How to Heat Mold Hockey Skates at Home

If you want a more personalized fit and to reduce the break-in time for your hockey skates, heat molding or baking them in your home oven is an easy and effective option. It is important to make sure your skates are in fact heat-moldable since some entry-level or recreational skates may not be.

This process applies to ice hockey and roller hockey skates too. Ice hockey skates will not need their steel runners removed and roller hockey skates will not need their wheels removed.

1. Confirm that your skates are heatmoldable by checking with the manufacturer or the product pages on our website. Not all skates are heat moldable such as entry-level or recreational skates.
2. Prepare all necessary equipment and keep it within reach. This includes a chair to sit on, a mat for the skates, a baking tray, an oven mitt, hockey socks and a way to keep track of time.
3. Preheat your oven to 175F (79C) and wait 15 minutes. We recommend using an oven thermometer for complete accuracy as some oven thermometers are not as accurate. Squeeze the skate boot before they are put into the oven so you can gauge the change in stiffness that is to come.
4. Once ready, turn off the oven and wait 30 seconds for the heating elements to cool. Place the skates on the baking tray and place it on the center rack. Leave the skates in the oven for 5-7 minutes and please note this may differ depending on the manufacturer.
5. Using an oven mitt, remove the skates, sit down on the chair and slip the skates onto your feet. The skates will be warm, be sure not to touch the eyelets, steel runners (ice skates), or chassis (roller skates). Kick your heels on the skate mat ensuring your heels are securely in the heel pocket.
6. Lace up the skate with about 75% tension and make sure to pull directly outward from the eyelets and not upward.
7. Using shrink wrap, continue to wrap from the heel around to the eyelets to pull your foot inwards and downwards until snug, form-fitting tension is felt. For a visual example of the shrink wrap technique, watch our How to Bake Your True Skates at Home video.
8. Sit with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle for 10-15 minutes. Do not stand or apply pressure as your skates cool down and the skate foams form around your foot. After the time has expired, untie the skates and wait 24 hours before using them. If you are in a pinch, you can place the skates in the freezer and use them after 12 hours.

In conclusion, heat molding your hockey skates is a must for players looking to improve their performance and comfort. With the right approach and your full attention, this simple process will make an immediate improvement and doesn't require you to leave the house!

What is skate heat molding?
Heat molding is the process of heating up the hockey skate's boot and internal foams so that it may adjust and adapt to an individual's unique foot shape for a personalized fit.

What should I do before baking my hockey skates?
Check to make sure your hockey skates are heat-moldable, prepare everything you will need including a shrink wrap, chair, mat, hockey socks, baking tray, oven mitt and a clock. You will also want to untie the skate laces to the point where you can easily slide your foot in.

What temperature should I bake my hockey skates at?
The ideal temperature to bake hockey skates is 175F (79C) and we recommend using an independent thermometer for the most accurate oven temperature gauge.

How long do you bake hockey skates for?
Most hockey skates should be baked for 5 to 7 minutes but this depends on the manufacturer.

Can I bake any type of hockey skates?
While most hockey skates are heat moldable, you should confirm this before baking. Some entry-level or recreational skates are not heat-moldable.

How do I bake my hockey skates?
Preheat your home oven to 175F, wait 15 minutes, turn it off and wait another 30 seconds. Place your skates on a baking tray in the middle of the oven. Wait 5 to 7 minutes, depending on the manufacturer. Remove the skates with an oven mitt, lace them up pulling outward (not upward) with 75% tension. Use the shrink wrap around the heel and the eyelets to pull the foot inward and downward. Sit for 10-15 minutes with your knees bent at a 90-degree angle.

What should I do after baking my hockey skates?
Relax! The hard part is done and your skates will be game-ready in 24 hours. if you are in a pinch and need to use your skates sooner than that, place them in the freezer.

Can I bake my rollerblades or inline skates?
As long as the boot is heat moldable, rollerblades and inline hockey skates can be baked as well. The best part is that you will not need to remove the wheels to do this either, simply follow the same directions above.

What are some other benefits of baking my hockey skates?
Most importantly, baking your hockey skates will make them fit your unique foot shape significantly better than if you didn't bake your skates. A better fit means more comfort and more power through every stride!

Can I bake my hockey skates multiple times?
You can bake your hockey skates multiple times if you need to, but we do suggest keeping the number of times to as low of a number as possible.