foot pain

[newskater]

I recently bought myself some recreational figure skates (just learning and didnt want to spend a lot)

Each time i wear them my heels and arches ache for about 20 minutes then when that stops my toes start to go dead (pins and needles)

Is this just because i'm not used to skating and tensing up too much or is it the skates?

The same thing happens in hire skates too.....

would support insoles help?

If anyone has any ideas on this please help!

[Gareth]

It sounds like your skates are too small or you are doing the laces up too tight, which is restricting the blood flow to your feet which will cause the pins and needles sensation.

When I first started skating my arches used to ache now my skates ( Risport RF4) have broken in I don't get this problem.  Recreational skates arent usually as stiff as figure skates and should take less breaking in.

Tighten the laces enough to give sufficient support but not too tight.  A lot of new skaters over-tighten their skates.  You could also try walking around the house in your skates (with blade guards) that will help to break them in sooner, that's what I did and it did help.

Other than that I don't know what to suggest, maybe someone else on here can be more help.

Gareth

[Derek]

I agree with Gareth.
Assuming that you do not have problems with normal footwear, then it is probably down to the accommodation period necessary to get your boots to fit properly. Hire skates are normally too soft, hence overtightened laces to give ankle support. New skates are normally too hard, and can cause pressure because the leather hasn't softened sufficiently. Either way, foot pain can ensue. Try keeping the laces across your instep looser, and more secure around your ankle. You should be able to wiggle your toes, but your feet should feel secure. When stood off-ice, you should be able to flex your feet sideways only slightly. You may need to readjust your lacing several times to find what is most comfortable for yourself.

Derek

[sweeneytodd]

The ache in the arches i used to get after intense skating,  I found  putting my skates on with hard guards several minutes before the session started and then walking around for  a while helped.

[newskater]

Thanks for your replies, the skates definately arent too small, i can move my toes about in them ok but i will try wearing them at home to get used to them and see how i get on.

[Katie]

this does actually sound to me like the pain you get when you tighten ure skates by pulling the two laces once uve tightend up the threaded bit, before u go through the loops. Try to make sure u pull the threaded bits as tight as u can, without pulling the two laces u are left with extremely tight, and then tie the hooks as tight as u can.