How can you alleviate cramps in your feet when ice skating?

Question

I would really like to participate with my family when they go ice skating but my feet go through excruciating pain after only a couple of minutes of wearing my skates. Besides the classic ladies skate I have tried, mens skates (arches in the wrong spot) and purchased an expensive ladies boot style skate. I've tried different socks etc. but no matter what after just a few minutes in the skate it's like my entire foot goes into a muscle cramp! Does anyone else have this experience? I have a friend who says her feet get cramped after about an hour but she says she is able to just skate it off. In my case the pain is so intense I just have to get the skate off quickly and massage my arches to get my foot flexible again...
can anyone help?
thanks!

Answer 1

Some things about ice skating are tricky. I tend to cramp in my feet also. Male - 6.2. I found it occurs more when I flex my feet to control the skates.
What I found that helps me is a set of ankle pads, older skate shops had them and I still have a set. They wrap around the back of the ankle and insert in the top of the skate. Also boot pads (order eater type) cushion the bottom of the foot so that you do not clench your toes. Also I found no benfit to typing the skates super tight. It tended to annoy my ankles. I keep them snug.
Carl

Answer 2

All my life my feet have cramped while skating. Not as badly as yours obviously, because I'm able to ignore them to continue skating. But I've found that the tighter the boot of the skate fits, the better the foot is at avoiding cramp. It may have something to do with the foot not being able to return the blood up the leg while they're so cold. That's just a guess. You could always try wearing tights with lycra in them to help keep the blood flowing.

The very best insole to use to fill up a skate are the grey felt ones they sell for the inside of winter boots. They are not only supremely cushiony, but they help keep your feet properly warm.

Have you thought of wearing heated socks? Or maybe a set of those arch supports the commercials swear will make you walk pain free for the rest of your life.

Answer 3

Your arch support inserts might be too high now. I had the problem too in my beginner skate before I got competative boots that were made for my feet. The people I ordered my boots from also said that my old boots were too narrow through the middle of my foot which was causing problems for me. If you skate a lot, you might want to look into have your feet traced and measured so that you can order some boots that fit you better. If you only skate for fun, keep trying to find a skate that meets your needs.

Answer 4

yes i have had the same problem as you . i never really keep at it but i belive the solution is to buy some arch supports that you can put in your skates. as well try making sure your skates are warm when you put them on . also make sure you have some room to wingle your toes and move your foot a little bit back and forth not alot just alittle. the most important thing is to get some arch supports

Answer 5

I skate with no socks. Try that. If nothing else helps, you may need to get a pair of custom skates made. It will be expensive, but if you use them all the time, well worth it.

Answer 6

I don't know unless you are just more sensitive to the cold and that isn't something you can do too much about. Maybe some socks from L.L.Beam, ones that keep the feet warmer than regular socks. you could try more calcium, I know low calcium levels cause cramps and may make you more prone to them. Other than that I don't know how you can make that better. So sorry.

Answer 7

Try massagagin your foot before putting on skate to get the blood flowing. Try to strech the muscles in your foot.