Boots don’t ‘feel’ right - wrong fit?

[neptuneezzii]

Age: 22

Height: 5”4

Weight: 60 KG / 132 lbs

Foot type: Egyptian, average width, low arch

Skates: Risport Electra Light + Edea Rotation Blade

—————————————————

Hi, I have had my skates for 1 year, but I believe they aren’t the right fit.

My first pair of skates were used Graf boleros and these lasted me through levels 4-7 of the UK LTS program (old curriculum). They weren’t stiff enough for me anymore, posture was affected and generally feeling unstable so I got new skates last April.

When I was getting fitted, I tried on both the Electra Lights and Edea Chorus. I found the Chorus to be more comfortable and flexible, but opted for the Electras as the fitter said it’ll give me the support needed. I’ll preface this to say, I’m new to the skating world and have never had brand new skates, so never experienced a proper break in experience or skates that were more snug (I did expect it to hurt though lol).

My experience skating with the Electra lights has been painful to say the least and now 1 year later, my right foot + ankle joint has a dull pain when I’m not skating. It took around 6 months for the pain to stop when I got them (pain all over my foot and ankle) and 2 months after that for the skates to feel ‘comfortable’.

The boots have always felt like a stiff block to me, and not as an extension of my foot which I felt with my first pair. The toe area is hard and though my heel is at the back, it feels like there’s an empty gap above it, I.e. there’s a noticeable distance between the back of the boot and my leg. I’ve also not been able to bend as deeply as I once did as the tongue bores into my skin. I did tie my skates loosely when I first got them, but my coach would make me tie them up properly.

I feel like my skating has deteriorated and so has my confidence. I’m more hesitant on ice and keep having fluctuating days between skating really well and then not. When doing edge work, I have to start from a standstill to get on an edge. My coach says I do a ‘deep edge’, but truth be told, I can’t feel my edges or the ice in these boots. Only on deep edges, can I feel what I’m doing but when I do that my foot hurts and I can’t keep it up. I used to have good edges, so the ‘deep’ ones I do just feel normal. I also found the Edea blade to be very flat when I got them.

This is missing info, and is long enough, but I’ll provide more context. I’ve been with my coach for a year; she didn’t see my previous skating, before my old boots broke down, but I had good control, edges and strong pushes. I saw the fitter again recently and they said my boots + tongue are still very stiff and don’t seem like they’ve been skated in for a year (he also told me that it should’ve taken a few weeks to break them in not months). I’ve heat moulded my skates (again) and tried bunga pads since then but can still feel the pressure.

Has anyone had this experience with boots?
How should your skates feel/fit?
Should I aim to get new boots + blades?

I’m happy to answer any further questions!

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Age: 22

Height: 5”4

Weight: 60 KG / 132 lbs

Foot type: Egyptian, average width, low arch

Skates: Risport Electra Light + Edea Rotation Blade

—————————————————

Hi, I have had my skates for 1 year, but I believe they aren’t the right fit.

My first pair of skates were used Graf boleros and these lasted me through levels 4-7 of the UK LTS program (old curriculum). They weren’t stiff enough for me anymore, posture was affected and generally feeling unstable so I got new skates last April.

When I was getting fitted, I tried on both the Electra Lights and Edea Chorus. I found the Chorus to be more comfortable and flexible, but opted for the Electras as the fitter said it’ll give me the support needed. I’ll preface this to say, I’m new to the skating world and have never had brand new skates, so never experienced a proper break in experience or skates that were more snug (I did expect it to hurt though lol).

My experience skating with the Electra lights has been painful to say the least and now 1 year later, my right foot + ankle joint has a dull pain when I’m not skating. It took around 6 months for the pain to stop when I got them (pain all over my foot and ankle) and 2 months after that for the skates to feel ‘comfortable’.

The boots have always felt like a stiff block to me, and not as an extension of my foot which I felt with my first pair. The toe area is hard and though my heel is at the back, it feels like there’s an empty gap above it, I.e. there’s a noticeable distance between the back of the boot and my leg. I’ve also not been able to bend as deeply as I once did as the tongue bores into my skin. I did tie my skates loosely when I first got them, but my coach would make me tie them up properly.

