Boot Stiffness Question - Jackson Premiere vs Jackson Elite

[Jennymd]

Hi All!

Sorry for the long winded post... but I have a question about boot stiffness of Jackson products, I'm looking at upgrading my skates and I'm trying to decide between two boots - the Jackson Premiere (DJ2500) or the Jackson Elite (DJ2900).

I'm just wondering if anyone knows how much difference in stiffness there is between the two? I can't find much info on the Premiere since it is a fairly new product, but I'm guessing it's similar stiffness to the Jackson Competitor, maybe slightly stiffer, it seems like it sits between Competitor and Elite, or is just an upgraded version of the Competitor since they no longer sell it as a boot only.

My problem is that I have extremely broad feet, I'm going to need to custom order something like a size 8EEE or maybe even 8EEEE (their widest possible) split width with a C\D heel - I don't know if they do Premieres that wide on custom orders, but I know they can definitely do Elite and upwards in such large widths.

I really like the features of the new Elite model, with the extra reinforced eyelet in between where the hooks start, and also the punched ankles which looks a lot more comfortable, so I really like the sound of it but I've heard the Elite is quite stiff and I'm worried it could be too stiff. I am a larger skater though, being an adult in my mid-twenties, about 5'6" and 150 lbs, so maybe it would be okay? and since it'll take 3-4 months, maybe longer, for the custom order to be manufactured and shipped out to Australia, maybe with the progress I make in the meantime I'm hoping the stiffness won't be as much of an issue if I were to go with the Elites...

At the moment I'm squeezing into a Jackson Freestyle 8.5C that's been stretched to around D width, and there's a little too much room in the length to help provide extra width (since Freestyle only goes up to C width), so that's why I'm thinking of going from down from 8.5 to 8, it's too narrow but *just* tolerable enough to use, skating is always rather painful for my poor feet though! :(

I can't wait to get new skates that are wide enough for my horrible feet so that skating will be much less painful and more comfortable!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)


Jenny from Australia

[Skate@Delaware]

I can't say about the Premiere, but I moved from the Competitor to the Elite and I noticed a big difference in the stiffness...the Elite left me feeling way over-booted for a long time (they took a lot longer to break in than the competitors).

When I am ready to get new boots I don't think I'll get Elites, but will go down one model. I just don't have the jumps/moves for the Elites. I really liked the Competitors, but they broke down within a year for my skating (some single jumps, no-test pre-bronze stuff).

[aussieskater]

What level skater are you? I just had the same decision to make, and if you look down the On-Ice Skaters page a bit, you'll find a thread I started in late June to ask a similar question!

I was told when I went for a fitting that everything from either the Competitor or the Premiere (can't remember which) up can be made to widths outside the normal range of A-D. But it costs...

I was very tempted by the Premiere, as it looks to be a well-made plushy boot, and feels stiffer than a current Competitor but not as hard as an Elite (I squashed a sample of each in my hands when I was fitted last week). I couldn't tell exactly how much stiffer the Elite is just using my hand - only that it is stiffer. It seems to me that the Premiere occupies the same place in the Jackson product line-up as the boot-only Competitor did 6+ years ago. (The Competitor is now boot-and-blade only, and the current Competitor is in my view not as nicely padded as the one I orginally bought.)

I eventually went with the Jackson Synchro boots, because I'm primarily a dancer - the only way you'll get both my feet off the ice simultaneously is with 3 strong men and a winch. The order has been placed and the boots might arrive by October...:D I'm not quite as wide as you - I measured B heel and E ball - what is it with us Aussies?? We all have ginormously wide feet!! Must be the bare feet in summer.

The only other thing I would say is to be very careful of your fitting - make sure you are accurately fitted. Where are you planning to be fitted?

[katz in boots]

My problem is that I have extremely broad feet, I'm going to need to custom order something like a size 8EEE or maybe even 8EEEE (their widest possible) split width with a C\D heel - I don't know if they do Premieres that wide on custom orders, but I know they can definitely do Elite and upwards in such large widths.

I got Competitors in a EE fitting for my daughter, because at the time they were the lowest level boot Jacksons's did the semi-custom fitting in.

I suggest you get in touch with Margaret at ISkate Canturbury, as they are Australlian distributors. She ought to be able to help you with this.

[jp1andOnly]

if possible go with the premiere. This whole notion of bring heavier and breaking down skates faster is silly. You will be overbooted in Elites. I'm on the heavier side and had elites that I never broke down. I switched brands and went to gams getting a step down from their equivalent of jackson elites. SO GLAD I DID!!! I'd rather cough up money every few years then never break down the boot. I transitioned smoothly into the new boots and no they didn't magically break in (in fact they probably arent yet) but I figure I have a couple years left in them. Well worth the money as my overall skating skills actually improved because i had right level of boots.

