5 Tips to Prevent Foot Pain from Roller Skating

You’re rolling along, wind in your hair, not a care in the world. And then: OUCH! There’s something wrong with your foot. It’s time to take off your skate and see what’s causing that pain. Just like any other type of footwear, it’s possible to get blisters or other painful foot issues from roller skates, usually due to improper fit. If you notice any pain while roller skating, check out these tips to help you identify the problem. (And since we’re not doctors, please consult yours if you experience pain that can’t be solved with any of these quick fixes!) 

How to Prevent Pain or Blisters from Roller Skating

If you’ve ever broken in a new pair of shoes or gotten your feet wet while running, you’ve probably experienced the pain of a blister. While small and relatively harmless if treated properly, they can really hurt, taking a lot of the fun out of skating. 

Make sure you’re wearing well-fitted skates.

Wearing improperly sized skates is just begging for blisters. If your skates are too big, they’ll slide all around your foot, causing friction. If they’re too small, they’ll rub all of the areas where they’re too tight. The best way to find your perfectly sized skates is to visit your local skating rink’s pro shop for guidance. 

Step up your sock game.

One of the easiest ways to manage foot pain from roller skating is to wear good socks. You can either wear a thick pair of socks, or if needed, layer two pairs. This will add a layer of padding that should help to mitigate the friction causing your blisters. Be sure to choose moisture-wicking, breathable socks to keep your feet as dry as possible!

Develop a thick (mole)skin.

Moleskin is sold in sheets at pharmacies, and is invaluable when it comes to banishing blisters. You can cut a shape to fit over the part of your skate boot that is chafing, and the soft moleskin fabric will pad and protect the area. Plus, once you try it, you’ll want to use it on all of your less-than-comfortable shoes, from leather dress shoes to formal heels. 

Break your skates in slowly. 

Another common malady for skaters is tongue bite or lace bite. There are a couple of main causes of lace bite, and one is skating for a long time after a period of not skating, or skating in new skates for a long time without working up to it and breaking them in. To avoid it, wear your skates around your house for a little while each day, working up from a few minutes to half an hour or more. When you skate, warm up with your new skates, then switch back to your older pair for the rest of the session. 

Lace your skates differently.

The other cause of lace bite is tight or improper lacing of the skate boot, which puts excessive pressure on the top of the foot and can cause pain and soreness. This is an easy fix, as all you need to do is re-lace your skates! There are several lacing techniques to prevent lace bite, so see which one works for you. 

Hopefully one or more of these tricks can help you solve your skating problem and get back on a roll. Happy skating!