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Every player in the NHL knows how important it is to have properly baked hockey skates. When you are on the ice, you want to ensure that your feet are protected and secure. Properly preparing your hockey skates allows you to get the most out of each skate and prolong the skate’s lifespan and any commercial hockey skate utilities that they may have.
If you are looking for the best quality hockey skates, you have at least three choices of materials to consider. The most common is composite ice hockey skates, which consist of an inner boot that has been molded to fit comfortably around the player’s foot. Evo hockey skates are a flexible material, with a thicker midsole and added padding in critical areas like the ankle and tongue for extra comfort.
Baking your skates in a preheated oven will give you the desired result. This article will explain the procedure for baking and how it helps.
Why Is Baking Important?
Baking hockey skates is a process used to soften and mold the liner of the skate properly. This process is done at home after you’ve already broken in your skates to the shape of your foot.
How Should You Bake Your Skates?
The first thing you need to do is heat your oven to around 150°F. You want it to be within a range of 135°-165°, so use a thermometer if possible.
- Remove the laces and inner liners from the boots. To remove the inner liner, gently pull at the heel of the liner until it comes out of the boot. Put all these pieces aside for now—we’ll get back to them soon!
- Put the boots into the oven for eight minutes. Please do not put them in for longer than eight minutes, or the laces will start to shrink! If the laces shrink, you will need brand new ones.
- Take your skates out of the oven and place them on a flat surface like a tabletop or countertop. Place a towel underneath them so that they do not scratch anything as they cool down slightly over time.
Is It Important to Bake Hockey Skates?
Yes, it is important to bake hockey skates. Hockey skates are made of the same materials that many other sports shoes, namely, plastic. Plastic is a malleable substance and can change shape if you apply heat. Baking hockey skates makes them more malleable to customize the fit.
To best customize your hockey skates, you should have your feet measured professionally and then use these measurements to determine what size skate you need. When you purchase your skates, you should try them on in a store and make sure that they fit properly. If, for some reason, they don’t, you can use heat from a special oven to soften the plastic and mold the skate’s shape around your foot.
It is important to bake hockey skates when you first get them. You should also bake them after each heat molding and at least twice during the season. Baking your skates will help them fit better and last longer. It also prevents odors from forming in your skates, which can be very unpleasant for other people in the locker room.
Step by Step Process For Baking Hockey Skates
So you’re ready to bake your skates, huh? We know you’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. But before you hop in the oven, you should probably make sure you’re doing it right.
1) Start with dry skates.
2) Put the skates on your feet and stand on a sheet of aluminum foil.
3) Fold the aluminum foil into itself around your feet and up to your ankles, making sure the foil is tight around your feet but not so tight that it’s cutting off circulation.
4) Preheat the oven within a range of 135°-165°F.
5) Place the aluminum foil-wrapped skates on a baking sheet in the oven and set a timer for 20 minutes.
6) When time is up, carefully use tongs to take the baking sheet out of the oven and let it cool before taking off the aluminum foil.
Do All Manufacturers Specify a Specific Time for Baking Hockey Skates?
Hockey skates can be baked at many different temperatures, but not all manufacturers specify a specific time at which to bake them. Hockey skate brands like Bauer and CCM generally recommend a maximum of 15 minutes in an oven preheated to 135 degrees Celsius.
The time and temperature that hockey skates should be heated for will depend on the manufacturer’s specifications. If a hockey skate is not heated properly, it can become damaged or even shrink in size. For this reason, it is important to read the manufacturer’s instructions before baking hockey skates.
What Are the Precautions to Take When Baking Hockey Skates At Home?
Baking hockey skates at home can be a great way to save money while ensuring that your skates fit perfectly. If you do choose to go this route, however, there are some important precautions you need to take to protect yourself and your equipment from damage.
First, make sure the oven is off before placing the skates in it. You don’t want to actually bake them—the heat will warp their shape and ruin them. Just let them sit in the heat. This will allow the skates’ material to soften and mold more easily, without damaging them.
Second, have a parent or guardian help you with this process. The last thing you want is for someone to get burned by touching the hot oven or shoes accidentally, so make sure you have an adult present when you’re doing this.
Third, don’t forget about safety! Hockey skates are sharp objects that could easily cut someone if they’re not handled carefully, so always handle them with care when putting them on or taking them off your feet.
Conclusion
You can learn how to bake hockey skates with the steps above. Remember that you’re not aiming to create a mirror finish but rather a dull matte finish. You’re also not baking your skate so that every hole or nick gets repaired, but rather to help seal up the leather and make it a bit more durable. If you want better performance out of brand new skates, bake them!
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