Boot/blade advice needed for intermediate adult

[Emmy101]

Hello dear all,
I am a 23 yo female who started skating a year ago. I am 1.75 m (5'9") and 55 kg (122lbs). Have got some singles down, axel, salchow, toe loop, working on the rest. I've got quite strong feet, ankles and legs from years of competing in high jump and other track events. When I started I got fitted at the nearest pro shop with either the Risport Antares or Edea Overture. My heel slipped up in the Overtures and it felt worse on my foot (egyptian, quite narrow, with slightly high arches, and a haglund bump) than the Risports, so I went with the Antares (and the MK flight blade that came with it). Reading through threads I am coming to realise this boot maybe should not have been recommended to me. I'm finding them quite unstable on jumps and I can bend them really easily.
Because of this I am looking at changing boot and blade to something that is more secure and will keep up with my progress for a number of years. The pro shop I went to was recommended by coaches and other skaters but is not really specialized in figure skating. Unfortunately there are no shops that I know of near me that are specialised or have fitters that are specialized.

I think I might want to stay with Risport, as those fit my foot well currently, and Edea and Risport are most available where I live (France). Given what is available I am looking at the Rf3 Pro and Royal Pro (can also get some very nicely discounted Rf1 elites, but might be too stiff?). Any particular recommendations? Shops I am looking at seem to differ in their opinions about stiffness ratings, one compared the Rf3 Pros to Edea Overture, and another to the Chorus..

In terms of blades, I have no solid preference between MK, Wilson or Ultima, which are all available. I mostly see the coronation ace and MK professional being used as intermediate blades, but not sure if going to a 7" rocker is a good choice, or what other good options would be.

Thank you

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hello dear all,
I am a 23 yo female who started skating a year ago. I am 1.75 m (5'9") and 55 kg (122lbs). Have got some singles down, axel, salchow, toe loop, working on the rest. I've got quite strong feet, ankles and legs from years of competing in high jump and other track events. When I started I got fitted at the nearest pro shop with either the Risport Antares or Edea Overture. My heel slipped up in the Overtures and it felt worse on my foot (egyptian, quite narrow, with slightly high arches, and a haglund bump) than the Risports, so I went with the Antares (and the MK flight blade that came with it). Reading through threads I am coming to realise this boot maybe should not have been recommended to me. I'm finding them quite unstable on jumps and I can bend them really easily.
Because of this I am looking at changing boot and blade to something that is more secure and will keep up with my progress for a number of years. The pro shop I went to was recommended by coaches and other skaters but is not really specialized in figure skating. Unfortunately there are no shops that I know of near me that are specialised or have fitters that are specialized.

I think I might want to stay with Risport, as those fit my foot well currently, and Edea and Risport are most available where I live (France). Given what is available I am looking at the Rf3 Pro and Royal Pro (can also get some very nicely discounted Rf1 elites, but might be too stiff?). Any particular recommendations? Shops I am looking at seem to differ in their opinions about stiffness ratings, one compared the Rf3 Pros to Edea Overture, and another to the Chorus..

In terms of blades, I have no solid preference between MK, Wilson or Ultima, which are all available. I mostly see the coronation ace and MK professional being used as intermediate blades, but not sure if going to a 7" rocker is a good choice, or what other good options would be.

Thank you

Hi and welcome. No, you should have never been in those boots with your stats and needs.
RF3Pro or Royal Pro could work (try both b/c they fit different). RF1 is too stiff for you.
Risport is my first recommendation for you since they fit high arches well.

I would also suggest Graf or Riedell if you can get them, Graf you may be able to in Europe, but Riedell may be more difficult to get.
Graf F4000 or Richmond Special.

As far as blades, MK Pro or JW Coronaton Ace (traditional style only) are the ones I would suggest for you and no moving to 7ft rocker isn't going to make that much difference to you.

If you let us know where you are in France, we could suggest a reputable figure skating fitter.

Good luck!

 

[Emmy101]

Thanks for the quick (and detailed) reply! I would love to go into a shop to try the different models on, I dislike ordering things where fit and feel is important online. Riedells are a definite no go I think, have not seen them anywhere I looked. Only one shop I could find in the country (online) sells Graf but very few sizes.
As for the blades, I am assuming from their descriptions there is no real difference. Would you recommend one over the other or is it really just whichever is available at a better price?
I’m located in Brittany, unfortunately not exactly the figure skating hub of the country. Am able to move a bit into the regions surrounding it and am occasionally passing through Paris. If you or anyone know any good fitters In those areas I’m all ears!

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Thanks for the quick (and detailed) reply! I would love to go into a shop to try the different models on, I dislike ordering things where fit and feel is important online. Riedells are a definite no go I think, have not seen them anywhere I looked. Only one shop I could find in the country (online) sells Graf but very few sizes.
As for the blades, I am assuming from their descriptions there is no real difference. Would you recommend one over the other or is it really just whichever is available at a better price?
I’m located in Brittany, unfortunately not exactly the figure skating hub of the country. Am able to move a bit into the regions surrounding it and am occasionally passing through Paris. If you or anyone know any good fitters In those areas I’m all ears!

It's more of a personal preference if you like MK or John Wilson. But they're similar and with the supply issues right now, it's sort of whichever you can get sooner lol.

BTW, I forgot to mention in the last post that Edea is definitely not a brand you want for your foot and needs.

Hopefully, someone here can suggest a fitter to you in that area of France.

Good luck!

 

[tinna]

Hi, there is Sport de Glace in Vannes. It is only their "entrepôt", I don't know the English word for it, but maybe if you contact them, they will be able to advise you on boots and fit you. At least their website is very good and the people who work there are mostly former skaters.

I don't think there are fitters in France in a way that there seems to be in the United States. At least in Paris area, the two shops I have been to, don't really mesure your foot or anything like that. It is more "does it fit", "does it hurt", "do you want another size". The one in Asnières seems to be the better one, the one in Boulogne is really mostly hockey.

 

[Emmy101]

Hi, there is Sport de Glace in Vannes. It is only their "entrepôt", I don't know the English word for it, but maybe if you contact them, they will be able to advise you on boots and fit you. At least their website is very good and the people who work there are mostly former skaters.

I don't think there are fitters in France in a way that there seems to be in the United States. At least in Paris area, the two shops I have been to, don't really mesure your foot or anything like that. It is more "does it fit", "does it hurt", "do you want another size". The one in Asnières seems to be the better one, the one in Boulogne is really mostly hockey.

Thank you for the information! I will check those out. This gives me some reputable shops to look at