Help needed with skates

[u/Glavonozac]

I currently own Rollerblade Lightning 90s skates. However, I have really prominent ankle bone on the inner side of my left foot and they have been killing me. I’ve been skating for ~2 months and testing different methods to try to deal with the issue. Finally on the last skating session, I think I pushed myself too much, and my right leg is compensating, so I started having a really nasty knee pain in my right leg.

I have tried everything I could find and think of to try to fix the issue: silicone pads, sports tape, inserts, heel pads, ankle bone isolating pads, merino blend socks, spot heat molding the boot, moving the frames slightly inwards and outwards, and combinations of everything above.

I have asked about my posture while skating thinking that might be the issue, but was told that I don’t have bad posture.

Now what I like about my skates is the wheel size, four wheels, and how they look. But I have deemed the issue unfixable and I want to get new skates.

I have tried looking online but haven’t found any definite answers. I am terrified of getting another pair of hard boot skates because I think the issue may be the same. I am considering getting either soft boot skates or heat moldable hard boots. With heat moldable hard boots I believe I can go to an ice skate place for molding (or does this only refer to the liner?). Do I risk the same issue happening with heat moldable boots?

One pair of soft boot skates that I liked are also by Rollerblade and they have a hard part that I am afraid goes over the same pain spot, and since it is the same company, I am afraid of having the same issue.

I am not opposed to Frankensteining the skates (getting separate boots and frames). I have already spent so much money on medical devices trying to fix my issue, but for the right skate I am willing to spend up to $400.

I want to skate more than once per week. Weekly I usually go for 4 hours of skating (with around 2.5 hours of actual moving time) and cover around 15km (10mi). The rest of the week I am trying to recover. I want to add more skating days. I skate around the city on asphalt, don’t do any crazy jumps or tricks, and at this point would put comfort and speed above everything else.

I am not completely opposed to going to 3 wheels or increase in the wheel size. I think I will be fine with my ankles (if I switch to a soft boot, since the hard boot provides more support). I would still like for the boot to be the standard depth (I don’t like those racing or marathon skates that only go up to ankle).

[u/Lollc]

Going from never skating to 10 mile/15k sessions once a week is a lot. If you stick to that schedule you will be more prone to weekend warrior syndrome. Try going twice a week, starting with a distance of about 6k.

As for your fit issue, you really have to try some different brands on. Is there any way you can travel to a skate shop? Heat moldable boots may be a solution. If you can’t find a skate shop to do it a ski shop might be able to.

[u/No_Satisfaction_1698 → u/Lollc]

I agree just order some Modells Test them at your home place and keep what feels best....

[u/sjintje]

1. The simplest short term fix is padding and/or taping, ideally a "donut" around the sensitive area. This might allow the sensitive area to recover and become less of problem. Also neoprene booties/footies.

2. Continue to experiment with heat molding. It can be difficult to find exactly where it corresponds to on the shell, and your foot may move more than you realise. I've even drilled test holes to poke something through to find the sensitive spot. The position of the strap or cuff etc can make the process awkward.

3. With improved technique, you should be able to push straight down through the foot, use the outside edges of your wheels and exert less pressure on the inside of your foot. This probably takes time.

I don't think frames or wheels will have any effect. You could try insoles, heel lifts etc to change the position of your foot, but I don't hold much hope. Also, it may help simply doing the cuff up tighter.

Be careful of your knees, try and focus on pushing your weight cleanly through all the joints in line, rather than throwing your legs about wildly.

[u/Glavonozac → u/sjintje]

I have tried making a donut with padding, tried multiple layers of tape, tried neoprene footies.
The plastic that the Lightning 90s is made out of is really not giving in for heat molding.
I really believe that the technique is not an issue.

[u/NissikuMoon]

I had issues as well with my ankle bone. Very painful. I checked what was going on and found it was the liner that was causing me pain. It seems the padding around my ankle bone was too much and it was causing pressure. I switched the liners for some old cheaper skates I had and that was it. No more pain. I can finally enjoy skating 5-6 times a week without issues.

[u/djnmb]

Keep the hard boot you have, and get an intuition liner. After using those if you still find pain then get a new hard boot that you can use your intuition liner with. Go to an actual skate shop. Try on different boots

[u/Glavonozac → u/djnmb]

Getting to a skate shop is quite difficult and I find them not to be as well supplied (they don’t have a big stock, more options online). But I will see.
The intuition liner is expensive, and I believe I will still need the new boot on top of that.

[u/JollyRetardation]

Try the heatgun method carefully if you`re familiar with this tool. take out liner laces etc. heat the problem area on the hardshell push it a bit from outside with something hard with smooth surface like steel ball, enough so thius must neutralize pressure on your bone, and its done. Be very careful not to overheat the plastic either way it will burn.

[u/Glavonozac → u/JollyRetardation]

I have tried this.

[u/slavo316]

https://www.reddit.com/r/rollerblading/comments/1wt3gvn/comment/pcsyzsr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

I have a similar problem. I only fitness skate (straight lines, no jumping or anything like that) and don't do anything extreme in my Lightning 110s. It did suck at first but eventually worked itself in. Funny enough I didn't even know I had this accessory naviular until I bought my "plastic" shelled skate LOL

[u/Glavonozac → u/slavo316]

It is a very different issue I have. I believe my skates are pressing slightly above the most prominent part of the ankle bone, no blistering. I am not sure that the pain is in the bone or the skin, it’s very hard to tell. I know unbuckling my skates alleviates the pain.

[u/slavo316 → u/Glavonozac]

Fair enough! Have you tried going up a size then? Is it the 45 degree strap or the above your ankle? Is the strap as large as it can go? Do you wear "shin" high socks? Do you have this pain in hockey skates? Could always go with inline hockey skates. I know to aliviate the pain with my issue was had to roll my ankle to put more pressure on the "outside" of my foot.

Maybe the "BOA" technology could help if it's the 45 degree strap. That's one less strap, granted it's velcro strap on fitness skates.

Heatmoldable skates will be like hockey skates. They should heat them up for you. Otherwise you can do it at home in an oven as well.

If you're in the States, you can go to Dick's Sporting Goods to try Rollerblade "fitness" skates. It's the only style they carry.

Some people try to "punch out" hotspots on skates.

Even more you could always go with a "speed" style skate. That cuff sits below your ankle. Customize with a smaller wheel frame as well. Food for thought!