Skate Stiffness - Suggestions?

[Rocketman]

I have a dilemma I hope someone here can help with. I have a nine year old - he's a big kid and already wearing senior skates (size 6). Last August, I got him a pair of used Mission 5500 heliums. The frames were slightly cracked between rivets and the rivets were pretty loose along with a footbed that was pretty well worn. Figuring these skates wouldn't last, I found a deal on a pair of Mission Wicked 1's in the same size, as well as a pair of Wicked 3's the next size up. Trouble is, he hates the Wicked 1's saying they are too stiff - he actually skates very less fluidly/naturally in them. I fear I'll get the same response if I try to get him into the 3's. Now the 5500's are really shot, and there's no where to find them anymore. I've baked the 1's twice now to try to improve the fit and break down the stiffness a little, but I need any other suggestions anyone on here may have to offer. I'm not made of money, so I'd really like to get him into the skates we already have, but if not, any suggestions on where to find 5500s (size 6.5/7) - or what has been the equivalent Mission model the last few years since they've stopped making the 5500 - is it the Lieutenant, Assassin or Commander?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[DannyG]

If you wear the skates, the skates will break in.

I continually tell parents the story of my offspring, who steadfastly refused to wear any new skates we got (all in the $299-$399 range), until her toes would be bleeding, and the pair she had really grown out of months ago just wouldn't work one more day.

Then, about two months later, she would be swearing by the new pair in exactly the same way. Nine months later, same scenario, went through this four times...until her feet stopped growing.

You know your son, and I don't, but...

Wear the skates your caring dad gets you, unless you are independently wealthy, and don't need parents who care about you, nine year old, dude...

Dad, there are really about fifteen really good skates out there, from 5 major manufacturers, you can't really go totally wrong.

Good luck, have fun...

[quick_dry]

If you wear the skates, the skates will break in.

I'd normally agree, but since the skates in question are Wicked 1s - I'll respectfully disagree based upon experience.

Wicked 1s do not break in the way other skates do - they're torture devices.

I'm 6'1", 90kgs, and have baked mine about 4 times now. After over 2 years with them and plenty of use (league + tournament) they still don't feel fully broken in. I've bitten the bullet and will be putting the chassis onto a pair of Vapor XXXX boots.

I just baked the XXXX boots and after a couple of skates on the ice before I pull them apart, they're already perfectly comfortable and getting that 'broken in' feeling that the Wicked 1s lack. (It also doesn't help the way they have hard edges under the lining a few inches above your ankle)

Everyone I've talked to with Wicked 1s has had those problems, I haven't heard any complaints about the Wicked 3s, and the current lineup of skates is supposed to be better too.

I'd try him into a few different brands of skates, my foot fits into Bauer and Mission, Easton doens't fit and neither does CCM or Graf. Other guys in my team have Eastons that fit perfectly. Different feet suit different brands.

Find the brand that cuts for his foot.

(If he has specific pain points on the Wicked 1s, wet them down thoroughly, and use a heat gun and the round end of a screwdriver handle or something to work the boot as you need it - might help)

[Hoffer]

I would give them some time. Have you had them baked? You can bake them again and that will help break them in some more. However, as already mentions the Wicked 1’s are very stiff and are like cement blocks. That was a thing with the whole like so the 3’s might also not be your best choice if he cannot break them in.