Which are the best boots and blades?

[Hollow Ground]

I would like to know what the most popular boot is amongst pro and elite skaters, and which blades are the preferred brand.

Of course, personal preference comes into it, but is there any specific boot (and blade) that is far more popular than the other makes?

[Mrs Redboots]

I don't really see how there can be, because there are so many variables, including what is easily available in your country, who your nearest fitter is and what brands are sold there, and, above all, what size your feet are and what shape - a brand that suits one person so well that they wouldn't dream of wearing any other make of boot will be utterly anathema to someone else!

As for blades, so much depends on what sort of a skater you are, whether you are a beginning free skater, an elite dancer, or what....

[Perry]

The top level blades are mostly GoldSeals and Pattern99s for freestylers. There's ones out there that are just as good, but since those two are older, most I know (and know of) are on those. Also, far fewer people have parabolic blades than the makers would lead you to believe -- I know of one (very good) coach that switched all of his students to parabolics for one season and pronptly switched them all back the next when he found it didn't really make any difference.

As for boots, Klingbeils are very popular in New England, and they're used elsewhere, but traditionally it's been mainly New England skaters that use them (it's definitely growing, though). SPTeris are probably the most common, and Harlicks are fairly common, though it seems that they're less so than they used to be. This also based off of who I know and know of, though, which is mainly the East Coast.

[VegasGirl]

Hollow Ground,

I have no idea what pros prefer, but since I'm no pro it doesn't really matter either. :)

[doubletoe]

There are two very popular blade brands: MK and Wilson. Both are very good. There are many boot brands, and although Harlick, SP Teri, Jackson, Reidell and Klingbeil are the most popular boots in the U.S., skaters from other countries wear Graf, Risport and other brands. Within each brand of boot and blade, there are many different models of boots and blades, with each one being the perfect design for each level of skating. So the boots and blades that would help a beginning skater skate her best would not be good for an advanced skater.

By the same token, if you use the blades and boots that the top world skaters are using, it will be very difficult for you to skate well in them. They generally use very stiff boots, which most skaters can't bend their ankles in very well (The top skaters break them down doing triple jumps). The top skaters also often use 8' rocker blades like Gold Seals or Pattern 99's, which give them better control of their jump landings but are much harder to spin on. These skaters are just such good spinners that they can spin on them anyway.

[dbny]

As for boots, Klingbeils are very popular in New England, and they're used elsewhere, but traditionally it's been mainly New England skaters that use them (it's definitely growing, though).

Sasha Cohen wears Klingbeils. Since SP Teri has imitated Klingbeil's setback hook, it's much harder to tell who wears Klingbeils just from seeing the upper part of the boot. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but I really think it's despicable in this case.

If you watch the undersides of the boots, you can often catch a glimpse of the toe plate on the blades. Going by that, most of the elite freestyle skaters wear either Gold Seals or Gold Stars (solid toe plate). It's very hard to tell anything from a distance beyond that.

[luna_skater]

If you watch the undersides of the boots, you can often catch a glimpse of the toe plate on the blades. Going by that, most of the elite freestyle skaters wear either Gold Seals or Gold Stars (solid toe plate). It's very hard to tell anything from a distance beyond that.

Ultimas used to have a solid plate too. Don't know if they still do. I think Grafs might as well.

[Casey]

If you watch the undersides of the boots, you can often catch a glimpse of the toe plate on the blades. Going by that, most of the elite freestyle skaters wear either Gold Seals or Gold Stars (solid toe plate). It's very hard to tell anything from a distance beyond that.

Actually, the solid toe plate is a feature only of the Gold Seals. I have Gold Stars and they don't have a solid toe plate.

Pictures: http://casey.shobe.info/images/?s=Ice+Skating%2FGold+Star+Blades

[TashaKat]

To answer your question there is no definitive answer. Like the rest of us pros like different boots and blades depending on fit etc. Then, of course, it depends who sponsors them :)

Harlicks are fairly high profile (my favourite) as are SP Teris, Klingbeils, Wifa etc etc etc

Same with blades though I doubt that you'd see a pro in Coronation Aces! :D

[doubletoe]

Sasha Cohen wears Klingbeils. Since SP Teri has imitated Klingbeil's setback hook, it's much harder to tell who wears Klingbeils just from seeing the upper part of the boot. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but I really think it's despicable in this case.

Far from being despicable, I think it is wonderful, as I have SP Teri feet and am probably one of many skaters whose ankle bones are now benefiting from SP Teri's decision to offset that hook. Besides, if Klingbeil has a patent on it, then they are receiving royalties from SP Teri and making money off every KT-2 and KT-3 boot that is sold. If they don't have a patent, then it wasn't their original idea in the first place.

[luna_skater]

Far from being despicable, I think it is wonderful, as I have SP Teri feet and am probably one of many skaters whose ankle bones are now benefiting from SP Teri's decision to offset that hook. Besides, if Klingbeil has a patent on it, then they are receiving royalties from SP Teri and making money off every KT-2 and KT-3 boot that is sold. If they don't have a patent, then it wasn't their original idea in the first place.

