How to Fix Lace Bite With Hockey Skates
Scenario: You just bought some new skates. They fit perfectly. You baked them and then skated in them for four days with great success, but then on the fifth day you have a problem: horrible lace bite on your left foot. Lace bite is sharp pain or pressure along the extensor hallucis tendon, which runs from the front of the lower leg to the base of the big toe. Read on to see how to solve this painful problem.
[edit] Steps
- Identify the foot or feet that have the problem.
- Try loosening the lower portion of the skate but not to the point where your foot can move around inside. Give this a try for a few skates.
- Make a trip to your local skate shop, by this I mean somewhere that sells only skates/hockey/figueskating equipment, they will be able to alter your boot correctly either by softening up some of the boot or by adding material such as a proper insole or padding.
[edit] Tips
- Go to a SKATE STORE! if the store who sold you your skates also sells tents, pyjamas and tires, chances are the person who sold you your skates didnt know exactly what they were doing. This could result in an improper fit and be the reason your feet hurt.
- Avoid trying to fix the problem yourself for the same reason. Sticking some sort of padding into the skate yourself will only ruin the fit of the skate and could hamper its performance
- Avoid gel insoles they are a cheap and quick way of "getting rid" of your pain, while in the long run are probably actually doing more harm than good. They do not provide adequate arch support and break down quickly and therefore are not made for skates. Also they can freeze which can cause them not to perform properly.
- Don't be a wimp! Breaking in skates hurts. You may have to return to the dealer to have them adjusted several times before they are just right and pain free. People have had skates that they could hardy bare to stand on at first, and are more comfortable than sneakers by time they are broken well.
- Many pros wear 'Bunga Pads' or other silicone product that will help reduce the pressure and pain on the front of the ankle.
