How to Break In Hockey Skates

Getting a brand new pair of hockey skates can be exciting because it means you are upgrading and getting skates to better assist you in playing a good game of hockey. Hockey skates have a layer of foam on the inside that needs to form to your foot in order for them to become comfortable to wear.

• Wear the skate. The easiest way to break in a skate is to wear it. Don't dispose of your old skates right away. Wear your new skates for practicing and your old skates for games until your new skates are broken in. Wearing the skates and sweating in them will help the foam form around your feet.


• Try a blow-dryer. Maybe your old skates are damaged so you do not have time to break in the skates by wearing them. You can use a blow-dryer to warm up the foam on the inside of the skate and then put the skate on. Alternate skates so that one skate is always on your foot and one is always being blow-dried. This will help break in the skates faster.


• Use an oven. Ask at the skate shop if they have a high powered oven that you can put your skates in. Exposing the skates to heat will help the foam form more quickly to your foot. 


• Ask about a compression machine. Many professional skate shops also have a compression machine for use with the oven. The skates are heated, cooled to a warm temperature then placed on your foot. The compression machine helps form the foam to your foot faster than skating in the new skate.