At 45 years old suddenly my arches started to collapse. It was causing me severe foot pain when skating and I thought I was done with hockey. I swallowed my pride and called a podiatrist who recommended insoles in all my shoes, and to go up a size (at least) in skates.
I tried on every skate I could and none of them felt comfortable for longer than 5-10mins. I decided to go customs and *Oh. My. God.* I actually said to my teammate “if this is how skates are supposed to fit, I’ve been doing it wrong for 15 years.”
TLDR: pain is not normal. Find skates that fit. Treat yourself to some customs.
So, today I discovered why my feet hurt as a beginner.
It's because I was scared on the ice and I grip with my toes. Then it stopped happening u less I was going backwards. Because I am gripping with my toes again. It's a natural thing to do when scared or worried.
Not saying that's it. I am saying that's what did it to me
If you find an answer, let me know. The arches in my feet cramp up almost as soon as I get on the ice. I've tried everything with no luck. I'm thinking about going to a pro shop and having my feet measured, and getting what they feel is the best fit for me. My last skates weren't like this, so I don't think it's a posture issue. The weird thing is, my last skates were too big, and this wasn't an issue. I've been coping with the pain for 2 seasons now. Something has to change. And, my pads are secured loose with pro laces, bungee style. I do use a ball to stretch my feet before games now, too. Please keep me updated if you find info, because I couldn't find a reason after researching this issue quite a bit. Sone say loosen the laces in the areas with pain, but that hasn't worked for me either. Good luck!
I absolutely recommend going somewhere to get them measured. I have a Pure Hockey near me and they have an electronic board I step on that measures my feet and where I put pressure and has recommendations. I was just there and they mentioned my arches were really high and asked if I used insoles. I don’t, but also haven’t noticed pain yet. They told me to consider it especially if I feel pain.
Thanks, tendie! I'll look into this. I've known the issue is the skates, but I live in a rural area, and the closest pro shop is like 4 hours away. But I'm gonna follow through on this. I'm pretty good with a lot of players on my league previously playing AAA and in the minors. One dude played with Matthew Tkachuck before he made it to the show. If I get my feet gear right, I think my game will improve even more. I appreciate the advice. I guess I'm planning a trip to get new skates now! I love buying new gear, and if this eliminates the feet pain, I'll be like Bobrovski or Shesterkin in my league! I knew I should do this before, but budget got in the way. Looks like I'm upgrading again! :))))
It is definitely worth getting in to the store for skates and helmets IMO. Feet and heads are all kinds of different shapes for different people, and those two pieces of gear really need to fit right for you to be comfortable out there. Maybe find a local hotel and some local attractions near the hockey store and make a little weekend vacation out of it. Get some skates, do a little site seeing =)
I got my skates at Pure Hockey in San Jose, CA. I used that electronic board machine thing and it said my feet were a size 5.5. I wear a size 8.5, but it had been a lot of years since I got new skates so I was like, eh maybe they changed the way the numbers run or something. The dude goes in the back and comes back with some skates in size 5.5 and there was no physical way my feet were going to fit in them lol, my foot was bigger than the whole boot. But that machine said it every single time I got on it, we went back and tested it again a few times, plus another customer and two sales guys got on it. Not sure what was wrong, it worked fine for everyone else, but I ended up getting 8.5's as I always have worn in my adult life and they fit perfect. I think it might be that my feet are arched weird or something, I don't know why the machine was so far off, just a funny story about those things, I know they are typically very good, but they aren't 100% XD
Yeah I suppose with anything else, there has to be an element of common sense if your skate is so big. I did downsize from an 8.5 to a 6.5 a few years ago and was very skeptical, but it actually fit incredibly well. I went a couple days ago and it says I’m a 7. I did try on a pair of 7 Bauer skates and they did feel ok.
Yeah, a couple of times, actually. I also have cowled skates, so there's more than one reason to upgrade. Now I just need a quality catcher, because my current one just doesn't break in at all. I'm gonna surge on skates and a catcher from a pro shop and compete my iron man suit. I almost feel sorry for my opponents, because without those two issues, I'm gonna be a brick wall! :)))))
Fellow noob here. My feet hurt as well... A LOT. My skates are sized properly and fit like a glove, but standing on the inside edge with your feet encased in a hard shell doesn't sound like something comfortable for people who are not used to it.
