About Us

ASK MR. EDGE

June/July 2006

Mr. Edge is a qualified skate technician with years and years of experience. He can answer your questions on boots, blades and foot problems related to your equipment. Questions will be answered in SKATING magazine and later posted on the web site.

A quick reminder for those of you with heat-moldable boots – don't let your skates sit in a hot car all day long. They will soften up on you. Although this may feel really good when you put them on, I would advise that you let them cool down before stepping on the ice. If not, you may find that you have a rather uncomfortable boot on your hands.

Having said that, I would like to address a particular situation that I don't believe has ever come up in any previous articles. More often than not, I receive e-mails asking advice on which boots and blades to purchase and where to do it. Most, if not all, of these requests come from skaters who live in small towns as opposed to big cities.

My first suggestion would be to go online and search the web sites of the boot and blade manufacturers. This will offer some help in the following areas:

1. Price
2. Availability of certain products
3. Local dealers in your area
4. How to order online, if possible
5. Detailed fitting instructions
6. Product information — If there is no local dealer for the boot you're looking for, then your next option is to order online. This might sound like a good idea, but it does pose some questions:

1. Did I order the proper boot for my level of skating?
2. Did I do a good enough job measuring my feet?
3. Will it fit the way I expect it?
4. Should I really have them heat molded?

When it comes to ordering boots online, let me just say that I don't do any mail orders of skating boots unless I have seen the feet or have good pictures and measurements. There is no guarantee that a boot will fit or that it will be the right choice unless you order the same model and size in which you currently skate.

So, what's a skater to do now? Short of taking a mini-vacation to some dealer that may be several hundred miles away, here are some other options:

1. Check for skate vendors at your next competition.
2. If you are going to a major competition, boot manufacturers most likely will have a representative there.

If you are lucky enough to have those non-problem feet and have had good luck when ordering through the mail, then by all means continue to do so.

Moving right along, let's start with Avrey from London. England or Ontario, he didn't happen to say, but wherever he may be, I hope this helps.

Avrey started skating at the age of 5 or 6 and continued until he was 13, at which time he had to stop. About five years later, he once again laced up his skates. Having purchased new boots and blades, he has now developed severe pain in the outside tendons in his lower legs, just above the ankle bone and up to the top of his boots. His chiropractor told him that it was most likely caused by the impact of his tendons against the sides of his boots. I must agree 100 percent with this diagnosis. It most certainly is an impact injury because his boots are too stiff. During his five-year break from skating, all the boot manufacturers have upgraded their entire lines, making them much stronger. For those who have extremely narrow ankles and lower legs, let this be a lesson learned. There is no need for a boot so stiff that every time you put it on and try jumping in it, you feel pain against the side of your legs. This most often occurs on the outside of the leg, except in a case of severe pronation.

What Avrey needs is a much softer and better-fitting boot around the heel and ankle area. The upper outside portion of his boots should be made in such a way so that will give easily at the top every time he lands a jump. This is just one instance of the need for a custom boot. You will not be able to get this in a stock boot or even a special makeup.

Well, skating fans, my time and space have once again come to an end. For anyone who may be interested, I will be doing a fitting and evaluation day on Monday, July 10, at the Iceland Arena in Strongsville, Ohio, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

'Til next time,

Mr. Edge

Mr. Edge and all related elements are property of Arena Sports & Consulting Services, Inc. ©2013. Send your questions to Mr. Edge via mail (Ask Mr. Edge, SKATING magazine, 20 First Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80906); FAX (719) 635-9548 or e-mail them online.

The opinions of Mr. Edge are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the U.S. Figure Skating or SKATING magazine. Remember, if you have problems with your feet, check with a doctor – the problem may very well be with your boot, but it could be more serious. Check with your local pro shop for more information about boots and blades.