Recommendations Metro Detroit - fitter and boots

[lopat]

Hello, I am looking for my second pair of skates in Metro Detroit, Michigan. I currently skate in Riedell Crystals that I got at my local pro shop and badly need to be replaced. I am an adult skater in freeskate 2 working on loop, flip, back/sit spin etc and I hope to keep advancing my skills. I'm 5'3, 130-140 lbs (I don't own a scale so this is a guess), narrow and Egyptian feet with medium/normal arches. So far I have enjoyed my Riedell skates and my coach recommended I stay with the brand if I like them. I have an appointment with Podium skates, looking at Brians sports in Windsor. My questions are:

1. What are your brand and boot recommendations?
2. What should a proper skate fitting look like? How do you know you have a good skate fit?
3. What fitters do you recommend in the area?

Thank you!!

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hello, I am looking for my second pair of skates in Metro Detroit, Michigan. I currently skate in Riedell Crystals that I got at my local pro shop and badly need to be replaced. I am an adult skater in freeskate 2 working on loop, flip, back/sit spin etc and I hope to keep advancing my skills. I'm 5'3, 130-140 lbs (I don't own a scale so this is a guess), narrow and Egyptian feet with medium/normal arches. So far I have enjoyed my Riedell skates and my coach recommended I stay with the brand if I like them. I have an appointment with Podium skates, looking at Brians sports in Windsor. My questions are:

1. What are your brand and boot recommendations?
2. What should a proper skate fitting look like? How do you know you have a good skate fit?
3. What fitters do you recommend in the area?

Thank you!!

Hi and welcome! For the shop: Detroit Custom Skate Shop in Bloomfield Hills, there's also a location in Canton, they are the best there and know how to fit figure skaters which is very important.

For your foot style, Riedell if it's working well. Look into the Riedell Flair boot or the Motion 255 (as long as you aren't doing more than single jumps). Know that these are boots only and you will need a standard style intermediate level blade to go with these boots: MK Pro or John Wilson Coronation Ace.

Other brands you could look into are Edea, possibly Graf, and the Risport Royal Pro.
If you want recommendation of boots for Edea or Graf, let me know.

Proper fitting should include foot tracing and measuring.

Good luck!

 

[lopat]

Hi and welcome! For the shop: Detroit Custom Skate Shop in Bloomfield Hills, there's also a location in Canton, they are the best there and know how to fit figure skaters which is very important.

For your foot style, Riedell if it's working well. Look into the Riedell Flair boot or the Motion 255 (as long as you aren't doing more than single jumps). Know that these are boots only and you will need a standard style intermediate level blade to go with these boots: MK Pro or John Wilson Coronation Ace.

Other brands you could look into are Edea, possibly Graf, and the Risport Royal Pro.
If you want recommendation of boots for Edea or Graf, let me know.

Proper fitting should include foot tracing and measuring.

Good luck!

Hi! Thank you for the recommendations and the welcome!

My one hesitation with Detroit Custom Skate Shop is they charge a $50 fitting fee which I haven't seen at other shops. From what you know, would you say the experience is still worth it with that added cost?

Do you mind sharing more about why you'd recommend the Motion 255 over the Motion 233? There is quite a cost jump between the two so I am curious what features/details to look out for.

Thank you for the insights!

 

[Query]

A number of shops near me charge a fitting fee - but refund it if you buy the skates from them. I suppose they worry customers will take up their time, then order from a discount shop, not realizing that what comes after the skates arrive is often just as important as what comes before.

 

[lopat]

A number of shops near me charge a fitting fee - but refund it if you buy the skates from them. I suppose they worry customers will take up their time, then order from a discount shop, not realizing that what comes after the skates arrive is often just as important as what comes before.

You were right about that. I called and that's what they said exactly.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hi! Thank you for the recommendations and the welcome!

My one hesitation with Detroit Custom Skate Shop is they charge a $50 fitting fee which I haven't seen at other shops. From what you know, would you say the experience is still worth it with that added cost?

Do you mind sharing more about why you'd recommend the Motion 255 over the Motion 233? There is quite a cost jump between the two so I am curious what features/details to look out for.

Thank you for the insights!

There is no Motion 233. There is a Motion 255 that was suggested to you b/c of many things I take into account and that is one that would be best for you. The other Motion boot is the Motion Jr 25 which is a kids boot. There is a Stride 223 boot but it's not going to be stiff enough for your needs, hence why it was not suggested to you in the previous post. Figure skating is a very expensive sport.

 

[bostonskaterguy86]

There is no Motion 233. There is a Motion 255 that was suggested to you b/c of many things I take into account and that is one that would be best for you. The other Motion boot is the Motion Jr 25 which is a kids boot. There is a Stride 223 boot but it's not going to be stiff enough for your needs, hence why it was not suggested to you in the previous post. Figure skating is a very expensive sport.

Just to add to Ic3Rabbit's advice - the Stride has the same support rating as the Crystal you're currently in (50). From looking at Riedell's website and comparing the prices, the Stride certainly appears to be made of better / more durable materials (leather upper and outsole vs the Crystal's microfiber upper and plastic sole), but it won't be an upgrade in terms of support. The Motion is rated 70, and will support you better for more advanced jumps (loop, flip, lutz, and especially axel). It'll also last longer before breaking down, so you'll get more time for your money.

I also wanted to throw in a good word for the Riedell Vega - it's even more expensive than the Motion, so that might be a deal-breaker for you, but I tried it on during my last fitting and it's a very nice boot! It takes some design cues from some of the modern lightweight boots like Edeas and the Risport Royal line (lightweight synthetic materials, slightly lower cut and higher heel), but with a more traditional overall look than either of those brands. It's rated 75 for stiffness - so slightly stiffer than the Motion, but still appropriate for your level.

Another possible advantage of the Vega is that it's built on Riedell's Evofit last (put simply, the basic shape of the boot), which has a slightly rounder/broader toe box than their usual last. According to Riedell's fit chart, the Crystal also uses the Evofit last - so the Vega should fit very similarly to the boots you're in now. That being said, I doubt very much that the difference in lasts is so significant that the Motion won't fit you just fine, and if you don't have a preference for the lightweight materials, lower cut or higher heel, it's likely not worth the extra $100-ish to get the Vega instead of the Motion. But, if by chance you try on the Motion and don't like how it fits, the Vega might be worth a shot!