To add to that...the skate shops in my city will add an extra off-set hook if you want. I don't think it's a big deal.

[icedancer2]

Umm -- what is that off-set hook for anyways?

[jenlyon60]

don't know how everyone else uses it, but I put my lace bow loops around the off-set hooks then pull the laces snug and tie another bow.

[AW1]

Actually, the solid toe plate is a feature only of the Gold Seals. I have Gold Stars and they don't have a solid toe plate.

Pictures: http://casey.shobe.info/images/?s=Ice+Skating%2FGold+Star+Blades


Casey are they your skates? If so, have you had the tail of the blade shortened because it looks really short in comparison to my MK Professionals. It looks more like a dance/synchro length - are they like that in real life or is it just an optical illusion??

[luna_skater]

It looks more like a dance/synchro length - are they like that in real life or is it just an optical illusion??

Definitely not dance/synchro length...all of my synchro blades just barely cleared the heel of the boot, and most dance blades are shorter than synchros!

[icedancer2]

They do look shorter than some FS blades, though -- but I think it may be an optical illusion.

Sometimes it may depend on how the heel is cut -- if the heel of the boot is more blocky, then the blade looks shorter -- this has happened with my boots -- one heel is cut differently than the other.

Are Synchro blades longer than dance blades? I may consider those. Thanks.:)

[luna_skater]

Are Synchro blades longer than dance blades? I may consider those. Thanks.:)

Depends which brand you get. MK Vision Syncros are the same length as a dance blade. Ultima synchros are a bit longer. Both of these synchro blades have a larger pick than a dance blade. Gam is now making a synchro blade also, but I don't know anyone who's tried it.

My old Ultima Synchro's are a size 10. If you are interested, I could measure the exact blade length for you.

ETA: Synchro blades are not thin like a dance blade, though. They are the same width as a free skate blade.

[icedancer2]

My old Ultima Synchro's are a size 10. If you are interested, I could measure the exact blade length for you.

ETA: Synchro blades are not thin like a dance blade, though. They are the same width as a free skate blade.

Well, I wear a 10 1/4" but I would still be interested. You can measure it either from the bottom pick, or maybe from the middle of the heel stanchion to the end.

I just switched my new ($400+) Super Dance 99 to my old MK Dance -- the difference is only about 1/3 inch, but I can really feel the difference! The SD-99 were just too darn short and I felt unstable. BUT they were so fast and smooth and low to the ice and the flow was incredible! It's a tradeoff, though, because I want to be able to do more than just skate edges and stroking, I want to be able to skate!! So for now the old MKs will do.

I don't think I care whether the blade is thin or not. My favorite dance blade was the one I wore for 10 years -- called "Wilson Dance" -- it was a Majestic with the backs cut off [which the Wilson rep confessed to me at one point] -- they were a regular freestyle width, with beginner-freestyle picks, but were shorter and therefore very comfortable for dance. But they were at least an inch longer than the Super-Dance 99!!

BUT they don't make them anymore, and the pair I have has absolutely no edge left to sharpen. I have considered buying a pair of Majestics and having the backs cut off, but wondering if realy there wasn't something else they did to the blade to make it more dance-friendly... like in the rocker-department...

Anyway, thanks for the input. This is the information I am craving, and most people just look at me cross-eyed when I ask about it ("crazy adult skater" is what I think they are thinking...:x ).

[2loop2loop]

There are two very popular blade brands: MK and Wilson. Both are very good.

In fact MK and Wilson merged a good few years ago, so although they have continued the two trade names the blades are actually made by the same people.

John

[2loop2loop]

Actually, the solid toe plate is a feature only of the Gold Seals. I have Gold Stars and they don't have a solid toe plate.

The phantom specials also have a solid toe plate, or at least they did when I had them (a few years ago, admittedly).

John

[coskater64]

This is highly subjective everyone will have a different opinion.

[aussieskater]

I have considered buying a pair of Majestics and having the backs cut off, but wondering if realy there wasn't something else they did to the blade to make it more dance-friendly... like in the rocker-department...

Slightly OT but not for long... (Sorry! :) ) It's funny you should mention this suggestion. I asked on these boards (where else??) about exactly this on Mirage blades some months ago, and was howled down. I'm still secretly wondering if it can successfully be done...and whether I would spend the next 6 months falling off the back of the blade if I tried it... :lol:

[icedancer2]

Slightly OT but not for long... (Sorry! :) ) It's funny you should mention this suggestion. I asked on these boards (where else??) about exactly this on Mirage blades some months ago, and was howled down. I'm still secretly wondering if it can successfully be done...and whether I would spend the next 6 months falling off the back of the blade if I tried it... :lol:

Don't feel bad. I am guessing that a lot of people who are posting on this board haven't been skating (or dancing) as long as I have. I remember that a lot of people in the '80s talked about filing down the bottom pick a little and cutting off the backs of freestyle blades instead of buying dance blades.

