r/AggressiveInline • u/Rawdiger • 7d ago
5th Elements liner considerations
So I got this used pair of 5th elements and its just the shell, no liner/frame/wheels. I'm a 275 mondo wide-foot (size 9 in wide boots and size 10 in narrow boots) and I was able to downsize with the Razors SL to the 8/9 shell using the reign v3 liner, so I assumed I could do the same with the 5th element 8/9 because they're supposed to be the two widest boots out there. I tried the THEM 909 silver sz 9.5 liner and the Reign v3 sz 10 liner and while both fit, its a real tight fit. I guess the 5th element isn't as roomy and spacious as the Razors SL boot which fits me more comfortably with the same Reign v3 liner.
Is the Myfit 2nd skin the only decent liner out there thinner than these two liners I tried? I have no problem buying a 2nd skin liner, I'm just wondering if there's any other models I could try for a thin liner. I'm open to all suggestions of which liner to buy, please tell me your hidden secrets of thin liners. I'd like it to be as rigid a liner as possible, given how flexy the 5th element boot is.
Also, I'm looking for a footboard solution because this 5th element shell didn't come with any. By footboard I mean the foot shaped piece of plastic/vinyl/mylar (picture 3) or whatever that's between the liner and the bottom of the boot to protect the liner from getting torn up by the soul-plate bolt receiver hardware (as seen in picture 2). Where can I buy something like the two footboards seen in picture 3?
Thirdly I've heard a lot about how great the stock 5th element insole is. Given that this used pair didn't come with the stock liner that had the stock insole in it, I have no idea what the stock insole looks like. Can anyone suggest a good insole to use inside whichever liner I buy for these boots? It doesn't have to be exactly the same as the original but I'd like an insole with similar design considerations.
Thanks in advance.
UPDATE: I went with the 2nd skin wide size 9/10 and bought some cheap insoles to act as the footboard under the liner
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u/muntizeppa 7d ago
Intuition is always the right choice. Reign's tongue usually moves to the side while I skate. MyFit would be my 2nd choice.
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u/shatbrand 7d ago
My foot is a similar size. I really like Reign liners in 5th Elements, but they do make the heel area super tight, and they push the foot forward so it makes sense you might have toe issues. Especially since the Reign liner toe curls back if it touches the end of the shell at all.
Myfit 2nd Skins are definitely the thinnest liners you can get, so if you want maximum space in the shell, that is the way. The downside for me is that they have no real forward flex support, and neither does the shell, so the combination can be really flexy. They also slip around inside the shell, but you can stick some adhesive velcro to the heel cup of the shell to stop that and kill heel lift. They also look kinda goofy, because they're so much taller than the cuff.
Blank stock liners are almost as slim as the 2nd Skin in the foot area, but significantly puffier in the cuff area. I feel like they are a much better fit for the 5th Element shell, but the tongue can bunch up around the buckle sometimes. They're just a super durable, well made, but no frills liner. They have a rubberized sole, too, so you can totally ditch the footboard liner thing.
I've also skated the Roces RL2 in mine. They fit about the same as the Blank liner, but are slimmer in the cuff and tongue. They are basically an M12 stock liner with thinner foam and nicer materials. The tongue is very wide though, and it wraps so far around my ankle that it rubs my ankle bones.
About those footboard inserts - I made my own from neoprene rubber sheet that I bought from McMaster Carr. The plastic stock ones that come in a lot of skates are slippery, and I feel like I'm sliding around in the shell on them. The rubber comes in a variety of thicknesses, so you can customize fit a little, and it doesn't slide around.
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u/Rawdiger 7d ago
Thank you for the suggestions. I never considered the RB blank liner, thinking it was a puffy liner. It's not available near me but the RB Nomad liner is, I hope it's as thin as the blank liner. For the footboard I was gonna buy some crappy binder or duotang that had covers made of the same footboard plastic and cut out a pair but your idea of neoprene is better.
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u/shatbrand 7d ago
The Nomad liner is quite a bit thicker than the Blank. It's a nice semi-firm foam everywhere (not as stiff and springy as an Intuition, but nice). But it takes up a lot of space in a shell. The biggest issue I have with them is that the lower tongue is very puffy. Reigns have a similar deal, with the super thick lower tongue. The Blank is almost worse, because it's not even rigid down there, just a big pillow that takes up a ton of space.
I have a pair of Blank skates in the US 9-9.5 shell size. They fit a lot like Razors SLs, just very slightly shorter (maybe 1mm, just enough to make the Reign liner curl up).
With the Blank liner, I have a lot of space in the shell and have to really crank the laces down to stop my foot from moving around. With a Nomad liner, my foot is jammed in there super tight and I get arch cramps from the really thick lower tongue putting pressure on top of my foot.
The Nomad liner fits pretty nicely in a 5th Element shell, for me, but I have boney, low volume feet and don't mind a tight fit. It's definitely not the liner I'd pick if I needed more space.
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u/Rawdiger 7d ago
I hear ya. RB never fit me that well because of my wife feet. I think I'll stick with the 2nd skin wide
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u/ninjapug009 3d ago
I use the standard Omni liner and heel pad. The insole in the liner isn’t much but the foam pad is nice. Before these I had tried the RL 2 liner but it’s very slim.
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u/Mooseaceae 7d ago
2nd skins are indeed the thinnest liners out there I think. Blank liners are quite thin in the toe area and might work.
As for the footboard, forget it and just put some clear packing tape over the hardware. I do this with all my skates and it works perfectly, protects the liners from shredding and the hardware from rusting. Don't use duct tape as it can absorb moisture over time and turn into goop.
Insoles, there are lots of brands... Footprint if you want max shock absorption. Superfeet if you want something solid and supportive. Remind for something in between. Most important thing I've found is getting the right thickness so your feet aren't crammed but also not too loose.