How to Break in Your Figure Skates

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Breaking in a new pair of figure skates can be painful. Understanding how to break in new skates on and off the ice can speed up the process. Make sure you break your skates in slowly, and practice movements that require you to bend your knees and ankles. You can also break in a new pair of skates by wearing them around the house or having the skate shop punch out the leather in areas that rub your feet or ankles.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Breaking in Your Skates on the Ice

PDF download Download Article
  1. You should not try to break in your new figure skates during a multi-hour practice session. This can cause discomfort and possible injury to your feet and ankles. Instead of trying to break the skates in all at once, break them in over the course of a few weeks during several 30 minute sessions.
  2. When breaking in a new pair of figure skates, abstain from lacing up the top pair of hooks while you are breaking in the skates. Instead, tie the laces just below the top hooks. This can help make the figure skates more comfortable while you are breaking them in.
    Advertisement
  3. Deep bending motions will help you break in a new pair of figure skates. For example, movements that require you to bend your knees and ankles will help soften the leather and break in the skates. Try doing back crossovers in both directions.
  4. It takes time to break in a new pair of figure skates. It is best to break the skates in over several skating sessions. You will need to skate in the new boots for a total of at least six, but up to eight, hours.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Breaking in Your Skates off the Ice

PDF download Download Article
  1. Another way to speed up the breaking in process is to wear your new figure skates around the house. Lace them up as you normally would and then walk around the house. You can also leave them on while watching television or reading, which can help the leather shape to your foot. [1]
    • While wearing the skates around the house, loosen and then re-lace the skates at least twice. This will help break in the boots of the new skates.
  2. New figure skates can cause blistering and discomfort in the areas where they are tight, particularly around the ankles. Ask the shop where you purchased your skates to punch out these areas using a machine. This can help break in the skates more quickly. [2]
    • Some shops will punch out skates for free if you purchased them directly from the shop, while others will charge a fee. Call your local skate shop and ask how much they charge to punch out a pair of new figure skates.
  3. If you compete as a figure skater, make sure your figure skates are broken in well before competition season begins. For example, you can purchase new skates in the summer to make sure they are broken in before the fall competition season begins.
    4. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do you tell if your blades are sharp?
    Community Answer
    Run them over some scrap paper until there are marks. You should see deeper lines if they are sharp, and thicker, shallower grooves if they are blunt.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 22
  • Question
    What if the figure skates feel stiff while skating?
    Community Answer
    They are gonna feel stiff at first; just keep skating in them and you'll break them in.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 8
  • Question
    How do I know if my skates have been broken in?
    Nina Zhan
    Community Answer
    An un-broken in skate should feel stiff and hard, and tighter to skate in. A broken in skate should feel comfortable and firm, but not stiff around the ankle area. If the foot is sliding around or is smashed, call the place you bought the skates from and ask them to fix them or exchange them.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 9
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Reader Videos

      Tips

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • If you are in skating lessons or learning skating, do what you are learning in your skates! For example, I have been doing waltz jumps and bunny hops in my new skates and it really helps when you are wearing them in.
      • When you get new skates, make sure to do lots of crossovers and edges on the ice to break them in.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Ice Skate: Basic Techniques, What to Wear & More
      How to
      Tie Ice Skates
      How to
      Ice Skate Backwards
      How to
      Try Ice Skating for the First Time
      How to
      Sharpen Skates
      How to
      Learn Ice Skating by Yourself
      Practice Skating Off the Ice: 13 Proven Exercises to Improve Your Skating Stride
      How to
      Wash Skates
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://web.mit.edu/skatingclub/www/docs/skates-buying.html
      2. ↑ https://globalnews.ca/news/1704368/how-to-choose-the-right-skates/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 78,633 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement