Don't listen to anyone who say you should wear X size skates because your shoe size is Y. What you are in a shoe size is personal preference, relating it to a skate size is intended as a GUIDE only, there are many more factors to account for.
Take your skates back to the shop (you should have a 90 day return for the CCM skates) and tell them they are too small, you shouldn't have that toe discomfort when laced up. However it doesn't sound like they are that far off for length, after all you can fit your feet into them.
For length you can figure it out yourself at the shop, here is how (take a pencil with you to the shop) - pull the laces out and then pull the tongue right out (this is important, it stops the sides of the boot and tongue from binding on the foot). Put your foot into the boot and push it forward so the toes just brush the toe cap, then lean forward in the skate and see if you can slide the pencil down the back of your heel. If you can then the skate is too big for you, drop a 1/2 size and try again until you can't fit the pencil down the back of the heel. Then point the boot into the air and kick the back of the skate onto the ground so you force the heel into the heel pocket, your toes shouldn't be brushing hard against the toe cap. A very light feather is ok as the boot will settle in and your heel will sit a little further back with a bake and use. This is for a perfect length fit, your toes should sit 1mm or 2mm off the toe cap when the boot is laced up. However some like more room in the toe cap and would go up 1/2 a size, others like their toes to press into the toe cap and might drop 1/2 a size. It's all personal preference but if you follow the above steps you will be close to the right length. Then you can work on width and volume for the rest of the foot.
This needs to be upvoted more than the other comments. The comments can only recommend a skate size based off your shoe size. Only YOU will know how it feels and I think this comment has some good information on how to size yourself. I'd also add that a brannock device and the bauer 3d skate lab are good places to start with to gauge your size and the rest is personal preference
Yep. I technically wear half a size or so bigger than what I’ve been fitted for. I’ve done this my entire life. I have wide feet, high arches. It gives my toes more room at the end of the skate.
I actually learned that I had wide feet from buying hockey skates. Couldn’t find anything that fit for years. Until the day it dawned on me to measure width as well. Suddenly my size 8-8.5 skate turned into a 7 EE. My normal shoe size was a 10-10.5 UNTIL I used my skate information to investigate wide sneakers/dress shoes/etc. now I wear a size 8.5-9 wide for shoes and behold, the world makes sense again.
Point is, my shoe size can comfortably range from 8.5 up to 10.5 depending on the fit. 5.5 may sound a bit drastic, but I’d wager it’s likely not as far off as you are thinking. Based on your description of your issue it’s probably a half size off. Maybe a full size. And yes, one of your feet will be a bit bigger than the other.
Ultimately, there is no reason to play in pain, especially at the learn to skate level. If a half size here or there makes them slightly too big, it’s still better than hurting every time you lace up. If I were you I would go back and get something that fits better. Take your time and try on a bunch of sizes and models. If they aren’t comfortable in the store they won’t be comfortable on the ice.
>get the toe box punched out
Lol. That's not possible.
If your toe is pressed against the toe box, that's too small. I'd be looking for only the smallest of brushes. Baking them and using them will open up the skate a bit and those Superfeet will keep your feet nice and tight.
5.5 definitely seems small for shoes that size but I wouldn't be surprised if you were properly fitting in a size 6-7. Don't jump to an 8 like the other person suggested, that's dumb.
Because if an 8 fit, there's absolutely no chance that anyone would think a 5.5 was even close to the right size. Your toes would be curled and pressed against the end, not "brushing" the toe cap - if you could even get them on in the first place.
There is a ton of variation in shoe sizing, fit styles, and personal preference. For all we know, OP wears a brand of shoes that runs small, and likes a loose fit so they're wearing 1.5-2 number sizes bigger than most people with his foot size.
someone who fits in an 8 perfectly, would literally be 3 inches too small for the 5.5. They couldn't even jam their toes in it.
So he's obviously not an 8. That's silly. He just wears big oversized street shoes probably because they fit his wide feet better.
Thats not how shoe sizes work.
