Stiffness and boot fit - intermediate adult with duck feet and a dance interest

[wildice]

Hi everyone!

Another what-boots-should-I-get thread

So, since about 2 months I've been back in figure skating after a 16-year hiatus. I've been working my Wifa Primas into the ground over the past month, and coach confirmed today that it is high time to look for an upgrade. I will be trying on all brands I can to find a good fit but I'm conflicted on what level of stiffness I should be looking for.

I'm 170cm tall, 90ish kg. Working on basic spins, edges and waltz jumps atm. I doubt I'll ever jump above singles, but I am into dance and will want to do pairs (in which I'll be the leading and eventually lifting partner, for clarity's sake). I currently don't have the greatest lateral ankle stability but physiotherapy is slowly doing its thing.

What boot stiffness might be appropriate for me, as a heavier skater with little interest in jumps but lots in dance?

I have duck-looking feet. Great for walking, hard to find shoes for. My foot type is orient, I'd say normal to low arches, normal (?) heel. Have had issues with pronation before, not so much since I started wearing foot-shaped shoes. Ball circumference 25.5 cm. My current Wifas are width C (second widest, at my size 23cm) and they are absolutely too narrow.

My fitter stocks Graf, Wifa, Edea, Aura and Risport. There are also Jackson fitters in my area (southwestern Sweden), Riedell aren't a thing. Already disqualified Edea from what I can read on here. I'm putting my trust to the fitter but of course, I'm very curious ahead of time.

Which brands should I have an extra interest in in terms of duck-foot compatibility?

As for blades I'm looking into Björn Fjord Originals, CoroAce or MKpros.

Grateful for any insight! It's been many, many years since I was at a rink. I've been getting my ice time on black ice with clicky-clacky cross-country skates, and boot stiffness is so not a thing there. I never got good enough as a kid to have to worry about that sort of thing, either.

Thaaaaaank you and have a lovely day, skaters <3

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hi everyone!

Another what-boots-should-I-get thread

So, since about 2 months I've been back in figure skating after a 16-year hiatus. I've been working my Wifa Primas into the ground over the past month, and coach confirmed today that it is high time to look for an upgrade. I will be trying on all brands I can to find a good fit but I'm conflicted on what level of stiffness I should be looking for.

I'm 170cm tall, 90ish kg. Working on basic spins, edges and waltz jumps atm. I doubt I'll ever jump above singles, but I am into dance and will want to do pairs (in which I'll be the leading and eventually lifting partner, for clarity's sake). I currently don't have the greatest lateral ankle stability but physiotherapy is slowly doing its thing.

What boot stiffness might be appropriate for me, as a heavier skater with little interest in jumps but lots in dance?

I have duck-looking feet. Great for walking, hard to find shoes for. My foot type is orient, I'd say normal to low arches, normal (?) heel. Have had issues with pronation before, not so much since I started wearing foot-shaped shoes. Ball circumference 25.5 cm. My current Wifas are width C (second widest, at my size 23cm) and they are absolutely too narrow.

My fitter stocks Graf, Wifa, Edea, Aura and Risport. There are also Jackson fitters in my area (southwestern Sweden), Riedell aren't a thing. Already disqualified Edea from what I can read on here. I'm putting my trust to the fitter but of course, I'm very curious ahead of time.

Which brands should I have an extra interest in in terms of duck-foot compatibility?

As for blades I'm looking into Björn Fjord Originals, CoroAce or MKpros.

Grateful for any insight! It's been many, many years since I was at a rink. I've been getting my ice time on black ice with clicky-clacky cross-country skates, and boot stiffness is so not a thing there. I never got good enough as a kid to have to worry about that sort of thing, either.

Thaaaaaank you and have a lovely day, skaters <3

Hi and welcome. There is alot to unwrap here so please bear with me. First of all, from your description, I'm going to presume we are going to be looking at black colored boots here, but please correct me if I am wrong. (Need to know, b/c it is a factor in deciding what and will not work for you). Also, you've stated an interest in both dance and pairs. You may have to choose b/c they are widely different and you will eventually need different equipment if you go the ice dance route.

For now though, due to your stats, you will need a stiffer boot than your level. I would stick to looking at Graf and Jackson. For Graf, you're between the stiffness ratings of Richmond Special and Edmonton. You could go either way depending on how you feel in them and what your fitter says.

Jackson: Synergy Ignite, Supreme.

Wifa: Champion Reinforced

As far as blades: Standard style MK Pro or John Wilson Coronation Ace.

