 75 hours of estimated ice time.

Jon

[icedancer2]

Thanks -- well, maybe someday mine will actually crease!!

Gotta keeping working... ;)

[icedancer2]

Okay, another question about heat-moldable skates: will they be ruined if you put them in a hot car or other hot place for a period of time?

Someone suggested that this might be possible and I'm wondering if any of you have heard of this, or had it happen to you?

The image of my skates "melting" in my hot car just makes me laugh!

:giveup:

[TaBalie]

Well, they wouldn't be "ruined" but if the skates got hot enough, long enough, the heat-moldable portion could revert back to its original shape. However, the impressions your foot will have made in the leather, the ankle creases, etc will still be there -- it won't be like you are starting with a brand new boot! :)

I do not leave my skates in the car for this reason (at least now, as it gets cooler I probably will).

[TiggerNSkating]

I have Jackson Elite Supremes which have the heat molding (they are great!). I don't leave mine in the car... but then again we still are having days in the upper 90s and a couple 100+ days thrown in here and there. I have gotten some funny looks going around with my skate bag everywhere :lol: , but I don't have much of a choice since my rink is over an hour from home, so skating days end up being shopping/errand days too.