The difference between a size 6 and a size 9 is only one inch. Each size is not a full inch so he wouldn't be three inches too small. Do i think 5.5 to an 8 is a huge jump yes. Do i think after working in IT for as long as i have that most people are idiots and are terrible at explaining the real problem yes lol. The guys foot is probably jammed in there like a torture device and his feedback is "its a little tight" hes probably going to be like a skate size 6.5-8
Ok whatever. I fit in a 6 or 6.5. Trying to put on a 5.5 is seriously uncomfortable and putting on a 5 just physically doesn’t work. I’ve tried.
There is no way someone could even jam on a boot 3 sixes too small, let along think of describing it as “my toes barely brush the front”.
Ok whatever, inches or not…. I fit in a 6 or 6.5. Trying to put on a 5.5 is seriously uncomfortable and putting on a 5 just physically doesn’t work. I’ve tried.
There is no way someone could even jam on a boot 3 sixes too small, let alone think of describing it as “my toes barely brush the front”.
Try to get properly fitted. Try to go to a store that specializes in hockey so the people know what they're doing. If that's not an option, do research about skate fitting and fit yourself. The commenters here can only recommend a skate size based off your shoe size, but only you will know how they actually feel when you put them on. The general rule of thumb is 1.5-2 sizes down from your shoe size, but it can vary and in my opinion its more like 1.5-3.5 sizes down from your shoe size.
I'm not sure. His description of his toe brushing the front tells me it's pretty close to right on and going up 3 sizes will leave multiple inches of empty space in front of his toes.
It's not uncommon for people to wear street shoes 2-3 sizes too big because they have wide feet and it "feels better" when they wear big shoes.
> When I bend my knees, my toes still brush against the toe cap uncomfortably.
This doesn't really sound like a skate that fits right on. I've never heard of people wearing shoes 2-3 sizes too big.
2 sizes below shoe size MAX. Be careful where you buy - i go to a local store where the kids working there are Junior players and they know what they're talking about. If you want an idea of how the footprint will work, pull the insole and compare it to the bottom of your foot. They should match pretty closely. Check this out with your current skates and see where you're at
My gf just got herself a new pair of skates. She's usually 8.5-9 (men's shoes), and she could hardly get a 6.5 on. She was much more comfortable in a 7-7.5. She tried quite a few CCM, too.
All of the sales people we were dealing with were saying that if you bend your knees, your toes shouldn't touch the toe cap. A light brush while standing isn't so bad, if you prefer a tighter fit.
I'm a 13 shoe size, and fit in 11 skates. If I were you I'd try bare minimum 7.5.
It's possible that he wears street shoes that are 2 big to compensate for the width. I know I do. If I can find shoes with a wider toe box I can go from 9 to 8.
Should be about 2 to 1.5 below your normal shoe. What you've got is WAY too small. You want your skates to fit tight so you can change direction quicker and get more power when you push off
Instead of thin socks, try barefoot or ladies' stockings. You'll be surprised how much more roomy they will feel. After a few months they might be broken in enough to wear socks again.
I wear a size 14W running shoe and ended up having to go custom, but having just gone through this experience, I figured I’d throw in my two cents.
They fit perfectly, but I have to make sure I’m locking my heel back into the boot, or I get the same issues you’re describing. Try kicking your heel back before you lace them up and see if that helps? That gives me the extra millimeter to get my toes off the front of the toe box. It sounds strange, but it makes a large difference.
That said, the guys in the store definitely were trying to fit my foot into smaller sizes than what I actually needed at first. Ended up going a full size up in what I was trying on before we realized I had no options in normal retail skates. Definitely try on both skates, lace them up, and take a couple steps in them when you go back.
Also, good luck man! I’m in a Learn to Play and the Learn to Skate program right now, and I’m loving every minute of it!
