Riedell Topaz for Strong Beginner?

[tallnewbie]

Height: 5'11" woman
Weight: 140-150 lbs
Skill Level: Beginner, but I am very athletic (barre, yoga, weights) and I'm signing up for skating lessons
Hours: 8 hrs/week regular skating at the moment on rental skates. I will increase my hours after lessons begin
Foot type: flat wide feet, but narrow at the heel (resembles mongolian foot type)
Fitting: I went for a fitting and they sized me as an 8- 8.5, but my big toe was crushed in all of the skates. I felt most comfortable in a 9 Riedell D width.
Shop Recommendation: Riedell Topaz, but I don't think they understand my weight (I look smaller) and how often I skate. I'd like to learn jumps in the future. They refused to fit me for a more advanced boot because I'm a beginner

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Height: 5'11" woman
Weight: 140-150 lbs
Skill Level: Beginner, but I am very athletic (barre, yoga, weights) and I'm signing up for skating lessons
Hours: 8 hrs/week regular skating at the moment on rental skates. I will increase my hours after lessons begin
Foot type: flat wide feet, but narrow at the heel (resembles mongolian foot type)
Fitting: I went for a fitting and they sized me as an 8- 8.5, but my big toe was crushed in all of the skates. I felt most comfortable in a 9 Riedell D width.
Shop Recommendation: Riedell Topaz, but I don't think they understand my weight (I look smaller) and how often I skate. I'd like to learn jumps in the future. They refused to fit me for a more advanced boot because I'm a beginner

No to Topaz and definitely no to Riedell for your foot type.

You need to look at Jackson or Graf. You may be able to fit Risport RF line too.

I can suggest further, but where are you in this world so we can suggest a proper fitter that will fit you with what you really need.

 

[tallnewbie]

No to Topaz and definitely no to Riedell for your foot type.

You need to look at Jackson or Graf. You may be able to fit Risport RF line too.

I can suggest further, but where are you in this world so we can suggest a proper fitter that will fit you with what you really need.

I tried Jackson, but I was slipping in the heel. FYI, I was trying on black skates, which are men sizes? I think thats why the Riedell on width D felt better. Do you recommend a different Riedell boot?

I'm in Massachusetts. We mostly have hockey stores here, but I went to a reputable professional figure skate store.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I tried Jackson, but I was slipping in the heel. FYI, I was trying on black skates, which are men sizes? I think thats why the Riedell on width D felt better. Do you recommend a different Riedell boot?

I'm in Massachusetts. We mostly have hockey stores here, but I went to a reputable professional figure skate store.

Why are you trying on mens skates?! You are going to need a split width ladies boot. They can order those. Jackson is going to be best for your forefoot, you can get split width to fit the heel. Try this shop near Boston. They carry all the brands I suggested & are professional figure skate fitters.

 

[tallnewbie]

Why are you trying on mens skates?! You are going to need a split width ladies boot. They can order those. Jackson is going to be best for your forefoot, you can get split width to fit the heel. Try this shop near Boston. They carry all the brands I suggested & are professional figure skate fitters.

I wanted black boots because I wear a lot of black clothes. Are there such things as women black boots?

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I wanted black boots because I wear a lot of black clothes. Are there such things as women black boots?

No unless you get full custom boots which cost over 1K dollars and you'd still need a blade.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I will purchase men boots then lol

I will purchase men boots then lol

You can get black boot covers--not a big deal. You just need to determine what boots you need and I'm telling you try Jackson Synergy Spark, Risport RF3 Pro, Graf Richmond Special.

Blade: MK Pro, JW Coronation Ace (standard version, no lites or revs).

Good luck.

 

[tallnewbie]

You can get black boot covers--not a big deal. You just need to determine what boots you need and I'm telling you try Jackson Synergy Spark, Risport RF3 Pro, Graf Richmond Special.

Blade: MK Pro, JW Coronation Ace (standard version, no lites or revs).

Good luck.

These look like more advanced boots. Is there any reason why shops recommend entry level vs something like this? I'm looking to get longer wear out of them and thats why I didn't think the beginners were a good idea.

 

[tstop4me]

These look like more advanced boots. Is there any reason why shops recommend entry level vs something like this? I'm looking to get longer wear out of them and thats why I didn't think the beginners were a good idea.

Why your shop recommended beginner's boots is anyone's guess. But here are two prime suspects.

I wanted black boots because I wear a lot of black clothes. Are there such things as women black boots?

I'm an adult male skater. More advanced black (men's) boots (in particular those sold without pre-mounted blades) generally are not stocked for you to try on, even in shops focussed on figure skating. Too small a market. The shop needs to measure your feet and special order them (even for factory stock boots).

