Hello! Adult Skater need help with Boot/Blade confusion, please.

[FrozenFossil]

Hello Everyone,
I am new here and I am incredibly grateful to anyone that is willing to sift through my long post and provide some insight. Here goes:
I was a competitive skater when I was younger, but had to leave the sport at 17. I've always felt a huge piece of me was missing without skating, but never thought there was any way to get back into skating and competition as an adult. I am an Integrative Health Practitioner that specializes in wellness & anti-aging so you can't tell at first glance, but if you look at the age on my driver's license you would see that I'm pretty OLD. So much changed in skating & equipment while I was away and I'm feeling very lost.

Anyway, when I left the sport I had all of my double jumps and was beginning work on the first triples. At the time I was wearing custom Harlick boots and MK Phantom blades. I had worked my way up through the various Riedell boots when I was a child and they were rather unkind my feet and blistered my ankle bones severely, which is what prompted my coach to move me to the Harlicks.

So, here I am, more than 30 years later and I am determined to skate and compete again. I am a healthy & fit person (a competitive runner), so I believe that I will be able to get my groove back on the ice to some reasonable extent in short order. What do you wise people think I should do in terms of boots as I come back? I don't really want to buy a "beginner" boot/blade setup and then need to replace it quickly. I explained my situation to The Director of Skating at the Rink in my area, and asked for the name of a good fit specialist in the area. I was disappointed when she suggested that I go to the rink's pro-shop where "they sell Jackson's and they have super skates that come with the blades". Needless to say, that didn't make me feel like I was going to be dealing with "fit experts".

I have a narrow foot with bunions and some funky extra bones protruding from my ankles.

I now work in Southern Florida (Palm Beach/Wellington Area) for the winter portion of the year. For the remainder of the year I am in Chicago, IL and Orange County, New York.

I would welcome any advice, but in particular as far as a strategy for boot brands to try after the Harlicks, what level of boot to purchase as I start back, and where to find a fit expert to support this endeavor. I am thinking that I will probably get another set of MK Phantom or Gold Star Blades. I'm used to the Phantom blade and I liked the cross-cut toe pick. I would be interested in your thoughts on the Composite material blades as well as the Parabolic shaped blades. Did anyone find these to be super beneficial or really difficult to make the transition? I'm so interested in this technology.

Thank you to anyone that has managed to read this! I am so excited to be back "home" in the skating community.

Thanks in advance for your kind consideration. Have a great day!

 

[WednesdayMarch]

Welcome back to skating!

Ignore what the "Skating Director" of the rink told you - a boot and blade "set"? Seriously?! - and go to a proper fitter. I'm the UK, so fairly useless at recommending them Stateside, although I'm always hearing good things about Rainbo Sports in Chicago, but I know that Ic3Rabbit will have plenty of good suggestions for you. FYI, I came back to skating 4 years ago at the age of almost 50 and was deeply unimpressed with being recommended sets when I'd explained my previous level and rate of top-level boot replacement.

Having had Phantoms in the past (over 20 years ago), I'd suggest you stick with those as it will be like coming home. I had the Parabolic version for a while, purely as I got a really good deal on them otherwise I'd have stuck with the traditional ones that I knew, and they were great but I don't honestly think they're necessary. The benefits only kick in if you have really good edges in the first place and then they are fun, but the trad ones are side-honed anyway, so I would definitely not pay for more Parabolics. Gold Star are the blades I'm on now; I no longer jump and am really a dancer but love them for spinning.

Enjoy rediscovering the addiction...

 

[FrozenFossil]

Welcome back to skating!

Ignore what the "Skating Director" of the rink told you - a boot and blade "set"? Seriously?! - and go to a proper fitter. I'm the UK, so fairly useless at recommending them Stateside, although I'm always hearing good things about Rainbo Sports in Chicago, but I know that Ic3Rabbit will have plenty of good suggestions for you. FYI, I came back to skating 4 years ago at the age of almost 50 and was deeply unimpressed with being recommended sets when I'd explained my previous level and rate of top-level boot replacement.

Having had Phantoms in the past (over 20 years ago), I'd suggest you stick with those as it will be like coming home. I had the Parabolic version for a while, purely as I got a really good deal on them otherwise I'd have stuck with the traditional ones that I knew, and they were great but I don't honestly think they're necessary. The benefits only kick in if you have really good edges in the first place and then they are fun, but the trad ones are side-honed anyway, so I would definitely not pay for more Parabolics. Gold Star are the blades I'm on now; I no longer jump and am really a dancer but love them for spinning.

Enjoy rediscovering the addiction...

Thank you so much for your thoughts and feedback! I really appreciate your thoughts on the parabolic blades!

All the best!