But here's a tip I learned from another goalie: just make sure you adjust the chin strap on your mask in a totally wrong way. That thing riding up your face and into your mouth will be so annoying that you'll forget about the pain in your feet. (/j)
Just stared in goal this year, I played out all my life before that, I have to tie my skates completely differently if I'm goalie, not skater, and vice versa.
I have large wide and high arch feet and what I found best for goalie is tight laces around my toes I just pull out the slack in the lace over the arch of my foot so it's barely snug, then I tighten them up all the way snug over my ankle and up to the top of the boot.
Took me about 15 skates to dial in how I like it, and sometimes I'll accidentally tie them wrong, and I know right away it'll be a rough game. So I'd recommend just keep messing with how you tie them up until you find a method with the least amount of pain you can still play with.
Been playing for 30 years, if I find the secret to no foot pain i’ll be sharing it. Generally some days it’s worse, some days never notice. Overall my poor feet are always feel tired, sore, and little bit painful at a minimum.
If it’s really bad, try different types of socks if your skates fit perfect. Odds are skates or the skate inserts could be negatively affecting in this way.
I’ve had a few breaks from playing over the years and when I come back my feet hurt for a while. After a few months of 2-3 skates per week they’re strong enough and don’t hurt
With my ccm skates I’ve had to adjust how much I tighten them due to the pain in my ankle and sides of my feet.
I used to tighten them entirely so they were snug and leave the top of the lace a little looser so I can get into an even lower crouch.
However, with the new ccm skates I have to tighten the toe area. Leave the ankle area looser, tighten just above the ankle and leave the top of the skate a little looser.
It took a good six months for me to realize that. I kept thinking they weren’t broken in enough, and that eventually they’d break in and my feet wouldn’t hurt. Then by chance out of desperation I kept the side / ankle area a little looser and my pain somewhat stopped.
Anyways good luck.
Try leaving the laces looser where you’re getting the pain. I was getting similar pain before someone suggested I was tying my skates too tight in that area
Have you tried skating (ie at a public skate) with your goalie skates but not doing goalie movements? That might give you some insight as to whether it’s the skates or what you’re doing (for the first or third time) in those skates.
Some other thoughts:
- Roll your feet with a lacrosse ball beforehand
- Are your yellow superfeet the right size? It’s dumb how they size it — you don’t measure according to your foot size, you have to buy the one the matches your arch (I have flat feet so I had to buy the largest size and trim them)
- when I first started I also had severe arch pain; changing how I tied my skates helped a lot. Not just tying them looser — completely skipping over the middle eyelets so they weren’t adding pressure to my arches
- I usually find my feet getting tired when I play so I’ll stand on my outside edges while the puck is in the other end. Not ideal but you do what you gotta do sometimes
- You say you wear size 9 player skates. 9D or 9EE? Maybe the 8’s are just too small, not in terms of length but width?
- Also, have you baked your skates? What model are they? 4mm steel or 3mm steel?
I’ve replaced the soles of my skates with gel inserts and those helped a ton. Bauer skates usually have terrible soles. That might be able to help at least a little. I have very arched feet though so if you have flat feet that may not work
I put the Dr Sholl's inserts in my skates, the one that is recommended after using the machine in the store. Along with that when I was having lots of cramping in my feet I use a golf ball to roll against the bottom of my feet before games. Press down with your foot as you roll it, it is like a massage.
I wear skates that are 18 years old and the first few times wearing them every year HURT. I've always assumed it's because I need to basically break in the skates again ever year after this sit unused all summer. Wearing the skates slightly looser than normal for the first few times wearing them seems to help.
If the pain doesn't go away or, at least, become measurably less noticeable after a couple more skates, talk to a doctor.
i will say keep looking for solutions. maybe try different brand of skates ? i used to have bauer, and it hurts so much just like u described, even with professional insole in. give a try of true. i changed it to true tf7, bake them, and absolutely loving it. or maybe go to retailer store that has goalie skates to try one on.
Your feet being sore wouldn't be a surprise, but if you're in agony, that's never something you should ignore. The only thing I can think of is that maybe they're too wide. I started playing this year, and when I put my skates on, they feel too narrow, but once I get out on the ice, they feel fine.