I don't know when dance blades were originally on the market -- maybe early '80's?

Anyway, on the original topic, it is probably regional and also depends on what era you are skating in. When I was a kid, Stanzione was the best boot and everyone knew it. Now you almost never hear of it. Harlick is and has been a great boot, but did you know that the original Mr. Spiteri (of SP Teri) worked for HArlick and started his own company in the '60s?

When I was a kid Reidell and SP Teri were new brands and not considered that good. It was STanzis, Harlicks, or -- well, I had Oberhammers, which although they were a perfectly fine boot, I hated because I was the only one I knew who wore them...

As far as blades, Gold Seal has been around the longest as a high end blade...

It's all what works for you, as I have so sorely learned with this new boot/blade combination!

[doubletoe]

In fact MK and Wilson merged a good few years ago, so although they have continued the two trade names the blades are actually made by the same people.

John


Yes, the two brands are now owned by the same company but because they continue to be marketed under two separate brand names, you need to know which brand you're looking for when you go shopping for blades. Also, each brand still has its own blade models with different features and often different radii (I think that's the plural of radius? LOL!).

[doubletoe]

Umm -- what is that off-set hook for anyways?

So that the metal base of the hook doesn't end up pressing right on your ankle bone when you lace the boots up.

[beachbabe]

well, as far as blades go, around here if you want good blades you get recommended phantoms or gold seals which as not exactly the same level but phantoms have a good reputation and alot of the older coaches reccomend them. I've heard pattern 99's are good but no pro shops around here order them so very few people use them.

As far as boots, sp-teri and harlick and klingbeil are considered good. Most of the coaches at my rink see jacksons and riedells more as beginner skates despite having some higher models.

For those people that are lucky, they can get really good italian boots. I've had one girl rave about Belatis which her aunt sent her...she lives in Italy.

I guess it depends on foot type.

[luna_skater]

Re: Hacking the back of a blade off...if I understand correctly, probably not a good idea. When I was shopping for free skate blades, the pro I talked to was explaining that I would have to get used to a different rocker placement due to the difference in blade length. Also, the free skate blade I bought is apparently sort of rockered twice...once near the front, and then changes near the middle/back. It's probably not impossible to do successfully, but my feeling is that blades are made a particular way to suit a particular type of skating, so don't mess with it! :)

I do know people who have shaved off the bottom toe pick on free skate blades.

[gt20001]

Casey are they your skates? If so, have you had the tail of the blade shortened because it looks really short in comparison to my MK Professionals. It looks more like a dance/synchro length - are they like that in real life or is it just an optical illusion??

I skate in the Ultima Lite blades and everyone keeps asking if they are dance blades when seeing them becuase the heel looks so short but i looked them up on jacksons site and it says they are an intermediate freestyle blade they felt really short as well maybe some blades are just a little shorter than others./

I am going with the new ultima matrix blade for my next blade i like the idea of only having to replace the runner for 100 dollars which is the same blade as their 300 dollar freestyle blade and you can swap with syncro and dance blades so you dont need two different boots or two different blades you just switch the runners out when you do a different disipline and you dont have to remount the blades. I know someone who has them and loves them.

[Mrs Redboots]

For those people that are lucky, they can get really good italian boots. I've had one girl rave about Belatis which her aunt sent her...she lives in Italy.

I guess it depends on foot type.Yes - my first pair were Belatis, and they rubbed me raw during the break-in process (fine once they had, mind, although I've always found my Gams more comfortable), and then they fell apart within two years!

[Tinkerbell]

So, I have a related question.

My first pair of skates, purchased a few months ago when I first started stating, I bought in the skating shop the ice rink I go to runs. I grabbed the first pair that were the right size, tried them on, they fit and proceeded to purchase them.

I ended up paying both, more and less than I expected, in a way. I feel like they work just fine for my purposes, at the moment. But I have to wonder if I will eventually find them to be not the greatest or want to upgrade.

Also, I'm just curious where they rank in terms of "good" skates.

They are Riedell (121? Does that ring a bell) and I paid about $130 for them. Is that pretty cheap for skates? Average? What would one expect to pay for decent skates?

Also, the rink shop is pretty much my only option down here if I want to see and try on my new boots before I commit them to plastic (at some point). Living in the south, as I do, Oshman's confessed to having one or two pair actually on sale at the store and the other sporting stores had none at all.
Does anyone else not living in a wintry part of the world have this problem? And where do you get your skates from?

Thanks.

[blisspix]

Does anyone else not living in a wintry part of the world have this problem? And where do you get your skates from?


You bet. I live in Australia. My local rink only sells jacksons and ultima blades. I'm not a fan of either. So I waited until I went on holiday to the US to go to a good shop to buy something that would suit me better (sp-teris and mk blades). But now I know what I like and use, I can mail order, or wait until I travel again.