2nd Pair of Boots - Suggestions

[skaterviolet]

I am an adult beginner skater, currently working on salchows, toeloops, starting back/sit spins, etc. My height is 160cm and weight 50kg, my feet are 23.2cm long, 10cm wide at the ball and 22.5cm around (wide and flat, with low arches and pronate slightly), my toes are average to short. When I just started out, I was fitted with a pair of Risport Electras 240 & Edea Rotation blades.

My biggest issue with these boots: I get a lot of pain near the back of my arches, it feels like the side of the boots are too tight and blocking the circulation. For what it’s worth, I have very muscular legs so the ankles may be too tight/high too. Even after months in them, the pain didn’t get much better, but I assumed that’s normal skating pain.

I planned to use these skates until axels (as fitter suggested), until my friend got a new pair of Jackson premier + legacy 8 (size 6w). I skated for 15 mins her stiffer, unbroken in boots that also felt a bit smaller (maybe just better toe box fit?), and they pain wasn’t there at all. Not to mention that my jumps (especially the landing) and spins are instantly better. This made me realise that I might have been sold the wrong boots in the first place.

The premiers have a bump near my arches that pushed them up. It was quite uncomfortable to skate on that bump, but this still feels so much better than my skates - at least my feet don’t go numb!

However, I’m not sure the Jacksons are the right fit for me. My Risport Electra’s width around the ball feel snug but not uncomfortable, my big toe touches the front slight to the right, not at the very pointy bit - making me think if I need a wider and smaller boot. The Jackson toebox felt like a better fit, my toes went right to the front (maybe coz of the higher heel? I feel like my spins are better from them). But I fear that the ball might be too wide once they are broken in. I definitely prefer the heel fit of Risport, as Jackson’s feel a bit empty at the back.

I am based in the U.K., local shop is quite small, they only do Edea and Risport. I am considering travelling 3hr+ for another fitter, however if any Edea D/Risport boots fit me I’d rather stick with my local, as their service is great.

Blade wise, less of an issue and they don’t cause any pain lol. My coach thinks I may prefer a blade with a ‘less steep’ spin rocker, as when I just learned to spin I rocked onto my toe picks a lot. It’s no longer an issue now, but I’d rather stick with what I know.

Any advice on what boots & blade may fit me better would be appreciated! I will choose a fitter that stock them. Thanks in advance!

 

[skaterviolet]

I have Roman feet

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hi and welcome. You need Jackson boots. Look at Synergy Elite and Premiere in boots IDK if you will need a Wide Width or not, but they can be ordered that way if you and fitter decide that is what is needed. I'd love to suggest Risport RF3 Pro to you, but not sure if they come in wide width or not which it seems like is the only way you can wear a Risport boot.

Pair the boots with a proper traditional intermediate level blade: MK Pro or JW Coronation Ace.

You may have to travel for a fitter in the UK to get Jackson boots and to actually see a proper fitter. Your best shot is Al's Skate Shop in Blackpool.

Good luck to you and if you have any more questions please ask!

 

[skaterviolet]

Hi and welcome. You need Jackson boots. Look at Synergy Elite and Premiere in boots IDK if you will need a Wide Width or not, but they can be ordered that way if you and fitter decide that is what is needed. I'd love to suggest Risport RF3 Pro to you, but not sure if they come in wide width or not which it seems like is the only way you can wear a Risport boot.

Pair the boots with a proper traditional intermediate level blade: MK Pro or JW Coronation Ace.

You may have to travel for a fitter in the UK to get Jackson boots and to actually see a proper fitter. Your best shot is Al's Skate Shop in Blackpool.

Good luck to you and if you have any more questions please ask!

Thanks for the prompt reply! I was actually thinking about Al’s, it’s a long journey for me but hopefully worth it!

If I go to my current fitter, they will put me in RF3 pro + mk pro just like they did to everyone else. They basically put anyone with wide feet in risport, and if they are too narrow they stretch the boots for free.

When I tried on the Premier 6w, the width around the ball is almost too comfortable, I’m not slipping forward now but I’m a bit worried that they will feel wide after break in. You can stretch narrow boots out but you can’t shrink wide boots. I do like the toe box fit tho, and the ball of my foot seems more spot on to the rocker.

In terms of heel fit, I get a good lock in the Jackson (from the side), but the back feels empty. I also don’t think it’s a sizing issue, as I tried a pair of size 5, my toes were crimped but the back felt the same. Are the any model with a smaller heel cup?

I also have low volumed feet, would Jackson be good for them? My risport feel a bit roomy on the top.

For blades, what would be your thought on the difference between mk pro and coro ace? I liked the legacy 8, but again that’s the only blade I’ve tried on other than the Edea rotation. My toes aren’t too long, and I heard people with different toe length may prefer one over another.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Thanks for the prompt reply! I was actually thinking about Al’s, it’s a long journey for me but hopefully worth it!

If I go to my current fitter, they will put me in RF3 pro + mk pro just like they did to everyone else. They basically put anyone with wide feet in risport, and if they are too narrow they stretch the boots for free.

When I tried on the Premier 6w, the width around the ball is almost too comfortable, I’m not slipping forward now but I’m a bit worried that they will feel wide after break in. You can stretch narrow boots out but you can’t shrink wide boots. I do like the toe box fit tho, and the ball of my foot seems more spot on to the rocker.

In terms of heel fit, I get a good lock in the Jackson (from the side), but the back feels empty. I also don’t think it’s a sizing issue, as I tried a pair of size 5, my toes were crimped but the back felt the same. Are the any model with a smaller heel cup?

I also have low volumed feet, would Jackson be good for them? My risport feel a bit roomy on the top.

For blades, what would be your thought on the difference between mk pro and coro ace? I liked the legacy 8, but again that’s the only blade I’ve tried on other than the Edea rotation. My toes aren’t too long, and I heard people with different toe length may prefer one over another.

I find it really interesting that they put everyone in risport that have wide feet b/c generally that's a no. I am quite aware that you can stretch but not shrink boots. Wasn't sure by your description if you needed wide or not. Sounds like you need a Jackson for the different shape. The Synergy Elite I recommended is "semi" customizable. You like many may need a boot that is more narrow in the back and wider in the toebox. And yes, Jackson has a lower volume (up and down) toebox than Risport.

As far as the intermediate blades, they're fairly similar. They're both going to have more of a rocker curve etc than Legacy b/c Legacy is flat. So you may have an easier time spinning etc on Coro Ace or MK Pro.