What type of skate do I need?

[Becky-on-ice]

Hi everyone,

One of the coaches at my rink said I need to get better skates. I'm pretty sure she's right, I just have the *really* basic recreational or beginner skates. I'm in Free Skate 1 in USFSA, I'm learning some spins and single jumps along with footwork and all that good stuff. I don't know how good of a skate I need. The rink does not have much of a selection, so I'm just doing research online right now and I'm kind of confused. Does anyone have a recommendation on what level/type skate I need, or what brand/model I should get?

Thanks for reading! :) (Oh, I almost forgot. I looked for a post/thread that might have been posted about this question, I could not find anything, so I hope it's okay to start a new thread.)

[katz in boots]

Hmmm. The best boot for you depends on quite a few factors, like;

how heavy you are, how wide your feet are, how old you are (and therefore likely to outgrow before you outskate), and of course, how far you hope to go in the sport.

I think a lof of people ask their coach for some recommendations to begin with.

[SkatEn]

If you're intending to order them online, please check with other skaters at the rink about their skates and their comments. Do remember that those are opinions of their feet, not yours! Also, just because one brand's product breaks down quickly, doesn't mean that the brand is terrible. Making skates is an artistic science/scientific art.

What I do is to try onto skates of friends. For example, I know I'm either a size 4 or 4.5 Riedell depending on which feet do I want to accomodate, smaller than size 5 Jackson, and that Riedell's ankle areas kill my ankle. Red and painful after putting on for about 5 minutes!!!

Please check the sizing carefully. And if you're doing a waltz jump, and a little girl is also doing a waltz, doesn't mean that a model will fit both of you!

[Isk8NYC]

We haven't had a good "what skate should I buy?" thread in a while. FYI: there are a number of them on this board - you need to use the search feature if you want to read them.

Good skates are the only piece of equipment that a skater must have - everything else is optional or you can substitute something else. (Yes, even Zuca bags are optional - I use a $20 rolling duffle bag from TJ Maxx.) Don't cheap out on skates - cheap skates break down quickly and need to be replaced more often.
Adults need skates that can provide extra support because of their height and weight. Children and teens outgrow the skates before they break down.


Make an appointment with a good skate fitter - plan on at least an hour, and schedule it when there is ice available for a try out. That allows the fitter to check the alignment of the blades.

You must get measured by a professional to determine the right size and width. The manufacturers each have their own sizing, so make sure you get the right measurement. Trying on someone else's skates doesn't really work unless you're going to buy those skates from them. Skates stretch from wear and mold to the skater's feet as they break in, so it's no longer a "stock size." If the skates have been punched out or stretched, they could be completely different than a new set. The manufacturers sometimes resize their models as well, so an older skate might be smaller/larger than a new model.

Buying over the internet can work if you have a pro use the right measuring stick. Some shops will charge a small fee to measure your feet for you - make sure you write down both the size and the width. Watch out for eBay deals because they are sometimes new, but not current, so there are sizing issues.

Plan on buying leather skates - they're much better made than plastic or PVC and they will last longer. They can be stretched or "punched out" to provide better fit if you're still growing. Most skates are heat moldable, which allows for a custom fit. Ask the pro shop if they provide this service.

The sole and heels should be leather (if they look like wood, they're actually stacked leather sheets) - that allows blade adjustments if needed.

The leather uppers of good skates don't bend easily, which is how they provide support. There should be eyelets up to the ankle and hooks above that to the top. Leave the top hook unused for the first few weeks so the skate will be easier to break in.

The boot should not go up too high on your calf - about 2" above the ankle is okay. A boot that goes higher than that interferes with your ability to bend your ankle and knee, which is vital.

The blade should be attached with screws, not rivets. Make sure to have them sharpened right away (1/2" ROH) because the factory sharpening only lasts a few hours and is often uneven. Plan to sharpen them after 20 hours of skating. (Ask your coach about who to have do the sharpenings.)

I usually recommend a Jackson Freestyle or a Riedell Medallion skate for freeskate students.
They come with decent beginning freestyle blades and aren't too expensive, plus they stand up to the spins, jumps, and moves that are learned in those levels and the Pre-Preliminary/Preliminary standard-track tests.