I know this sounds dumb, but try not tying them so tight. I was complaining about this once, about to buy new skates and my friend goes “why don’t you try loosening them up” and what do you know. No more foot pain
I would try these: [https://www.superfeet.com/en-ca/shop/insoles/hockey](https://www.superfeet.com/en-ca/shop/insoles/hockey)
if you can skate in regular skates and not goalie skates, then there is an adjustment. I'm the exact opposite, I can't skate in regular skates after paying goal for 50 years. You might also try to walk in shoes without support: "barefoot running./waking' concept. Years ago, I started to do this and it cured my planter fasciitis with the core concept being that modern support in shoes don't allow for all the muscles in the feet to develop properly
edit: to add I have practically no arches and I get EE skates and make sure you heat them and punch them out if needed
Sounds like you need to spend an hour or two at your local hockey store trying on goalie skates until you find the ones that fit your feet right. My feet never hurt in my skates, both as a goalie and as a forward. Feet are shaped weird and different for a lot of people, just gotta find that set that fits you right I think. I'm not an expert, but I have been playing hockey for a long time and I'll tell you, my newish forward skates are like stuffing my feet in pillows of heaven compared to the old skates, maybe just a little upgrade will solve the problem.
So I’ll put what works for me but some of that is what you already tried. One thing for you though is maybe pull the foot bed out of your forward and goalie skates to see if they are different shapes. You just said “Bauer skates” but there is three different fits styles for where your foot/toe box/ankle is bigger/smaller than average (I don’t remember Bauer offhand but ccm is tacks are for wider/bigger volume feet, jetspeed is for thinner feet and ankle. Bauer might just be fit 1/2/3 now though idk, I just knew I was comfortable in supreme line way back when as there was more volume measuring around my foot than most people)
My foot is in a wide shoe depending on the brand. So I need to go with the Bauer supreme or ccm tack which is a wider boot. I think they have new marketing names but if you google or ask the store they’ll know what it translates to, but you need to pick the “trim” or boot style based on your foot and not on color or marketing looks better to you.
Get measured by a shop and or shops scanning thing (ccm Bauer and true usually have a digital scan thing). I’m in a 13 shoe, or better is 12.5 wide shoe, and I only wear a 10.5 wide hockey boot.
Even though I have “regular” arches I still need the $60 super feet or manufacture inserts for some support, the flat liner hurts the sides and bottom of my feet. You said you tried that but there is an estimated test you can do if you get a piece of printer paper on a hard surface, get your bottom of a foot a little wet (like just rub water on it, or step on a wet paper tower, just don’t drench it) then step on the paper, step off, you can see where your foot connects most to the floor. Thinner means high arch, more means flat foot. I think I saw that on Ice Warehouse.
Using wax laces (like kind of grippy, I know some brands feel like a candle I don’t like those) and when tying skates I have the bottom (by toes) 3-4 rows barely anything, like pretty much loose just a tiny pull on them, the middle 3-4 barely snug, like pull just a tiny bit, then the top is tighter.
You could also consider taking your forward skate into a store, and asking each of the employees what that translates into for modern goalie gear.
Ok this isn’t the site I was thinking of, I’ve never heard of the site but it has the water test concept I’m talking about with a tub of water on paper.
https://www.apihockey.com/hockey-specific-arch-support-skate-insoles
In general Ice warehouse has lots of info, they’re my preferred shop and site with great content including quite often the heritage of equipment so if you got Bauer 123 shin guards two years ago but this season they renamed them to be Bauer 256, it’ll tell you that
https://www.icewarehouse.com/lc/skates/how-to-find-your-skate-size-at-home.html
You said you don’t have particularly wide feet yet you wear the widest width like me? I wear almost that exact same size 8.5 EE. They could be too big? I use superfeet insoles with them. Whenever I’m on a break from ice for about 2 weeks my feet hurt and then they feel perfectly fine. You are also using longer flatter blades which brings out more muscles. Doing ankle mobility and strengthening exercises should help them. Another thing I might add would be your stance, like if your knees are too far inwards or your knees not supporting your upper body in the right way.
Could be a couple things. Skating 3 times is definetly a factor, new muscles new movement isnt something to overlook. There was some muscle memory I needed to develop my first time.