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hello Everyone,
I am new here and I am incredibly grateful to anyone that is willing to sift through my long post and provide some insight. Here goes:
I was a competitive skater when I was younger, but had to leave the sport at 17. I've always felt a huge piece of me was missing without skating, but never thought there was any way to get back into skating and competition as an adult. I am an Integrative Health Practitioner that specializes in wellness & anti-aging so you can't tell at first glance, but if you look at the age on my driver's license you would see that I'm pretty OLD. So much changed in skating & equipment while I was away and I'm feeling very lost.

Anyway, when I left the sport I had all of my double jumps and was beginning work on the first triples. At the time I was wearing custom Harlick boots and MK Phantom blades. I had worked my way up through the various Riedell boots when I was a child and they were rather unkind my feet and blistered my ankle bones severely, which is what prompted my coach to move me to the Harlicks.

So, here I am, more than 30 years later and I am determined to skate and compete again. I am a healthy & fit person (a competitive runner), so I believe that I will be able to get my groove back on the ice to some reasonable extent in short order. What do you wise people think I should do in terms of boots as I come back? I don't really want to buy a "beginner" boot/blade setup and then need to replace it quickly. I explained my situation to The Director of Skating at the Rink in my area, and asked for the name of a good fit specialist in the area. I was disappointed when she suggested that I go to the rink's pro-shop where "they sell Jackson's and they have super skates that come with the blades". Needless to say, that didn't make me feel like I was going to be dealing with "fit experts".

I have a narrow foot with bunions and some funky extra bones protruding from my ankles.

I now work in Southern Florida (Palm Beach/Wellington Area) for the winter portion of the year. For the remainder of the year I am in Chicago, IL and Orange County, New York.

I would welcome any advice, but in particular as far as a strategy for boot brands to try after the Harlicks, what level of boot to purchase as I start back, and where to find a fit expert to support this endeavor. I am thinking that I will probably get another set of MK Phantom or Gold Star Blades. I'm used to the Phantom blade and I liked the cross-cut toe pick. I would be interested in your thoughts on the Composite material blades as well as the Parabolic shaped blades. Did anyone find these to be super beneficial or really difficult to make the transition? I'm so interested in this technology.

Thank you to anyone that has managed to read this! I am so excited to be back "home" in the skating community.

Thanks in advance for your kind consideration. Have a great day!

Hi and welcome back to our fabulous sport!

I'm not sure if you were telling us that you want to get your skates in Florida or if you don't mind getting them in Chicagoland.
I can help with boot fitting expert in Chicago but not the area of Florida you are in, for Chicago the Northbrook location of Rainbo sports has boot fitters you can trust. Otherwise, if you are able to drive to Hackensack NJ when you are in NY I can suggest a fitter there.

As far as what I would suggest, I'm going to say Edea (Chorus or Concerto) may work for you, though once you try them on IDK if you will like them or not since you are used to snug fitting boots in the ankle area, but only you will know that. If you have a more narrow foot, I'd suggest trying Graf Richmond Special as well.

I will also suggest you purchase some bunga pads, they are a life (and foot/ankle) saver!

My biggest is how that person is the Skating Director if they know nothing about what equipment is appropriate.

I wish you luck and if you need anything else, just ask/my inbox is open!

 

[mskater93]

Hi and welcome back to our fabulous sport!

I'm not sure if you were telling us that you want to get your skates in Florida or if you don't mind getting them in Chicagoland.
I can help with boot fitting expert in Chicago but not the area of Florida you are in, for Chicago the Northbrook location of Rainbo sports has boot fitters you can trust. Otherwise, if you are able to drive to Hackensack NJ when you are in NY I can suggest a fitter there.

As far as what I would suggest, I'm going to say Edea (Chorus or Concerto) may work for you, though once you try them on IDK if you will like them or not since you are used to snug fitting boots in the ankle area, but only you will know that. If you have a more narrow foot, I'd suggest trying Graf Richmond Special as well.

I will also suggest you purchase some bunga pads, they are a life (and foot/ankle) saver!

My biggest is how that person is the Skating Director if they know nothing about what equipment is appropriate.

I wish you luck and if you need anything else, just ask/my inbox is open!

In Chicago, beyond Rainbo Sport, Gepetto's in Downer's Grove is owned and operated by John Harmata who has great contacts and is very thorough in fitting. If you decide on Gepetto's, make an appointment to see JOHN and no one other there and be prepared for him to be 30 minutes behind unless you get the first appointment of the day

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

In Chicago, beyond Rainbo Sport, Gepetto's in Downer's Grove is owned and operated by John Harmata who has great contacts and is very thorough in fitting. If you decide on Gepetto's, make an appointment to see JOHN and no one other there and be prepared for him to be 30 minutes behind unless you get the first appointment of the day

Yes, that would be my other suggestion! They are so good there but always running late lol!

 

[FrozenFossil]

Hi and welcome back to our fabulous sport!

I'm not sure if you were telling us that you want to get your skates in Florida or if you don't mind getting them in Chicagoland.
I can help with boot fitting expert in Chicago but not the area of Florida you are in, for Chicago the Northbrook location of Rainbo sports has boot fitters you can trust. Otherwise, if you are able to drive to Hackensack NJ when you are in NY I can suggest a fitter there.

