Boots and blade recommendations (male 170lbs)

[catlover1]

Hello, skating experts,

I'm in the market for a new pair, and I wanted some opinions.

A bit of context: I'm currently in Jackson Freestyle boots with Coronation Ace blades. The Freestyles were the first pair of boots I had, and I've had them for about three years now. At the fitting session, there was some back-and-forth with the tech (who was mainly a hockey guy), who mentioned that I could go a half or full size bigger because I was a beginner and getting skates in the proper size would make the skating experience painful. Even in hindsight, I think that was the right decision, but now I've decided to upgrade my boots because of issues with my left boot (tongue sliding down, spin rocker not aligned with the ball of the foot, etc.).

In terms of skills and what I usually practice, I focus mainly on skating skills and spins, since the reason I got into skating was ice dance. I dislike jumps, but I can jump single axels.

Foot measurements:

Right foot - 10.25" length, 9 5/8 width
Left foot - 9 7/8" length, 9 5/8" width
Current boot size: 8 1/2

What I am looking for:

For boots, I'm willing to stick with Jackson's since the ball of my feet is a bit too wide, but I don't know which size I should go for. I am also unsure about the model. I was going to choose a Debut or Premiere, but heard they break down easily. Ideally, I want these to be my last pair of skates. I don't wish to (or maybe even can't) jump triples or beyond. A double axel is probably the highest I will aim for jump-wise. Should I just buy Synergy Ignites? If yes, should I order the semi-customization with variable width?

For blades, I don't really like the Coronation Ace. My spins look fine, but I feel they're a bit scratchy. I have better backspins than forward spins, probably due to the right foot being closer to the correct size, but something feels not quite right when I spin. I wanted to experiment with another blade since I will have to change the blade too. For the blade profile, I was thinking about the MK Pro / Gold Star. Or the Gold Seal, but the 8ft rocker doesn't look like the right one for someone more into ice dance and steps. I was looking into the Shock Absorbing blades from Blade Science and I'm very interested in them. Since I'm an adult who primarily wants to keep my hips and knees healthy, anything that helps with it is worth it. The issue is that they don't have a Gold Star profile yet. Since what changes is primarily the blade profile, I'm also considering the Phantom since it won't have the huge toepick of the original model.

Looking forward to hearing your insights!

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hello, skating experts,

I'm in the market for a new pair, and I wanted some opinions.

A bit of context: I'm currently in Jackson Freestyle boots with Coronation Ace blades. The Freestyles were the first pair of boots I had, and I've had them for about three years now. At the fitting session, there was some back-and-forth with the tech (who was mainly a hockey guy), who mentioned that I could go a half or full size bigger because I was a beginner and getting skates in the proper size would make the skating experience painful. Even in hindsight, I think that was the right decision, but now I've decided to upgrade my boots because of issues with my left boot (tongue sliding down, spin rocker not aligned with the ball of the foot, etc.).

In terms of skills and what I usually practice, I focus mainly on skating skills and spins, since the reason I got into skating was ice dance. I dislike jumps, but I can jump single axels.

Foot measurements:

Right foot - 10.25" length, 9 5/8 width
Left foot - 9 7/8" length, 9 5/8" width
Current boot size: 8 1/2

What I am looking for:

For boots, I'm willing to stick with Jackson's since the ball of my feet is a bit too wide, but I don't know which size I should go for. I am also unsure about the model. I was going to choose a Debut or Premiere, but heard they break down easily. Ideally, I want these to be my last pair of skates. I don't wish to (or maybe even can't) jump triples or beyond. A double axel is probably the highest I will aim for jump-wise. Should I just buy Synergy Ignites? If yes, should I order the semi-customization with variable width?

For blades, I don't really like the Coronation Ace. My spins look fine, but I feel they're a bit scratchy. I have better backspins than forward spins, probably due to the right foot being closer to the correct size, but something feels not quite right when I spin. I wanted to experiment with another blade since I will have to change the blade too. For the blade profile, I was thinking about the MK Pro / Gold Star. Or the Gold Seal, but the 8ft rocker doesn't look like the right one for someone more into ice dance and steps. I was looking into the Shock Absorbing blades from Blade Science and I'm very interested in them. Since I'm an adult who primarily wants to keep my hips and knees healthy, anything that helps with it is worth it. The issue is that they don't have a Gold Star profile yet. Since what changes is primarily the blade profile, I'm also considering the Phantom since it won't have the huge toepick of the original model.

