Hockey skates are some of the most popular athletic equipment among men and women looking to stay in shape this coming winter season. Whether you play ice hockey or simply want to look cool doing your favorite winter sports, skates are something you need to have in your closet.
While many people enjoy the thrills of playing hockey on a sport arena ice sheet, others experience discomfort when wearing the skates. The problem is that the shape of the hockey skate isn’t designed to provide the best possible fit for your body. In fact, the design of the classic hockey skate was heavily influenced by the shape of a military boot called a Hush Puppy.
Table of Contents
What Is A Hush Puppy?
If you’ve ever worn a pair of hush puppy boots, you’ll know exactly what a hush puppy is. The main difference between a hush puppy and traditional boots is the flexible plastic that lines the interior of the boot. The purpose of the flexible plastic is to allow the hush puppy to conform to your foot as you walk or run. This is quite different from the purpose of a boot’s interior, which is to keep your foot protected and snug inside the boot on the ice sheet or at the end of a ski run.
Why Do My Feet Hurt In Hockey Skates?
The primary reason behind your hockey skate discomfort is the shape of the boot. While your height and weight may change over the years, your foot does not. This causes the shape of your foot to change as well, which in turn changes the way your legs and ankles fit inside the boot. When ice skating, your height is a factor in determining the snugness of the fit because the larger the skater, the deeper the boot can go. For this reason, tall individuals may need a size larger than what they would wear for everyday use. On the other hand, short individuals may need to go down a size to accommodate their legs inside.
How Do I Adjust The Fit Of My Hockey Skates?
One of the most important things you can do for your health is to ensure that your equipment fits you perfectly. If you’re not comfortable in your equipment, you’re less likely to enjoy the activity. Fortunately, there are a few easy adjustments you can make to improve your comfort level and prevent future injuries. The first thing you should do is check the fit of your skates before heading out on the ice. To do this, stand in front of a mirror and remove your skates. Then, measure the gap between the top of your head and the ceiling using a tape measure. You should have no more than an inch or two of space between your head and the ceiling. If you’re above or below this measurement, you have a problem that will need to be addressed. Now, you can measure the space between your ankles and heels using a tape measure as well. Again, you want to make sure there is no more than an inch or two of space between your ankles and heels. If this is the case, you have a problem that needs to be corrected. To tighten the fit of your hockey skates, you can use two methods. The first method is to lift your toes at a 45 degree angle while standing on a level surface. If this is too much work, you can use the other method which is to tighten the straps located on the interior of the boot. Before either of these adjustments are made, you should consult with a professional who can help you make the right choices for your body type and goals. If you want to improve your health and prevent future injuries, it’s important to take the time to find the perfect equipment fit for you.