Description
The comfort of real leather will never be matched because of its combination of strength, support, breathability, absorbency, elasticity, warmth, and feel. Proper care will maintain these features and extend the useful life of the skate. The upper or shoe must provide correct support to maximize performance and reduce injuries. Water proofing products like grease, oil, and animal fat soak through and weaken the leather, reducing control and the support needed for maximum performance. As a skating shoe is softened by conventional waterproofing it changes in feel and response. Skating technique must be modified to overcome the weakness of the deteriorating shoe. This slows learning and destroys consistency.