Heating boots is just as important as choosing them. As with just about any other heat moldable boot, Bont boots will "grow" anywhere from 1/8" to 3/16", so make sure you donÍt start off with a boot that is too big in the first place. When trying on the boot cold, tap your heel back as far as it will go. Without heating it is nearly impossible to situate your heel all the way back into the heel pocket. Proof will be your ability to slip a finger in the back, down to the heel. For this reason, make sure that your toes are just off the front of the boot, if not touching. If your toes are curling up from pushing on the front, then and only then can you assume that it is too small. When you are sure they are the correct size, you are then ready to start the heating process.

1. Choose a heat gun, as a hair dryer will not get the carbon hot enough. If the heat gun has two settings, you may want to try the lower setting.
2. Mount the boots to frames and lace up loosely. Leave the wheels and bearings off.
3. Doing one boot at a time, heat the inside about 40%, outside 60%. Be careful to keep the heat gun moving to not scorch the leather. Also be extremely careful to not heat any Velcro that may be present on the boot. The newer Bonts also have a white foam sole, which can be prone to melting, so be careful.
4. This should be done for about 3-5 minutes or until the boot is hot to the touch. Lace the boot on snugly. The skater should be in the sock that he/she will be using. I recommend Coolmax liners, which can be bought at a good bicycle shop.
5. Standing with the frame flat on the ground, bend slightly at the knee, keeping your nose, knee and toes lined up. Stay in this position until the boot cools, approximately 4-5 minutes. If the skater gets tired, have them stand straight up for a few seconds and then go back down. During the process make sure they do not bob or weave or create any unnecessary motion. It is also not recommended that the skater squat too far down, just enough to be in a comfortable speedskating position. Also recommended: this is the time to pinch in the Achilles area, if necessary. Use a plastic clamp, the mustard colored ones you can get at Home Depot for $8, with the black rubber tipsƒhave someone squeeze in the Achilles area while the boot is still hot. You might have to butt the front of the frame up against something stationary. Doing this will help lock the heel down in the boot.
6. These boots can be reheated. I also recommend that you re-heat them every few months, unless they are perfect as is, as feet change over a period of time. Remember, if it works, donÍt fix it!

Enjoy!

Pre heat oven to 85C or 185F. Remove all bolts, frames, wheels etc from the boot. Place the boots in the oven for 20-30 minutes. Higher temperatures will damage the boot. Caution: Do not place feet in hot boots, let them cool a little first. Test the boot temperature with your hand before placing foot inside. Mount the frame to the boot and stand on it without wheels. Tighten the boot with the laces and wait until the boot cools. If there is a certain area giving you problems, push that area out using the handle of a screwdriver until the boot cools. You can heat mould the boots as many times as you like.