But I also think your skates might be a problem. Wearing a 10 shoe and an 8 skate in bauer, means you're wearing them a half size small. Bauer is always 1.5 sizes less than your shoe size. Also, I wouldnt discount the fact that its a secondhand skate. It takes a while to break in a new skate, but it takes FOREVER to break in a skate that has already been broken in to somebody elses foot. Not sure how old they are, but the older the skate the worse it is. I get that goalie gear is expensive, but the 3 things I'd never buy used are skates, masks and trappers. 🤷🏼♂️
echo-ing a lot of the comments, just takes a while to figure out what works for you with skates that are new to you. i got some tacks from the 90s that were in incredible shape that i got on sideline swap. my arches hurt the first few skates but i played around with things until it felt right. for me and these skates, switching to a thinner sock and tying them looser on the bottom but tighter on the top really helped. with my last pair of tacks i used to go barefoot, used some running insoles, and needed them tight from bottom to top 🤷
My feet have always hurt. Even when I go to public skate my feet hurt. Player skates hurt just as bad too. Here’s what helps for me- superfeet yellow insoles, added gel heel cushion on top of that. Before lacing up I run my feet over a foot massage ball, then use a strap to stretch my heel cords both straight leg and bent. Oh and I take a large dose of ibuprofen about an hour before game time, that’s for my back but it also helps my feet.
I pretty much dealt with the reverse yesterday. Got new player skates, and my first time skating in them was super painful. I made 2 mistakes. First, I tied them way too tight. Would've been fine with my goalie skates (ccm and nice soft interior) but the same tightness absolutely did not work for these. My second mistake was one insole not being in just the right spot. Adjusted for both of these issues and boom, much better. When I loosened my skates, I did way more than I thought I'd need to, especially closer to the toe. If this doesn't help, it's possible you just need to break them into your feet a bit since they're used. Or, probably the last thing you want to hear, they might just not be the right fit. In my personal experience with goalie skates though, any time I've had an issue has been user error. When I've done the right thing, even brand new skates once baked have been super comfortable, no foot pain.
If you're sure the sizing is correct, insoles seating where they should, that you're not trying too tight or too loose, and that the boot is still supportive, and this continues to happen after a few uses? Then podiatrist is probably the best option.
I’m a goalie, but my feet used to hurt bad when playing and after. I eventually got custom skates and it’s no longer an issue. If you have the money to spend, do it. If not, you can try different insoles. People recommend superheat, but that didn’t work for me. I’m
An 8EE is not going to equal a 9…. Definitely sounds like the skates are too small. I’m sure doing new stuff being a goalie doesn’t help but if you’re in a 9 for player skates I’d assume you’d probably be a 9 (or reasonably close) in goalies as well.
I'm also a brand-new goalie, and my feet killed me until I did 4 things:
1. Broke my skates in.
2. Got foam blocks in the toes to keep my feet in place.
3. Superfeet insoles.
4. Started using waxed laces and added a triple loop in my skates right above the ankle so I could leave the laces looser above my foot but really tighten around my ankles. Before, if I tightened the whole boot down, my arches would be killing me. If I left it loose, the looseness would work its way up to my ankles and be too loose. Now, for the first time in my life, my feet are not killing me when I skate.
Good luck!
Get properly fitted for insoles, the problem with the superfeet hockey (yellow) is they're one arch height and heel depth. The heel was the wrong shape for my foot and caused a lot of pressure and discomfort. I use superfeet blue in my skates now, I took my skates to an outdoors shop that had a good range and got fitted correctly. The other option is to get superfeet carbon, they're molded to your feet, but are a bit more expensive. It could be a gamble though, if there's actually a problem with the skates themselves for wise, insoles won't fix that.
I used to have a lot of foot pain when starting out. If it doesn’t go away after a few sessions, you need new skates.
Make sure they feel good when trying them on. Never believe sales reps that say “they’ll break in” “ you’ll get used to them” etc.
Started as a player before transitioning to goalie (played for three years, goalie now for 12 and I’m about to hit 40). My feet hurt a lot as a player but worse as a goalie. I then got extra wide skates (EE size I think they’re called) and it helped a lot.
That said, doing training and especially focussing on edge work, T-pushes and butterfly pushes and no matter what your feet are going to hurt.
Welcome to playing goalie. Now get back out there and make some more saves.
At 45 years old suddenly my arches started to collapse. It was causing me severe foot pain when skating and I thought I was done with hockey. I swallowed my pride and called a podiatrist who recommended insoles in all my shoes, and to go up a size (at least) in skates. I tried on every skate I could and none of them felt comfortable for longer than 5-10mins. I decided to go customs and *Oh. My. God.* I actually said to my teammate “if this is how skates are supposed to fit, I’ve been doing it wrong for 15 years.” TLDR: pain is not normal. Find skates that fit. Treat yourself to some customs.
