- Joined
- Jul 17, 2021
Hi, I'm an adult skater returning back to the ice after a 15 yr break - I was approx freestyle level 1 when I left the ice in my early twenties. I've also taken ballet classes recreationally regularly for 20 yrs (2-3 classes a week) and my flexible, overworked feet have had a lot of injuries (sprains, supination, cuboid displacement, feet surgery, etc) I was skating in $100 stock ice skates in my twenties - they're not in great condition anymore and I definitely need new skates / blades bc there's a lot of feet pain since I've returned to the ice (two weeks ago).
Given my history of feet issues and my desire to continue dancing and skating for the next few decades - I'm leaning towards custom skates so I can skate pain-free (as much as possible) which I know comes with an $$ investment. My dream scenario would be to invest in some skates now that I could just use long-term and I can work towards my single jumps again. I tried on the Jackson Ultimas at the pro shop and they didn't feel right and I worried about long-term damage for my feet, which are super collapsible and bendy.
Here are my questions:
Is it foolish to invest in custom skates as I'm getting back to skating - that I'll just need to swap to new boots as I gain more strength and need a stiffer supportive boot? (I'd like to invest in the stiffer supportive boot now and work on breaking them in rather than getting a softer boot that I'll just need to replace in a year or so. However, I'm not sure this is a realistic option)
My teacher for the group lessons I've signed up for - recommended I look at MK Gold Star blades, since I'm looking to invest in good skates for the longer-term. I see a lot of the posts here recommend the MK Pros as a good solid intermediate blade. Will it be difficult to get my skating skills back up to speed on a more advanced blade (that I could switch to another boot as I get better) or is it preferable to stick with a mid-level blade like the MK Pros?
I'm learning so much reading through these Forum posts so I'll keep on reading - I would appreciate any advice / guidance you have! I have an appointment with an SP Teri fitter / skate shop in Northern California next weekend but just doing some research in the meantime...
Thank you!
Given my history of feet issues and my desire to continue dancing and skating for the next few decades - I'm leaning towards custom skates so I can skate pain-free (as much as possible) which I know comes with an $$ investment. My dream scenario would be to invest in some skates now that I could just use long-term and I can work towards my single jumps again. I tried on the Jackson Ultimas at the pro shop and they didn't feel right and I worried about long-term damage for my feet, which are super collapsible and bendy.
Here are my questions:
Is it foolish to invest in custom skates as I'm getting back to skating - that I'll just need to swap to new boots as I gain more strength and need a stiffer supportive boot? (I'd like to invest in the stiffer supportive boot now and work on breaking them in rather than getting a softer boot that I'll just need to replace in a year or so. However, I'm not sure this is a realistic option)
My teacher for the group lessons I've signed up for - recommended I look at MK Gold Star blades, since I'm looking to invest in good skates for the longer-term. I see a lot of the posts here recommend the MK Pros as a good solid intermediate blade. Will it be difficult to get my skating skills back up to speed on a more advanced blade (that I could switch to another boot as I get better) or is it preferable to stick with a mid-level blade like the MK Pros?
I'm learning so much reading through these Forum posts so I'll keep on reading - I would appreciate any advice / guidance you have! I have an appointment with an SP Teri fitter / skate shop in Northern California next weekend but just doing some research in the meantime...
Thank you!