Advice on Klingbeil or other skates?

[yogurtslinger]

Hi all,

I used to skate in HS and I'm looking to get back into it again (I’m 24 now), and I’m looking for a new pair of skates. I would like for the boots to be able to handle double jumps. Not quite there yet, but would like the boots to be able to support them when I get them :)

So, the problem is, I have a wide toe area, and also a narrowish heel. My foot is also fairly small (short), as I wear a women’s size 6-6.5 in street shoes. Most skates that seem to fit the length of my foot is too narrow in the front and press against the sides & tops of my toes. But if I go larger, it no longer holds my ankle.

When I was skating before, I worn a used pair of Riedells that had pretty thick leather (& a foam tongue), but my foot was a little bit wobbly in it. Then I switched to a pair of Grafs, which felt good in the shop but really squeezed my toes unbearably from the sides when I skated. I did the heat molding thing & got the areas punched out multiple times, but it still hurt. The material was just so stiff I could not break them in. Despite the stiffness/support and the tightness in front, somehow my heel still managed to wobble around a bit!

Also, when I skated before, I had problems holding a deep outside edge- inside edges were much more secure for me. And, back outside 3-turns were sometimes tricky.. I have decent balance usually, so I’m wondering if it’s a problem with the skates I've been using or how it sits on the blade? Would a loose fitting heel cause these problems?

I don’t know whether it’s time to invest in some custom skates or whether I’ve just been having fitting issues.

Any suggestions or recs? I’m thinking about trying some Klingbeil stock boots…

All ideas welcome!! Thanks in advance.

[doubletoe]

My feet are shaped like yours: wide and straight across in the toes, but narrower in the heel. I wear a 7-1/2 C street shoe but they are usually too loose in the heel. I am VERY happy with my combination width SP Teri boots, which are size 6.5 A-BB, which means 6.5 A heel width, B ball width. If you have just one width difference between the ball of your foot and heel of your foot (A/B or B/C), you can pay just $25 more and get the combination width in a stock boot without having to get custom boots. I like the new SP Teri KT2 boots, which are much more comfortable to break in than the Super Teri Deluxe because of the lower rise in back, the soft roll top, and the notch in the lace area. I have heard reports of the power tab cracking, but that was much more common with the old model, where the tab was on the outside; it is much less common now (and not necessarily a major problem even if it happens). SP Teri's are known for their stiffness and support, so if that's what you want, this might be the right boot for you, too. You would probably wear something like a 5.5 A-BB or 5.5 B-CB. Go to your local pro shop and get measured, and ask your pro what he thinks.

[techskater]

Klingbeil no longer manufactures stock boots and many places had close outs last year for their stocks. If you find some, it will be luck.

I would suggest finding a good boot fitter and trying on a bunch of boots. I have a B width ball and a AAA heel and am in Harlick customs which support my double jumps easily but other people with similar feet are also comfortable in SP Teris, Jacksons, and Reidells.

Good luck on your return to the ice.

[sk8er1964]

Klingbeil no longer manufactures stock boots and many places had close outs last year for their stocks. If you find some, it will be luck.

?????

I bought their new super-lite line in stock boots in February.

From their website: http://www.klingbeilskatingboots.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=stock

[techskater]

According to Rainbo, they are no longer manufacturing stock boots and another skater at our rink got them for a ridiculously cheap price. The folks at Rainbo told her that Klingbeil is only doing customs going forward

[jp1andOnly]

Jackson does custom boots. I'm aiming for them for my next pair as my feet are unusual and about a 1/2 size difference. I have Grafs now, and I really like them but for the price I can get customs.

[sk8er1964]

According to Rainbo, they are no longer manufacturing stock boots and another skater at our rink got them for a ridiculously cheap price. The folks at Rainbo told her that Klingbeil is only doing customs going forward

Hmmm. I have to call my boot guy tomorrow anyway. I'll ask him.

[AnnM]

I believe that SP Teri may also now accommodate a two-width difference for the extra $25 fee. I also have a fairly wide ball and a narrow heel. Although they recommended a C width ball, I've been doing fine in my B ball/AA heel boots (customs were a bit too $$ for me), which I purchased in May. They can also do split sizing for an additional fee if one of your feet is slightly longer than the other; I have a 7 on my left foot and a 7.5 on the right.

[doubletoe]

I believe that SP Teri may also now accommodate a two-width difference for the extra $25 fee. I also have a fairly wide ball and a narrow heel. Although they recommended a C width ball, I've been doing fine in my B ball/AA heel boots (customs were a bit too $$ for me), which I purchased in May. They can also do split sizing for an additional fee if one of your feet is slightly longer than the other; I have a 7 on my left foot and a 7.5 on the right.

Ann, that's great information. I was right in-between a B and C width ball and was advised to go with the B width and either stretch or punch them out (since stretching can bring them up half a size/width). I heat-molded my KT2's and that's all it took; I didn't even need to punch them out. For the first month or so, they still pressed in on my pinkie toes a little, but only when they were cold. I would press the leather down right over both pinkie toes, and that would help, then after I'd skated in them for half an hour they would soften and expand so that they fit like a glove. I've had them for 2 months now and they're perfect as soon as I put them on.

[Novice Spirals]

I wear Klingbeils and love them. I also have a small foot--size 6 1/2 street shoe. I have a C width ball and a B width heel, coupled with a very high instep and nerve damage in my left foot. Klingbeils fit me until they felt perfect. I'll never change. I'm thrilled with them. My blades are Pattern 99, but I've also heard good things about Gold Seals. Good Luck.

[skatingatty]

I'm pretty similar to yogurtslinger-- I wear a size 6-6.5 in street shoes and have wide feet (due to big bunions) but normal heels. People are prob. sick of hearing me say this, but I love my custom Klingbeils!!

[AshBugg44]

I have custom Klingbeils and I love them. I would recommend them to anyone!

[jenlyon60]

I wear a size 5 1/2 to 6 street shoe.

I am on my 4th pair of Klingbeils.

I guess you could say I'm a happy customer.