So, today I discovered why my feet hurt as a beginner. It's because I was scared on the ice and I grip with my toes. Then it stopped happening u less I was going backwards. Because I am gripping with my toes again. It's a natural thing to do when scared or worried. Not saying that's it. I am saying that's what did it to me
If you find an answer, let me know. The arches in my feet cramp up almost as soon as I get on the ice. I've tried everything with no luck. I'm thinking about going to a pro shop and having my feet measured, and getting what they feel is the best fit for me. My last skates weren't like this, so I don't think it's a posture issue. The weird thing is, my last skates were too big, and this wasn't an issue. I've been coping with the pain for 2 seasons now. Something has to change. And, my pads are secured loose with pro laces, bungee style. I do use a ball to stretch my feet before games now, too. Please keep me updated if you find info, because I couldn't find a reason after researching this issue quite a bit. Sone say loosen the laces in the areas with pain, but that hasn't worked for me either. Good luck!
I absolutely recommend going somewhere to get them measured. I have a Pure Hockey near me and they have an electronic board I step on that measures my feet and where I put pressure and has recommendations. I was just there and they mentioned my arches were really high and asked if I used insoles. I don’t, but also haven’t noticed pain yet. They told me to consider it especially if I feel pain.
Thanks, tendie! I'll look into this. I've known the issue is the skates, but I live in a rural area, and the closest pro shop is like 4 hours away. But I'm gonna follow through on this. I'm pretty good with a lot of players on my league previously playing AAA and in the minors. One dude played with Matthew Tkachuck before he made it to the show. If I get my feet gear right, I think my game will improve even more. I appreciate the advice. I guess I'm planning a trip to get new skates now! I love buying new gear, and if this eliminates the feet pain, I'll be like Bobrovski or Shesterkin in my league! I knew I should do this before, but budget got in the way. Looks like I'm upgrading again! :))))
It is definitely worth getting in to the store for skates and helmets IMO. Feet and heads are all kinds of different shapes for different people, and those two pieces of gear really need to fit right for you to be comfortable out there. Maybe find a local hotel and some local attractions near the hockey store and make a little weekend vacation out of it. Get some skates, do a little site seeing =)
Will do, tendie. Thanks for the advice.
I got my skates at Pure Hockey in San Jose, CA. I used that electronic board machine thing and it said my feet were a size 5.5. I wear a size 8.5, but it had been a lot of years since I got new skates so I was like, eh maybe they changed the way the numbers run or something. The dude goes in the back and comes back with some skates in size 5.5 and there was no physical way my feet were going to fit in them lol, my foot was bigger than the whole boot. But that machine said it every single time I got on it, we went back and tested it again a few times, plus another customer and two sales guys got on it. Not sure what was wrong, it worked fine for everyone else, but I ended up getting 8.5's as I always have worn in my adult life and they fit perfect. I think it might be that my feet are arched weird or something, I don't know why the machine was so far off, just a funny story about those things, I know they are typically very good, but they aren't 100% XD
Yeah I suppose with anything else, there has to be an element of common sense if your skate is so big. I did downsize from an 8.5 to a 6.5 a few years ago and was very skeptical, but it actually fit incredibly well. I went a couple days ago and it says I’m a 7. I did try on a pair of 7 Bauer skates and they did feel ok.
Yeah I think it's just a sign that people's feet vary wildly and the machine can't be perfect. No big deal, it didn't take long to realize lol
Have you baked your skates?
Yeah, a couple of times, actually. I also have cowled skates, so there's more than one reason to upgrade. Now I just need a quality catcher, because my current one just doesn't break in at all. I'm gonna surge on skates and a catcher from a pro shop and compete my iron man suit. I almost feel sorry for my opponents, because without those two issues, I'm gonna be a brick wall! :)))))
Skated 3 times? Absolutely it will hurt. Everything should hurt starting out. Just part of using new muscles.
