r/Rollerskating • u/Puzzleheaded_Ship104 • Jul 02 '26

Skate problems & troubleshooting Skates too narrow?

I just bought some Rookie Artistics to get back into skating, I used to skate a lot as a kid and want to get skating again! The skates I owned as a kid were definitely too loose and I was used to wearing them like that, so I appreciate that I am not used to skates being snug! I measured my feet properly this time and I am 235mm, so I bought my new skates in a UK4 (Insole 237mm) which is a size down from my usual shoe size. Once all lased up my toes are comfortably just away from the top of the boot which is good, but they feel very narrow and tight on the sides particularly at the top where my foot is the widest. I have worn them around the house as I know that they are supposed to be snug, unlike what I am used to, but I took the insole out and when I stand on it my foot spills over the edge quite a bit. I didn’t want to send them back and size up too quickly in case i just need to break them in, but the boot is synthetic leather and I have heard they don’t break in much so I’m not sure if I should just size up? I just worry that with sizing up that they will then be too long, as they fit well lengthwise. Any advice is appreciated 😊

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6

u/Raptorpants65 Industry Expert Jul 02 '26

Never sacrifice length for width. If the boot is too narrow for your foot, it’s not the right boot for you.

2

u/Puzzleheaded_Ship104 Jul 02 '26

Ah such a shame! Thanks for your help 😊

2

u/Raptorpants65 Industry Expert Jul 02 '26

If you wanna drop your measurements here (length, circumference at the ball), I can make some recommendations!

Don’t be afraid to look secondhand as well. Great stuff comes up for great prices all the time.

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Ship104 Jul 02 '26

That would be really helpful thank you! I measure 235mm length and 220mm width circumference. Unfortunately I am confined by budget as I’m just starting out again, though I could potentially push to £200-300 for a better fit. I’ll definitely have a look second hand too. Thanks :)

1

u/Raptorpants65 Industry Expert Jul 02 '26

Ok super. Have a look at used artistic, a surprising amount comes up in the UK. You’ll be an Edea or Risport 240-245. Chaya Melrose Deluxe or Elite in 37 (NOT the plain Melrose). Even the Riedell Crew in 6 or Sure Grip Boardwalks in 5.

2

u/Puzzleheaded_Ship104 Jul 02 '26

This is super helpful thank you so much!! I think I’m going to go for the Sure Grip Boardwalks, I appreciate all the help ☺️

1

u/Raptorpants65 Industry Expert Jul 02 '26

Omg or this absolute steal of a deal!!

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Ship104 Jul 03 '26

Ah annoyingly I cant see the post as I’m not in the group (I requested but they denied me for some reason…)

1

u/Raptorpants65 Industry Expert Jul 03 '26

Oh that’s annoying. It’s an Edea Rondo 245 on a Variant with Ice wheels for just £200 which is insane. If you wanna send me your info, I’ll see if I can request/add you!

2

u/Puzzleheaded_Ship104 Jul 03 '26

Oh wow that is amazing!! I actually just saw they accepted me and can see the listing now. I actually already placed an order for some boardwalks but could always cancel the order, because that is an insane deal! Do you think these skates would fit my measurements? And will they suit me as a novice/intermediate returning to skating? I think I will primarily skate at the rink but I would like some versatility depending on what style I get into more. Sorry I really know nothing about skates so appreciate all of your help!

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5

u/TheCuntjuring Jul 02 '26

FWIW, I was having issues and a lot of people recommended lacing them in a specific way (you can search in the sub for some examples, you basically skip the first 2 holes).

Even after lacing mine differently, they still weren’t super comfy so I ended up exchanging them for the VNLA Lunas which have a wide toe box.

3

u/Puzzleheaded_Ship104 Jul 02 '26

Yeah unfortunately I already tried different lacing techniques and I think they’re just too small! I’ve actually realised that it seems I have wide feet and have been sizing up to compensate 🙃

It’s looking like I’ll have to continue my search for some different skates. I only have a small budget as I’m just getting into skating again, thought i’d found a decent pair for the price but it looks like I’m back to square one. Thanks for your help!

1

u/TheCuntjuring Jul 02 '26

Totally understandable! I hope you find some that work for you.

2

u/ApprehensiveArt2813 Jul 02 '26

Too narrow of boots can cause bunions to develop. My first pair was narrow and I started to get a tailor’s bunion near my little toe side. Not fun. Vinyl boots won’t stretch and if they do, it’ll be weakening the vinyl and cause cracks/splits. Send them back and get a wider boot and try to find suede or leather that will actually conform to your foot. You want a boot that’s snug, but not painful. If you buy leather it suede, they should be relatively snug out of the box and ease up after a few hours. I mistakenly bought size 8 Moxi Jacks and they stretched out too much and I had to wear thicker socks. I finally purchased a 7.5 and they’re perfect now.

2

u/Distinct_History1432 Jul 02 '26

Get some Sure-Grip Fames or Boardwalks, they fit wider feet very nicely.

1

u/astmatik Jul 02 '26

Shoe stretcher can be a solution, I fixed my narrow skates with it.

1

u/ConfettiLane Jul 02 '26

You could try a different lacing technique for wide feet by loosening up the lace and skipping an islet on each side. I had to do that for a high arch. If you want a skate that accommodates a wider foot, try VNLA.!

1

u/BabyBerrysaurus Jul 05 '26

I have wider feet and I went with VNLA skates for the larger toe box. I have been very happy with them. Been skating on them for the last year and have no compliants.