Figure skate boots are typically made of layers of elk or kangaroo leather stitched together. The layers make the boot stiff enough to support the skater's weight through many hours of figure skating practice and performance. Because of their stiffness, new figure skating boots should be broken in before you begin to practice jumps and spins in them. Forgetting to break your boots in properly may result in uneven wear, causing the boot to break down more quickly.
Breaking in New Figure Skates
Step 1
Put on your new boots, leaving the top two hooks unlaced. Skate for 15 to 20 minutes. You can practice stroking or simple footwork, but do not jump, spin or do anything requiring deep knee bends. After 15 to 20 minutes, step off the ice.
Step 2
Remove your skate boots. Unlace each boot completely, then relace each boot. Put your skates back on, again leaving the top two hooks unlaced, and skate for another 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 3
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until you have skated for about two hours. You do not have to skate the two hours all in one session. After two hours have passed, unlace and relace your boots one more time and put them back on. This time, leave only the top hook unlaced.
Step 4
Skate for another two hours, remembering to unlace and relace your boots every 15 to 20 minutes. Frequent relacing is crucial to encourage the boots to wear evenly. You do not have to skate the entire two hours in one session, as long as you accumulate at least two hours with the top two hooks unlaced and at least two hours with only the top hook unlaced.
Step 5
Lace your boots to the top and skate as normal. Once your boots are laced to the top, you can start practicing jumps, spins and footwork requiring deep knee bends. Some skaters prefer to postpone jumping until a crease begins to appear in the ankle area of the boot, but this wait is optional.
Tips and Warnings
- If your boots are pressing painfully on your ankle or another spot on your foot, take them to the pro shop. The technicians there can usually stretch the leather over that spot to make the boots more comfortable. You can also buy small pads at any drugstore to cushion painful areas. When you have your blades sharpened the first time, write your radius measurement inside one of your boots with a permanent marker so you do not forget it.
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