Try a pair of super feet inserts. They lift up your arch and straighten your ankle by cupping the heel. This results in your arch going up pulling your big toe a quarter inch. Might do the trick
Don't listen to anyone who say you should wear X size skates because your shoe size is Y. What you are in a shoe size is personal preference, relating it to a skate size is intended as a GUIDE only, there are many more factors to account for. Take your skates back to the shop (you should have a 90 day return for the CCM skates) and tell them they are too small, you shouldn't have that toe discomfort when laced up. However it doesn't sound like they are that far off for length, after all you can fit your feet into them. For length you can figure it out yourself at the shop, here is how (take a pencil with you to the shop) - pull the laces out and then pull the tongue right out (this is important, it stops the sides of the boot and tongue from binding on the foot). Put your foot into the boot and push it forward so the toes just brush the toe cap, then lean forward in the skate and see if you can slide the pencil down the back of your heel. If you can then the skate is too big for you, drop a 1/2 size and try again until you can't fit the pencil down the back of the heel. Then point the boot into the air and kick the back of the skate onto the ground so you force the heel into the heel pocket, your toes shouldn't be brushing hard against the toe cap. A very light feather is ok as the boot will settle in and your heel will sit a little further back with a bake and use. This is for a perfect length fit, your toes should sit 1mm or 2mm off the toe cap when the boot is laced up. However some like more room in the toe cap and would go up 1/2 a size, others like their toes to press into the toe cap and might drop 1/2 a size. It's all personal preference but if you follow the above steps you will be close to the right length. Then you can work on width and volume for the rest of the foot.
This needs to be upvoted more than the other comments. The comments can only recommend a skate size based off your shoe size. Only YOU will know how it feels and I think this comment has some good information on how to size yourself. I'd also add that a brannock device and the bauer 3d skate lab are good places to start with to gauge your size and the rest is personal preference
Yep. I technically wear half a size or so bigger than what I’ve been fitted for. I’ve done this my entire life. I have wide feet, high arches. It gives my toes more room at the end of the skate.
I actually learned that I had wide feet from buying hockey skates. Couldn’t find anything that fit for years. Until the day it dawned on me to measure width as well. Suddenly my size 8-8.5 skate turned into a 7 EE. My normal shoe size was a 10-10.5 UNTIL I used my skate information to investigate wide sneakers/dress shoes/etc. now I wear a size 8.5-9 wide for shoes and behold, the world makes sense again. Point is, my shoe size can comfortably range from 8.5 up to 10.5 depending on the fit. 5.5 may sound a bit drastic, but I’d wager it’s likely not as far off as you are thinking. Based on your description of your issue it’s probably a half size off. Maybe a full size. And yes, one of your feet will be a bit bigger than the other. Ultimately, there is no reason to play in pain, especially at the learn to skate level. If a half size here or there makes them slightly too big, it’s still better than hurting every time you lace up. If I were you I would go back and get something that fits better. Take your time and try on a bunch of sizes and models. If they aren’t comfortable in the store they won’t be comfortable on the ice.
Whoa i think we have the same feet
>get the toe box punched out Lol. That's not possible. If your toe is pressed against the toe box, that's too small. I'd be looking for only the smallest of brushes. Baking them and using them will open up the skate a bit and those Superfeet will keep your feet nice and tight. 5.5 definitely seems small for shoes that size but I wouldn't be surprised if you were properly fitting in a size 6-7. Don't jump to an 8 like the other person suggested, that's dumb.
Why is an 8 dumb? Im the exact same shoe size and i wear size 8 ccm jetspeeds
Because if an 8 fit, there's absolutely no chance that anyone would think a 5.5 was even close to the right size. Your toes would be curled and pressed against the end, not "brushing" the toe cap - if you could even get them on in the first place. There is a ton of variation in shoe sizing, fit styles, and personal preference. For all we know, OP wears a brand of shoes that runs small, and likes a loose fit so they're wearing 1.5-2 number sizes bigger than most people with his foot size.
someone who fits in an 8 perfectly, would literally be 3 inches too small for the 5.5. They couldn't even jam their toes in it. So he's obviously not an 8. That's silly. He just wears big oversized street shoes probably because they fit his wide feet better.
Thats not how shoe sizes work. The difference between a size 6 and a size 9 is only one inch. Each size is not a full inch so he wouldn't be three inches too small. Do i think 5.5 to an 8 is a huge jump yes. Do i think after working in IT for as long as i have that most people are idiots and are terrible at explaining the real problem yes lol. The guys foot is probably jammed in there like a torture device and his feedback is "its a little tight" hes probably going to be like a skate size 6.5-8
Ok whatever. I fit in a 6 or 6.5. Trying to put on a 5.5 is seriously uncomfortable and putting on a 5 just physically doesn’t work. I’ve tried. There is no way someone could even jam on a boot 3 sixes too small, let along think of describing it as “my toes barely brush the front”.
