LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

lemming · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 693 Location: Reading, UK

OK, so due to traffic, I didn't get a chacne to race in my belotti boots, but I have a problem with them anyway, so any advice will be gratfeully received.

They're runbbing on the inside of the foot, just below the ankle toward the front of my foot. They're carbon (not custom though), so there's no padding or obvious boot movement possible.

I need to speak to Belotti Dave to see what he reckons, but what's the generaly consensus...
I have these as options I think at the moment
1. Live with it.
2. Pad around the rubbing area.
3. Perform some DIY skate modifications (seems really dumb).
4. Sell 'em and get some customer boots built (which leads to a whole new post, for obvious reasons).

Gav sort of laughed at me (thanks dude Wink

) and said he had the same thing with his first set. Ideally I'd like to be comfortable for Sardinia (hopefully I won't miss that flight too..)

KateB · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:22 pm Subject:

What kind of rubbing?

If you add too much padding, it can make the pressure worse.

I recommend "zinc oxide tape" - which is an extra tough, extra sticky tape. Essentially it gives you temporarily extra hard skin and eliminates blister formation. I prefer the fabric style which you can get from superdrug, or most pharmacies. It's meant for strapping wounds and dressings.

DIY skate modifications - there is some great advice on this site:
http://www.nettracing.com/heatmold.htm
I'm pretty sure you can do basic ankle heatmoulding to any carbon boot if you've got a heatgun

When I bought my powerslides in Amsterdam, they had a ball and ring pincers, which sorted out something similar to the problem you describe. Skate attack warn to be careful though, as you can rip the stitching if you get too agressive with pincers

Customs - the only people who seem to do well with customs are those who are OKish in a stock boot and then buy the custom version of it. Even Belotti Dave is not happy with his new customs.

cheers
Kate

lemming · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 693 Location: Reading, UK

I think I'll have to post a photo of my foot - (sorry folks).

Obviously haven't explained myself very well.

KateB · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 12:37 pm Subject:

Is it on the arch of your foot? More underneath that up the side?

If so, footbeds may help?

Awaiting the photo

K

lemming · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 693 Location: Reading, UK

Foot.

Warning - do not click this link unless you want to see a nasty photo of my foot...

(You have been warned...)

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jon.whitcutt/foot.jpg

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4107

Ah, the second ankle bone problem, not unknown amongst speedskaters. I have that a little bit, fixed it through heat molding my boot for an extra dent in that area. A temporary alternative I used was to build up a support around that area using moleskin stuck to my foot. You could do the same thing by sticking it to the boot if need be.

lemming · Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 693 Location: Reading, UK

Thanks Mike.

I'm gonna let it heal and then experiment with a neoprene ankle support, some plasters, and hitting it with a hammer (the boot, not my foot).

I like the idea of heating it to remould and will check with Belotti if that is possible, although I may just end up melting the lovely shiny bits.

Time will tell. Worst case scenario, I sell them and get something else... Or just buy a different right boot - the left one is perfect...

KateB · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:12 am Subject:

Looks like a blister to me...Zinc oxide tape is worth a shot

K

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5914

I get that too but I have hardened skin there now and a bit of calcification so it isn't a problem any more... or at least until I get some more boots. If you can sort the boot out then great, if not then you feet will become accustomed over time.