Help with sizing

[KESSA]

I went to buy my skates today, at the only shop for miles around (and I mean miles!), only to discover they only stocked 1 boot, the Belati Classic. The sales person wasn't terribly helpful and didn't seem that knowledgable. My street shoe is a UK4 (a US 6 I believe) so he gave a UK5/Euro 38 which was huge length and width ways, so I tried the UK4/Euro37 and they were better on the length, but I still wasn't convinced about the width, I felt I could move my foot too much,like it wasn't held right. My foot width is 80mm, I don't know if this is narrow/average or what and neither did the sales person, needless to say I did not purchase the boots, they were also ridiculously overpriced. I've been told that Risport boots run narrow, but my question is will the width difference affect the size I get, e.i because they are narrower will I need a little more length? My foot is 240mm length and width 80mm, I've found a really good deal on the net, for £100/$175 you get the Risport RF4 boot and blade, blade guards, blade soakers, skate bag, extra laces, gloves, skate towel, boot covers and the blades sharpened, the skates alone were £100 in the store. The conversion chart on Risport is in mm stating that Euro 37 is 245mm, but I thought you had to have at least 10mm spare/wriggle room in which case do I go up half a size so long as the width fits, my ankles shouldn't roll? Sorry it's such a long post but like I said it's not like I can go into a shop and get fitted. (in case you haven't guessed I'm a begginer) Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[dooobedooo]

Double post - see next post.

[dooobedooo]

Firstly, if you are in the UK, beware of buying from the US on the net - you will be stung by import duties and administrative charges which can add 40 percent to the cost of the item.

Generally, in skate boots, you take 1/2 to 1 size smaller than street size. You do need a good snug fit in skating boots, to give the necessary ankle support, but yes, you do need to wiggle your toes. I had Risports Lasers for a while and they are narrow, so I needed same as street size, but now I have a stronger grade boot of a different brand and take one full size smaller, but with a wider width fitting. As my skating improved I wanted a snugger fit anyway.

If you are buying "remotely", check with the admin, that you can send them a tracing round your foot plus the diameter of the widest part around the foot "knuckles". They should be able to fit you up from this. There are quite a few good skating shops in the UK that will take an order remotely - you could try ringing Nottingham, or you could try www.topskate.co.uk - they are very helpful. There are also some excellent private fitters around - ask the advanced skaters and coaches at your rink for details.

Don't buy the cheapest boot in the range; buy the second cheapest as a rule (about 90 to 100 pounds inclusive boot and blades).

[Mrs Redboots]

Whereabouts in the UK are you? There are really only two good fitters that I'd trust, one is in Birmingham/Coventry and the other in Reading. If you're in reach of either of them, it's well worth going there, as they do know how to measure feet, and won't sell you more boot and blade than you need.

[NickiT]

I second what Annabel said. It's always best to get skates fitted professionally. That way you will be fitted with the best skates for you and the correct size.

[KESSA]

Thanks for your replies. It is a UK website, so import tax wouldn't apply. I live in South Devon, so can't really justify travelling that far just for skates, so I will speak with my teacher and get her opinion. I could travel to Bristol if anyone knows of shops there? Thanks again.

[dooobedooo]

I found an internet site for Specialist Skating Services - was that who you meant? I don't know them, but they look like a professional outfit, with an address and phone number supplied - and there are plenty of good skaters in th Blackburn area - I'd give them a ring/email and discuss how you can get the right measurements ...

I did read their offer, and it looks as though it is for kids' sizes only (metric 25.5) but you could confirm that with them.

If in doubt, go slightly smaller rather than slightly larger. Remember to measure over whatever socks/tights you plan to wear (and that's another BIG topic heh heh)

[KESSA]

Yes that's the website, the junior offer is £102 and the senior is £119. The senior only starts at 260mm so too big for me. I just couldn't decide whether to go for the 245 (uk4) or 250 (uk4.5). I've been thinking about what to wear on my feet, for now socks would be fine, but if I really get into it I would need to wear leotard and tights, therefore making the boots a little too big, although I guess I could wear trainer socks and they wouldn't be seen. Anyway thanks for your help, and rest assured I will be speaking to a professional of some sort before buying my boots, though the website does have a good returns policy, if they didn't fit.

[Mrs Redboots]

It's worth asking the teachers at your rink - I assume you're skating in Plymouth (isn't that the kidney-shaped rink, or am I dreaming?) - where to get fitted.

And no, DON'T wear trainer socks - wear the thinnest possible nylon pop-sox, or at worst, about 40-denier tights (Tesco's Value £5.00 for 3 pairs are fantastic for skating in!).

[dooobedooo]

......

And no, DON'T wear trainer socks - wear the thinnest possible nylon pop-sox, or at worst, about 40-denier tights (Tesco's Value £5.00 for 3 pairs are fantastic for skating in!).

Oh, no, what have we started??!!! 8O

It's the ancient "what to wear under boots" dilemma, and would you believe, some people wear NOTHING AT ALL!!!! 8O

(whereas other people think about nothing but socks)

[Mrs Redboots]

would you believe, some people wear NOTHING AT ALL!!!! 8OI would indeed believe. I've done that once, when I forgot to put a pair of pop-sox in my skate bag to a RIDL match, so had to spend the entire RIDL in bare feet in my skates (I wear over-boot tights for competitions and "best"). Not very comfortable, alas, but I think that may have been the time we won our draw!

[NickiT]

and would you believe, some people wear NOTHING AT ALL!!!! 8O


I have a friend who always skates in bare feet. I can't imagine anything worse myself but she can't stand wearing anything between her feet and her skates!

Nicki

[KESSA]

Yes it is the kidney shaped rink, I had a shock when I saw it for the first time at how small it was!!, I was born and raised in Bristol and their rink is massive in comparison!! I did ask my tutor where to get fitted and I'm not kidding when I say the shop I went to, is the only one8O , but I wasn't happy with the service I received. I've got my lesson tomorrow, so we'll see what coach says. They start building a new complex in Exmouth at Easter, which will incorporate an Ice Rink (hopefully a bit bigger than Plymouth) so hopefully some more sport shops might start stocking ice skates, and it will be closer to home, so I can go more often:lol: Probably a really dumb question and I apologize in advance if this is opening a can of worms but, why do I need to wear socks as thin as possible?

[Mrs Redboots]

Basically because it will rub less, which sounds counter-intuitive, but is what seems to happen. Thick socks do seem to rub far more. Also, you get more of a feel for what your blade is doing, which is why some people prefer to skate barefoot.

If you find your new skates rub at the top, as many people do, it is better to cut the top off a pair of sports socks and wear just the cuff, folded over the top of the boot, than to wear a whole pair.

I'm delighted to hear they're building a rink in Exeter! The more new ice rinks there are, the better.