I'm a little behind updating my skates, wearing Jackson Freestyle boots presently. According to my coach as well as my feet, there is nearly no support for what I'm doing (adult skater, working on axel, getting into doubles), mu jumps are high with lots of power. The coach suggested stepping up quite a bit as far as the stiffness goes, and recommended Graf, Riedell or Gam boots. I've been to 2 pro shops. Both of them carry the same brands, and I've narrowed my choices down to Riedell HLS 1500 and Graf Edmonton Specials.
One store is telling me the Graf's are better quality and they are almost suggesting against the Riedells?? They say because I'm in Calgary and the Graf factory is here, that any repairs would be easier to get done.
The other store says everyone that has tried Graf's, always returns to Riedell for their next pair and that the Graf's break down faster.
Both boots are comfortable on me and I like the stiffness of them very much. Price is about the same, so I don't know which one to pick! I'm hoping to get a pair before this weekend.

Has any of you tried both of these models and which one did you prefer and how was the quality?

I'm looking into an ISE Shadow blade, but I can't seem to find any reviews on them. Any experience with those?

I'd like to hear about some real life experiences with these boots and blades in hopes it will help me with my decision.
Thanks!

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Riedell HLS1500 are made for triples. They're what Johnny Weir's skates are built after. They are way too stiff for an adult skater beginning work on early doubles, and an axel. You will never break those things in.

Grafs sound like a good choice though they're notorious for giving people foot problems. I skate in them though- but as much as I like them, they are NOT good quality. The heel is known for popping off, and they have lots of other issues as well. They should be soft enough for you unlike the HLS1500, although most elite skaters doing triples have at one point or another worn them as well, so they are definitely considered to be a more advanced skate, too. Why such a huge jump in equipment level? It probably isn't the wisest idea to go from entry-level skates to the absolute top of the food chain elite skates. Something in between might be a better bet for you. Getting skates that are too stiff for what you are doing is only asking for injuries, and a stressful time on the ice.

If you're gonna go with Riedell I'd suggest stepping it down a notch and looking into the 900s, instead. Grafs do break down fast...that's why elites love them, they can afford to replace them every 6 months and you can do triples in them the first day.

You can't say you like the stiffness of BOTH boots very much- they are polar opposites. The HLS1500 is about 20 times stiffer than the Grafs. I'm not sure you're judging the stiffness in the right places. Remember that the way your feet move on the ice has nothing to do with how they bend and move on the ground.

As far as blades, I'd suggest MK Professionals or Wilson Coronation Aces, at your level. For the record though, those are mid-level blades, not top end blades. As well, mid-level boots would most likely suit you much better.

Good luck.

Thanks for your input!
I'm going down to the skate shop for one last time tomorrow to make my final decision and I'll definitely keep what you said in mind. They have also set a pair of 900-s aside for me, so I will consider them as well. The higher jump in stiffness was suggested to me by both pro shops after they saw what I had done to those darn Jacksons after less than a year.
I've been doing tons of reading and after all the stories I'm scared to go with the Grafs. Seems like they are more likely to have issues. So it will be something Riedell in the end.

I can't wait until tomorrow! I'm like a kid at Christmastime!
I'll post my final choice after I get back!

Thanks again!

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I have landed axels and doubles in Riedell 320 Bronze star, but I did break them down in less than 6 months. Now I have the HLS 1500 and I love them. Yes, they are very stiff and you wont break them in as well as the Graf. I think you should choose whatever boot feels right, the more comfortable you are, the better you will skate.

This week was my first in the ISE Shadow and man, are they light!
I nearly fell on a waltz- toe combo because I got more height on the toeloop and my body is not used to it.
Has a nice rocker and radius- now if I can only get my spins adjusted to this. I was skating on a Coronation Ace that had all but flattened out.

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Your height and weight, as well as your skating skills, have a lot to do with which boots would be right for you. The bigger and heavier you are, the stronger the boot you need, regardless of skill level. Since you are working on the axel and doubles, and have big jumps, a fairly stiff boot seems appropriate, and your height and weight can guide in just how stiff to go. I don't know anything about the ISE blades, but otherwise would recommend Pattern 99's or Gold Seals. You seem to be moving beyond the Aces.

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Keep in mind that Gold Seals have an 8 foot rocker- makes it much harder to spin if you are not the kind of person who could spin in their sleep. Also makes footwork a bit more difficult at first if you've been skating in a 7 ft rocker blade all this time.

