Recommendation for new skates

[Gummy]

Happy new year to all. I hope you are all doing well. I'm a UK based male adult skaters. I'm around 164cm in height and weight 52 kg. I have been in search of a new pair of skates for over 1 month (coming up to two months now) with not much luck. I have gone to reputable skates shops located around the country like the those in Gosport, Cambridge and Covenrty. Everything I have tried is either very painful (at the pinky toes area and the heel) or too roomy. I hope someone who can really give me advice here as I would really appreciate it.

Information about me: ( I have included some photos for reference and I hope it helps)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/w1CNAzE8DQfvCkSY9

• Foot length is 260
• Low profile
• Low to medium arch
• Greek foot type
• Very narrow heel

I'm working on Double Salchow, Double Toe, Double Loop and Axel Jump.

I skates around 12 to 16 hours a week (so would love to have something comfortable for long hour). I have skated on a fair few pairs of boots and below are my experiences with them.

• Risport Royal Pro 260 (C width): I broke the boot in 3 days due size mismatch (as creases start showing very quickly), my heel slipped and there might have been too much toe box height which caused my toes to curl and grip. At least that's what Risport had adviced me. I have included pictures of the skates after a week with it.
• Risport RF3 pro 260 (C width): This pair I have had the longest (around 7-14 months), I put the EDEA performance E-soles into these and I find they are the most comfortable combinations; however, my toes can curl slightly inside the toe box, the length seemed good but my pinky toes constantly being rubbed or pressed against the hard leather and overtime caused thick skins spots and caused pain. I also have developed a calcified bunion spot in the back of my right heel area even with bunga pads.
• Jackson Premiere (box size 6.5 M width): My pinky toes still hurt probably from too little space in the toe box and it aggravates the bunion spots on my heel and makes it worst even with bunga pads on so I decided to return these.
• Jackson Debut (box size 6.5 W width): Currently skating in these, I fitted this pair myself as I have lost hopes in fitters around the UK. I chose these mainly because of the stiffness as I'm aware that Jackson skates 50-55 stiffness is somewhat at the same level as Risport 65-70 stiffness. The boot is a bit too large width wise and too much toe box height room so the tongue have started to slip and put pressures on my toes. My heel also move in these and doing edge works a bit of a challenge. But the toe box size is very nice as my pinky toes have stopped rubbing against the internal structure of the boot.

Happy to try on any brands at this point.

Thanks so much for your time!

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Happy new year to all. I hope you are all doing well. I'm a UK based male adult skaters. I'm around 164cm in height and weight 52 kg. I have been in search of a new pair of skates for over 1 month (coming up to two months now) with not much luck. I have gone to reputable skates shops located around the country like the those in Gosport, Cambridge and Covenrty. Everything I have tried is either very painful (at the pinky toes area and the heel) or too roomy. I hope someone who can really give me advice here as I would really appreciate it.

Information about me: ( I have included some photos for reference and I hope it helps)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/w1CNAzE8DQfvCkSY9

• Foot length is 260
• Low profile
• Low to medium arch
• Greek foot type
• Very narrow heel

I'm working on Double Salchow, Double Toe, Double Loop and Axel Jump.

I skates around 12 to 16 hours a week (so would love to have something comfortable for long hour). I have skated on a fair few pairs of boots and below are my experiences with them.

• Risport Royal Pro 260 (C width): I broke the boot in 3 days due size mismatch (as creases start showing very quickly), my heel slipped and there might have been too much toe box height which caused my toes to curl and grip. At least that's what Risport had adviced me. I have included pictures of the skates after a week with it.
• Risport RF3 pro 260 (C width): This pair I have had the longest (around 7-14 months), I put the EDEA performance E-soles into these and I find they are the most comfortable combinations; however, my toes can curl slightly inside the toe box, the length seemed good but my pinky toes constantly being rubbed or pressed against the hard leather and overtime caused thick skins spots and caused pain. I also have developed a calcified bunion spot in the back of my right heel area even with bunga pads.
• Jackson Premiere (box size 6.5 M width): My pinky toes still hurt probably from too little space in the toe box and it aggravates the bunion spots on my heel and makes it worst even with bunga pads on so I decided to return these.
• Jackson Debut (box size 6.5 W width): Currently skating in these, I fitted this pair myself as I have lost hopes in fitters around the UK. I chose these mainly because of the stiffness as I'm aware that Jackson skates 50-55 stiffness is somewhat at the same level as Risport 65-70 stiffness. The boot is a bit too large width wise and too much toe box height room so the tongue have started to slip and put pressures on my toes. My heel also move in these and doing edge works a bit of a challenge. But the toe box size is very nice as my pinky toes have stopped rubbing against the internal structure of the boot.

