- Joined
- Aug 7, 2022
Hello! I created an account just to post this, after being a longtime lurker and searching through all the threads I could find about feet and fit Unfortunately, while I'm not the only one with weird feet, none of the advice sounds quite right for mine, so here I am!
My main concerns are: How can I determine asap (off-ice at fitter's, on-ice within x hours) if a particular make or model of skate are "working" for my feet? If they aren't right is it a last issue or totally adjustable via punch-outs or cut-outs?
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After struggling with poorly-fitting Jacksons, I finally got fitted properly by George Spiteri into the SP Teri Zero Gravity, with enough adjustments that they count as semi-custom. George and his son Aaron have been nothing but kind and honest; I will corroborate other posters who've said they are never pushy. They've seen me through 8-10 visits where they patiently help me with punchouts, cutting out pockets in the custom insoles, cutting out foam or cork half-insoles/wedges for me to try, pinching the heel in...
However, my arch pains persist over a year later, only temporarily eased by Superfeet hockey comfort insoles. In this year in the SP Teris, I've also developed Haglund's deformity on both feet, I've had my right bunion grow and my left bunion sprout, I've grown bunionettes, I'm developing hard lumps (not sure if bone spurs?) on the lateral outside of the midfoot on both sides.
Which leads me to: I'm wondering about whether I should switch brands entirely -- or if the bunions and other bumps are just par for the course since I've started skating more/more intensely.
About me and my feet:
About my skating and skates:
Boot/blade history:
So my 2 concerns are boot shape as well as sole profile. I would love brand recommendations plus advice on going custom; I confess to being terrified of dropping all that money on boots that are going to worsen or add to my bunions and bumps.
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If you've made it this far, thank you! And if I can provide any info to clarify, feel free to ask
P.S. I've been asking around for a skating-experienced podiatrist, but all the recommendations seem to have retired. Your suggestions for SF/NYC are welcome!
My main concerns are: How can I determine asap (off-ice at fitter's, on-ice within x hours) if a particular make or model of skate are "working" for my feet? If they aren't right is it a last issue or totally adjustable via punch-outs or cut-outs?
================================================================================
After struggling with poorly-fitting Jacksons, I finally got fitted properly by George Spiteri into the SP Teri Zero Gravity, with enough adjustments that they count as semi-custom. George and his son Aaron have been nothing but kind and honest; I will corroborate other posters who've said they are never pushy. They've seen me through 8-10 visits where they patiently help me with punchouts, cutting out pockets in the custom insoles, cutting out foam or cork half-insoles/wedges for me to try, pinching the heel in...
However, my arch pains persist over a year later, only temporarily eased by Superfeet hockey comfort insoles. In this year in the SP Teris, I've also developed Haglund's deformity on both feet, I've had my right bunion grow and my left bunion sprout, I've grown bunionettes, I'm developing hard lumps (not sure if bone spurs?) on the lateral outside of the midfoot on both sides.
Which leads me to: I'm wondering about whether I should switch brands entirely -- or if the bunions and other bumps are just par for the course since I've started skating more/more intensely.
About me and my feet:
- I'm 5'4" and 110lb steady, past the growing stage of life
- Roman toe shape, inverted triangle foot shape
- Haglund's and abrasions on narrow heels - Makes heel slippage a mixed issue, for which I use a gel heel pad
- Growing bunions and bunionettes - I never wear high heels off the ice, can't walk in them
- Some lumps/bone spurs growing on the outsides of my mid-feet
- Mild to moderate pronation, must lace tightly to prevent tongues from shifting to the outer sides of the feet
- Brief stint of peroneal tendonitis in left foot when out of nowhere the outer ankle bone kept feeling constricted/chafed by the edge of the tongue or something
- I also have fairly serious Raynaud's episodes, but I believe the arch/foot pain is separate although exacerbated by the cold
- I might need to think about leaving extra space for toe warmers or something since my episodes are debilitating
- I found the insoles/liners that came with the boots were too flat, which made the arches and the middle of the ball of the foot ache as if they were not being supported by anything beneath them. Switching insoles to the Superfeet improved this, although some parts of the Superfeet feel too high-volume for my sole profile i.e. its peaks push up onto the wrong parts of my feet.
About my skating and skates:
- Adult bronze, fixing my 1F floop and barely brushing 1A prep work (pre-/over-rotation issues on many jumps). I'd say I pick up spins much easier than jumps.
- Not to make excuses but I think I'd improve faster if my skates didn't feel like chunky blocks or finicky vices all the time, I'd love a boot more moulded to my feet. They definitely don't feel like extensions of me.
- I'm in this for the long haul but I'm aware of the issues associated with overbooting
- I bend my knees more than enough
- I skate an average of 14 hours a week; I've skated about 640 hours in these SP Teris
- I cannot pull my laces snug from toes to ankle because that causes bunion pain, but too loose makes my feet move. I retie my skates several times an hour.
- To counteract increasing heel slippage, I now tie the ankles a lot tighter than most people, giving me lace bite (new to me)
- I've changed my laces a few times, though sharpeners/fitters have assured me the old pair is always "still fine"
- I still have to get off the ice at least once every hour because feet are hurting. Just got a blister yesterday after forgetting the gel heel pad
- I have picked up ballet but just for skating's sake, not planning to go en pointe
- I like having firm ankle support, and I don't think I'd want a high heel
Boot/blade history:
- Can't recall my first pair of Jackson recreational skates
- Jackson Competitor 6.5 D with Ultima Mirage 9.75" (250 hours but mainly low-level group classes and slow private lessons)
- My first pair of non-recreational skates were Jackson Competitors (model 2400) size 6.5 D with Mirage blades 9.75", which in hindsight the supposedly-experienced fitter only sold to me because she was clearing stock: They were too long and too wide-heeled; I was constantly tripping over my toepick, struggling with heel slippage, and struggled to find my sweet spot.
- Jackson Competitor 6.5 D with Coronation Ace 9.75" (209 hours)
- I thought I could solve the tripping issue with a blade change to Coronation Ace, and it did! But that pro shop didn't even bother re-measuring me, just looked at the Mirages and gave me the same length blades, so the blades were just too long and sweet spot too far forward. Many frustrated tears.
- SP Teri Zero Gravity AA heel/B ball with Coronation Ace 9.5" and Superfeet hockey comfort insoles (640 hours and counting)
- Discovered I'm decent at spins after all, so I think that means the sweet spot is in the right location for my foot now
So my 2 concerns are boot shape as well as sole profile. I would love brand recommendations plus advice on going custom; I confess to being terrified of dropping all that money on boots that are going to worsen or add to my bunions and bumps.
================================================================================
If you've made it this far, thank you! And if I can provide any info to clarify, feel free to ask
P.S. I've been asking around for a skating-experienced podiatrist, but all the recommendations seem to have retired. Your suggestions for SF/NYC are welcome!