[Kat12]

One thing I've learned from classmates is that the blades on the lower-end Jacksons (Mystique, etc.) are not adequate. My coach pointed this out to one of my classmates, who switched her blades to Coronation Ace, and then a new classmate had the same blades and our coach is trying to get her to switch. After looking at her blades, I can see why...toe pick is dinky, for one, and not so much of a rocker. The "Saphire" blades that came on my Riedell 133s are much better in that respect, even though they're nowhere near high-end blades (and have been deemed okay by coach for now, and she says "I'll tell you when you need new blades"). Haven't had a close look at the blades on the Riedells lower than mine.

So do watch out for the blades if buying lower-end skates.

I too recommend going to a skate fitter. When I went, she looked and said "you have good Riedell feet." Different brands will fit differently, so you might ask people with similar feet to yours (wide, narrow, no arch, high arch, wide forefoot and narrow heel, toe shape, etc.).

[caffn8me]

There is a good guide to what to look for when buying skates here (http://www.everglides.co.uk/html/buying_ice_skates.html). It was written by a specialist skate shop, Everglides.

[Becky-on-ice]

Thanks for all of the replies.

I'm not planning on buying skates online, I'm just looking online to get an idea on what kind of skates I might need.

How do you find a "skate fitter"? Would it be somone outside of the rink, or somone who works there?

I looked at the link to Everglides, that was very helpful, caffn8me.

Thanks again!

[Kat12]

Unless the shop at your rink is a figure skate shop, see if you can find an independent skate shop. Most rink shops seem to be hockey-based...they might carry a couple models of figure skates, but my guess would be that they probably don't know much about them.

[Becky-on-ice]

This is a long shot probably. Can anyone recommend an independant figure skate shop anywhere in Texas? It would be nice if there is one near San Antonio, but my mom said she is willing to drive me a few hours for a good skate fitter. So, Houston, Austin, Dallas/Forthworth?

Thanks so very much. :!:

[Skittl1321]

In Austin Chaparrel ice should be able to help you out with a fitting.
http://chaparralice.com/figureskaters.php?page=74

They don't carry Jackson's it appears- and the Freestyle/Competitors are good for adult beginners. But if your feet work well in Reidells they have similiar level models, and the other brands they carry are good, reputable brands (but I only know about them for higher levels)

I think chances are slim to none of you finding an independent skate shop. I haven't lived in Texas for awhile, but it's hard enough to find rinks, much less shops. (I now live in a cold state and it doesn't have a pro-shop either!)

[Mrs Redboots]

This is a long shot probably. Can anyone recommend an independant figure skate shop anywhere in Texas? It would be nice if there is one near San Antonio, but my mom said she is willing to drive me a few hours for a good skate fitter. So, Houston, Austin, Dallas/Forthworth?

Thanks so very much. :!:

It's well worth asking around at your rink to see who is recommended there. The teachers, particularly, will know where you need to go.

[Becky-on-ice]

Thanks once again,

I will be asking around at my rink and I have taken in all of the info everyone has posted. Hopefully I will have a good pair of skates soon!

[isakswings]

[I]
I usually recommend a Jackson Freestyle or a Riedell Medallion skate for freeskate students.
They come with decent beginning freestyle blades and aren't too expensive, plus they stand up to the spins, jumps, and moves that are learned in those levels and the Pre-Preliminary/Preliminary standard-track tests.

I second this boot. My daughter is currently in Freeskate 4 for LTS but is also capable of doing higher elements(ie: camel spin, lutz jump, has done a few axels in the harness...). She is in Freestyle boots. I was going to upgrade her blades, but so far, she is doing OK in them. A girl in her club skates Pre-preliminary and is landing axels and working on double jumps in Freestyle boots. This girl will be 12 in March. She is petite for her age, so keep that in mind too. Anyway... good luck deciding on what boots to buy! BTW, I agree that you need to find someone who can properly fit you. We don't have many options here either, but thankfully have people who can accurately fit my daughter. Talk to other skaters and find out who fits them for skates.

Good luck

[aussieskater]

Try not to be railroaded into a brand just because that's all the shop keeps. Just like regular shoes, one brand will not fit your foot as well as another. Your feet will not thank you if you end up in ill-fitting boots, and uncomfortable (or worse, painful) boots will adversely affect your enjoyment of skating, and could cause permanent damage to your feet and leg joints.