I feel like my skating has deteriorated and so has my confidence. I’m more hesitant on ice and keep having fluctuating days between skating really well and then not. When doing edge work, I have to start from a standstill to get on an edge. My coach says I do a ‘deep edge’, but truth be told, I can’t feel my edges or the ice in these boots. Only on deep edges, can I feel what I’m doing but when I do that my foot hurts and I can’t keep it up. I used to have good edges, so the ‘deep’ ones I do just feel normal. I also found the Edea blade to be very flat when I got them.

This is missing info, and is long enough, but I’ll provide more context. I’ve been with my coach for a year; she didn’t see my previous skating, before my old boots broke down, but I had good control, edges and strong pushes. I saw the fitter again recently and they said my boots + tongue are still very stiff and don’t seem like they’ve been skated in for a year (he also told me that it should’ve taken a few weeks to break them in not months). I’ve heat moulded my skates (again) and tried bunga pads since then but can still feel the pressure.

Has anyone had this experience with boots?
How should your skates feel/fit?
Should I aim to get new boots + blades?

I’m happy to answer any further questions!

Hi and welcome. With your stats and foot type I would have never ever put you in a Risport and especially not one that's a bit of a step over a rec set. The Chorus was more comfortable b/c it's a higher rated boot and Edea in General is shaped for your type of foot. But depending on your skill level I wouldn't put you in a Chorus. I'm thinking Overture unless you have more than singles and need a stiffer boot than that. Also, the blades on the boot you currently have are not great quality so I would suggest when looking at Edea to get a good traditional intermediate blade: MK Pro or JW Coronation Ace (You do not need a rev or lite type blade, just standard of the ones I suggested). So yes, I would suggest getting a new boot and blade. And you need to see a decent fitter, so if you let me (us) know where you are in this world, we can make the suggestion.
If you want options to feel different boots the other brand I would suggest would be Riedell (Motion boot).

Also, when you do get new boots, do not lace them all the way up to the top hook for awhile when you are breaking them in. Leave the top hooks unlaced. This way you can properly break them in and be able to move properly with the boot and it won't feel completely like a brick.

I wish you luck. If you need anything else let us/me know. Also, once you get back with the reply on the area you live, then I can make suggestions for proper fitters. And if you are a higher level than indicated here (could you let us know?) then I can adjust my boot recommendation.


Good luck!

 

[neptuneezzii]

Hi and welcome. With your stats and foot type I would have never ever put you in a Risport and especially not one that's a bit of a step over a rec set. The Chorus was more comfortable b/c it's a higher rated boot and Edea in General is shaped for your type of foot. But depending on your skill level I wouldn't put you in a Chorus. I'm thinking Overture unless you have more than singles and need a stiffer boot than that. Also, the blades on the boot you currently have are not great quality so I would suggest when looking at Edea to get a good traditional intermediate blade: MK Pro or JW Coronation Ace (You do not need a rev or lite type blade, just standard of the ones I suggested). So yes, I would suggest getting a new boot and blade. And you need to see a decent fitter, so if you let me (us) know where you are in this world, we can make the suggestion.
If you want options to feel different boots the other brand I would suggest would be Riedell (Motion boot).

Also, when you do get new boots, do not lace them all the way up to the top hook for awhile when you are breaking them in. Leave the top hooks unlaced. This way you can properly break them in and be able to move properly with the boot and it won't feel completely like a brick.

I wish you luck. If you need anything else let us/me know. Also, once you get back with the reply on the area you live, then I can make suggestions for proper fitters. And if you are a higher level than indicated here (could you let us know?) then I can adjust my boot recommendation.


Good luck!

Hi, thank you for the quick response and welcome!

I live in London, UK, but happy to travel within England!

I’m not a higher level than indicated/ don’t have all singles, and I left the top hook undone when breaking these in but didn’t really seem to help in the long term. Do I still need to do that with skates with 3 hooks/rungs?

I’m not sure if UK stockists have Riedell but happy to try them if you know of any!!

Many thanks

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hi, thank you for the quick response and welcome!

I live in London, UK, but happy to travel within England!

I’m not a higher level than indicated/ don’t have all singles, and I left the top hook undone when breaking these in but didn’t really seem to help in the long term. Do I still need to do that with skates with 3 hooks/rungs?

I’m not sure if UK stockists have Riedell but happy to try them if you know of any!!

Many thanks

Edea being 3 hooks you would only hook the first two while breaking in. Riedell has 4 hooks and you'd do 3.
With your level, you would be fine in the ones that I suggested.