Good luck!

 

[wildice]

Hi and welcome. There is alot to unwrap here so please bear with me. First of all, from your description, I'm going to presume we are going to be looking at black colored boots here, but please correct me if I am wrong. (Need to know, b/c it is a factor in deciding what and will not work for you). Also, you've stated an interest in both dance and pairs. You may have to choose b/c they are widely different and you will eventually need different equipment if you go the ice dance route.

For now though, due to your stats, you will need a stiffer boot than your level. I would stick to looking at Graf and Jackson. For Graf, you're between the stiffness ratings of Richmond Special and Edmonton. You could go either way depending on how you feel in them and what your fitter says.

Jackson: Synergy Ignite, Supreme.

Wifa: Champion Reinforced

As far as blades: Standard style MK Pro or John Wilson Coronation Ace.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for your response!

Black color is correct.
Also I think I might have used the wrong word - i meant pairs as in dancing pairs, not artistic pairs. Unsure of what the correct term is in English?

Thank you for the boot suggestions! Looking forward to get into sturdier skates

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Thank you so much for your response!

Black color is correct.
Also I think I might have used the wrong word - i meant pairs as in dancing pairs, not artistic pairs. Unsure of what the correct term is in English?

Thank you for the boot suggestions! Looking forward to get into sturdier skates

There is pairs skating which includes overhead lifts, throws, side by side jumps. Then there is ice dance: Rhythms, twizzles, etc.

 

[wildice]

There is pairs skating which includes overhead lifts, throws, side by side jumps. Then there is ice dance: Rhythms, twizzles, etc.

Thanks for the clarification, then it's dance and solo dance that I'm after.

 

[wildice]

For anyone interested, I had my fitting today!

Turns out, my feet aren't as duck-shaped as I've always thought, just wide all around. Here are some boots I tried and my final choice, in order of enjoyment:

Final choice: Graf Richmond Special (width L)

• Fit like a glove straight out of the box!
• Genuinely felt like they were made for my feet, it wasn't even a question what to choose once these slipped on.
• Felt like the perfect compromise between lateral support and forward flexibility
• Feels good to have a given step up in the Edmontons when the time comes!

Graf F4000

• Good shape of the foot and wrapped well around the ankle
• Very comfortable, but got the feeling these would get too soft for me quite quickly given my weight class

Aura Sky 50 and Sky 200

• Was very excited to try these, been hearing a lot about them but no one I know uses them.
• Very cushioned! I'm not used to this at all coming out of my old Wifas
• 50s felt very close to Graf F4000 but more cushioned.
• 200s: compressed my feet right over the metatarsophalangeal joints in a way that made me feel stuck in the worst way.
  • Would probably resolve with heat molding, but the Grafs fit me much better in the heel area anyway, so decided not to try it.
• Slippy in the heel
• I think these could be an interesting experiment, I wish I had unlimited money to try!

Edea Chorus and Concerto (width E)

• Did not like the way Edeas fit at all.
• Felt like my foot was going to pop out of the top, and generally squeezy all around.
• Like a worse version of the Auras.

Hoo boy, I spent more money than I would have liked to butttttt that's what tax returns are for

Still haven't decided which blades to get, I didn't feel comfortable spending more than $1k at the drop of a hat, but I have some time before my boots arrive from Switzerland.

I'm genuinely a little emotional at finding well-fitting boots so quickly, I've always had trouble finding even street shoes that fit well. As a kid, finding skates was a nightmare and I never had any that fit quite right. My Wifas are definitely a size too long and too skinny. Thanks Icerabbit for the advice

I'm still undecided between CoroAce, MK Pro (as suggested extensively here and by the tech) and the Björn Fjord Originals. The Björns are relatively new on the market but look promising, and about half the price of the others. I did bring up the concern of cost with the tech, and she suggested the possibility of a beginner's blade (that's still better than my current JW Excels) and trading up later... but that's the same costwise as a Björn. Idk. I'll have to mull it over for a bit.

Will update with photos and reviews as I go!

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

For anyone interested, I had my fitting today!

Turns out, my feet aren't as duck-shaped as I've always thought, just wide all around. Here are some boots I tried and my final choice, in order of enjoyment:

Final choice: Graf Richmond Special (width L)

• Fit like a glove straight out of the box!
• Genuinely felt like they were made for my feet, it wasn't even a question what to choose once these slipped on.
• Felt like the perfect compromise between lateral support and forward flexibility
• Feels good to have a given step up in the Edmontons when the time comes!