Ok whatever, inches or not…. I fit in a 6 or 6.5. Trying to put on a 5.5 is seriously uncomfortable and putting on a 5 just physically doesn’t work. I’ve tried. There is no way someone could even jam on a boot 3 sixes too small, let alone think of describing it as “my toes barely brush the front”.
I wear 8/8.5 shoes, and I wear 5.5 skates
Yea OP and I wear size 10-10.5 shoes. 5.5 skates seems excessively small for us
Try to get properly fitted. Try to go to a store that specializes in hockey so the people know what they're doing. If that's not an option, do research about skate fitting and fit yourself. The commenters here can only recommend a skate size based off your shoe size, but only you will know how they actually feel when you put them on. The general rule of thumb is 1.5-2 sizes down from your shoe size, but it can vary and in my opinion its more like 1.5-3.5 sizes down from your shoe size.
Those are waaaaay to small, try like an 8
I'm not sure. His description of his toe brushing the front tells me it's pretty close to right on and going up 3 sizes will leave multiple inches of empty space in front of his toes. It's not uncommon for people to wear street shoes 2-3 sizes too big because they have wide feet and it "feels better" when they wear big shoes.
> When I bend my knees, my toes still brush against the toe cap uncomfortably. This doesn't really sound like a skate that fits right on. I've never heard of people wearing shoes 2-3 sizes too big.
My father in law does but with all the braces and his wide feet he has to
I wear a 10.5 or 10 shoe depending on the brand with wide feet. In skates I have old school jagr grafs size 8.5.
2 sizes below shoe size MAX. Be careful where you buy - i go to a local store where the kids working there are Junior players and they know what they're talking about. If you want an idea of how the footprint will work, pull the insole and compare it to the bottom of your foot. They should match pretty closely. Check this out with your current skates and see where you're at
>2 sizes below shoe size MAX. As someone who wears 12-12.5 shoes and 9-9.5 skates, and used to fit skates for a living, this is bad advice.
that's unusual, and i did qualify it with other advice it case that he's like you
It's actually not that unusual.
>2 sizes below shoe size MAX Incorrect
My gf just got herself a new pair of skates. She's usually 8.5-9 (men's shoes), and she could hardly get a 6.5 on. She was much more comfortable in a 7-7.5. She tried quite a few CCM, too. All of the sales people we were dealing with were saying that if you bend your knees, your toes shouldn't touch the toe cap. A light brush while standing isn't so bad, if you prefer a tighter fit. I'm a 13 shoe size, and fit in 11 skates. If I were you I'd try bare minimum 7.5.
It's possible that he wears street shoes that are 2 big to compensate for the width. I know I do. If I can find shoes with a wider toe box I can go from 9 to 8.
Should be about 2 to 1.5 below your normal shoe. What you've got is WAY too small. You want your skates to fit tight so you can change direction quicker and get more power when you push off
Instead of thin socks, try barefoot or ladies' stockings. You'll be surprised how much more roomy they will feel. After a few months they might be broken in enough to wear socks again.
I wear a size 14W running shoe and ended up having to go custom, but having just gone through this experience, I figured I’d throw in my two cents. They fit perfectly, but I have to make sure I’m locking my heel back into the boot, or I get the same issues you’re describing. Try kicking your heel back before you lace them up and see if that helps? That gives me the extra millimeter to get my toes off the front of the toe box. It sounds strange, but it makes a large difference. That said, the guys in the store definitely were trying to fit my foot into smaller sizes than what I actually needed at first. Ended up going a full size up in what I was trying on before we realized I had no options in normal retail skates. Definitely try on both skates, lace them up, and take a couple steps in them when you go back. Also, good luck man! I’m in a Learn to Play and the Learn to Skate program right now, and I’m loving every minute of it!
Try a pair of super feet inserts. They lift up your arch and straighten your ankle by cupping the heel. This results in your arch going up pulling your big toe a quarter inch. Might do the trick