Looking forward to hearing your insights

Hi and welcome! There is alot to unravel here. Here is what I need: What are you doing freestyle or ice dance? These require different blades and boots. Next: I know your weight, what is your height, foot type, arches: Very high/high/normal/low/flat?! Lastly, whereabouts do you live so I or others can suggest a proper figure skate fitter for you.
Once I have all of that I can assist you.

Next, I'm going to say you were definitely led wrong in so many ways by the shop you went to and do not get fit by hockey guys. Most of them have no idea and will get you injured by giving you the wrong size/stiffness whatever with your figure skate boots. This guy did, you should have never went up that much. Figure skate boots do hurt to a degree during the break in process, that's how it works. Just be glad they aren't as bad as they were when I was coming up competitively and my feet and ankles would bleed. And speaking of stiffness, this guy that "fit" you did not put you in a correct stiffness rating for your weight.
Also, what do you mean you want this to be your last pair? Are you planning on wearing this for a bit then quitting? If not, then I'll let you know that boots tend to break down within a year or so and you need to get a new pair.

Looking forward to hearing back from you and helping.

Good luck!

 

[NanaPat]

Hello, skating experts,

I'm in the market for a new pair, and I wanted some opinions.

A bit of context: I'm currently in Jackson Freestyle boots with Coronation Ace blades. The Freestyles were the first pair of boots I had, and I've had them for about three years now. At the fitting session, there was some back-and-forth with the tech (who was mainly a hockey guy), who mentioned that I could go a half or full size bigger because I was a beginner and getting skates in the proper size would make the skating experience painful. Even in hindsight, I think that was the right decision, but now I've decided to upgrade my boots because of issues with my left boot (tongue sliding down, spin rocker not aligned with the ball of the foot, etc.).

In terms of skills and what I usually practice, I focus mainly on skating skills and spins, since the reason I got into skating was ice dance. I dislike jumps, but I can jump single axels.

Foot measurements:

Right foot - 10.25" length, 9 5/8 width
Left foot - 9 7/8" length, 9 5/8" width
Current boot size: 8 1/2

What I am looking for:

For boots, I'm willing to stick with Jackson's since the ball of my feet is a bit too wide, but I don't know which size I should go for. I am also unsure about the model. I was going to choose a Debut or Premiere, but heard they break down easily. Ideally, I want these to be my last pair of skates. I don't wish to (or maybe even can't) jump triples or beyond. A double axel is probably the highest I will aim for jump-wise. Should I just buy Synergy Ignites? If yes, should I order the semi-customization with variable width?

For blades, I don't really like the Coronation Ace. My spins look fine, but I feel they're a bit scratchy. I have better backspins than forward spins, probably due to the right foot being closer to the correct size, but something feels not quite right when I spin. I wanted to experiment with another blade since I will have to change the blade too. For the blade profile, I was thinking about the MK Pro / Gold Star. Or the Gold Seal, but the 8ft rocker doesn't look like the right one for someone more into ice dance and steps. I was looking into the Shock Absorbing blades from Blade Science and I'm very interested in them. Since I'm an adult who primarily wants to keep my hips and knees healthy, anything that helps with it is worth it. The issue is that they don't have a Gold Star profile yet. Since what changes is primarily the blade profile, I'm also considering the Phantom since it won't have the huge toepick of the original model.

Looking forward to hearing your insights!

More questions. How much do you skate? Group lessons/private coaching/practice on you own?

 

[Diana Delafield]

Solo ice dance or with a partner? Do you belong to a club and do you have a prospective partner, in which case you need to be looking at dance boots and blades. Or is dance just an idea you'd like to try eventually, but meanwhile your lessons are in singles skating? What is your age group, teenager or adult skater? You say you've had your current boots for three years, which means they're worn out and not safe anymore so please don't jump in them. Forget double axels until you have the right boots and blades for your feet and your technical level.

 

[catlover1]

Hi and welcome! There is alot to unravel here. Here is what I need: What are you doing freestyle or ice dance? These require different blades and boots. Next: I know your weight, what is your height, foot type, arches: Very high/high/normal/low/flat?! Lastly, whereabouts do you live so I or others can suggest a proper figure skate fitter for you.
Once I have all of that I can assist you.

