Why Do My Feet Hurt When Roller Skating [Solved]
Roller skating is a great way to stay active and have fun, but sometimes it can have some unwanted side effects – like feet hurting!
Have you ever gone roller skating and noticed your feet start to hurt? I know how frustrating it can be, especially when you’re trying to have fun!
However, if you’re experiencing this pain, don’t worry; you’re not alone. In fact, it’s a pretty common problem among skaters.
There are a few different reasons for this, and luckily, you can also do a few things to help ease the pain.
So, if you’re wondering, why do my feet hurt when roller skating? Read on to find out why and how to deal with it!

Table of Contents
Why Do My Feet Hurt When Roller Skating?
There are a few reasons your feet might hurt when roller skating. So, let’s take a look at each one in more detail.
Roller Skate Size
A common reason skaters feet hurt when roller skating is that they are wearing the wrong size skate.
If your skates are too big, they can rub against your feet and cause blisters. On the other hand, if they’re too small, they can squish your toes and make them hurt.
So, it’s essential to make sure you’re wearing the right size skate. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to go to a professional and get fitted for the correct size. Otherwise, you can also explore according to your age, for example, toddler skates for 3 year old.
Poor Support
Another common reason for feet pain when roller skating is poor support. If your skates don’t offer enough support for your feet, it can lead to pain and discomfort.
So for this one, it’s important to ensure you wear skates that offer good support. This is especially important if you have any existing foot problems like flat feet or high arches.
You might want to look for skates with built-in arch support or extra padding to tackle this issue. You can also add insoles that offer extra support.
Tightness Of The Achilles Tendon
The Achilles tendon is the large tendon that connects your calf muscle to your heel bone. If this tendon is too tight, it can cause pain in your feet when roller skating.
To fix this, you can try doing some stretching exercises for your Achilles tendon before skating. You can also massage the area to help loosen up the tendon.
If the pain persists, you might want to see a doctor or physiotherapist who can give you some specific exercises to help loosen the tendon.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes pain in the heel and arch of the foot. It’s a common problem among runners but can also affect people who roller skate.
The pain from plantar fasciitis is often worse in the morning when you first get out of bed. It can also worsen after standing or sitting for a long time.
To treat plantar fasciitis, you can do some stretching and strengthening exercises for your feet. You can also ice the area to help reduce the pain and inflammation.
If your feet hurt after roller skating, it’s important to rest and ice the area. You can also take over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen to help ease the pain.
Not Laced Correctly

If your skates are not laced correctly, it can cause pain in your feet. Be sure to lace up your skates tightly enough, so they’re snug but not too tight.
Mostly, people make the mistake of not lacing up their skates tightly enough due to pain fear. This can cause your feet to slip around inside the skate and rub against the sides, leading to pain and blisters. Also, ensure the laces are not too tight or long and dangling, as this can also be a tripping hazard.
If you’re unsure how to lace up roller skates, you can always read our guide, ask a skating rink professional, or look up a video tutorial online.
Skating Too Much
If you’re new to roller skating, it’s important to build up your tolerance slowly. Skating for long periods of time or skating too frequently can cause pain in your feet.
So, if you’re just starting out, it’s best to skate for shorter periods of time at first and then gradually increase the duration as your feet get used to it.
How Do I Stop My Feet From Hurting When Skating – Tips
Here are some general tips that can help you prevent or reduce foot pain when roller skating:
- Wear skates that fit properly and offer good support
- Do some stretching and strengthening exercises for your feet
- Ice the area to help reduce pain and inflammation
- Rest your feet after skating
- Lace up your skates correctly
- Build up your tolerance slowly by skating for shorter periods of time at first.
- Work on your skating technique
If you follow these tips, you should be able to skate without pain. However, if the pain persists, it’s best to see a doctor or physiotherapist to rule out any other underlying problems.
FAQs
Why does my foot hurt after roller skating?
The main reason your feet hurt after roller skating is due to the high-impact nature of the activity. When you are skating, your feet are constantly pounding against the hard surface of the skating rink. This can lead to pain and discomfort in your feet, especially if you are a beginner.
How do I strengthen my feet for skating?
To strengthen your feet for skating, you can try doing some simple exercises or stretching at home. This includes things like toe raises, ankle rotations, and calf raises. These exercises help improve balance and coordination and increase the strength of your feet and ankles.
Can roller skating make you sore?
Roller skating can make you sore if you’re doing it wrong. This is because skating is a high-impact activity that can strain your muscles and joints. If you are new to skating, or if you skate for long periods of time, you may experience some discomfort and soreness in your feet, ankles, and legs. However, this is usually temporary and will disappear as your body gets used to the activity.
Conclusion
Roller skating is a great way to exercise and have fun. However, it’s essential to be aware that this high-impact activity can lead to pain and discomfort in your feet. If you are new to skating and skating for long hours, make sure to take breaks and stretch your muscles to prevent pain and soreness.
I hope this article helped to answer your question why do my feet hurt when roller skating?
Remember that you can enjoy skating without worrying about your feet if you take a little extra care!
Additional Questions
How do I stop my feet from hurting in roller skates?
Wearing thicker socks and implementing more padding could help alleviate your discomfort. My experience with roller skating has taught me that these minor adjustments can make all the difference. For example, there’s a little trick I learned: you can use a product called moleskin. Simply cut it in a shape that matches the part of your skate causing discomfort, then stick it inside the skate. You can easily find moleskin in any drugstore. I assure you, it’s a game changer! Trust me, these modifications and using comfortable socks combined with moleskin padding will provide relief from the stinging friction often experienced inside skate boots.
Is it normal for your feet to hurt while roller skating?
Despite a common misconception, pain during roller skating is not normal. It is a clear indication that something is wrong. As an avid roller skater for many years, I can firmly say that skating should be a fun, pain-free experience, not one that causes discomfort or distress. If you do feel pain, it’s crucial to identify and address the problem immediately rather than ignoring it.
Why do my feet hurt so bad in new skates?
Most roller skaters have experienced foot discomfort with new skates at some point—it’s likely due to lacing them too tightly. When you first use new skates, how you lace them directly influences whether or not you experience pain. Naturally, skates that are too loose aren’t beneficial. However, lacing them too tightly can also cause discomfort. My personal rule of thumb is to tighten them securely enough to offer support, but loosely enough to prevent distress. I can assure you, finding the right balance in how tightly you lace your skates could significantly reduce your foot pain.
Why do my feet hurt after figure skating?
Feet pain after figure skating could be due to several reasons. It might stem from insufficient ice lubrication, overly tight skates, or existing foot or ankle conditions like flat feet. As someone who has experienced this firsthand, I can tell you that skating with too-tight shoes can restrict blood circulation and exacerbate foot pain. Similarly, if you have flat feet or ankle problems, these could amplify discomfort when skating. Knowing this, it’s important to ensure your skates are the right fit and you’re taking relevant precautions if you have pre-existing foot conditions.

I am Mary, the founder of skatesidea.com. Skating (Roller skates, Inline skates, Rollerblades) is my passion, and I have years of teaching experience in this field. Our vision and mission is to provide you with accurate information on everything related to skates.