NSD! Sizing question...

[u/whodatvape]

After weeks of deliberation and research, ended up going with the RB Lightning 90's. I ordered them in both the 9/9.5 and the 10/10.5 since I've seen many mixed opinions about the sizes and there is no place near me to try them on. My running shoes are 10W Hokas, and I've always worn wide shoes. Received the 10/10.5 today and the liner (removed from the boot) fits my foot perfectly. I mean tight, like it was custom fit for my foot, but not cramped or squishing my toes. With the liner out, I put my foot inside and to the front and there is a little bit more then 2 fingers behind my heel and the back of the boot. Question is, is this too much space? The liner seems to fill out the boot perfectly with just a slight bit of room to flex my feet, but not have them slide or move around. Also wondering if the 9/9.5 will come with the same size liner, but just a slightly smaller boot, and if I should wait to try them on. Don't want to run into a situation where they stretch so much that they eventually become sloppy, which I've read happens to people sometimes. Thanks for any input!

[u/Wheel-Sure]

You should definitely wait and try the 9/9.5 on. What have you got to lose if they’re already on their way?

Did you measure your feet and consult the size chart? If so, which size were you expecting to fit better? I’m asking because “I’m a size 10 in shoes” doesn’t really matter for skates. There’s a lot more room for error in a shoe than a skate.

It’s normal for a skate to be uncomfortably tight, but not painful, before it’s broke in. Comfy before break in can mean sloppy after break in.

[u/whodatvape → u/Wheel-Sure]

Crap, i knew i forgot to mention that lol. I measured my foot at 26.6cm.

[u/Wheel-Sure → u/whodatvape]

By size chart alone, if I were you, I’d worry that the 9/9.5 is too big.

I have a 26.5cm foot and wouldn’t have even thought about 10/10.5. The measured foot suggestion for 10/10.5 is a full cm (a whole size) larger than your measured foot.

[u/whodatvape → u/Wheel-Sure]

I understand. I've read multiple reviews of people having to size up and size down, that's why i just ordered both sizes. Unfortunately, the 9's wont be here for another 10 days, so Ill have to just stare at these until then, to verify. That's what sucks about not having a brick and mortar anywhere near me to go try some on. At least there's Amazon! Ill let ya know how it all works out. Thanks for the reply!

[u/sjintje → u/whodatvape]

Can't help, but one thing to be conscious of is whether reviews are talking about up and down sizing compared to their normal shoe size or compared to their recommended size based on foot length and sizing chart.

[u/Wheel-Sure → u/whodatvape]

Yeah every foot is different. Sometimes the hardest part of skating is finding the equipment that’s right for you. And very few people have stores close enough to try things on. Good luck!

[u/BubbleSmith → u/Wheel-Sure]

Yeah, I'm 26.4 cm and have the EU 40.5 - 41 boot in the Twister XT. It fits perfectly save for a little pressure point on one toe. OP would probably be fine with that skate, as that's just a quirk of my left foot specifically. The lightnings are wider and softer, so would be even less of an issue. The next size up would probably be a bad fit, as you'd be right on the bottom end of the sizing.

[u/khal_dakka_720 → u/Wheel-Sure]

I got the lightning 90s and I have a 27.5 cm long and 10.5 cm wide foot (I wear a 10 wide as well). The 10/10.5 with the footboard sizer in it is perfect for me. You're almost a whole centemeter shorter so I would think the 9/9.5 would be your best bet.

[u/tangerina7]

9/9.5 both the liner and the shell should be of a smaller size than 10/10.5. For some older RB skates the brand used the same shell for multiple sizes but did not sold it as such (so 9 and 9.5 were separate units but had same shell and different liners but liner expands anyway so it didn’t made much sense). Now they do it more transparently were as you can see they cover two sizes (9 and 9.5) with the same shell and liner.

It’s unfortunate the other size didn’t arrive at the same time. Based on your foot measurement from the other comment, you are at the lower end of 9/9.5, it seems it should fit you better lengthwise. 2 fingers behind the heel is max space recommended and I’m surprised you don’t have even more space there on 10/10.5 when looking at the size chart.

You can watch this or this video, maybe it would be beneficial for you.

[u/slavo316]

I chose to go with my shoe size on Lightning 110s. With the liner out and heel pushed back, my toes are just within a thumbs width to the tip. I do have a high volume, slightly wider feet.

I took the liner out and flexed the tongue backwards and bent and twisted liner to help break them in. I wear them around the house as well. I found out I have an accessory navicular with these 😂 they did eventually break in and I can't feel the bone anymore. Those first couple of skates were terrible 😂 Not sure if doing this helped speed up the process or not 😂 I'll say I'm able to tighten the lower buckle to the second click now. The strap is still as big as it can go though. The top buckle has always been on second click and probably could go third but for what I do, not really needed.

It does seem like the snugness is the same as me. Tough it out once you get the right size and it'll work out.

[u/whodatvape → u/slavo316]

Thanks for the feedback! I will be getting the 9/9.5 in Sunday so I'll be able to report back. But yeah, the liner that came with the 10/10.5 fits me perfectly snug. I just can't comprehend how things could stretch out so much that the skates become unusable. I'm just trying to get the most comfortable fit to where skating for a couple hours at a time is enjoyable. Also I know there are many other factors that many people leave out of fitting conversations such as what type of skating you do, for me it's just casual skating rink trips with my daughters, but also getting in to supplemental cardio routines other than my normal running. I don't do tricks, jumps, "wizard", drop-stops, etc. I just want to get the right fit, and not have a situation where they become unusable in the future.

[u/astmatik]

Sorry to say that, but 2 fingers means skates are too loose. I would definitely swap them for a smaller size. Loose fit is impossible to fix.

[u/DepressedMatt]

Paying attention to this. I'm a 9.5 or 9 running shoe and have been waiting to order the 9/9.5's but they remain OOS. Now I know why lol. I also saw people saying to size up but was thinking the 10's may be too big for me.