Next, I'm going to say you were definitely led wrong in so many ways by the shop you went to and do not get fit by hockey guys. Most of them have no idea and will get you injured by giving you the wrong size/stiffness whatever with your figure skate boots. This guy did, you should have never went up that much. Figure skate boots do hurt to a degree during the break in process, that's how it works. Just be glad they aren't as bad as they were when I was coming up competitively and my feet and ankles would bleed. And speaking of stiffness, this guy that "fit" you did not put you in a correct stiffness rating for your weight.
Also, what do you mean you want this to be your last pair? Are you planning on wearing this for a bit then quitting? If not, then I'll let you know that boots tend to break down within a year or so and you need to get a new pair.

Looking forward to hearing back from you and helping.

Good luck!

Hello!

Answering your q's:
1) I'm currently doing freestyle in the sense that I practice jumps and spins, but still prefer ice dance and plan to eventually transition to it completely. The milestone I set for myself was the double axel, but in my practice sessions, I already emphasize edges and turns.
2) My height is 5'10". I don't know my foot type (I found contradictory pics online, but my big toe and second toe are the same length, and the others are progressively shorter). Normal arches. I'm in NYC.

Re the hockey dude, I was a complete beginner and didn't know better, but I'm a bit more knowledgeable now. Still, I don't think I would've stuck with skating if it had been too painful, so sizing up wasn't the worst decision.

By the "last pair", I meant I expect them to last for years. I can't skate more than 5-6 hours per week, and I don't jump too much. Can I really not expect them to last longer than a year?

 

[catlover1]

More questions. How much do you skate? Group lessons/private coaching/practice on you own?

About one freestyle session per day, amounting to 5-6 hours per week. I have private lessons once a week (1 hour).

 

[catlover1]

Solo ice dance or with a partner? Do you belong to a club and do you have a prospective partner, in which case you need to be looking at dance boots and blades. Or is dance just an idea you'd like to try eventually, but meanwhile your lessons are in singles skating? What is your age group, teenager or adult skater? You say you've had your current boots for three years, which means they're worn out and not safe anymore so please don't jump in them. Forget double axels until you have the right boots and blades for your feet and your technical level.

Ice dance is the reason I got into skating, but currently, I'm doing freestyle mostly because of inertia (started with Learning to Skate and progressed through the Free Skate levels). I still emphasize skating skills during ice time, though, and perhaps one day I'll be good enough to have a partner on the ice. That's why I'd prefer to stick with a 7ft rocker blade. But it feels premature for me to get dance boots and skates before I achieve all my doubles.

I'm an adult skater, already in my 30s, and I absolutely agree with you. My current skates held up pretty well, mostly because I don't jump that often, but I noticed they've started to break down.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hello!

Answering your q's:
1) I'm currently doing freestyle in the sense that I practice jumps and spins, but still prefer ice dance and plan to eventually transition to it completely. The milestone I set for myself was the double axel, but in my practice sessions, I already emphasize edges and turns.
2) My height is 5'10". I don't know my foot type (I found contradictory pics online, but my big toe and second toe are the same length, and the others are progressively shorter). Normal arches. I'm in NYC.

Re the hockey dude, I was a complete beginner and didn't know better, but I'm a bit more knowledgeable now. Still, I don't think I would've stuck with skating if it had been too painful, so sizing up wasn't the worst decision.

By the "last pair", I meant I expect them to last for years. I can't skate more than 5-6 hours per week, and I don't jump too much. Can I really not expect them to last longer than a year?

Thank you for the information, but I stand on my point about your boots being too big. Also, if you could go back to my original post upthread to you, the word foot type is blue, that is a link to the chart that I need you to pull your foot type from for me and report back, so I can help you. Thanks!

 

[catlover1]

Thank you for the information, but I stand on my point about your boots being too big. Also, if you could go back to my original post upthread to you, the word foot type is blue, that is a link to the chart that I need you to pull your foot type from for me and report back, so I can help you. Thanks!

Oh. I'm not disputing that my current boots are too big, just that perhaps that wasn't the worst choice for a complete beginner just starting out. As I mentioned in my original post, this is now affecting the quality of my spins, among other things.

My foot type according to your source is either Orient or African. Closer to African.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Oh. I'm not disputing that my current boots are too big, just that perhaps that wasn't the worst choice for a complete beginner just starting out. As I mentioned in my original post, this is now affecting the quality of my spins, among other things.

My foot type according to your source is either Orient or African. Closer to African.

