Hi all! I just wanted to buy my first skates but it is extremely hard to know which ones will be good. My dream would be too learn single jumps in the future like toe-loops or salchows max probably. Nothing competetive or anything because I am 19 (and 52kg/male) so it is too late ofc. For that I need beginner level skates that can survive single jumps. The only ones in my size in my local shops/internet are: graf bolero senior(95$), graf davos gold (70$). Would I be able to land any single toe-loop/salchow in them in the future? There are also Graf Arosa Gold and Graf Revue top in another shop in my size but they cost more (200$). And the last one in my size is Risport Antares +MK flight for 250$. I do not want to spend much but if it is necessary I will do it of course. Please help me choose future proof ones in which I can do single jumps. I will be very thankful!! <33
First skates advice?
- Thread starter Biscuitte
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2020
Hi and welcome!
Do you know anything about your foot type? That way we can help point you in the right direction as far as the skates you'll want to buy.
However, you need to see a proper fitter who can measure and trace your foot. Making sure you find boots that fit you properly is the most important part. If you let us know where in the world you are, we can help recommend a reputable fitter. If for whatever reason you can't get to one, you could possibly do a virtual fitting.
I don't know if any of the models you mentioned will fit your foot, but you might need to order from elsewhere if they don't fit.
And whatever boots you do end up getting, please don't order them from the internet or try to learn things without a coach.
Do you know anything about your foot type? That way we can help point you in the right direction as far as the skates you'll want to buy.
However, you need to see a proper fitter who can measure and trace your foot. Making sure you find boots that fit you properly is the most important part. If you let us know where in the world you are, we can help recommend a reputable fitter. If for whatever reason you can't get to one, you could possibly do a virtual fitting.
I don't know if any of the models you mentioned will fit your foot, but you might need to order from elsewhere if they don't fit.
And whatever boots you do end up getting, please don't order them from the internet or try to learn things without a coach.
Thanks a lot for the reply! I can go to the shops to fit them, it will be open only tomorrow so I have to hurry. I live in Poland near capital- Warsaw so it is the only city were I can try them on. Here are links to the shops that are there:
//My foot size in normal shoes is somewhere beetween 42-43 and I would love to have white coloured skates if possible even though they may be only for women (in my country it is impossible to get skates for men I think)
//My foot size in normal shoes is somewhere beetween 42-43 and I would love to have white coloured skates if possible even though they may be only for women (in my country it is impossible to get skates for men I think)
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
I answered your PM @Biscuitte 
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2020
I'll be honest, I don't know all that much about skate shops in Warsaw so I'm going to tap in @Ic3Rabbit. She's a pro at this stuff and should be able to help you with your more specific questions.
Okay sure. Thanks a lot for your help too. It is so kind! :>
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2020
No problem! We're always here to help!
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
I suggested boots for you that would work for your level
Graf or Jackson would work for you. High arches, Risport would be good. I have VERY high arches and have worn Risport for many years. Risport Electra Light would be my first suggestion for you. Jackson Debut 2452 would be my next suggestion. Graf Prestige Black.
For the Jackson boot you would need a traditional intermediate blade: MK Pro or JW Coronation Ace (not revs or lites). Also, these boots will break down w/in a year or so and you will need to upgrade. That is how it works with figure skates. So you will not be jumping up to doubles in these boots.
Anything lower rated will not work for your height/weight and foot needs w/o causing issues and possible injuries.
Fitters: There's Edge Shop in Katowice and Sklep Spin in Warsaw.
Good luck!
// I still need help as I said. I am very sad that you quit private messages. I thought you are willing to help. I am a beginner so I dont need high end skates as my first ones! I need to see myself more on ice first.
Also the only skates from your recomendations available in my country are Risport Electras that are too expensive for first skates. I just want to buy skates like Graf Bolero that are for sure better than anything rental and you say that it will collapse- not it will not, I know that many adults used Jacksons 200/500 with same stiffness as Graf Bolero and nothing collapses as you said! I just wanted help in choosing skates,
not childish behaviour and forcing me to buy the most expensive ones :<
Is Graf Bolero really that bad for someone that just wants to step on ice first!? I will try the real figure skating after upgrading to Electras ofc but that is in the future, not now! As I said I am not underestimating your knowledge so you got me wrong...