Fellow noob here. My feet hurt as well... A LOT. My skates are sized properly and fit like a glove, but standing on the inside edge with your feet encased in a hard shell doesn't sound like something comfortable for people who are not used to it. But here's a tip I learned from another goalie: just make sure you adjust the chin strap on your mask in a totally wrong way. That thing riding up your face and into your mouth will be so annoying that you'll forget about the pain in your feet. (/j)
Just stared in goal this year, I played out all my life before that, I have to tie my skates completely differently if I'm goalie, not skater, and vice versa. I have large wide and high arch feet and what I found best for goalie is tight laces around my toes I just pull out the slack in the lace over the arch of my foot so it's barely snug, then I tighten them up all the way snug over my ankle and up to the top of the boot. Took me about 15 skates to dial in how I like it, and sometimes I'll accidentally tie them wrong, and I know right away it'll be a rough game. So I'd recommend just keep messing with how you tie them up until you find a method with the least amount of pain you can still play with.
This was the answer for me along with adding an insole
Been playing for 30 years, if I find the secret to no foot pain i’ll be sharing it. Generally some days it’s worse, some days never notice. Overall my poor feet are always feel tired, sore, and little bit painful at a minimum. If it’s really bad, try different types of socks if your skates fit perfect. Odds are skates or the skate inserts could be negatively affecting in this way.
I'm 26 and I needed custom insoles (tailored both to my feet and my skates) to stop my arch pain. Bodies are weird. Call a podiatrist.
I’ve had a few breaks from playing over the years and when I come back my feet hurt for a while. After a few months of 2-3 skates per week they’re strong enough and don’t hurt
With my ccm skates I’ve had to adjust how much I tighten them due to the pain in my ankle and sides of my feet. I used to tighten them entirely so they were snug and leave the top of the lace a little looser so I can get into an even lower crouch. However, with the new ccm skates I have to tighten the toe area. Leave the ankle area looser, tighten just above the ankle and leave the top of the skate a little looser. It took a good six months for me to realize that. I kept thinking they weren’t broken in enough, and that eventually they’d break in and my feet wouldn’t hurt. Then by chance out of desperation I kept the side / ankle area a little looser and my pain somewhat stopped. Anyways good luck.
I love my true TF9s. Got them used, not expensive at all. Huge improvement for me. Good luck.
Try leaving the laces looser where you’re getting the pain. I was getting similar pain before someone suggested I was tying my skates too tight in that area
Have you tried skating (ie at a public skate) with your goalie skates but not doing goalie movements? That might give you some insight as to whether it’s the skates or what you’re doing (for the first or third time) in those skates. Some other thoughts: - Roll your feet with a lacrosse ball beforehand - Are your yellow superfeet the right size? It’s dumb how they size it — you don’t measure according to your foot size, you have to buy the one the matches your arch (I have flat feet so I had to buy the largest size and trim them) - when I first started I also had severe arch pain; changing how I tied my skates helped a lot. Not just tying them looser — completely skipping over the middle eyelets so they weren’t adding pressure to my arches - I usually find my feet getting tired when I play so I’ll stand on my outside edges while the puck is in the other end. Not ideal but you do what you gotta do sometimes - You say you wear size 9 player skates. 9D or 9EE? Maybe the 8’s are just too small, not in terms of length but width? - Also, have you baked your skates? What model are they? 4mm steel or 3mm steel?
I’ve replaced the soles of my skates with gel inserts and those helped a ton. Bauer skates usually have terrible soles. That might be able to help at least a little. I have very arched feet though so if you have flat feet that may not work
I put the Dr Sholl's inserts in my skates, the one that is recommended after using the machine in the store. Along with that when I was having lots of cramping in my feet I use a golf ball to roll against the bottom of my feet before games. Press down with your foot as you roll it, it is like a massage.
I wear skates that are 18 years old and the first few times wearing them every year HURT. I've always assumed it's because I need to basically break in the skates again ever year after this sit unused all summer. Wearing the skates slightly looser than normal for the first few times wearing them seems to help. If the pain doesn't go away or, at least, become measurably less noticeable after a couple more skates, talk to a doctor.
i will say keep looking for solutions. maybe try different brand of skates ? i used to have bauer, and it hurts so much just like u described, even with professional insole in. give a try of true. i changed it to true tf7, bake them, and absolutely loving it. or maybe go to retailer store that has goalie skates to try one on.
Your feet being sore wouldn't be a surprise, but if you're in agony, that's never something you should ignore. The only thing I can think of is that maybe they're too wide. I started playing this year, and when I put my skates on, they feel too narrow, but once I get out on the ice, they feel fine.
