Hey everyone
I’m 24 and started skating last winter. I’ve been wearing the Graf Tango as a beginner boot up until now (which come with a mounted Graf blade) and want to upgrade my boots for the new season.
I train 2-3 times a week and just started working on my Salchow and Scratch Spin. I can do the Waltz and Toe Loop.
For reference:
My feet are quite wide in the front, although my heels are narrower and I have flat arches.
I’m 153cm / 5ft and I weigh 47kg / 103lbs.
I want to get a supportive boot for my level that won’t break down easily.
During the summer when my rink was closed, I got the Risport RF3 Pros (Size 240, C width) with a Snowwhite frame to practice off ice. I also tried on the Chorus but preferred the fit of Risport.
I really liked the ankle support and stiffness of the RF3 boot and planned on getting the boot for the ice as well, paired with MK Pro blades. That’s until I recently got on the ice again with the Graf Tango and now the RF3 suddenly seemed very stiff when I would skate with them off ice.
There are also a few problems I have with the RF3 Pro:
Now I’m not sure if the RF3 would be too stiff for me and if I should go with the Electra Light instead. Although I‘ve heard that the Electra is a beginner boot for adults and it can get broken down quite easily. I‘m not sure how the Graf boot levels in stiffness compared to the Electra. They told me it should be in between the stiffness of Edea Overture and Chorus (?).
There’s such a difference in the stiffness of the two, so I’m a bit afraid of under- or overbooting with either one.
I purchased each pair (Tango & RF3) at two different professional skate shops in my area and got them fitted and heat molded, although both shops specialize more in Ice Hockey than Figure Skating (they are knowledgeable but it’s not their expertise).
That’s why they can’t help me which boot to choose, as they told me it’s up to my preference. Unfortunately there are no other Pro Shops in my area.
I also asked a few coaches and skaters at my rink but it seems that everyone has a different opinion / tells me just to go to the fitter.
Which one should I chose or do you have other boot recommendations for me?
Thank you for reading!![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
I’m 24 and started skating last winter. I’ve been wearing the Graf Tango as a beginner boot up until now (which come with a mounted Graf blade) and want to upgrade my boots for the new season.
I train 2-3 times a week and just started working on my Salchow and Scratch Spin. I can do the Waltz and Toe Loop.
For reference:
My feet are quite wide in the front, although my heels are narrower and I have flat arches.
I’m 153cm / 5ft and I weigh 47kg / 103lbs.
I want to get a supportive boot for my level that won’t break down easily.
During the summer when my rink was closed, I got the Risport RF3 Pros (Size 240, C width) with a Snowwhite frame to practice off ice. I also tried on the Chorus but preferred the fit of Risport.
I really liked the ankle support and stiffness of the RF3 boot and planned on getting the boot for the ice as well, paired with MK Pro blades. That’s until I recently got on the ice again with the Graf Tango and now the RF3 suddenly seemed very stiff when I would skate with them off ice.
There are also a few problems I have with the RF3 Pro:
- Even though I already got them punched out to make them wider, it starts hurting after an hour
- When standing without moving, they start hurting and I feel like my foot shifts a bit forward
- Sometimes I feel that my heel is not properly secured and lifts in the boot
- Relacing - I feel the need to relace constantly, either because it‘s too loose or to tight in certain areas (maybe I just need to figure out a better technique?)
Now I’m not sure if the RF3 would be too stiff for me and if I should go with the Electra Light instead. Although I‘ve heard that the Electra is a beginner boot for adults and it can get broken down quite easily. I‘m not sure how the Graf boot levels in stiffness compared to the Electra. They told me it should be in between the stiffness of Edea Overture and Chorus (?).
There’s such a difference in the stiffness of the two, so I’m a bit afraid of under- or overbooting with either one.
I purchased each pair (Tango & RF3) at two different professional skate shops in my area and got them fitted and heat molded, although both shops specialize more in Ice Hockey than Figure Skating (they are knowledgeable but it’s not their expertise).
That’s why they can’t help me which boot to choose, as they told me it’s up to my preference. Unfortunately there are no other Pro Shops in my area.
I also asked a few coaches and skaters at my rink but it seems that everyone has a different opinion / tells me just to go to the fitter.
Which one should I chose or do you have other boot recommendations for me?
Thank you for reading!