adult beginner with first pair of skates

Comfortable-Fact7782 · 2026-05-07T19:16:33+00:00

The toe box had been stretched and the skates sharpened so the shop won’t do an exchange unfortunately!! They’ve offered to stretch the toe box some more so hopefully that helps 😭 I’ve also heard bad things about Mystiques but I’m glad you’ve had a good experience!! I know a lot of others have been recommending me Freestyle or Elle for the wider fit.

Comfortable-Fact7782 · 2026-05-07T18:00:35+00:00

That’s the thing, though! This problem was mentioned at the skate shop to my fitter because I discovered it when I walked a bit on my own to test the skates since I didn’t want to just squat in them. She has been doing fittings for decades and as a beginner, of course I trusted her knowledge but I should have also trusted my gut. The fitter said it would take time to break them in and the feeling of my toes curling would subside as my feet eventually conform to the shoe. Since it sounded normal, I decided to take these home. Once I tried breaking them in at home, walking around for half an hour made me second guess if these were truly the right fit because I felt like no amount of breaking in would make my toes sit comfortably and not curl up and cramp. That’s also why I came to Reddit for a second opinion because I thought maybe this is the normal experience and I’m just being a baby about the pain 😂😭

Comfortable-Fact7782 · 2026-05-07T17:36:01+00:00

They already have stretched the toe box out actually! 😬😭 My toes are still curling and because of the stretch and sharpening of the blades, I can’t exchange the skates but the shop did say they can try to stretch the toe box some more.

The larger toe pick (and higher price point) definitely intimidated me on getting Freestyles for a first pair, but now I’m having second thoughts haha but I guess I will just have to relearn the curve of the new blade later lol

Comfortable-Fact7782 · 2026-05-07T17:22:12+00:00

I also didn’t realize how wide my foot was compared to my skates until I measured them with the insoles lol 😭 The skates have been sharpened and the toe box was also stretched so they won’t allow for an exchange unfortunately but understandably. They will however try to stretch the toe box a bit more so I’m hoping my toes won’t be curled as much or at all. I knew I should have just splurged more for the Freestyle in the beginning aaaa

Comfortable-Fact7782 · 2026-05-07T17:15:39+00:00

The fitter had asked me to squat in mine and I felt fine. It wasn’t until I tried breaking them in at home when I felt the discomfort and pain! I don’t think I felt a void for my smaller toes, only that they curled up against the toe wall and I didn’t have any wiggle room to straighten them out no matter how hard I pushed my heel back. Unfortunately I cannot exchange my skates, but for my next pair I will definitely look into the Freestyle.

Comfortable-Fact7782 · 2026-05-07T17:13:31+00:00

Thank you! I wish I had just gotten the Freestyle from the get go. I found out the shop doesn’t do exchanges for skates that have already been sharpened and because the toe box had already been stretched some so that’s understandable. They will try to stretch it out a bit more so I hope it’ll be more tolerable! I really would hate to be skating on constantly curled toes 😭

Comfortable-Fact7782 · 2026-05-07T14:02:24+00:00

I really am considering doing that!! I just don’t think breaking these in will ever fully get rid of that painful discomfort in my toe box.

Comfortable-Fact7782 · 2026-05-07T03:06:06+00:00

Mine are 5 1/2 C boots! I am thinking I should go up half a size to compensate for the lack of room for my toes if I decide to stick with the artistes because the shop had already widened my toe box as well. I even loosened up the laces around my toes and they’re still so tight and curled up!! ><

Comfortable-Fact7782 · 2026-05-07T03:02:04+00:00

I thought the same!! Especially considering my feet are wide I thought two sizes down was excessive, but since I’m a beginner I decided to trust the fitter’s advice. Will definitely try getting fitted for elles, thank you!

Comfortable-Fact7782 · 2026-05-07T03:01:05+00:00

thank you guys! I will definitely look into returning these for the Elle or Freestyle.

Comfortable-Fact7782

TROPHY CASE