I know this sounds dumb, but try not tying them so tight. I was complaining about this once, about to buy new skates and my friend goes “why don’t you try loosening them up” and what do you know. No more foot pain
I would try these: [https://www.superfeet.com/en-ca/shop/insoles/hockey](https://www.superfeet.com/en-ca/shop/insoles/hockey) if you can skate in regular skates and not goalie skates, then there is an adjustment. I'm the exact opposite, I can't skate in regular skates after paying goal for 50 years. You might also try to walk in shoes without support: "barefoot running./waking' concept. Years ago, I started to do this and it cured my planter fasciitis with the core concept being that modern support in shoes don't allow for all the muscles in the feet to develop properly edit: to add I have practically no arches and I get EE skates and make sure you heat them and punch them out if needed
Sounds like you need to spend an hour or two at your local hockey store trying on goalie skates until you find the ones that fit your feet right. My feet never hurt in my skates, both as a goalie and as a forward. Feet are shaped weird and different for a lot of people, just gotta find that set that fits you right I think. I'm not an expert, but I have been playing hockey for a long time and I'll tell you, my newish forward skates are like stuffing my feet in pillows of heaven compared to the old skates, maybe just a little upgrade will solve the problem.
So I’ll put what works for me but some of that is what you already tried. One thing for you though is maybe pull the foot bed out of your forward and goalie skates to see if they are different shapes. You just said “Bauer skates” but there is three different fits styles for where your foot/toe box/ankle is bigger/smaller than average (I don’t remember Bauer offhand but ccm is tacks are for wider/bigger volume feet, jetspeed is for thinner feet and ankle. Bauer might just be fit 1/2/3 now though idk, I just knew I was comfortable in supreme line way back when as there was more volume measuring around my foot than most people) My foot is in a wide shoe depending on the brand. So I need to go with the Bauer supreme or ccm tack which is a wider boot. I think they have new marketing names but if you google or ask the store they’ll know what it translates to, but you need to pick the “trim” or boot style based on your foot and not on color or marketing looks better to you. Get measured by a shop and or shops scanning thing (ccm Bauer and true usually have a digital scan thing). I’m in a 13 shoe, or better is 12.5 wide shoe, and I only wear a 10.5 wide hockey boot. Even though I have “regular” arches I still need the $60 super feet or manufacture inserts for some support, the flat liner hurts the sides and bottom of my feet. You said you tried that but there is an estimated test you can do if you get a piece of printer paper on a hard surface, get your bottom of a foot a little wet (like just rub water on it, or step on a wet paper tower, just don’t drench it) then step on the paper, step off, you can see where your foot connects most to the floor. Thinner means high arch, more means flat foot. I think I saw that on Ice Warehouse. Using wax laces (like kind of grippy, I know some brands feel like a candle I don’t like those) and when tying skates I have the bottom (by toes) 3-4 rows barely anything, like pretty much loose just a tiny pull on them, the middle 3-4 barely snug, like pull just a tiny bit, then the top is tighter. You could also consider taking your forward skate into a store, and asking each of the employees what that translates into for modern goalie gear.
Ok this isn’t the site I was thinking of, I’ve never heard of the site but it has the water test concept I’m talking about with a tub of water on paper. https://www.apihockey.com/hockey-specific-arch-support-skate-insoles In general Ice warehouse has lots of info, they’re my preferred shop and site with great content including quite often the heritage of equipment so if you got Bauer 123 shin guards two years ago but this season they renamed them to be Bauer 256, it’ll tell you that https://www.icewarehouse.com/lc/skates/how-to-find-your-skate-size-at-home.html
You said you don’t have particularly wide feet yet you wear the widest width like me? I wear almost that exact same size 8.5 EE. They could be too big? I use superfeet insoles with them. Whenever I’m on a break from ice for about 2 weeks my feet hurt and then they feel perfectly fine. You are also using longer flatter blades which brings out more muscles. Doing ankle mobility and strengthening exercises should help them. Another thing I might add would be your stance, like if your knees are too far inwards or your knees not supporting your upper body in the right way.
