Equifit Gel Bands Question

[ecileh]

[Cross-posted to Riders with Health Issues]

I broke my ankle last fall and have some hardware in there now. It changed the shape of my leg enough that I had to order new (custom) boots–which are wonderful except for the fact that one of the creases at the ankle seems to be perfectly positioned to press right on the hardware–which can be rather painful.

I’m wondering about the gel bands as adding a bit of padding, but I can’t tell how thick they are from the video on the Smartpak Site. There is room in my boot at the ankle (done on purpose to accommodate swelling), so I have some space to play with…anyone have any thoughts?

I’m a fox hunter and we’re about to start our season, so grinning and bearing it for hours in the saddle isn’t really an option…

[IPEsq]

I’ve used them to help break in new boots to help prevent blisters. While of course they add some thickness, it’s not too much so that I can’t wear tight new boots. The gel does squish down some. I think it’s worth a try if you are just trying to dull the squeeze from the crease.

[Dubarry]

If you have ever worn those special blister bandids, that’s what the gel bands remind me of. Like IPEq, said they squish down. I love mine and they make a world of difference when wearing new boots.

[Jo]

What kind of socks are you wearing? I had to give up on Zocks completely thanks to the bling in my ankle and lower leg, but wearing a thicker athletic sock has helped a ton.

[Woodsperson]

I used the gel bands while breaking in the boots from hell. The definitely helped. What worked better for me was wrapping my ankles in vet wrap.

[amb]

I think they’re a good bet; thickness isn’t bad, about the same as… winter socks, maybe? Or 3-4 turns of vet wrap?

Some of the web sites aren’t clear, but the tall ones are one-per-pack and twice as high as the short ones that come two per pack. You’re getting the same amount of band either way, and five seconds with scissors will turn one tall into two short. (Also earlier this year the black ones were being discontinued; they might still be around someplace on clearance, but aside from color they’re exactly the same.)

[mydogs]

I used this while breaking in my boots. So much easier to use than my Equifit gel band, especially in the summer.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nexcare-Absolute-Waterproof-First-Aid-Tape-1-in-x-5-yds/10890118

Since I didn’t know exactly where to expect blisters, I placed two pieces of tapes next to each other.
It had enough padding to help reduce the pain but not cause my boots to fit too tight. I could barely zip up my custom boots with the gel band.

[Guilherme]

If these are custom boots then go back to the maker, tell them your problem, and let them try and adjust the boot to your needs, even if that adjustment is a simple stretching to all you to add some extra padding. You bought custom boots for a reason. As one CO I once had used to say, “put a demand on the system.” Maybe they can’t do anything, maybe they can. Depends on the skill and ethics of the bootmaker!!!

G.

[ecileh]

@Guilherme

If these are custom boots then go back to the maker, tell them your problem, and let them try and adjust the boot to your needs, even if that adjustment is a simple stretching to all you to add some extra padding. You bought custom boots for a reason. As one CO I once had used to say, “put a demand on the system.” Maybe they can’t do anything, maybe they can. Depends on the skill and ethics of the bootmaker!!!

G.

Well, it’s not actually that they need to be stretched. There is plenty of room in there already (at my request–to account for the swelling that happens every time I ride). The problem is that one of the wrinkles that forms in the ankle of the boot when my foot is in the stirrup happens to fall right against my hardware. I’m not sure there is anything they could do about it, but it IS worth an email to them, you’re right.

[Guilherme]

@ecileh

Well, it’s not actually that they need to be stretched. There is plenty of room in there already (at my request–to account for the swelling that happens every time I ride). The problem is that one of the wrinkles that forms in the ankle of the boot when my foot is in the stirrup happens to fall right against my hardware. I’m not sure there is anything they could do about it, but it IS worth an email to them, you’re right.

Glad I could help, even if I were a bit off target!!!

G.

[ecileh]

I wound up trying a pair of these: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B076PSX6FR/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and they work GREAT. I just used them both on the side of my ankle that has the hardware and…no more pain from the crease in the boot.

Thanks, everyone, for your advise!

[KiwiGirl91]

I know this post is a year old, but I have a similar problem. I have DeNiros that aren’t custom for showing, but the measurements for the xxs boots were basically perfect thankfully. I also had a broken ankle and surgery on it and these boots rub directly on my scar and the big bony lump I have under it. Do you think the Ankle Gel stick ons from Amazon would work best, or the Equifit Gel bands? What is the life span of them both too please? Thanks!

[ecileh]

@KiwiGirl91 I never did try the Equift bands, as the stick ons from Amazon worked well for me. I liked the fact that I could position it exactly where I wanted–though I did wind up using some athletic tape to hold them in place while hunting, mostly just to get them to stay put while I put my socks on. I hunted for 90% of our season last year (then I had the hardware taken out because…enough is enough) and they held up very well. These are 2-5 hours at a time hunts, so I’m confident that the product got a good workout.

[KiwiGirl91]

@ecileh

@KiwiGirl91 I never did try the Equift bands, as the stick ons from Amazon worked well for me. I liked the fact that I could position it exactly where I wanted–though I did wind up using some athletic tape to hold them in place while hunting, mostly just to get them to stay put while I put my socks on. I hunted for 90% of our season last year (then I had the hardware taken out because…enough is enough) and they held up very well. These are 2-5 hours at a time hunts, so I’m confident that the product got a good workout.

Oh wow that’s definitely a good test! I had my hardware out years ago, but it’s the scar and the residual bony formation?arthritis(?) that makes boot fit a nightmare. I think I’ll invest in both and then use which ever works best. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly!

[Scribbler]

I just ended up buying some gel bands at a local hockey supply store. Apparently this is a staple product in hockey and figure skating, though the store where I went said they had never sold one before, they sold some other configuration of gel pad that went in the boot or something like that. I wanted them for new field boots that were developing a crease in the wrong place on the ankle. I’ve only had them on to try out, but they look like they will definitely do the trick.

And yes, I would never have known this was a thing except for reading about gel bands on COTH! Thank you all!

[MissAriel]

And in case anyone out there is unable to find a hockey/skate shop, Amazon can hook you up with the same thing for less $ than the Equibands. This is what I have used to break in new boots (although for me the trouble spot is usually the back of the knee)

https://www.amazon.com/Silipos-10845-Tubing-Ankle-Sleeve/dp/B00JFTW43I/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_200_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=K5B2B0JR3GHH3G8G2AXP

[ParadoxFarm]

The Equigel (or equivalent) are really helpful. I’ve had ankle surgery, and have one pair of boots with a bad wrinkle. They do the trick for me. My husband wears them for every ride because his leg always rubs from the stirrup leather. He says they are a life saver.