Evolution of the Skating Boot

[SmallAminal]

I always think its interesting when you look at how skating boots have evolved over time. They used to be really tall and mostly leather (without a bunch of padding) and they got both shorter and more padded over time. Recently, the synthetic materials have started to become more prominent along with the use of plastics and other man-made materials to save on weight.

Does anyone know if there are more radical changes on the horizon? For example, I consider the reduction in the height of the boot to be a radical change in design. Does anyone think that in 10 years time the boots will look very different due to technological advances and more science-based design improvements?

 

[bunnybarista]

Perhaps we will see a resurgence of the "hinged" boot for enhanced jumping, or something to that effect. ( https://www.news-medical.net/news/2004/04/29/1056.aspx ) While today's skates are a big step up from what they used to be - it's hard to imagine how people were able to jump in some of the old ones with no padding/structure!! - it seems like there's still a long way to go in designing skates that are actually comfortable in addition to being supportive, and maybe even help decrease stress from jumping, a la the hinged boot. I am no boot specialist by any means, so this is all hypothetical. I also picture boots becoming lighter and lighter, as we've already seen in recent years.

 

[SmallAminal]

Perhaps we will see a resurgence of the "hinged" boot for enhanced jumping, or something to that effect..

Interesting that the idea never took off (I've never seen this commercially available).

I also cringe when I think of skaters landing jumps in the old high top leather skates without padding! Imagine trying to throw a quad in one of those - probably guaranteed to break an ankle.

 

[sandraskates]

I also cringe when I think of skaters landing jumps in the old high top leather skates without padding! Imagine trying to throw a quad in one of those - probably guaranteed to break an ankle.

I think that it's partially due to the evolution of stronger boots that today's skaters can execute consistent triples and quads.

Ever watch a Sonia Henie movie? She will execute 4 or more axels in a row, usually at the finale of the film. You have to look carefully because she really winds them up; they are not like the axels of "today."
Sonia was very athletic. There is no doubt in my mind that if she had today's evolved boots and current training that she'd be doing doubles and triples.
But in those boots of yesteryear - no way!

For those of you that have never watched a Sonia Henie movie, I recommend that you do. Yes, they are corny. But the skating and sets are amazing for that era. Or look her up on YouTube.

 

[tstop4me]

Interesting that the idea never took off (I've never seen this commercially available).

They were commercially available as the Jackson Proflex, but they were not a commercial success and were discontinued (couldn't find any info on how long they were on the market). One problem with a substantially new design is how long an experienced skater needs to retrain to lose old muscle memory with the old design and gain new muscle memory with the new design,

 

[SmallAminal]

They were commercially available as the Jackson Proflex, but they were not a commercial success and were discontinued (couldn't find any info on how long they were on the market). One problem with a substantially new design is how long an experienced skater needs to retrain to lose old muscle memory with the old design and gain new muscle memory with the new design,

Now I'm curious - has anyone tried them?

 

[Kypma]

Now I'm curious - has anyone tried them?

Alissa Czisny was one of the higher-profile skaters who wore the Pro-flex. I remember how much she praised them in being the only boot that prevented a recurring ankle issue that she had, although I can't find the articles from back them.

One of the issues with the boots was their 'clunkier' look, so most (perhaps all) those who wore them had over-the-boot tights. Other information that I have heard was that because the boot was hinged, it didn't break down as quickly, and that wasn't a good thing for companies from a profit standpoint. How true that is, I don't know, but it does make sense on some level.

 

[treesprite]

There is a current eBay listing for the hinged boots, new, size 4B, for $150

 

[SmallAminal]

There is a current eBay listing for the hinged boots, new, size 4B, for $150

I almost want them for the sheer curiosity of it. Not that my massive feet could fit into them, but I'd love to see how they work.

 

[treesprite]

I almost want them for the sheer curiosity of it. Not that my massive feet could fit into them, but I'd love to see how they work.

Yeah, it would have been nice if they were my size. At that price, if they had even been close to my size, it would have been nice to get them to play with them.

Maybe one day Jackson will find a way to make them with new lightweight technology applied.

 

[hanyuufan5]

While today's skates are a big step up from what they used to be - it's hard to imagine how people were able to jump in some of the old ones with no padding/structure!!

I also cringe when I think of skaters landing jumps in the old high top leather skates without padding! Imagine trying to throw a quad in one of those - probably guaranteed to break an ankle.

I've been skating in them for a few months. Last time, they hurt whatever the pokey part of the inner ankle is called so badly that I could barely stand it, but I did like a million jumps anyway. Landing them was fine. Taking off was excruciating.

I'm finally, finally going to get real skates soon, but I probably have a few more weeks in the ancient, unpadded ones (and to make matters worse, my ankles have about as much padding as the skates ).

To everyone with level-appropriate, comfortable, modern skates, next time you put them on, take a moment to appreciate them! (and if you're religious, thank whatever deit(y/ies) you believe in for letting you have them) The advances really have been amazing.

 

[CdnSkateWatcher]

My kid had (very briefly) a very old-school skating coach who sent him to be fitted in "SK Skates". These were based on a Knebli last (for anyone who knows what that is, you've been around for some time!) She swore by them ... we swore AT them.

He wore them for about 3 months until we refused to let him put them on his feet again. They were old-school, heavy, leather, unpadded skates. 14 years later, he still has the scars on his feet from the blisters. And, yes, he appreciated very much his new modern skates, and still does to this day!