Here is the story of the boots. I used to wear Riedell, some intermediate level boots, size 5.5. They worked and served me well for 15 years. A small problem was that my right foot is 1/2 size smaller so that boot had an extra insole to fill in the extra volume. The other problem with my feet is that I'm in general hypermobile, so flexible. That makes my feet squeeze in for example narrow shoes and for the skiing boots the term "small volume" was used. I also pronate, so my feet go "in", I am wearing arch support that helps to some degree but I still need a custom blade alignment and wedges to adjust the angle of the blade. All of these issues have no impact to my day to day shoes and life. But for skating I need something snug, because I press and move the feet in the boots.
When I needed new boots, is it 2 years now?, I found out that Riedell, that was known to have a narrow last (this is like a production mold) changed the design of the toe box for all their models, by making them higher. The idea was probably to allow that extra volume so the toe could be stretched to accommodate wider toes. I've came to the conclusion that Riedell also changed the back of the foot, the heel cup, design, it enlarged and elongated it. I've tried 3 pairs of boots, some I was able to return, some not, and I've also had and unsuccessful custom boot made. They all felt too large, it was too much volume for me, and I didn't feel secure in the boots. I've tried other brands, of course, but they felt even bigger.
In a desperate attempt to keep skating I ordered on ebay some Riedell boots half a size smaller that my previous ones, so size 5. This fits my right foot with in fact a little extra space, and it is slightly short in lenght on my left foot. I bought the first model from the higher level, stiffer boots line. That is because I've realized the lacing starts lower on these higher level boots so I could tighten more from that high toe box. I also added a felt insole in both boots that helps to fill in the space, and I'm feeling at like 80% from my old boots fit. I kept hoping that after wearing them more, they will close more on my toes and ankle, but up to now I still feel them slightly larger than my old boots. There is nothing more I can do to help these boots in volume.
At this point I need help in aligning my blade, because I've tried myself to align in the space the temporary screws allowed me to play with. I have the feeling I need new holes, only I've better be sure, because you cannot keep putting holes into the sole of the boots. And I'm not sure... I'm wondering if the lack of security I feel is not actually from the extra volume at the ankle. At this point I think I have no other choice than to try...
Only there is one more thing... I needed to stretch forward the left boot, to accommodate the longer foot. And now a feel that the blade would need to be moved forward, only my boot fitter said it is not possible.
I looked back at older posts, I was writing in August that I needed to align my blades. The problem is I'm not sure how.
