It's not that weird in the figure skate boot market to launch a new company to introduce new technology and designs. I'm old enough that, when I first started buying skates, Jackson didn't exist. Now they're one of the largest manufacturers of figure skates, boots and blades. More recently, look how quickly Edea has established its presence in the marketplace. [Also, established companies tend to be skittish about new technologies and designs that compete with, or potentially disrupt, their existing business ... but that's another story.]
I did some web searches on Scott Van Horne, the guy behind Aura. He seems to know what he's doing. He previously (with a partner) started a company, VH Footwear, that sold custom boots, first for speedskating and then also for hockey. He sold that company several years ago to True Temper Sports (https://csga.ca/true-temper-sports-...personalized-fit-technology-nhl-clients-love/). His speedskating and hockey boots are now sold under the True label. According to True Hockey, 125 NHL players are now wearing his hockey boots (https://www.true-hockey.com/); that's a good endorsement. I don't know whether there's any business connection between Aura and True at this time, or whether they are totally separate.
Both the speedskates and the hockey skates have better warranties that provide for a replacement pair in the event that the first pair doesn't fit right (after repeated adjustments), as well as longer manufacturer's warranties: speedskate warranty here (http://true-speedskates.com/); hockey warranty here (https://www.true-hockey.com/warranty-information/custom-skates-warranty/). It would seem logical for Aura to extend the same policy for figure skate boots. Not sure why they don't, or whether the wording on their website hasn't been polished up.
Just as endorsement by NHL players is key to the success of hockey skates, I think Aura is sharp enough to know that the endorsement of elite figure skaters is key to the success of figure skate boots. So I think it's just a matter of time. Anyway, I'm a proponent of better technology and design and more choice for figure skates. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out; Scott did successfully transition from speedskates to hockey, so that's a good sign. But I don't have the $$$ to be an early adopter. And I'm too much a klutz to merit a freebie pair. :-(
That's interesting feedback. (1) Did a manufacturer's rep actually confirm that the boots are 3D printed? (2) If so, is the entire boot, including padding and liners, 3D printed?I have touched one (not my size). They are 3d printed after a foot scanning. The foot scanning is done flat, not on a heel, as in the skating position. Not sure how effective this is, because it does not take into account the weight distribution on your sole. Harlick asks you to trace your foot sitting, then standing. The boots are one piece (upper continuing with the sole). They are very hard, amost a cast. The only options in degrees of support are given by an elastic crease (bigger or smaller) at the ankle, that makes that articulation more or less rigid. I found the padding minimal. The 3d printing is an innovation, to start with, but they need also to take in consideration the needs of your foot, not just the shape. I' d rather spend that money on a custom Harlick, where you can play with so many options.
Moment of inertia is independent of gravitational force. It is a function of the spatial distribution of mass about the rotational axis of interest.As for their promise of reducing moment of inertia and making impossible jumps possible, I hope no one takes that too seriously. No skates will have any significant effect on anyone's moment of inertia unless there's an anti-gravity mechanism that activates upon jumping.
Yes, those are expensive for something no one knows or trusts yet.
But if one thinks those are expensive have you seen or experienced the price of top of the line custom figure skating boots? Not cheap, many are more than these Aura things.
Moment of inertia is independent of gravitational force. It is a function of the spatial distribution of mass about the rotational axis of interest.
But other top of the line custom figure skating boots are intended to last more than one season. The idea of paying out all that money for a pair of boots that may last one season or possibly actually less... Nope. Not for me, thank you. (Plus, I'm sorry but I think they are ugly...)
Depends on who is wearing the top of the line custom skating boots and what they're doing in them. Mine don't last me even a year sometimes at my level and wear/tear. And I wear both dance and freestyle boots for my pro career. So it's not exactly fun buying my boots almost annually.
What I said in my PP was I wouldn't buy or try these new Aura brand/style of boots even if someone paid me to. I'll stick to my custom Jackson and Risport.
Thinking about it, I used to go through a pair of Super Teri Deluxe a year - as an ice dancer - so I feel your pain!
I'll be sticking with my beloved Graf Dance. Oh yes. Interested to see how these new-fangled things turn out, though.
Keep an eye on those, they have a habit of toe buckling.
The pro-shop that sells Auras, says they have been getting an increasing amount of people ordering them, as word of mouth starts to spread.
Aura will take over the market?