For a fitter look at Everglides in Gosport UK. They are one of the best.

 

[neptuneezzii]

Edea being 3 hooks you would only hook the first two while breaking in. Riedell has 4 hooks and you'd do 3.
With your level, you would be fine in the ones that I suggested.

For a fitter look at Everglides in Gosport UK. They are one of the best.

Okay I’ll try this out, thank you so much for your recommendations!!

 

[skaterviolet]

Hi, thank you for the quick response and welcome!

I live in London, UK, but happy to travel within England!

I’m not a higher level than indicated/ don’t have all singles, and I left the top hook undone when breaking these in but didn’t really seem to help in the long term. Do I still need to do that with skates with 3 hooks/rungs?

I’m not sure if UK stockists have Riedell but happy to try them if you know of any!!

Many thanks

Streatham is great for boot fitting in London, but they only do Edea and Risport. If you fit into those brands I’d pay them a visit, they do all the customisation and sharpening for free if you get skates from them.

They’re likely to tell you that Edea Overture/Risport Electra is enough for your level, but the issue is here in the U.K., those boots come with the Rotation blades with no upgrade options. I hate those blades, so I’d considering going up 1 level anyway if you have no issue with knee bends.

I’ve been fitted both at Streatham and Everglides, if you have any questions please feel free to ask!

 

[bratzie]

Streatham is great for boot fitting in London, but they only do Edea and Risport. If you fit into those brands I’d pay them a visit, they do all the customisation and sharpening for free if you get skates from them.

They’re likely to tell you that Edea Overture/Risport Electra is enough for your level, but the issue is here in the U.K., those boots come with the Rotation blades with no upgrade options. I hate those blades, so I’d considering going up 1 level anyway if you have no issue with knee bends.

I’ve been fitted both at Streatham and Everglides, if you have any questions please feel free to ask!

When I go to London in June, I’d like to buy a pair of skates. I have D-width feet, but I’m not sure if the stores there sell skates in D width. If you know, could you please let me know? If wide-width skates aren’t available in-store, I’m thinking of ordering online from AL’s Skate Shop. Which option would you recommend?

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

When I go to London in June, I’d like to buy a pair of skates. I have D-width feet, but I’m not sure if the stores there sell skates in D width. If you know, could you please let me know? If wide-width skates aren’t available in-store, I’m thinking of ordering online from AL’s Skate Shop. Which option would you recommend?

I'd still go in person and have them fit you in person, if you need D width then, they can order them. It's much better and assuring doing so in person than trying to do so online. Also, do you know the shape of your feet? That helps with what brands would even work and if they offer D Width.

 

[bratzie]

I'd still go in person and have them fit you in person, if you need D width then, they can order them. It's much better and assuring doing so in person than trying to do so online. Also, do you know the shape of your feet? That helps with what brands would even work and if they offer D Width.

You're right, I would prefer to go and do it in person, but since I'll only be staying in the city for five days, I'm not sure if it would be ready by the time I leave after placing the order.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

You're right, I would prefer to go and do it in person, but since I'll only be staying in the city for five days, I'm not sure if it would be ready by the time I leave after placing the order.

They should be able to ship the boots to you. Call them and ask. Also, if you answer the other questions I asked, I can offer help with what boots and blades to be looking at or asking about when you do go in so you are prepared.

 

[bratzie]

They should be able to ship the boots to you. Call them and ask.

Unfortunetly they can't, due to my country's customs policies

 

[Diana Delafield]

Unfortunetly they can't, due to my country's customs policies

That sounds unusual. What is your country? And was it the shop that told you they can't ship them, or did you contact your country's customs department to ask?

 

[bratzie]

That sounds unusual. What is your country? And was it the shop that told you they can't ship them, or did you contact your country's customs department to ask?

According to the customs regulations in my country, I have to pay a very high amount of customs duty for purchases over 30 euros.

 

[Diana Delafield]

According to the customs regulations in my country, I have to pay a very high amount of customs duty for purchases over 30 euros.

There can be ways to work around that depending on the country. We can't give you best advice blindly, but if there is some reason why you don't want to specify on the forum what country you live in, then send the information privately either to me or, better, to @Ic3Rabbit who knows the European market better than I do. (I'm in Richmond, BC, on the Pacific coast of Canada in the Vancouver area.)

