It really depends on your goals, weight, intensity of skating...and on how much you're looking to spend! If you're just looking for skating in circles in the rink with some cheap skates you'll do fine, but the moment you want to learn more complicated footwork and, why not, spins and jumps, you're going to want to have a stiffer boots.
If you're going to take lessons I'd ask your coach, he's going to be more knowledgeable than I am. But in the meantime, you can check this table, it should give you some interesting points for comparison!
To be honest, it's not exactly true: people have been doing jumps with soft boots for a long time. But you shouldn't! You could hurt your ankles —and break the boot!
This begginer models that I see the most at my home rink are Risport Venus, and Jackson Mystique or Artiste. Of course a lot of people use Oxedo and other plastic boots, but, again, you shouldn't use those for more than recreational skating. If you only want that then it's fine!! They're definitely more comfy than rental skates. In fact they're probably more comfortable (soft) than more advanced skates as well.
I myself am an adult beginner and I use Risport Antares. They're comfortable and have great support —I've been skating in them for two months, I've been skating since the summer, and I'm carefully starting simple jumps at the moment.
I risked going second-hand with mine because I couldn't afford them and I personally knew and trusted the source (I also have really small feet for an adult, so the ones I use are almost new since the kid that used them before me overgrew them super quickly before even breaking them in).
Maybe that can be a choice for you as well, and they're definitely more affordable (I got mine for half the original price), but beware it's a risk. It's really difficult they'll get to be as good a fit to your foot as if you yourself had broke them in —I'm an exception on this.
Be sure to try them on before buying them. If you can go to a professional shop and get your foot fitted that's great. Don't buy them online unless you've tried them first in an store and are super sure it's the right size. They should feel stiff but not painful.
I wish you the best luck in your adult skating journey!! It's super fun!!!
(a) Both Riedell and Jackson make a large selection of boots from very low end to very high end. What you get will very much depend on what you can afford. Since you are an adult, your feet have stopped growing, and it's best to save up for a good pair; you'll actually save money in the long run. Some pointers:
Agree with Ic's post. Given the large number of manufacturers, models, options, and sizes, it's way too expensive for a shop to stock inventory [especially since manufacturers these days retire models and introduce new models a lot more frequently than they used to in the past].
The problem is each boot company follows slightly different procedures for measurements. At pro shops, you will often see multiple measurement devices, each configured for a specific boot manufacturer.
Both the Elle and the Artiste are recreational models. Call Jackson to see whether they even offer customs in these models; customs are typically for advanced models. Also check what the cost would be (you'll probably be in for sticker shock). Two possible options: (a) A higher model custom, but with reduced stiffness, or (b) Buy two pairs of the recreational models in different sizes (one that fits your left, one that fits your right). If you go the custom route, it's essential you go through a competent fitter.
