When it comes to shopping for figure skates, finding the right pair can be stressful. Everyone is different in terms of what they are looking for in style, fit, and comfort levels. That’s why, today, we’re going to examine heat moulding and discuss why, with it, your Jackson figure skates will fit you like an absolute glove. What is heat moulding? The term “heat moulding” is exactly what the name implies: heat is utilized to mould your figure skates to fit your feet perfectly. This technique entails heating the lining of the figure skates, which offers more benefits than just ensuring an optimal fit. Figure skating is an extremely demanding sport, and the skater’s feet are typically the first to suffer from the intensity. Heat moulding can help enhance the fit of your chosen footwear, and can even aid in relieving any pressure points that may be causing you discomfort. Heat Moulding vs. Spot Punching Before we discuss how heat moulding is done, let’s quickly go over another method that figure skating professionals often employ, called “spot punching.” The latter involves using a literal “punch” to create a small indentation in your skates to help break them in quicker. It is commonly used to target spots that may cause the wearer significant pain, and can also be used in areas where the skater already has bone spurs or bunions. However, due to its permanence, it is irreversible. Should this small hole potentially tear, you will need to replace your Jackson figure skates a lot sooner than you intended. These two practices are very different, and it’s best to consult with a professional before deciding on which one to have done. How is heat moulding done? Now that we’ve gone over what it is and why it’s in your best interest to invest in heat moulding, let’s examine how this service is carried out. By a Professional When you go shopping for Jackson figure skates, there are many important factors to consider: your level of skill, boot type, cost, comfort, blade quality, and, above all, how well they fit. Since Jackson figure skates are made with surlyn, which is a heat-moldable plastic that runs through the interfacial layers from heel to toe, you can have them heat-moulded on the spot if the fit needs to be slightly adjusted. The professional skating technician will take your skates and put them for a few minutes in a convection oven that heats them up. Immediately after removing them from the oven, they will give them to the person buying the figure skates to put them on. They will then recommend that you lace them up tightly and spend about 10–15 minutes seated to make sure they become perfectly moulded to your feet. They may employ a few other methods, such as stretching specific areas with tools, before the boot has cooled down completely. This method essentially follows the same lines as what you would do if you bought a pair of shoes that were just a tad too tight on you. When it comes to sports, of course, customization is key to guaranteeing the best performance possible. At-Home Methods Although we recommend having a skate technician heat mould your Jackson figure skates professionally, there are ways you can do it yourself at home. There are several ways you can go about doing this. The first approach is to use a convection oven. Begin by preheating the oven to 180 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 83 degrees Celsuis), and once it warms up, turn it off. Take your figure skates and place them upright inside of the oven, and wait about 3–5 minutes for them to fully warm up. Remove them carefully, and once at a tolerable temperature, put them on and tightly lace them up. If they are a pair of Jackson figure skates, be sure to press down on the toe box, as it will ensure an optimal fit. Stay seated and wait for 7 minutes before taking them off, and then let them cool down completely for an additional 10 minutes. Afterwards, you can put them back on and walk around in them to make sure the fit works for your feet. However, if you don’t own a convection oven, you can try another method. All you will need is a hair dryer and your Jackson figure skates. Take a hair dryer, and while wearing the skates, set the dryer to high and move it around the skates’ surface for about 10 minutes. Note that depending on the intensity of your hair dryer, it may take longer for them to heat up and become pliable. Once they are hot, you can repeat the same steps mentioned above for the convection oven method. Extra Tips Do not try the skates barefoot. Wear the socks you will be skating in when you put them on during the heat-moulding process. We encourage people to walk around in them while waiting for them to cool down after heating the material, as keeping your feet in a still position while seated might result in a stiff boot once cooled. Although you can do it at home, you cannot use a regular oven. As mentioned before, it must be a convection oven. This is why we strongly recommend you go to a professional skate technician to heat mould your figure skates. Be sure to avoid performing any jumps in them for at least 8 hours. If you perform a high-intensity move like this too early, it could potentially ruin the shape of the boot, and then all that work will have been for nothing. Skate to Success In conclusion, heat moulding is a practice that is not only used by figure skaters. Many skiing, snowboarding, and soccer athletes use this method to their advantage. Whether you get your skates heat moulded by a professional skate technician or your mom, Jackson figure skates were made with heat moulding in mind, so that you can not just find your perfect fit, but create it, too. For all your figure skating needs, call Figure Skating Boutique at 1-866-957-0396 or contact us here.
