Boot and Blade Recommendations for Adult Beginner

[travelgirl]

I am an adult skater getting back into figure skating and am looking to replace my over 40 year old Reidell skates. I took lessons until I was 11 or 12 but was not very good, I passed only what were then the preliminary dances (Dutch waltz, canasta tango and swing) and preliminary and first figures (for those of you who are old enough to remember them … ). My freestyle skills were dismal, the only things I could do properly were waltz jumps and forward upright and sit spins, plus what I now know was an incorrectly executed salchow.

At the beginning of October I began attending 2 hours per week of adult figure skating sessions, plus one or 2 hours of public skating just to work on stroking. At the adult sessions I am currently focussing on re-learning basic skills (edge work, backward crossovers, 3 turns, c steps), and in future I would like to re-learn some dances, maybe spins, but don’t imagine I’ll want to jump.

I have a Roman foot, normal arches, narrow heel and the ball of my foot measures 9 inches in circumference. I am 5’8” tall and 180 pounds. Advice on suitable boots and blades for my endeavours would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Meg LU]

I am an adult skater getting back into figure skating and am looking to replace my over 40 year old Reidell skates. I took lessons until I was 11 or 12 but was not very good, I passed only what were then the preliminary dances (Dutch waltz, canasta tango and swing) and preliminary and first figures (for those of you who are old enough to remember them … ). My freestyle skills were dismal, the only things I could do properly were waltz jumps and forward upright and sit spins, plus what I now know was an incorrectly executed salchow.

At the beginning of October I began attending 2 hours per week of adult figure skating sessions, plus one or 2 hours of public skating just to work on stroking. At the adult sessions I am currently focussing on re-learning basic skills (edge work, backward crossovers, 3 turns, c steps), and in future I would like to re-learn some dances, maybe spins, but don’t imagine I’ll want to jump.

I have a Roman foot, normal arches, narrow heel and the ball of my foot measures 9 inches in circumference. I am 5’8” tall and 180 pounds. Advice on suitable boots and blades for my endeavours would be greatly appreciated!

Def go to a boot fitter they will be more percise. but I would say a risport or an edea because of the narrow heel. But im currently in a jackson5300 and i have a slim heel and wider toe box. Its truly preference of the skater. I hate edea on my foot but love risport. But im currently in a jackson for comfort while i regain my edurance for training. But again I would go to a proff. to give you exactly what you need. Blade wise a coronation ace and or a matrix blade would be great <3

 

[travelgirl]

Thanks. Unfortunately where I live there are only 2 boot suppliers/fitters, both of whom just measure length and ball of foot, and ask about skill level. Neither has adult boots in stock, they have to be ordered. Going to any other fitter would require a plane trip which isn’t feasible. Yesterday, I went to one of the fitters, who had no interest in my foot type or arch, really was only interested in sizing, and pitched the Jackson Elle, or, “for the best bang for the buck”, the Freestyle.

Based on my online research, I’m certain that the Elle is too soft given my weight, am suspicious as to whether the same would be true of Freestyle (I know it would be too soft for jumping, which I’m not planning to do), and I don’t even know if Jackson is appropriate for my foot shape.

The fitter also sells Reidells and Risports but didn’t even mention either until I specifically asked about Reidells and whether they would be more suitable for me. The fitter just said that lots of adult skaters “prefer” Reidells, that the Motion would be the equivalent of the Freestyle but that will cost over $200 more (Canadian pricing), and that its up to me to decide what I prefer and they’ll order it for me. So, I don’t really have confidence in their knowledge and was hoping for some additional advice before I order anything!

 

[Meg LU]

Thanks. Unfortunately where I live there are only 2 boot suppliers/fitters, both of whom just measure length and ball of foot, and ask about skill level. Neither has adult boots in stock, they have to be ordered. Going to any other fitter would require a plane trip which isn’t feasible. Yesterday, I went to one of the fitters, who had no interest in my foot type or arch, really was only interested in sizing, and pitched the Jackson Elle, or, “for the best bang for the buck”, the Freestyle.

Based on my online research, I’m certain that the Elle is too soft given my weight, am suspicious as to whether the same would be true of Freestyle (I know it would be too soft for jumping, which I’m not planning to do), and I don’t even know if Jackson is appropriate for my foot shape.

The fitter also sells Reidells and Risports but didn’t even mention either until I specifically asked about Reidells and whether they would be more suitable for me. The fitter just said that lots of adult skaters “prefer” Reidells, that the Motion would be the equivalent of the Freestyle but that will cost over $200 more (Canadian pricing), and that its up to me to decide what I prefer and they’ll order it for me. So, I don’t really have confidence in their knowledge and was hoping for some additional advice before I order anything!

