Tie your skates? Yes

You mean leaving enough space on top of the skates that allows you to bend? NO. Edea are made just for that and still manage to give you support. The other brands also use that part to hold you in. It could be that your shoe is too hard for you/your skill level. If that is not the case... you could tie it slightly less tight (just slightly), it should still give you plenty support. Another option is this: Its the way it was explained to me at the pro-shop i got them. Do everything as she said for the Jackson, but dont go over-under, but go under-over (like you would tie eg hiking boots) That way it allows for a bit more movenent. I deliberately use it that way, and after wearing them for over a season, they are starting to get softer, so if i feel like they are too soft i can switch to the over-under. The difference between the 2 ways is how firm it holds it... so it makes sense that if your skills are a bit lower in the beginning and the new shoe really firm, you can (and maybe should) allow for more movement in the laces. Later when you get better and the shoe gets softer, switch to the other one to keep your foot secure and stay safe and comfortable.

I love that. I want to start too.😊

Please don’t put your skates in an oven! It’s meant for the ovens that are made by jackson themselves!

Idk about risport, but other brands (Graf and i think jackson as well) have different shoes for foot width, so maybe getting the wide one would be an option. Or if its just a tiiiiny bit too tight you can have them stretched out in the front/widened at the skates shop.

The portion of the skate lacing that needs to be properly snug is at the flexion on your ankle, about where she did the anchoring half-knot, and the lowest/first hook. The higher hooks should be snug enough to hold the boot on, but they don't have to be tight and really should not be cranked tightly. You need to be able to flex your ankles when you bend your knees. The crossed lacing over the mid-foot and the toes does not have to be tight and should definitely not be so tight that it causes foot cramping or pain. There is an artery on the top of your foot that provides blood flow to your forefoot. Lacing over the mid-foot needs to hold the skate on your foot, without impeding the circulation. You should not be able to slide your foot around in the skate, even if the lacing is loose over your toes. If so, the skates are probably the wrong size length or width for your foot. Skates should generally be about a size smaller than street shoes. The boot should be like a glove or a sock over the foot, not loose and not pinchy-tight. Best thing is to have an experienced skate fitter find the right skates for you, if you can, and have them adjust the boots as needed (punch out for a bunion, for example). If you use orthotics in your street shoes, you should use similar orthotics in your skate boots. That definitely improves skating technique and comfort. HTH

@SNCNJCsMom the part around the ankle and about 1-2 eyelets on lower is probably where i tie them too much. It either hurts after a few minutes or it goes completely numb. Problem is when i did a class 10years ago the trainer tied the skates tight all the way so i couldn't really bend in the skate at all. It hurt too but i kinda got used to the "stability " and have problems balancing when the skates are a bit more loose. Other than that i think the fit of the boot is fine. I can wiggle my toes a bit bit other than that the boot is snug

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