Happy to try on any brands at this point.

Thanks so much for your time!

Hi and welcome. I would suggest that the next brands you look at are Graf and Riedell.
Graf: You may be able to get away with wearing a Richmond Special with your stats, but if that axel is a double and not a single then I'd go up to an Edmonton Special.

Riedell: Bronze Star

You'll need blades to go with whichever boot you choose: Standard style JW Coronation Ace or MK Pro will work.

Al's should carry at least the Grafs.

 

[Gummy]

Hi and welcome. I would suggest that the next brands you look at are Graf and Riedell.
Graf: You may be able to get away with wearing a Richmond Special with your stats, but if that axel is a double and not a single then I'd go up to an Edmonton Special.

Riedell: Bronze Star

You'll need blades to go with whichever boot you choose: Standard style JW Coronation Ace or MK Pro will work.

Hello, thank you. Yes I'm still working on single Axel. I find double jumps are a bit easier to rotate and have had more successes at landing them. Which width and length do you recommend for the Graf and Riedell as I'm UK based and many shops don't have them in stock for me to try in store so will likely to have to order them online.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hello, thank you. Yes I'm still working on single Axel. I find double jumps are a bit easier to rotate and have had more successes at landing them. Which width and length do you recommend for the Graf and Riedell as I'm UK based and many shops don't have them in stock for me to try in store so will likely to have to order them online.

You need to consult the proper fitter for that and they can make that suggestion and order if they have to.

 

[tstop4me]

Which width and length do you recommend for the Graf and Riedell as I'm UK based and many shops don't have them in stock for me to try in store so will likely to have to order them online.

With the various fit problems you've described, there's a good chance you'll need a split width boot to provide simultaneously both a snug fit for your heel and sufficient clearance for your ball and toes. Depending on how large a split width difference, you might need a semi-custom or full custom. Discuss options carefully with your fitter. Make sure they measure more than length and ball width.

A snug, well-fitting heel pocket is essential and at the same time the heel pocket is the portion of the boot least amenable to modification. So if the fitter doesn't discuss fit of the heel pocket with you, that's a red flag.

 

[Gummy]

With the various fit problems you've described, there's a good chance you'll need a split width boot to provide simultaneously both a snug fit for your heel and sufficient clearance for your ball and toes. Depending on how large a split width difference, you might need a semi-custom or full custom. Discuss options carefully with your fitter. Make sure they measure more than length and ball width.

A snug, well-fitting heel pocket is essential and at the same time the heel pocket is the portion of the boot least amenable to modification. So if the fitter doesn't discuss fit of the heel pocket with you, that's a red flag.

I have been doing a bit of research and I think Riedell could be a great fit if Jackson don't work well. I have tried a fair number of certified fitters but not once has recommend Riedell and neither have ever really discussed the heel pocket fit. Whenever I raise the topic, it tends to get brushed over. I have been recommended primarily either Jackson or Aura (with the knowledge that Risport hasn't been a great fit). Not sure what to do really as UK don't really have shops that stock Riedell. but thanks for your input!

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I have been doing a bit of research and I think Riedell could be a great fit if Jackson don't work well. I have tried a fair number of certified fitters but not once has recommend Riedell and neither have ever really discussed the heel pocket fit. Whenever I raise the topic, it tends to get brushed over. I have been recommended primarily either Jackson or Aura (with the knowledge that Risport hasn't been a great fit). Not sure what to do really as UK don't really have shops that stock Riedell. but thanks for your input!

Again, try both boots I suggested. Do not count out Graf.

 

[Gummy]

Again, try both boots I suggested. Do not count out Graf.

I appreciate your advice but I can't really get a hold of those two brands without actually ordering them from the store and paying for it while not knowing whether they will fit me. Most shops in my areas mainly deal in either Edea, Risport, Jackson, Aura.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I appreciate your advice but I can't really get a hold of those two brands without actually ordering them from the store and paying for it while not knowing whether they will fit me. Most shops in my areas mainly deal in either Edea, Risport, Jackson, Aura.

Al's Skate Shop in Blackpool or Queensferry UK carry Graf and they are one of the more reputable fitters in the country.