Skate FAQs

bont.com is priced in USD 

Please click here for the Bont heat molding page. If you have a removable insole, you will need to remove them before heat molding as they may burn and shrink. 

Use our Bont Size Chart by clicking here.

Yes, they all come in pairs unless you see a message that states otherwise which would be extremely uncommon.

If you still have some questions, please e-mail us at general inquiries: info@bont.com

The first difference is that we make each model for three different
sports. Long track ice, short track ice and inline. Each of them has a
different boot height, constructed with varying mounts of different
materials, with different mounting blocks and stiffness. We wouldn’t
advise you try to use a long track boot for inline because it is too
soft. The boot is made with a lot more thermo plastic so long track
skaters can steer the boot. The construction is totally different to an
inline boot.

The Vaypor is constructed to minimize weight and maximize strength.
We use a special thermo set resin and the entire boot is made with
carbon. We also use uni-directional carbon which saves even more weight.
The package skates use the highest grade components like Jesa Swiss
Steel bearings.

The Z is a carbon boot but it uses some fiberglass layers. The
stiffness is similar to that of the Vaypor but it weighs a little more. 

The Jet uses a mix of fiberglass and carbon for the base. It is still
super moldable thanks to our Super mold Technology and it is a lot
lighter than some competitors top of the range boots, but it is heavier
than our Vaypor and Z. If you are just getting into the sport, you won’t
notice the difference. The resin is also slightly heavier than the
Vaypor.

When a parent is buying skates for their child, they want them to be
able to skate for more than one season in them. So typically they buy a
pair of skates that is a size too big so they can grow into them.
However, skates need to support the child's ankles and when the skates
are one size too big, they are too lose around the ankles which can be
dangerous and cause blisters. To solve this situation, we offer a 'Room
for Growth' option. We use the right size boot for the child but we will
add a few mm of length to the boot. In this way, the child can grow
into the boot in the future, but the ankles will fit tight right now. 

Please note that fitting a speed skate is not like fitting a running
shoe. Speed skates need to be stiff to give you support and the sides of
the skates are made with carbon fiber. When you put your foot into a
tight skate, the foot grows in length. Different people’s feet will
become longer than others depending on the composition of fat and
muscles in your foot. As such, two people with the same length feet may
need different size boots. Our size chart is based on feedback from
skaters that have told us the maximum length foot that will fit in each
size boot.

We have a number of solutions. Please see which one best fits your needs:

1. We can build the orthotic into the boot for you and it will be in there permanently. You will need to send the orthotic to us.

2. We build the boot with the orthotic inside but you can remove it. You will not be able to use the boot without the orthotic inside. You will need to send the orthotic to us.

3. You stand on your orthotic while making a pair of molding socks for a
custom pair of boots. The orthotic will then be built into the boot and
you no longer need to use your orthotics for skating.

For options 1. and 2., the price is +$30 on top of any boot you
choose. There is no additional cost for building the orthotic into
a pair of custom boots.

When Mr. Inze Bont first developed his last in 1975
he was a size 8. Over the years as sneaker manufacturers moved to
Asia, last sizes have shrunk. Mr. Bont is now a size 10... So the simple
answer is that our last sizes haven't changed for over 45 years where
as your running shoe manufacturers lasts have changed.

Narrow, wide, and double wide boots are considered semi custom boots
because they have to be made and are not our standard width fit. They
take 6-8 weeks to arrive. 

Our current full custom boot building time is 8-12
weeks and Mybont and semi-custom orders take 6-8 weeks. Adjusting the
width of boots on stock boots also applies to the semi-custom timeline.
Allow extra time after World Championships. 

Semi custom boots can solve a range of problems like wide or skinny feet, boot height etc. Check out our semi custom page to find out more. The cost will be outlined on the item that you are adjusting. 

All of our mid to high level boots and some of our
entry level boots do not use pre-made bases. Most of our bases are hand
laid by our craftsmen and women. This ensures the base doesn't come
apart, ever. The only models that use pre-made bases are our cheapest
entry level models. 

Using the BONT SOX you can easily mold your
orthotics into the boot. Simply place the orthotic on the floor and
place some plastic over it. Then mold your feet using the Bont Sox and
the orthotic will be inbuilt in your foot mold.

Heat mold them. See these heat molding instructions. Another option is to use Ezeefit booties.

There are 2 main causes for blisters. a) Ill
fitting boots, and b) your skating technique. So the first thing to do
is to check that your boots fit properly. If they are one size too big,
that will cause blisters. Next, heat mold your boots. Now let's work on
your technique. If you push backwards with your toes rather than to the
side with your heels, your ankle will no longer be in the right area of
the boot and it will cause pain and blisters. The first thing you need
to do if you have blisters is to let your feet heal because you won't
know if this fix will help if you still have pain. Once your feet heal,
try this. When you skate, hold your toes up against the top of the boot.
It will make it very hard to toe push. Now concentrate on pushing to
the side and with your heel. If someone can video you it would be even
better. In 90% of heel blister cases, this solves the problem. Once
pushing to the side with your heels becomes second nature, you can
forget about lifting your toes up in the boot.

If your boots get wet, you must let them dry out in
the shade, out of direct sunlight. Dry your boots after use, as the
enzymes in sweat will break down the liner. Do not over tighten bolts,
as this may cause the nut to be stripped. Replacement nuts are available
through your supplier.

Take them back to the shop you bought them from
first and let them determine if it is a warranty item. Never send
anything back to us without permission from Bont as we will not pay the
tax unless it has been sent the way we ask it to be sent. If you
purchased the product directly from Bont, please view our return policy.

The height of stock boots is taken from the center of the inside ankle bone. The standard heights are:

Short Track = 3cm

Inline = 2.5cm

Long Track = 2cm

The custom boot height may look different from the height of your friends boots if you have high or low ankle bones as the boot height is based on your ankle bone height.

Please talk to a Bont rep at an event or email shorty@bont.com. Please note we can not always reply to the volume of sponsorship requests via email.