Also the only skates from your recomendations available in my country are Risport Electras that are too expensive for first skates. I just want to buy skates like Graf Bolero that are for sure better than anything rental and you say that it will collapse- not it will not, I know that many adults used Jacksons 200/500 with same stiffness as Graf Bolero and nothing collapses as you said! I just wanted help in choosing skates,
not childish behaviour and forcing me to buy the most expensive ones :<
Is Graf Bolero really that bad for someone that just wants to step on ice first!? I will try the real figure skating after upgrading to Electras ofc but that is in the future, not now! As I said I am not underestimating your knowledge so you got me wrong...
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
I suggested the boots upthread which are no where near high level boots. You cannot as a grown man skate in 15 or 25 stiffness level skates safely and hope to get a single jump eventually. It doesn't work that way. The skates will break down and cause injury.
Here is quote of someone using boleros: I use Graf boleros and most beginners at my rink use them and I have seen people doing singles in them and spins. They are quite padded and supportive and they are what the skate shop recommended to me as they are apparently more padded than the Jackson ones.
And here a link to video with someone suggesting skates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fldqJ5WSVk (also a proffesional skater and she said that 150-200$ skates are very good and enough for begininng)
Please understand, I can do jumps after I learn to skate more, not now! Thats why I need simple skates now, not the expensive ones. As you see many people buy skates in 150-200$ range and are completely okay!
And here a link to video with someone suggesting skates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fldqJ5WSVk (also a proffesional skater and she said that 150-200$ skates are very good and enough for begininng)
Please understand, I can do jumps after I learn to skate more, not now! Thats why I need simple skates now, not the expensive ones. As you see many people buy skates in 150-200$ range and are completely okay!
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2020
Look, I understand that it can be a bit overwhelming, but I promise you @Ic3Rabbit would not try to recommend boots that are too advanced for you. In fact, I see her tell people all the time not to buy boots that are too stiff.
The reality is that skating is an expensive sport. It's best to invest in a good pair of skates from the start. If you want to even think about jumping anything, you'll need something stiffer. And even if you never jump, you'll probably end up spending more in the long run because the Graf Bolero skates will break down significantly faster. And you obviously do not want to end up injured.
The person you mentioned above is NOT a professional skater, with all due respect, she is a YouTuber who has been skating for less than 4 years. Ic3Rabbit has miles more experience than her.
I'd recommend going to a fitter and seeing what works for your foot. Don't buy anything without trying them on. Depending on what fits, see if the store can order something.
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2017
She's not a professional and has no idea what she's talking about. Sorry.
Other professional skater (now from Poland) says that Jackson 500 and that she used them for first year (stiffness only 10) are very good for beginning. Graf Boleros with stiffness 25 are much better of course so now I am even more sure they are perfect for me. I am not judging her knowledge. What she recommends is just not a pair of skates for a beginner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c8VL4fWUoM
She says that electras are perfect of course but for learning jumps which will be later not now in my situation so i do not need them now.
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2020
Look Ic3Rabbit is not trying to be mean, but the person you mentioned is also not a professional skater.
From what I can understand, Graf Boleros are an extremely basic, simple skate. I understand that you might not be jumping right away, but there's a lot that you learn between stepping on the ice and jumping. Stiffness ratings vary between brands. So a 15 in one brand could be a 30 in another brand.
Obviously, we can't stop you from buying the Boleros. But be prepared to buy the Electras in a few months or even sooner. That's all.
If you are sure that you actually want to skate, we'd recommend getting a good pair of boots from the start. No boot is going to last forever, but obviously you want to avoid spending unnecessary money, and of course, avoid injury.
That is what I am saying. You are at least not forcing me like Ic3Rabbit. I am just a beginner! I am sure that boleros are enough for first skates and after I am better, then I should swap to Electra.
Choosing Figure Skates
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- Nov 13, 2020
I promise you that @Ic3Rabbit isn't trying to force you to do anything. She is just providing her best advice with her knowledge.
Maybe Boleros will be enough for a very short while. But what we're saying is that time will be so short that it's just not worth it.
Also, stiffness ratings vary between brands, so I wouldn't take anything as absolute.
