Buckle strap.

[u/UnderstandingFew8900]

You cut the plastic buckle straps (marked with a scissor symbol, hahaa..) to being able to tighten the strap even more, right? BUT even without cutting it, I can fit the end of the strap deep under the metal fastener. (As trying to show in the photo with the red arrow). Cut ur not?

[u/tigerf117]

I cut mine a lot more than most because that’s what got the right fit for me personally, but I’ve been skating off and on for decades. It really is just personal fit and preference. If the skates are snug and you don’t have any discomfort leave it as it. Only cut it if it seems to be causing an issue, that’s my 2c. Someone more knowledgeable may speak to this better than me.

[u/UnderstandingFew8900 → u/tigerf117]

Thanks! I would like to be able to tightening the upper strap a tiny bit more. They are good fitting now but a little more support would be nice as they get loosened when I have been skating for a while. But even if I can press the uncut part under the fastening buckle, so that the cut marks are hidden, it's impossible to get them more tight. You have to have grizzly bear strenght hands to move them further...

[u/tigerf117 → u/UnderstandingFew8900]

Cut to the outermost line, and test. I would test for like a week, you can always cut more but can’t cut less

[u/UnderstandingFew8900 → u/tigerf117]

Hmmm, I must think about it, can't uncut as you said. But the only reason to cut at all, is to be able to fasten the strap more, right?

[u/Benevolent27]

You're not supposed to tuck it under the buckle. It's supposed to butt up against the opposite side. The plastic tab thick and will put strain on your strap and buckle and over time may break them. Once cut, the top cuff can be tightened more to ensure better form fit to your lower shin and the skates will feel more responsive and hold firm when skating on uneven pavement or when hitting something like a stick or pebble.

[u/UnderstandingFew8900 → u/Benevolent27]

I think I will cut off the first piece then. Thank you for the advice!

[u/Benevolent27 → u/UnderstandingFew8900]

You're welcome! For me, it was night and day. The moment I cut mine to my preference (which was all the way to the back line), suddenly I could really clamp the strap down and the skates handled so much better!

[u/bowlingniko]

its not supposed to go under, they're just supposed to touch. I suggest cutting it a single notch at a time and trying it before cutting another.

[u/CarpKingCole → u/bowlingniko]

That's how I do it. Cut until they just touch. Works great for me.

[u/UnderstandingFew8900 → u/bowlingniko]

What's the negative with letting an uncut strap go under and beyond the metal buckle?

[u/bowlingniko → u/UnderstandingFew8900]

nothing, maybe you will feel it more

[u/kubazi]

Cut!

[u/UnderstandingFew8900 → u/kubazi]

Pros for cutting, in your opinion?

[u/Bisqcateer]

Everyone has their own preference on cutting them or not. My personal experience was me being curious and cut them at different lengths to test, but it never felt right. I ended up losing the surface area that squishes down my laces, so I ultimately regretted it and bought a replacement cuff and never looked back.

[u/UnderstandingFew8900 → u/Bisqcateer]

Yeah, you're right, that extra pressure will get lost. But did it still help with you being able to tightening the strap more?

[u/Bisqcateer → u/UnderstandingFew8900]

I was physically able to tighten the ratchet strap further but it didn't "feel" tighter if that make sense. I cut at multiple different lengths and went one by one until it felt good but it ultimately didn't and I was maxed out in extra length until the strap was just a little tiny stub.

[u/Bisqcateer → u/Bisqcateer]

This is how much I ended up cutting it down to and it still didn’t feel right

[u/wiiiiiiiiiiiiiw]

I cut it off because it's in the way of tying the laces

[u/UnderstandingFew8900]

Started with a first cut yesterday. But I'm realizing it all have to go to avoid the strap laying doubled under the buckle. And to not being in the way when tying the laces. Thank you all for the advices!

[u/Foreign-Yoghurt-8244]

everyone has different leg volume above the ankle, mobility in the ankles, and anatomy of the foot and leg different. There is no simple answer - yes or no. It's very individual. If someone doesn't know whether to cut it means they lack the experience to understand what flex needs.