- Joined
- Jun 27, 2021
Hi y'all! I know there are already some threads about Risport RF/Royal, but still not quite where I'm coping with so that's why I've started a new thread.
To introduce myself: I am a real fanatic petite adult skater (about 1.50m/4ft11.06inch and 52kg/113.54lb) in her 40's but still but thinking she's in her 20's on the ice
I learned skating at very young age and could skate quite well since a kid but I just learned figure skating as an adult, for about 12 years now. I guess my level is intermediate. Depending on the season, I train 3-4 times p/w (4-6 hours) and I also skate competitions. I work a lot on the axel and doubles now (not 2Lz yet and no way 2A) and I'm close to landing a 2L and 2F. Sometimes I'm finally close in landing a 1A now, but I keep having a lot of trouble with it (it is really not my jump 
).
I've always skated on Risport boots (size 225B); they fit me like a glove. I've learned the basics on RF4, then had 2 pairs of RF3 (about 2 years both) and now I skate for about 5 years on RF2 (in combination with first 1 year on MK Professional blades and then I switched to Coronation Ace). My RF2 boots are really in need of replacement now. They were ready for replacement about 1.5 years ago, but I kept postponing it and before you know it you are 1.5 years further.. My blades are still ok. All the Risport boots I've skated on were with a double layer sole. The more recent models all have a single layer sole, so that will be something for sure I will have to get used to.
I've done a lot of research on the internet and the most recent catalog I could find online was of 2017/2018 (https://toulova.cz/_files/200000647-bd905be798/2018_RisportCatalogue.pdf) with the RF3 Pro, Royal Pro, RF1 Exclusive, RF1 Elite, Royal Elite and Royal Exclusive which might seem potential new boots for me. The Risport website however now only shows the RF3 Pro, Royal Pro and the RF1 Elite of these potentials in their current collection. Apparently Risport has removed its Exclusive models from their collection..
So with these potentials in mind I went to the skating store for advice and fitting. Since my size wasn't on stock the RF3 Pro and RF1 Elite have been ordered for me. Not a Royal Pro, because the person who helped me (he is the figure skating specialist in our area to go to for advise and sharpen blades) indicated that he was not a fan of the Royal models, because he experienced lately that many skaters (not all) who bought a Royal model it ended up having problems with the tongue. It did not fit properly and/or it (partly) slided out of the boots during training.
The Exclusive models seemed interesting to me, because they are said to be lighter in weight. There were still some Exclusive models in the store (not in my size), but these felt not really much lighter than the Elite models, so I didn't see the added value in the Exclusives anymore. Would that be (un)fair of me? The Exclusives are no longer available in the current Risport collection, so there must be a reason for it (perhaps because it barely made a difference)?
I am now anxiously awaiting the delivery of the boots so that I can try fitting them. However, I am now starting to doubt whether the Royal Pro might be the boot for me. I understand from the technical specs (https://issuu.com/klsport/docs/catalogo_tecnico_a4_risport_ice-rol/2?ff, p2-3) that the Royal models are slightly lower at the back and can therefore give a bit more knee bend. Could that improve using edges and e.g. lower sit spins? Obviously that is obtained by more power and technique rather than a lower back of your boot, but could it help? Of course, the stiffness of the boots for jumps and the lock around the heel must remain. Suppose I am someone who doesn't experience problems with the tongue of the Royal models?
As I understood the RF1 Excl. or the Royal Elite/Excl. could probably still be ordered for me, because my size is not very common in these models and therefore Risport still might have these in stock even though they're not in their collection anymore. On the other hand, there must be a reason why it is no longer in their current collection? But the most important thing is of course not to be overbooted, but also not to be stuck with a pair that I have to replace after a year.
RF2 has stiffness index 65 where RF3 Pro is 60. Royal Pro is also 65 but is of different construction than the RF line. And then you are in the next models RF1 Elite/Excl. or Royal Elite/Excl. or Royal Prime with index 90. My feeling is a boot with stiffness index 70-80 would be suitable for me, but that is not existing in the current Risport collection
So that leaves RF3 Pro and Royal Pro for me? RF3 Pro is less stiff than the RF2 I have now (not much but still) where Royal Pro is of same stiffness but of different construction. And going to a boot of 90, would that be wise? 
Hope you see my 'problem' here.. I really needed some time to break in my RF3's coming from RF4. I didn't really needed break-in time switching from the old RF3 to the new RF3 boots and from RF3 to RF2.
Are there any skaters in here who have experience in switching from the RF line to Royal (or vice versa)? I really have no idea if I'd better stick to a RF boot or switching to a Royal boot can do me any good. And anyone here who can share his/her opinion/advise/expertise with me which model would suit me best? All experiences/expertise with all above Risport models, preferable with comparable skating level, are very welcome!!
