How to Bake (Heat Mold) Hockey Skates at Home

Whether you call it “baking” or “heat-molding,” this simple at-home process is a game-changer for customizing your skate fit. In just a few minutes, you’ll eliminate heel slip and hotspots, break in your boots instantly, and take your edge control to the next level. Ready to turn standard skates into a glove-like fit? Let’s dive in.

Before you bake, check to make sure your skates are heat-moldable with the manufacturer or by checking our website. Entry-level or rec level hockey skates are usually not heat molded and can reduce the skate’s life expectancy if done so improperly. Secondly, please give this process your undivided attention.

Quick Guide: Bake (Heat-Mold) Your Skates in 8 Steps

1. Prep Your Station: Put on your hockey socks, untie the laces, and have a baking tray, oven mitt, timer, and thermometer at the ready.
2. Preheat Oven. Set to 175 ¡F (79 ¡C). Use an oven thermometer to verify accuracy.
3. Cool Elements. Once it reads 175 ¡F, turn off the oven and wait 30 seconds to let the heat settle.
4. Bake One Skate. Place a single skate, boot-only, on the tray at center rack. Close the door and start your timer.
5. Watch & Test. After 2 min, quickly open the door and press the boot, if it’s noticeably softer, you’re good. If not, give it 1–2 min more (max 5 min total).
6. Slip In & Lace. Carefully slide your foot in, heel all the way back, then pull laces straight out (not upward) from each eyelet and tie normally.
7. Hold & Cool. Sit with knees at 90¡ for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not stand. Once unlaced, let the skate cool for 12 hours before use.
8. Repeat. Follow steps 2–7 for your second skate to complete the custom bake.

Why You Should Bake (Heat-Mold) Your Skates

• Instant Break-In: Get a personalized fit for your feet that reduces break-in time and increases comfort
• Eliminate Hotspots: The shell and ankle foams contour around the foot to eliminate painful pressure points and unwanted heel lift.
• Better Performance: The locked-in fit means more direct energy transfer for better power and agility through each stride

Detailed Instructions: Bake (Heat-Mold) Your Hockey Skates in 8 Steps

1. Confirm You Can Bake the Skates

   Check that your skates are heat-moldable by verifying on our product pages. Not all boots (especially entry-level/recreational models) can be safely heat-molded.

2. Get Ready to Bake

   Grab a chair, a mat for the skates, baking tray, oven mitt, your hockey socks, and a timer. Keep everything within arm’s reach, no scrambling once the skates are hot.

3. Preheat Oven

   Set oven to 175 ¡F (79 ¡C) and let run for 15 minutes. Use an oven thermometer to confirm accuracy. Before baking, squeeze the skate boot to note its initial stiffness, you'll compare this to the baked boot stiffness in the following steps.

4. Bake Your Skate

   Once preheated, turn off the oven and wait 30 seconds for the heating elements to cool slightly. Place one skate (boot only) on the center rack tray. Bake for 5–7 minutes (check manufacturer guidelines).

5. Slip In & Secure Heel

   Using an oven mitt, remove the skate from the oven. Carefully slide your foot in, avoiding touching eyelets, steel runners, or the roller chassis. Kick your heel onto the mat to seat it fully in the heel pocket.

6. Lace Up Safely

   Lace the skate at about 75% of your normal tension. Pull laces directly outward from each eyelet, not upward, to avoid eyelet ripping.

7. Optional Shrink-Wrap Technique

   Using shrink wrap, continue to wrap from the heel around to the eyelets to pull your foot inwards and downwards until snug, form-fitting tension is felt. For a visual example of the shrink wrap technique, watch our How to Bake Your True Skates at Home video.

8. Hold & Cool

   Sit with knees at a 90¡ angle for 10–15 minutes and do not stand. After unlacing, let skates cool off for 24 hours (or at least 12 hours in a pinch) before use.

Repeat steps 2-7 for your other skate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is skate heat-molding (baking)?

Skate heat-molding, often called “baking”, softens the boot shell and internal foams so they reshape around your foot, delivering a custom-fit feel, eliminating hotspots, and giving you an instant break-in.

How do I prepare before baking my hockey skates?

First, confirm your model is thermoformable by checking the manufacturer’s website or product page. Then get the following: chair, mat, baking tray, oven mitt, hockey socks, timer, and optional shrink-wrap. Untie the laces so you can easily slide your foot in once the boot is warm.

What temperature should I bake hockey skates?

The industry standard is 175 ¡F (79 ¡C). Use an oven thermometer to verify your home or skate oven holds that temperature steadily for a safe, uniform mold.

How long should I bake my skates?

Bake most thermoformable boots for 3-5 minutes. Check at 3 minutes by squeezing the boot with an oven mitt, if it’s noticeably softer, proceed to fitting. Never exceed 7 minutes to avoid over-softening or warping.

Can I bake any type of skate?

Only thermoformable boots, typically only performance and elite-level models should be baked. Always verify on the manufacturer’s site. Entry-level or recreational skates often lack the heat-moldable materials required.

What is the complete baking process?

1. Preheat to 175 ¡F (79 ¡C) and wait 15 minutes.
2. Place one skate (boot only) on a tray and bake for 3–5 minutes.
3. Slip on with hockey socks, lace at around 75% tension (pull laces straight outward).
4. (Optional) Apply shrink-wrap from heel to eyelets for extra anatomical fit.
5. Sit with knees at 90¡ for 10–15 minutes; then let skates cool off-foot for at least 30 minutes (up to 24 hours).

What should I do after baking?

Keep skates unlaced and allow them to cool naturally off your feet for at least 30 minutes (up to 24 hours for a full set).

Can I bake inline or rollerblades?

Yes, if the boot is thermoformable. You don’t need to remove wheels; follow the identical 175 ¡F 3–5 minute bake procedure to mold inline or roller hockey skates.

What benefits do I get from baking my skates?

You’ll eliminate heel slippage and painful hotspots, drastically reduce break-in time, improve energy transfer and power, and enjoy a custom-like fit that boosts comfort and performance.

How many times can I rebake my skates?

You can rebake as needed, typically once per season or when the shell starts to soften. To preserve boot integrity, limit repeats and only rebake when fit adjustments are required.