To send a private message, click on the envelope next to your username in the bar across the top of your screen. Enter the username you want to give you more complete advice, add a subject in the next line, and then type your message below that. Good luck!

 

[tstop4me]

According to the customs regulations in my country, I have to pay a very high amount of customs duty for purchases over 30 euros.

When I go to London in June, I’d like to buy a pair of skates. I have D-width feet, but I’m not sure if the stores there sell skates in D width. If you know, could you please let me know? If wide-width skates aren’t available in-store, I’m thinking of ordering online from AL’s Skate Shop. Which option would you recommend?

<<Emphasis aded>> So what's your game plan for avoiding customs duty if you order online from Al's? Are you planning to order the skates in advance of your trip, pick them up at their shop, bury them in your luggage, and bring them back into your country without declaring them?

Key pieces of missing info: What level of skater are you? Do you already have existing skates? If so, what are they? Is that how you know you need a D-width, or are you guessing from your street shoes? Sizing in length and width varies substantially across brands, and maybe even across models within a brand. And proper fit depends on more than just length and width. If you're planning to buy something pricey, the potential savings in customs duty may not be worth it if your skates don't fit properly.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

There can be ways to work around that depending on the country. We can't give you best advice blindly, but if there is some reason why you don't want to specify on the forum what country you live in, then send the information privately either to me or, better, to @Ic3Rabbit who knows the European market better than I do. (I'm in Richmond, BC, on the Pacific coast of Canada in the Vancouver area.)

To send a private message, click on the envelope next to your username in the bar across the top of your screen. Enter the username you want to give you more complete advice, add a subject in the next line, and then type your message below that. Good luck!

Actually to inbox me, we have to follow each other.

 

[Diana Delafield]

Actually to inbox me, we have to follow each other.

I'll make a note of that

 

[skaterviolet]

When I go to London in June, I’d like to buy a pair of skates. I have D-width feet, but I’m not sure if the stores there sell skates in D width. If you know, could you please let me know? If wide-width skates aren’t available in-store, I’m thinking of ordering online from AL’s Skate Shop. Which option would you recommend?

When I go to London in June, I’d like to buy a pair of skates. I have D-width feet, but I’m not sure if the stores there sell skates in D width. If you know, could you please let me know? If wide-width skates aren’t available in-store, I’m thinking of ordering online from AL’s Skate Shop. Which option would you recommend?

They don’t have D width unfortunately. If you’re travelling anyway I wouldn’t come to London, because shops in London are small and don’t stock boots.

I have wide feet and was fitted with Risport for my first pair, unfortunately they were still too narrow. So for my second pair I went to a shop with more options and settled with Jackson’s.

 

[bratzie]

<<Emphasis aded>> So what's your game plan for avoiding customs duty if you order online from Al's? Are you planning to order the skates in advance of your trip, pick them up at their shop, bury them in your luggage, and bring them back into your country without declaring them?

Key pieces of missing info: What level of skater are you? Do you already have existing skates? If so, what are they? Is that how you know you need a D-width, or are you guessing from your street shoes? Sizing in length and width varies substantially across brands, and maybe even across models within a brand. And proper fit depends on more than just length and width. If you're planning to buy something pricey, the potential savings in customs duty may not be worth it if your skates don't fit properly.

I’m planning to avoid customs duty by ordering the skates to my hotel while I’m in London and bringing them back with me when I return to my country. Whether or not I declare them doesn’t make a difference, the high customs charges apply only to "online orders" shipped into the country. Bringing a single pair of skates with me as personal luggage is allowed and not subject to the same duties. I’m a lawyer and fully familiar with my country’s customs regulations.

I’ve tried on the Jackson Artiste before, but they were far too tight on the sides of my feet. I measured my feet according to the sizing guides on various skate retailers’ websites, and for Edea skates, I was recommended a D width. That’s how I know I need a wider fit.

What I need help with is this:
Are there any shops in London where I can find Edea skates in D width?
If not, what are the most reliable places to order them online within the UK?

 

[bratzie]

They don’t have D width unfortunately. If you’re travelling anyway I wouldn’t come to London, because shops in London are small and don’t stock boots.

I have wide feet and was fitted with Risport for my first pair, unfortunately they were still too narrow. So for my second pair I went to a shop with more options and settled with Jackson’s.

Thank you for your kind answer, I'll look into whether I can get them from somewhere else.