Pattern 99s have a 7 ft rocker, and are overall a great blade, if you like straight-cut toepicks. The Phantoms are popular too.

So, I sealed the deal!
I went with Riedell HLS 1500 and a Gam-14 blade. The shop didn't have much to say about the ISE blades - they carry them, but don't sell very many. So bladewise I went with what they suggested.

I know it was mentioned earlier that Riedell1500 and Graf Edmonton should not feel the same for stiffness, but today I paid extra attention to that and again, they felt the same! Go figure! Maybe I was trying the "extra stiff" version of the Edmontons, that would make more sense.

Weightwise I'm not your average skinny-minny little skater, being at 140 lbs must have something to do with the need of a stiffer boot

I'll give these babies a try tomorrow and see how they are. I can't hide my excitement though!

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According to the John Wilson website, Pattern 99 have an 8ft rocker too.
MK Professionals, Visions and Phantoms have 7ft rockers. John Wilson Coronation Ace, and Four Aces have 7 ft too.

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Karen

I skate - therefore I am

I did a little 1/2 hour test run yesterday to see how the new skates are. So far so good.

Aside from the boots needing a little punching out on one foot, they seem fine - quite a bit stiffer than my old ones, but that's what I had hoped for.

The blades being a 8.5 rocker (Gam-14) will take some time to get adjusted to. Somehow I also ended up with a longer blade this time. The old ones were 9 1/3, new ones are 10. I did change the make of the boot and blade both, maybe that's caused by a different manufacturing. New blades felt like I was gliding and gliding - very smooth feeling.
I tried a few spins and to my surprise I had no problems there, mind you, I've always loved spinning!
Jump takeoffs and landings felt weird, but I'm sure it's a matter of a few weeks of adjustment time and I'll be fine. It's kind of weird that the pro shop didn't tell me the rocker of the blades they recommended was that much flatter and they knew what I was in before. Oh well, I was way too excited while there, and it slipped my mind too!

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Do they? My bad then, I'm sorry about the mistake. Thanks for pointing it out.

that's okay, I just wish more of them were 7ft rocker, as I need to replace my 24 year old phantoms and want parallel sides and cross cut toe picks.

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Karen

I skate - therefore I am

I also had a pair of Jackson Freestyle as my beginning boots, then I switched to Riedell Silver Star, and now I am on a pair of HLS 1500. I agree with Stardust, the HLS 1500 is very stiff compare with Edmonton Special. I tired both, and both are very comfy, but for HLS is more difficult to break in,and I already had the 3rd adjustment in the last 2 months since I bought them. But according to the pro who do my skate sharpening and maintainance, he said the HLS will last a lot longer than the Edmonton special. I have friends are on Edmonton special, and they break apart very fast (depends on how much you use it), if you are on ice 2 hours everyday, and doing heavy jumping, I would say HLS is better for the investment since they last longer. If you are willing to buy another pair of boot in a year, then probably Edmonton special is better for you. Both are very good boots, so is depends on how much you skate, and how heavy you use it.

Now that I have had the Riedells for a week, and I've been out on the ice every single day, they are getting more comfortable each time.
At first the arches felt some pressure, but I played around with different insoles and my coach said to try gel heel pads to lift the heels up just a bit to relieve the pressure on ankles until I get in to the pro shop to punch them out.
I think I made the right decision, because I really don't want to get new boots anytime too soon.

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I swear by Grafs Edmunton Specials. They are heat-molded to your feet, and it's never taken me more than 3 weeks to break them in. I had a lot of trouble with Riedells in the past, because they are very narrow. The Reidells did a real number on my pinky toe, and one podiatrist wanted to amputate! I said no thanks, changed to Grafs, the problem with my pinky toe cleared up completely and everyone is happy!

Really, Grafs are excellent.

Just started to skate with my super Shadows..they are light indeed. The toes are perfect, the rocker, ratius fantastic....I only have good things about it I was surprised for the good... but be aware they dont come sharpened..theres no hollow.... get them properly sharpened and fly and jump easily...the width is also less than the traditional brands...Could be twice , still would worth it.Since then, Ive been recommending this blade in Brazil.I take my hats off to Jerry.Just got be thankful to give me the chance to skate with the same pleasure for a fraction of the traditional brands costs.

BTW what's this I keep hearing about the difference between swiss and canadian graf edmontons?
I have the swiss made ones myself, the guy at the shop mentioned there were differences between different country's made ones. But he didn't really say what the difference was?

It sounds to me a seller blablabla to make you feel you made the best deal,. Quality control is just the same .