Shop Recommendation: Riedell Topaz, but I don't think they understand my weight (I look smaller) and how often I skate. I'd like to learn jumps in the future. They refused to fit me for a more advanced boot because I'm a beginner

<<Emphasis added.>> This is key. If you didn't relay all the info that you did in your first post, and they didn't understand how serious you are, they might have been concerned about overselling you advanced gear. There are many beginners this time of the year who just want to have some fun on the ice with friends and family during holidays and weekends. They don't want to pay a lot, and they don't want to spend time and effort breaking in new boots.

At the shop, did you mention a price range you were considering? If you look at the prices of the boots Ic3 recommended (plus the price of blades needed), you will see they are significantly higher than that of a Topaz. Many beginners are floored by sticker shock and carp.

 

[tallnewbie]

Why your shop recommended beginner's boots is anyone's guess. But here are two prime suspects.



I'm an adult male skater. More advanced black (men's) boots (in particular those sold without pre-mounted blades) generally are not stocked for you to try on, even in shops focussed on figure skating. Too small a market. The shop needs to measure your feet and special order them (even for factory stock boots).



<<Emphasis added.>> This is key. If you didn't relay all the info that you did in your first post, and they didn't understand how serious you are, they might have been concerned about overselling you advanced gear. There are many beginners this time of the year who just want to have some fun on the ice with friends and family during holidays and weekends. They don't want to pay a lot, and they don't want to spend time and effort breaking in new boots.

At the shop, did you mention a price range you were considering? If you look at the prices of the boots Ic3 recommended (plus the price of blades needed), you will see they are significantly higher than that of a Topaz. Many beginners are floored by sticker shock.

Can beginners get injured more easily in advanced boots? They told me that there's less ankle support and its lower cut. Is that why they would have suggested entry-level?

They initially brought out white boots for me and also Topaz.

I did point out a more advanced boot that I wanted to try on and they said they match boots to skating skill. I told them pricing is not an issue at all. They commented on my luxury jewelry/outfit so I'm sure they knew I could easily spend.

 

[tallnewbie]

Are the men's Aura Sky 50 or 100s a good idea? I like the look and technology of it.

 

[tstop4me]

I tried Jackson, but I was slipping in the heel.

Do you remember what model Jackson? I assume it was comparable to the Topaz? More advanced Jackson boots have a different fit from their lower-end models. In particular, they have a snugger heel (even their stock boots come in split width with a wider ball/narrower heel combo). If the difference in widths exceeds that of their stock boots, there are special order options.

 

[IceM]

I wanted black boots because I wear a lot of black clothes. Are there such things as women black boots?

Manufacturers don't use different lasts for white/black skates. If you can find your size in black, then it makes no difference (keeping in mind size US ladies/men differ). And if you're unsure about certain manufacturers, Edea admits this explicitly on their website, and your foot could fit Edea (you probably just need to stretch the forefoot, which is a normal and cheap procedure in any half decent shop).

I know Risport makes no difference either, so if you fit those, same thing: just get the boots in black if you want.

Same thing for Graf Richmond.

Is there any reason why shops recommend entry level vs something like this?

Many possible reasons. None really hold up.

I'm looking to get longer wear out of them and thats why I didn't think the beginners were a good idea.

Ane you're right.

 

[tallnewbie]

Do you remember what model Jackson? I assume it was comparable to the Topaz? More advanced Jackson boots have a different fit from their lower-end models. In particular, they have a snugger heel (even their stock boots come in split width with a wider ball/narrower heel combo). If the difference in widths exceeds that of their stock boots, there are special order options.

I can't remember. I just remember they were very bulky and it was very roomy everywhere except for my big toe hitting the "roof" of the toe box. We sized down and then up and it just didnt work.

 

[tallnewbie]

Now I'm thinking of it, maybe my foot isn't wide for US standards? Maybe thats why Jacksons seemed very roomy width-wise. My normal shoes are primarily French or Italian designers, which run narrow. Maybe I'm not that wide...

I like the look of the Edeas and Aura Sky. I hope they work!

I will go for a fitting with a different store and report back. Thanks for all of the suggestions!

 

[tstop4me]

Can beginners get injured more easily in advanced boots? They told me that there's less ankle support and its lower cut. Is that why they would have suggested entry-level?

This is really bizarre. In general, more advanced boots are stiffer and provide more ankle support than entry-level boots. [There is a more complicated discussion concerning Edea and Edea-like boots that provide more room between the front of the shin and the back of the tongue than more traditional boots, but I won't get into that here.]