Oh im sorry to hear that, that is super frustrating. Ive been in alot of diffenrt boot brands and customs as well so i have some knowledge. But I would check with youtube and videos to find the pros and cons of different boots. Im around 5'6 and 175 in weight so similar body stature. I enjoyed Ripsport when I had them, but I recommend going up a size for the toe box. And for ridell they are comfortable but I allways recommend to wear gel pads
. I will say, my foot sliped a bit in my ridel cause they were a half-size too big. im a 8 in womens shoes and wore a 7 -7.5 in skates(depending on the brand in euro. im a 255)and they were too big (but they were used ) So thats my two cents on a ridel. But you are correct with needing to go higher in support. I was fitted in a jackson debut and broke the boot down in 4 months. it was unfortunate. So trust your gut, but dont overboot, no need to get a risport royal prime haha. I would say something meant for axel and up so it lasts but it still nice to break in. A jackson synergy might be a good boot to look at its rated a 60 in support.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I am an adult skater getting back into figure skating and am looking to replace my over 40 year old Reidell skates. I took lessons until I was 11 or 12 but was not very good, I passed only what were then the preliminary dances (Dutch waltz, canasta tango and swing) and preliminary and first figures (for those of you who are old enough to remember them … ). My freestyle skills were dismal, the only things I could do properly were waltz jumps and forward upright and sit spins, plus what I now know was an incorrectly executed salchow.

At the beginning of October I began attending 2 hours per week of adult figure skating sessions, plus one or 2 hours of public skating just to work on stroking. At the adult sessions I am currently focussing on re-learning basic skills (edge work, backward crossovers, 3 turns, c steps), and in future I would like to re-learn some dances, maybe spins, but don’t imagine I’ll want to jump.

I have a Roman foot, normal arches, narrow heel and the ball of my foot measures 9 inches in circumference. I am 5’8” tall and 180 pounds. Advice on suitable boots and blades for my endeavours would be greatly appreciated!

Hi and welcome!
Based on your stats: I would suggest a Jackson, Graf, or Risport for your boots. In Jackson I would suggest the Synergy Ignite, it's a semi-customizable boot and you should be able to get the heel more narrow than your toebox. You could look at the Supreme 5300 as well in Jackson. Risport is not going to have a boot that's the right stiffness for your needs unfortunately. Graf, on the other hand, you could look at the Richmond Special. As far as blades, traditional version of the MK Pro or John Wilson Coronation Ace (no revs or lites).

Good luck!

 

[tstop4me]

Unfortunately where I live there are only 2 boot suppliers/fitters, both of whom just measure length and ball of foot, and ask about skill level. Neither has adult boots in stock, they have to be ordered. Going to any other fitter would require a plane trip which isn’t feasible. Yesterday, I went to one of the fitters, who had no interest in my foot type or arch, really was only interested in sizing, and pitched the Jackson Elle, or, “for the best bang for the buck”, the Freestyle.

* <<Emphasis added>> Definitely not good enough. There are many fitting parameters. But, in particular, for figure skating boots, it's crucial that the heel pocket fits snugly. For many boot models, you can get different heel widths. But even that by itself is not sufficient, since you need an appropriate 3D geometry to lock in your heel such that the heel of your foot does not slide side-to-side and up-and-down within the heel pocket of the boot.

* See my posts in this previous thread for more detailed discussions on fit: https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/threads/what-exactly-counts-as-heel-slippage.100549/.

* Also, if you haven't already, see this concurrent thread for all the grief another skater has gone through (including a virtual fitting and flying to see a fitter ... and still striking out): https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/threads/nz-skate-for-wide-foot-and-maybe-narrow-heel.102123/.

* If you give us more details of where in Canada you are, perhaps other members can offer recommendations of fitters to work with. For the level of equipment that Ic3 has recommended, you'll be wasting a lot of money (and risking potential injury or medical issues) if you are not fitted properly. So you need to decide how much money, time, and effort you want to invest in pursuing this sport.

 

[travelgirl]

Thanks. I live in Nova Scotia. I’ve been told that the 2 suppliers I mentioned are the only fitters here. But if any of you have recommendations I would gladly take them!

 

[CoffeeFan]

Thanks. I live in Nova Scotia. I’ve been told that the 2 suppliers I mentioned are the only fitters here. But if any of you have recommendations I would gladly take them!

I used to live there, I have DM'd you.