u/Aromatic-Web-2708

Hi! I’ve been skating for a couple of months, about to pass my LTS Basic 1 (next class is the final test) and working on my Basic 2 skills. I have Jackson Elles per my height and weight, I am a 8.5 in shoes, 9 in closed toe. The first pair I had was an 8W, i skated in them for a month, I was having lots of issues and couldn’t get my heel to lock properly, overtightening the laces, foot sliding forward during skating, etc. The owner of my shop remeasured my foot and fit me for a 7W. I skated in them for maybe 3h, about a week. They felt SO much better, but i still felt some space in the toe box, and I wondered whether the 6.5W would fit me any better. I could not brush my toes along the front wall, and when I step on the insole outside the boot, there is a solid half an inch between my longest toe and the top of it. I tried the 6.5W on and my toes don’t cramp, feel squished, anything like that. I can comfortably wiggle my toes and point them up to slightly lift the ball of my foot. when I walk, I can feel the front of the toe box. It doesn’t hurt, but it feels slightly restricted, if that makes sense. the shop owner said “if you can go smaller, I’d do that. If they don’t hurt, just feel a little too small, and the 7W feels a little too big, I’d go with a little too small.” so I did. I haven’t skated in them and can’t for a few days, but I am panicking that I made the wrong choice. I’m clearly not used to the correct size, but my toes only get squished when the heel isn’t properly locked and so ever so slightly slides forward.

any thoughts? does this sound normal? i figured as the boots break in, it’ll be a little roomier? i did get them heat molded. appreciate any insight.

thanks!!!

Y’all, I’m a new skater, only about 2 months in. I’ve had my own skates (Jackson Elles) for about a month and a half. Rentals really hurt the side of my feet so I got the wide. My regular shoe size is 8.5, I usually go for 9 in close toe. I got the size 8W, the 7.5W felt too tight on the sides! Skated in them for a month and a couple of weeks, couldn’t get my heel to lock no matter what I did. Two different fitters told me there wasn’t too much space in the back, blah blah blah. Owner of the store LOOKS at my feet and tells me the boots are too big. He was kind enough to just exchange the sizes for me, and these feel MUCH better, almost no lifting in the heel, and overall more supportive. Plus, no over tightening the laces and feet going numb.

My feet definitely pronate, I could tell with the 8s, but I felt like I could get on top of the blade fine. With the smaller, correct size, it’s been a bit of an adjustment. The back of the blade drags when I do swizzles, and I can’t seem to get off my inside edge on my right foot! I CAN do it, but definitely takes concentration and feels wobbly.

Because I’m a beginner and my skates are breaking in from 0 again, I don’t want to move my blade, I will

keep working on ankle strength off ice.

My question is, is it normal that the correct size “exposes” the pronation more? What can I do while I build enough strength to get on top of the blade? I do have orthotics for arch support which really help.

Thoughts? Appreciate any advice!!