Graf F4000

• Good shape of the foot and wrapped well around the ankle
• Very comfortable, but got the feeling these would get too soft for me quite quickly given my weight class

Aura Sky 50 and Sky 200

• Was very excited to try these, been hearing a lot about them but no one I know uses them.
• Very cushioned! I'm not used to this at all coming out of my old Wifas
• 50s felt very close to Graf F4000 but more cushioned.
• 200s: compressed my feet right over the metatarsophalangeal joints in a way that made me feel stuck in the worst way.
  • Would probably resolve with heat molding, but the Grafs fit me much better in the heel area anyway, so decided not to try it.
• Slippy in the heel
• I think these could be an interesting experiment, I wish I had unlimited money to try!

Edea Chorus and Concerto (width E)

• Did not like the way Edeas fit at all.
• Felt like my foot was going to pop out of the top, and generally squeezy all around.
• Like a worse version of the Auras.

Hoo boy, I spent more money than I would have liked to butttttt that's what tax returns are for

Still haven't decided which blades to get, I didn't feel comfortable spending more than $1k at the drop of a hat, but I have some time before my boots arrive from Switzerland.

I'm genuinely a little emotional at finding well-fitting boots so quickly, I've always had trouble finding even street shoes that fit well. As a kid, finding skates was a nightmare and I never had any that fit quite right. My Wifas are definitely a size too long and too skinny. Thanks Icerabbit for the advice

I'm still undecided between CoroAce, MK Pro (as suggested extensively here and by the tech) and the Björn Fjord Originals. The Björns are relatively new on the market but look promising, and about half the price of the others. I did bring up the concern of cost with the tech, and she suggested the possibility of a beginner's blade (that's still better than my current JW Excels) and trading up later... but that's the same costwise as a Björn. Idk. I'll have to mull it over for a bit.

Will update with photos and reviews as I go!

First of all, I am so glad you found a boot! Also, you are welcome!

I'm confused of why the fitter had you try Aura and Edea, they were not going to fit you well, hence why I never suggested them.

As far as blades, DO NOT get a beginner blade. You could try Ultima Mirage or Aspire XP blade, those are intermediate blades, but tend to be more affordable in cost.

Good luck!

 

[wildice]

I'm confused of why the fitter had you try Aura and Edea, they were not going to fit you well, hence why I never suggested them.

Honestly, me too. I think they sell so many of these now that they presume everyone wants to try them. I didn't say anything but it became very clear very quickly that Edeas and the Sky 200 (the 50 probably felt ok bc it was softer -> less pressure on the weird points) just weren't sitting right. I wish there had been Jacksons to try there too, but this particular store doesn't stock them. Maybe I'll go try some on just for fun somewhere else, but for the upcoming year(s?) I am very happy with going with the Grafs.

Thanks for the blade input! I will see what's in stock in the stores that are a little closer by.

 

[Casey]

I second the advice to not to buy beginner blades. They will limit you and keep you from progressing sooner than later, and be more expensive in the long run since you'll have to replace them anyways. I don't know anything about Bjorn blades other than they have a cool name, and I realize that the main brands are pretty costly for what the product actually is, but they have a solid, predictable reputation. To me that's worthwhile (and I say this as somebody who's currently skating on and loathing non-JW/MK blades). I know that I want to return to JW or MK because I have prior experience with them, along with lengthy experience on my current ones. If you don't have that background, I'd be wary of new/alternative brands. They may be great, but they may also not.

 

[IceM]

I was going to suggest Graf probably being your best option. Nice you got that sorted!

For the blade, I guess the Bjorn Original is supposed to be Coro Ace/MK Pro alternative, and not really a beginner blade. I think they're made in China, which is why they're so much cheaper. Just a guess, though (price heavily suggests it). They're stainless steel, which is nice, but no idea what steel it is. Probably not the best quality, but not a big deal. Your sharpener will appreciate if it's not crazy hard steel like 440C, and it's definitely not that.

I know one skater who got them, and liked them. I think it was the Original/Loiste, but I don't remember 100%. I think the runner on those is a bit thinner (the blade), which I'm not a fan of, but it could be better suited for dance then (using less material is also how they save in costs; don't think it's really done to benefit the skater).

So yeah, they're not a big investment to try. Can't go wrong with CA/MK Pro, though. For dance, CA is probably better with that shorter tail.