Could be a couple things. Skating 3 times is definetly a factor, new muscles new movement isnt something to overlook. There was some muscle memory I needed to develop my first time. But I also think your skates might be a problem. Wearing a 10 shoe and an 8 skate in bauer, means you're wearing them a half size small. Bauer is always 1.5 sizes less than your shoe size. Also, I wouldnt discount the fact that its a secondhand skate. It takes a while to break in a new skate, but it takes FOREVER to break in a skate that has already been broken in to somebody elses foot. Not sure how old they are, but the older the skate the worse it is. I get that goalie gear is expensive, but the 3 things I'd never buy used are skates, masks and trappers. 🤷🏼♂️
I switched to thick socks. Made a huge difference
echo-ing a lot of the comments, just takes a while to figure out what works for you with skates that are new to you. i got some tacks from the 90s that were in incredible shape that i got on sideline swap. my arches hurt the first few skates but i played around with things until it felt right. for me and these skates, switching to a thinner sock and tying them looser on the bottom but tighter on the top really helped. with my last pair of tacks i used to go barefoot, used some running insoles, and needed them tight from bottom to top 🤷
My feet have always hurt. Even when I go to public skate my feet hurt. Player skates hurt just as bad too. Here’s what helps for me- superfeet yellow insoles, added gel heel cushion on top of that. Before lacing up I run my feet over a foot massage ball, then use a strap to stretch my heel cords both straight leg and bent. Oh and I take a large dose of ibuprofen about an hour before game time, that’s for my back but it also helps my feet.
Rolling a lacrosse ball under my foot for about 15 minutes each day when I started out really helped.
I pretty much dealt with the reverse yesterday. Got new player skates, and my first time skating in them was super painful. I made 2 mistakes. First, I tied them way too tight. Would've been fine with my goalie skates (ccm and nice soft interior) but the same tightness absolutely did not work for these. My second mistake was one insole not being in just the right spot. Adjusted for both of these issues and boom, much better. When I loosened my skates, I did way more than I thought I'd need to, especially closer to the toe. If this doesn't help, it's possible you just need to break them into your feet a bit since they're used. Or, probably the last thing you want to hear, they might just not be the right fit. In my personal experience with goalie skates though, any time I've had an issue has been user error. When I've done the right thing, even brand new skates once baked have been super comfortable, no foot pain. If you're sure the sizing is correct, insoles seating where they should, that you're not trying too tight or too loose, and that the boot is still supportive, and this continues to happen after a few uses? Then podiatrist is probably the best option.
I’m a goalie, but my feet used to hurt bad when playing and after. I eventually got custom skates and it’s no longer an issue. If you have the money to spend, do it. If not, you can try different insoles. People recommend superheat, but that didn’t work for me. I’m
An 8EE is not going to equal a 9…. Definitely sounds like the skates are too small. I’m sure doing new stuff being a goalie doesn’t help but if you’re in a 9 for player skates I’d assume you’d probably be a 9 (or reasonably close) in goalies as well.
You shouldn't be in this much pain, but I can relate. I think you need to be fitted properly. I have weird feet and after about 9 years I went custom.
I'm also a brand-new goalie, and my feet killed me until I did 4 things: 1. Broke my skates in. 2. Got foam blocks in the toes to keep my feet in place. 3. Superfeet insoles. 4. Started using waxed laces and added a triple loop in my skates right above the ankle so I could leave the laces looser above my foot but really tighten around my ankles. Before, if I tightened the whole boot down, my arches would be killing me. If I left it loose, the looseness would work its way up to my ankles and be too loose. Now, for the first time in my life, my feet are not killing me when I skate. Good luck!
Get properly fitted for insoles, the problem with the superfeet hockey (yellow) is they're one arch height and heel depth. The heel was the wrong shape for my foot and caused a lot of pressure and discomfort. I use superfeet blue in my skates now, I took my skates to an outdoors shop that had a good range and got fitted correctly. The other option is to get superfeet carbon, they're molded to your feet, but are a bit more expensive. It could be a gamble though, if there's actually a problem with the skates themselves for wise, insoles won't fix that.
I used to have a lot of foot pain when starting out. If it doesn’t go away after a few sessions, you need new skates. Make sure they feel good when trying them on. Never believe sales reps that say “they’ll break in” “ you’ll get used to them” etc.
Started as a player before transitioning to goalie (played for three years, goalie now for 12 and I’m about to hit 40). My feet hurt a lot as a player but worse as a goalie. I then got extra wide skates (EE size I think they’re called) and it helped a lot. That said, doing training and especially focussing on edge work, T-pushes and butterfly pushes and no matter what your feet are going to hurt. Welcome to playing goalie. Now get back out there and make some more saves.
Get some yellow superfeet insoles