There is an increased chance of injury if the boot is too soft, and you are not getting adequate support. There is also an increased chance of injury if the boots are much too stiff, such that you have difficulty achieving proper ankle and knee bend. You're facing the classic Goldilocks scenario: this boot is toooo soft; this boot is toooo stiff; this boot is juuust right. You want a boot that's juuust right.

As for ankle-cut height, as long as you're buying freestyle boots, this should not be an issue. There are special low-cut boots for more advanced ice dancers, but those are not models a beginner skater should be considering.

 

[Diana Delafield]

I did point out a more advanced boot that I wanted to try on and they said they match boots to skating skill.

You need to go to a different shop and fitter. They should also be considering the skater's height and weight, not just the skill level, for safety reasons. A child with advanced skills and a much larger beginner adult need boots the same strength.

 

[tstop4me]

Manufacturers don't use different lasts for white/black skates. If you can find your size in black, then it makes no difference (keeping in mind size US ladies/men differ).

I'd just like to caution that Jackson men's and women's' boots differ in more than just the color. Men's boots typically are stiffer. E.g., the Synergy Spark (women's white) has a stiffness of 60. The lowest Synergy model for men (black) is the Synergy Ignite, with a stiffness of 85. Similarly, the Supreme 5300 (women's white) has a stiffness of 75; whereas, the Supreme 5362 (men's black) has a stiffness of 85. And the Premiere 2850 (women's white) has a stiffness of 65; whereas, the Premiere 2852 (men's black) has a stiffness of 69 (a more modest difference). Note that there is a difference in name or numerical code between women's and men's models; so technically one can argue that they are not the same model, but that's a picky point

As for difference in sizing, Jackson has a straightforward conversion (men's/women's) for length: "Men's sizing is 1.5 sizes smaller than women's sizes, built on the same last. For example, Men's size 7 is equal to women's size 8.5." Conversion for width, however, is not something I ever got a clear answer from Jackson (maybe you know?). The info on their FAQ is out of date, since it refers to their old single ball width sizing. But their recent models (for at least several years now) have dual ball width sizing (not to be confused with split width sizing between ball and heel): for women, R(A/B) and W(C/D); for men, M and W (unspecified). Here, e.g., R(A/B) means it ships as an A but can be expanded via heat moulding to a B. What I couldn't get a straight answer to is whether women's R and W widths are the same as men's M and W widths. Their latest sizing chart is here: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2400/1529/files/Sizing_Chart_Length_Width_JUS.jpg?v=1732135335. Whether this is accurate or not, I'm not sure. It does show that a men's size X and a women's size X+1.5 do in fact correspond to the same identical foot length. But the widths are not identical.

Anyway, the OP needs to exercise caution with Jacksons when trying on a women's model in the store and ordering a counterpart men's model. [ETA: Since the OP is concerned with aesthetics, note that Jackson men's and women's models sometimes have different surface finishes (e.g., suede vs smooth) and different ornamentation (e.g., absence vs presence of Swarovski crystals).]

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Now I'm thinking of it, maybe my foot isn't wide for US standards? Maybe thats why Jacksons seemed very roomy width-wise. My normal shoes are primarily French or Italian designers, which run narrow. Maybe I'm not that wide...

I like the look of the Edeas and Aura Sky. I hope they work!

I will go for a fitting with a different store and report back. Thanks for all of the suggestions!

If you're supposedly not that wide then you wouldn't be Mongolian foot type that you said you were earlier. Or are you? If you are then Edea and Aura are a no which is why we didn't suggest them to you. Purchasing the correct figure skates FOR YOUR FOOT is not like buying designer shoes---You can't just buy them "because you like the way they look" you need what fits your particular foot. I have been doing this for decades at a high level in the sport and I can tell you that I did not suggest a boot for you that is not for your foot type---if your foot type is what you truly originally said it was in post 1 of this thread. You need a specialized fitter and probably as I've said upthread--a split width boot.

 

[Karoltyna]

Now I'm thinking of it, maybe my foot isn't wide for US standards? Maybe thats why Jacksons seemed very roomy width-wise. My normal shoes are primarily French or Italian designers, which run narrow. Maybe I'm not that wide...

I like the look of the Edeas and Aura Sky. I hope they work!

I will go for a fitting with a different store and report back. Thanks for all of the suggestions!

If your foot is wide, edeas aren't for you - you won't even put your foot in them, the same probably goes for risport. As pointed out before, search for grafs and jacksons. You need to find a decent fitter and change how you view buying skates - this is gear, not accessory. You are buying what fits your feet and skills you are learning, not your style. If style is so important for you, buy boot covers, but I assure you, people on the ice dgaf if your boots match your outfit. My son has white skates with crystals on the heel because this was what fitted his feet, guess how many comments about his boots he received and how many about his skills...