Homemade Ice Hockey Boot Punch Out

Had some pain under my interior ankle bone that was making skating pretty painful. So, I made a basic boot punch with some things I had around the house. I think my pain was caused by an accessory navicular, which is a little extra bone in my foot under my ankle, but this approach should help regardless of the cause of your pain.

[@Udimet720]

Great tip here! I did this to my son’s skates when they were giving him an issue. His ANB was getting sore and enflamed. Worked like a charm! I used sockets (from a wrench set). You can pick and choose the size to get the right shape. I did have to redo it after about 2 months. But he was on the ice 4-5x per week.

[@marketingspark]

My son has been complaining about his CCM Tacks, so I've jumped on your approach and using a golf ball.

[@brianlee1933]

Thanks for the tip. I used a PVC piece and a short large round headed bolt and nut. My 2x pro inline skates didn't need this but my $80 supreme one.8 ice skate sure do.

[@johnnyrc9304]

I think I'm gonna try this with a golf ball, and a 24mm socket on the outside.

[@greasykhaleesi6264]

You can also use a G clamp, some pvc pipe and a golf ball. Does the job well

[@cooperlong5413]

Golf ball is a good idea. I got a new set of tacks around Christmas and used a G-clamp with the coins in the bottle cap and that worked well here, too.

[@dakuwan]

Thanks for the tip. I'm going to try this myself (with a golf ball too). I have the same issue in the same location of my foot. If you haven't already, you should look up "accessory navicular bone"

[@cooperlong5413]

dakuwan yep, that is exactly what I have too- the accessory navicular.

[@snakeeyes037]

I have the same issue but only in my left inside ankle inside the boot same pressure point that causes so much pain. I need to try this

[@kdlittlehawk]

I have the same damn' problem. The guy in the video (Cooper) and I have what is called a "accessory navicular" bone. It's an extra bone which is located below the ankle and towards the toes and is easily recognizable. No amount of baking will fix this. It's got to be punched out. It's a real pain in the ass as the area you need to punch out is so close to the eyelets. A C-clamp works well too.

[@berry1426]

I have this exact same problem!!! The accessory navicular bone & the pain is excruciating after skating for a while

[@Ethan-ly8dg]

@@berry1426 Me too!!!

[@floater156]

I’m here because I have pain in the exact same spot. So painful to skate!

[@shogekimura]

awesome video!! totally going to try this.

[@gekirangerviolet]

Does it last? Or do I have to keep redoing it

[@kalinhristov3299]

Hello, I have the same problem, bought new skates, baked them and the spot is very painful again. Everyone is telling to punch out them, but I think in my hockey store there isnt special machine. What you recommend? Thanks

[@DhockeyG]

Nice work

[@leoabad9361]

Anyone here tried their skates getting punched out? Same issues with my new heat molded skates - zero issues during fitting and molding but after trying them on ice the next day, my ANB was in pain. Is it effective (punching out)?

[@WmLatin]

Good idea- Thanks for posting!

[@vitality7195]

I'm thinking to fix leg, not each skates, moreover carbon

[@ericschleppenbach3519]

Great idea!

[@Bodycomp101]

Awesome 👍

[@Nygge1982]

is hard to punch out at the small toe area, right? i been bending with my hand and a screwdriver, but it makes little to no difference. Almost as the boots reshapes itself over the night.

[@cooperlong5413]

Peter Negan yeah I think you need a legit press of some sort for that because it is so reinforced there

[@Jlird808]

If its on the hard toe cap...thats a tough one. If not, did you heat it up first?

[@Nygge1982]

For me the problem with my Bauer Supreme 160 skates is that the hard cap plastic toe cap is narrow compared to other brands and models, but it is only my little toe that sort of get pinched a tiny bit. Heating it up with my hair dry blower does nothing.

[@was2dog]

Think it’s just the skates? I have the same pair and the same problem

[@cooperlong5413]

Nope- I went to some higher end CCM Tacks shortly after I modified these that were fully heat moldable (and did the same adjustment to them). I think it is that we have that different bone structure... The accessory navicular

[@was2dog]

Cooper Long I was planning on either trying custom or a different type of skate. Thanks bro

[@flitsplik5750]

that “ankle” bone is a genetic mutation that i also have, you have to get surgery to remvove it

[@cooperlong5413]

Mutation or polymorphism? I'd argue the accessory navicular is the latter because it is a population attribute and estimated to occur in 4-14% of individuals. Not a big enough deal personally to justify being cut on to "fix" when I can just modify a skate, though!

[@flitsplik5750]

@@cooperlong5413 yes a navicular, for me its super bad, cant were crocs, i guess i’l get the surgery some time soon

[@flitsplik5750]

@@cooperlong5413 and yes u can fix it by punching the skate, thats why im here. Thx for the vid