As far as what I would suggest, I'm going to say Edea (Chorus or Concerto) may work for you, though once you try them on IDK if you will like them or not since you are used to snug fitting boots in the ankle area, but only you will know that. If you have a more narrow foot, I'd suggest trying Graf Richmond Special as well.

I will also suggest you purchase some bunga pads, they are a life (and foot/ankle) saver!

My biggest is how that person is the Skating Director if they know nothing about what equipment is appropriate.

I wish you luck and if you need anything else, just ask/my inbox is open!

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions. Unfortunately, I am in Florida until the spring. I'm trying not to do too much unnecessary travel at this point, but it sounds like I may have to make a trip back to Chicago.

For the record, I was also left with quite a few concerns about the Skating Director. She either had a rather large knowledge gap regarding appropriate equipment or she dismissed me as an "old lady that wasn't really going to do anything". Neither of these are appropriate for the program director, and it was a huge disappointment.

I am looking for another rink and other options presently. I am determined to do this!

I may reach out to you as I navigate this process.

Thank you again for your support! I can not begin to tell you how grateful I am!

 

[FrozenFossil]

In Chicago, beyond Rainbo Sport, Gepetto's in Downer's Grove is owned and operated by John Harmata who has great contacts and is very thorough in fitting. If you decide on Gepetto's, make an appointment to see JOHN and no one other there and be prepared for him to be 30 minutes behind unless you get the first appointment of the day

Thank you soooo much for the referral to Gepetto's. It is looking like I may need to get back to the Chicago area to get my skates, and this shop looks like the perfect place.

Thank you so much for the head's up about specifically making an appointment with JOHN and the timing concerns. This is great information!
I am so grateful for your support!

 

[FrozenFossil]

Yes, that would be my other suggestion! They are so good there but always running late lol!

Thanks so much!

 

[co.co.rico]

Welcome back to the sport
We are a bit similar.
I am also an adult skater who decided to come back o on ice after quiting figure skating for more than 15 years.

From 1999 to 2004 i was a figure skater who joined annual competition. I couls do almost all double e jumps except double axel. Then i stopped because i was to busy with mu college, then work, i even moved to a foreign country for my career.


Now i have been skating for 7 months, i am still trying to get back my camel spin and double salchow.


Now i have risport skate which for me a bit too small on the front side.
I personally would prefer Harlick.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Welcome back to the sport
We are a bit similar.
I am also an adult skater who decided to come back o on ice after quiting figure skating for more than 15 years.

From 1999 to 2004 i was a figure skater who joined annual competition. I couls do almost all double e jumps except double axel. Then i stopped because i was to busy with mu college, then work, i even moved to a foreign country for my career.


Now i have been skating for 7 months, i am still trying to get back my camel spin and double salchow.


Now i have risport skate which for me a bit too small on the front side.
I personally would prefer Harlick.

If Risport is too small in the toebox harlick is going to be worse.

 

[DawnSk8r]

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions. Unfortunately, I am in Florida until the spring. I'm trying not to do too much unnecessary travel at this point, but it sounds like I may have to make a trip back to Chicago.

For the record, I was also left with quite a few concerns about the Skating Director. She either had a rather large knowledge gap regarding appropriate equipment or she dismissed me as an "old lady that wasn't really going to do anything". Neither of these are appropriate for the program director, and it was a huge disappointment.

I am looking for another rink and other options presently. I am determined to do this!

I may reach out to you as I navigate this process.

Thank you again for your support! I can not begin to tell you how grateful I am!

Hello and welcome back as an Adult skater!! I have been back for 15 years (age 55) and enjoy competing, testing, and anything skating. I lived in Ft Lauderdale area and you may want to check out some of rinks in this area. I know it may be a 30-45 minute drive but may be worth it! I am having to purchase new boots as my Klingbeil's are finally to worn out after 15 years...sigh. So I have been interested in all of the responses to your question. Also, will switch blades on my Klingbeil's so I can do proper compulsory figures. I have been competing figures on my free style blades :0.

 

[tstop4me]

Also, will switch blades on my Klingbeil's so I can do proper compulsory figures. I have been competing figures on my free style blades :0.

What blades are you planning to switch to? I don't believe any manufacturer currently produces patch blades for figures anymore. On occasion, old ones [typically used; or rarely, new old stock] will pop up on eBay or other websites, but it's a matter of luck getting the right size. Over five years ago, a local pro shop cleaned out their storage room and uncovered some new old stock blades from many decades past.

 

[DawnSk8r]

I have Gold Test blades and just had them looked at and sharpened in Dallas, TX. Will try them out tonight!! Hoping to remount them to FS boots and get fitted for new pair of FS boots and continue to use my FS blades as they also were sharpened and continue to have mileage on them! Will let all know if successful