Breaking into new roller skates is one of the most compulsory rituals any skater will partake in, as most manufactured skate shoes are not lined with the average human feet. So, it needs some fine-tuning, stretching, melting, and tons of other methods to perfectly shape the skate shoes to your fit.
As a new skater or as a new Riedell roller skate user, congratulations on acquiring one of their skate shoes because Riedell is one of the biggest names that provide beautiful and very efficient roller skates and has been in existence for over 75 years.
So, as you go through the other additional information on skating and skate’s shoes, you no longer need to wait longer as here are the 6 ways to break in your new Riedell roller skates:
6 ways to break in your new Riedell Roller skates
If you ask me the defined and registered ways to break into your new Riedell roller skates, I can assure you that there are no defined rules as anything that can stretch out the leather and not damage the exterior part of the shoes goes. In this list, you will see methods and materials that may sound un-shoe-like, but trust me, they work and have been used and tested by thousands of people.
1. Stuffing
This is the oldest and my go-to method of increasing my skates size. Anything that can stretch out and fit inside my skates is used, ranging from old clothes and socks to newspapers and old books. For a better fit or structure, I invest in shoe stretchers.
Shoe stretchers can either be plastic, metallic, or mostly wooden and are cut to a replica of the human’s feet. They are available for sale online or in your local cobblers shop.
For extra stretching effectiveness, get a stretching shoe size that is one size higher than your standard shoe size and force it into the roller skates. Leave it in for 8 hours or more for a better stretching effect.
2. Get your skates to heat molded at home or professionally
Heat molding is one of the popular ways skaters use in breaking into their new roller skates properly. It can be performed at home as a DIY or taken to a professional molder with the right equipment.
Professionally, heat molding is done by preheating and heating a molding oven to a specific temperature. Then the skates are put into the oven to warm and soften the leather.
This softness makes it possible for the shoes to be stretched out in any way and to any level of extremity, depending on the kind of leather used.
If you can’t find a professional show molder, don’t fret, as there are some techniques you can apply to suffice as the molder’s oven.
3. DIY shoe molding
Through a conventional oven: Although there are mixed reactions when using a traditional oven that is used to heat ingested foods. I don’t think it’s terrible as the shoes have not been used to ply public roads and the oven is cleaned after warming the shoes immediately.
Start by removing all the metallic, plastic, or rubber parts from the roller skates, including the wheels, the bearings, and the frame.
Preheat the given to a temperature range of 75°C – 85°C and put in the shoes for about 15 to 30 minutes to properly soften the leather.
Get the shoes and let them cool to a lukewarm temperature before stuffing them in your feet.
Ensure you wear double-thick socks to expand the shoes and keep them on for at least one hour.
Through a hairdryer: Hairdryers are known to be one of the equipment with versatile use, and it is also popular in roller skates break-in.
Start by setting the dryer to a medium heat temperature. Put on a pair of thick, wet socks and wear the skates for almost an hour to stretch out the leather and heat the spots that cause you discomfort before putting it off finally.
Use leather conditioners: There are standard conditioners to wash the hair from dirt, and there are leather conditioners. Leather conditioners are chemical substances infused with zinc and other oils to prevent cracks, create a waterproof shield, and eventually help expand leather materials.
Start by cleaning off any existing dirt on the shoe’s surface. Apply a pea or dime-sized amount of leather oils and rub evenly on Riedell roller skates.
Wipe off any excess oil that may travel down the leather surface and use your hands to stretch out the areas causing any discomfort.
4. According to science, apply the freezing water in a Ziploc bag method
Do you know the average molecules of water expand when they freeze? Well, the massive discomfort of non-stretched roller skates has allowed skaters to implement this expansion property of water molecules in developing their roller skates.
Fill up one-third of normal freezer zip lock bags with water, secure them shut, and double the bags to prevent any spillage.
Stuff in as many as the Riedell shoes can contain and ensure every hole and space inside is covered with a water-filled zip lock bag.
Freeze the shoe overnight or until the water hardens properly and remove. Let the frozen bags thaw inside the shoe before fitting in your feet.
Remove the bags of water and put on the roller skates, if they still give you the tight feeling, repeat the process mentioned above.
5. Use steam
Steam also provides leather the same stretching effect it gives to garments and fabrics. Using steam requires caution to prevent from steam-related injuries and also to prevent your shoes from damaging.
It is best to steam your skates by consulting a professional service. They will use the right equipment to provide the required amount of steam to your roller skates.
If you cannot afford the services of a professional shoe steamer or you live in an area with no shoe steamer, there are DIY methods that will provide almost the same effect.
The first is to use the average household garment steamer on your roller skates.
Gently direct the nozzle of the steam machine over the roller skate shoes and go over each part of the skates repeatedly. This should take at least 3 to 5 minutes, as each region should receive 30 seconds of consistent steam supply.
Use a tea kettle in place of a steamer: I understand owning a steamer is not an essential household appliance, so it is a tea kettle to suffice in its absence.
Although using a tea kettle will require more caution as the kettle will constantly receive heat to ensure a consistent supply of steam.
When the water begins to boil, and the steam from the nozzle becomes more consistent, take your roller skate to the nozzle and allow the steam to penetrate the leather.
Follow the same process and time required as above with the steamer. After steaming, wear the roller skates with a thick sock as the steam has softened the leather, and stretching is easier.
Finish the skates with a leather balm to seal off the cracks that may have occurred during steaming.
6. Learn new lacing techniques:
30% of skaters complain that their shoe discomfort do not need breaking in but re-lacing. Re-lacing your roller skates can drastically give you a more fulfilling experience, and coupled with breaking in, you are assured of almost no pain or discomfort.
By maneuvering the laces through the eyelets and leaving spaces or making extra adjustments, you can solve half of your skate’s discomfort like toe slipping, compressed ankles, heel slipping, flat feet, high arches, and more.
Other tips include:
If you are a sufferer of any medical condition that affects the bones of the feet, there is a higher chance you may feel more discomfort and require different methods in getting comfortable.
Also, skating without insole protection or heel and feet coverage may mount extra pressure on these parts, causing you pain. Ensure you invest in foamy, plastic, or metal insoles and adequately position them inside the skates for an extra cushioning effect.
Conclusion
Although breaking in their new Riedell roller skates (Link to Riedell website) solves most roller skates’ discomfort, choosing the wrong skate sizes seems to be the culprit. New skaters often select half or one size down their original measurement and then force the leather to expand up to their original size.
But how do I know how to choose my size; it is simple. Your regular shoe measurement that is flats and sneakers sizes equate to your skate size. Sometimes choose a size that is one size larger than your original shoes.
When you put on a new skate shoe, it should not tingle or give you any form of unbearable discomfort. Do not overlook these pressure points in your shoes, as they will eventually aggravate into something more unbearable.