OK thank you. Now that I have that information, I would tell you to stick with Jackson and look at the Synergy Ignite. You should be around a 75/80 stiffness rating and that's going to be the closest you could get. You could also look at Graf brand boots: Galaxy, The Windsor would work for you b/c it has a lower back which will help with flex for ice dance movement and for edges and turns etc. And yes, with your use you could safely probably get about 1.5 years out of your boots max.


Now, as far as blades: I honestly would look into the hybrid MK Dynasty blade. Yes it's a 8ft rocker but that's easily adjustable. That way you would have a blade that you could properly use for dance and freestyle skating.

This is a fitter that I would suggest for your area.
Skate Pro Inc
3080 Arthur Kill Rd, Staten Island, NY 10309, USA
Skate Pro Inc
Michael Shmerkin
540-520-8160
[email protected]


Good luck!

 

[catlover1]

OK thank you. Now that I have that information, I would tell you to stick with Jackson and look at the Synergy Ignite. You should be around a 75/80 stiffness rating and that's going to be the closest you could get. You could also look at Graf brand boots: Galaxy, The Windsor would work for you b/c it has a lower back which will help with flex for ice dance movement and for edges and turns etc. And yes, with your use you could safely probably get about 1.5 years out of your boots max.


Now, as far as blades: I honestly would look into the hybrid MK Dynasty blade. Yes it's a 8ft rocker but that's easily adjustable. That way you would have a blade that you could properly use for dance and freestyle skating.

This is a fitter that I would suggest for your area.
Skate Pro Inc
3080 Arthur Kill Rd, Staten Island, NY 10309, USA
Skate Pro Inc
Michael Shmerkin
540-520-8160
[email protected]


Good luck!

Thank you for your insights!

I looked into these Graf boots (Galaxy/Windsor), but it appears they're only available in white. Since I prefer black boots, I guess the Synergy Ignites will be my next pair. Do you think I should order them semi-custom with variable widths? As I mentioned in the OP, the width of my feet is 9 5/8, so even the 7.5 W would be too small. I understand this is something I should ask the fitter anyway, just trying to get an idea of what to expect.

For the blades, are you familiar with Blade Science cushioned blades? I think they're still new and niche, but I couldn't find bad reviews, and the science behind them looks solid. As I mentioned, I'm looking to keep my hips and knees as healthy as possible, especially as an adult who doesn't have anything to gain by overusing them. Unfortunately, they don't have many blade profiles, so I was considering either the Phantom or the MK Pro profiles.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Thank you for your insights!

I looked into these Graf boots (Galaxy/Windsor), but it appears they're only available in white. Since I prefer black boots, I guess the Synergy Ignites will be my next pair. Do you think I should order them semi-custom with variable widths? As I mentioned in the OP, the width of my feet is 9 5/8, so even the 7.5 W would be too small. I understand this is something I should ask the fitter anyway, just trying to get an idea of what to expect.

For the blades, are you familiar with Blade Science cushioned blades? I think they're still new and niche, but I couldn't find bad reviews, and the science behind them looks solid. As I mentioned, I'm looking to keep my hips and knees as healthy as possible, especially as an adult who doesn't have anything to gain by overusing them. Unfortunately, they don't have many blade profiles, so I was considering either the Phantom or the MK Pro profiles.

Yes, I am familiar with Blade Science and if I were you I would not go there if you plan on doing more dance. Like I said---MK Dynasty would be a perfect blade to do both jumps/freestyle skating and then would greatly benefit you with dance.

When you get the new boots, please realize you will be moving up from a 50 to 85 stiffness in boots, you will notice it and need to properly break them in. I suggest investing in Bunga gel ankle sleeves to protect you. Also, do NOT lace your boots all the way up right away, leave the top hooks unlaced for awhile while breaking in.

Good luck!

 

[IceM]

You're unlikely to benefit from the sort of cushioning Blade Science offers, given your level and intensity of training, coupled with the fact that BS blades are closer to Jackson blades in specs than JW/MK, making them a risky transition for you regardless of the advertised blade profile.

Problem with the Gold Star for you, is that the tail is very long, which is something you probably don't want for dance.

If you want to do a bit of both, then the MK Dynasty is probably your best pick, as already mentioned.

As to the width issue of the boot, it's probably not worth to get a semi-custom for that reason alone, as you can just get them streched at the shop, and often get better results too.