[Jennymd]

What level skater are you? I just had the same decision to make, and if you look down the On-Ice Skaters page a bit, you'll find a thread I started in late June to ask a similar question!

I was told when I went for a fitting that everything from either the Competitor or the Premiere (can't remember which) up can be made to widths outside the normal range of A-D. But it costs...

I'm doing Aussie Skate at the moment - currently in Intermediate 2, but can do elements from the Freeskate levels already and am progressing through pretty quick, can do most of the half jumps, etc.

It's very good to know they do Premiere in any width beyond D, I thought they might only do E but not EE and wider until Elite level.

Hehehe it does indeed seem like a lot of us Aussies have broad feet!

That's awesome that you'll get your custom Synchro boots around October too, that's quite quick! I suppose by ordering mid-year you avoid the Christmas rush. :)

I probably will go to ISkate at Canterbury to get fitted, that's about the only place I could really go - there's a new skate shop very close to me in Ryde (Skaters Network), they do sell Jackson boots but they seem to specialise more in hockey gear than figure skating so I doubt they have as much experience in fitting figure boots as Margaret does.

From what everyone has said the Elite definitely sounds like too much boot at the moment, which is a shame because I love the design, but at least I now know I can get what I need in the appropriate stiffness of Premiere. :) I do like the look of the Premiere as well, it does look very comfortable on the inside, so it sounds like that is the best option - then if I need to I can move up to the Elite later on. That way I'll also have tested the custom size I order in the Premiere and know exactly what size to order on the next pair :)

Thank you so much everyone for your help!! :D

[Skate@Delaware]

just fyi-the Competitor is available in "boot only" option, but it costs as much as the "boot & blade" combo so you were better off getting the combo and upgrading the blade later.

The Premiere sounds like a good boot, and I wish it had been an option when I needed new boots. I'm thinking of getting them maybe in January, so I can gradually break them in...the Elites are just too stiff (I'm in the lowest model). I can't get toe point unless I unlace then I'm too lose & lose support for jumps.

Good luck I hope you have a great fitter!

[aussieskater]

I'm doing Aussie Skate at the moment - currently in Intermediate 2, but can do elements from the Freeskate levels already and am progressing through pretty quick, can do most of the half jumps, etc.

I'm not a coach, but I do think the Elites would be too much boot in your case. If the Competitor can be made in your correct size, it might be a good option for you, because at Aussie Skate level, you don't need too much blade, and I believe the boot-and-blade set comes with a decent entry-level blade.

It's very good to know they do Premiere in any width beyond D, I thought they might only do E but not EE and wider until Elite level. Hehehe it does indeed seem like a lot of us Aussies have broad feet!

Maybe that's why we can swim so fast?? (Although I break that rule ...)

Seriously, you'll need to ask Margaret at Canterbury whether the Premiere or Competitor goes past an E - her statement to me seemed to indicate that they do, but I was only asking about my size at the time.

I probably will go to ISkate at Canterbury to get fitted, that's about the only place I could really go - there's a new skate shop very close to me in Ryde (Skaters Network), they do sell Jackson boots but they seem to specialise more in hockey gear than figure skating so I doubt they have as much experience in fitting figure boots as Margaret does.

Spot-on re the hockey focus. And Skaters Network doesn't have the full range of Jackson (but I believe they do of Risport.) Make sure you ring for an appointment with Margaret before you go for a fitting - she's not always there.

I do like the look of the Premiere as well, it does look very comfortable on the inside, so it sounds like that is the best option - then if I need to I can move up to the Elite later on. That way I'll also have tested the custom size I order in the Premiere and know exactly what size to order on the next pair :)

That's a great idea - you might find out that as you progress through the levels, you decide that your skating moves in a particular direction (eg: dance), and the next pair may well not be the Elites or their then-equivalent, but synchro or dance boots instead. Good appropriate boots now will take you comfortably through the early stages of all the various disciplines.

Good luck and enjoy your new boots!

[katz in boots]

ITA with Aussie Skater. For an Aussie Skate Intermediate level, I would normally recommend Freestyles, even for an Adult. So because you have to go up a level or so to get fitted for your Australian foot, I'd go with the lowest you have to.

[xgskate]

Got my Premiere 2602 on the 24th of last month. Very stiff. My feet are cramping when I am in them. I tripped big time on the Monday and my right knee still has swelling and the bruise is covering 1/4 square foot around my knee. Though I can still skate. Injured my left shoulder and waiting for xray readings from my doctor now.