(Sorry for my very long thread! I really wanted to outline my situation as clearly as possible in order to get suitable advice and opinions from you 
)
To introduce myself: I am a real fanatic petite adult skater (about 1.50m/4ft11.06inch and 52kg/113.54lb) in her 40's but still but thinking she's in her 20's on the ice
I learned skating at very young age and could skate quite well since a kid but I just learned figure skating as an adult, for about 12 years now. I guess my level is intermediate. Depending on the season, I train 3-4 times p/w (4-6 hours) and I also skate competitions. I work a lot on the axel and doubles now (not 2Lz yet and no way 2A) and I'm close to landing a 2L and 2F. Sometimes I'm finally close in landing a 1A now, but I keep having a lot of trouble with it (it is really not my jump ).I've always skated on Risport boots (size 225B); they fit me like a glove. I've learned the basics on RF4, then had 2 pairs of RF3 (about 2 years both) and now I skate for about 5 years on RF2 (in combination with first 1 year on MK Professional blades and then I switched to Coronation Ace). My RF2 boots are really in need of replacement now. They were ready for replacement about 1.5 years ago, but I kept postponing it and before you know it you are 1.5 years further..
My blades are still ok. All the Risport boots I've skated on were with a double layer sole. The more recent models all have a single layer sole, so that will be something for sure I will have to get used to.I've done a lot of research on the internet and the most recent catalog I could find online was of 2017/2018 (https://toulova.cz/_files/200000647-bd905be798/2018_RisportCatalogue.pdf) with the RF3 Pro, Royal Pro, RF1 Exclusive, RF1 Elite, Royal Elite and Royal Exclusive which might seem potential new boots for me. The Risport website however now only shows the RF3 Pro, Royal Pro and the RF1 Elite of these potentials in their current collection. Apparently Risport has removed its Exclusive models from their collection..
So with these potentials in mind I went to the skating store for advice and fitting. Since my size wasn't on stock the RF3 Pro and RF1 Elite have been ordered for me. Not a Royal Pro, because the person who helped me (he is the figure skating specialist in our area to go to for advise and sharpen blades) indicated that he was not a fan of the Royal models, because he experienced lately that many skaters (not all) who bought a Royal model it ended up having problems with the tongue. It did not fit properly and/or it (partly) slided out of the boots during training.
The Exclusive models seemed interesting to me, because they are said to be lighter in weight. There were still some Exclusive models in the store (not in my size), but these felt not really much lighter than the Elite models, so I didn't see the added value in the Exclusives anymore. Would that be (un)fair of me? The Exclusives are no longer available in the current Risport collection, so there must be a reason for it (perhaps because it barely made a difference)?
I am now anxiously awaiting the delivery of the boots so that I can try fitting them. However, I am now starting to doubt whether the Royal Pro might be the boot for me. I understand from the technical specs (https://issuu.com/klsport/docs/catalogo_tecnico_a4_risport_ice-rol/2?ff, p2-3) that the Royal models are slightly lower at the back and can therefore give a bit more knee bend. Could that improve using edges and e.g. lower sit spins? Obviously that is obtained by more power and technique rather than a lower back of your boot, but could it help? Of course, the stiffness of the boots for jumps and the lock around the heel must remain. Suppose I am someone who doesn't experience problems with the tongue of the Royal models?
As I understood the RF1 Excl. or the Royal Elite/Excl. could probably still be ordered for me, because my size is not very common in these models and therefore Risport still might have these in stock even though they're not in their collection anymore. On the other hand, there must be a reason why it is no longer in their current collection? But the most important thing is of course not to be overbooted, but also not to be stuck with a pair that I have to replace after a year.
RF2 has stiffness index 65 where RF3 Pro is 60. Royal Pro is also 65 but is of different construction than the RF line. And then you are in the next models RF1 Elite/Excl. or Royal Elite/Excl. or Royal Prime with index 90. My feeling is a boot with stiffness index 70-80 would be suitable for me, but that is not existing in the current Risport collection
So that leaves RF3 Pro and Royal Pro for me? RF3 Pro is less stiff than the RF2 I have now (not much but still) where Royal Pro is of same stiffness but of different construction. And going to a boot of 90, would that be wise? Hope you see my 'problem' here.. I really needed some time to break in my RF3's coming from RF4. I didn't really needed break-in time switching from the old RF3 to the new RF3 boots and from RF3 to RF2.Are there any skaters in here who have experience in switching from the RF line to Royal (or vice versa)? I really have no idea if I'd better stick to a RF boot or switching to a Royal boot can do me any good. And anyone here who can share his/her opinion/advise/expertise with me which model would suit me best? All experiences/expertise with all above Risport models, preferable with comparable skating level, are very welcome!!
(Sorry for my very long thread!
I really wanted to outline my situation as clearly as possible in order to get suitable advice and opinions from you )
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Just wanted to say hi to another 40's skater who thinks she's in her 20s... Never too old!!
