I've been looking at a pair of ice skates just recently called I-SK8.

Has anyone heard of these before and do you know if they are any good / comfortable to wear etc.

Also I am a female but I was wondering if the men's black boots differ in any way to the women's white boots as I am looking to buy a new pair but I wondered if there was any other difference other than the colour.

Do you have a link to somewhere where we could see them? I've never heard of them, so unless they're brand-new on the market I'm guessing they're probably not any good for anything beyond pond/public skating.

Men's skates generally run a bit wider and in mens' sizes (1.5-2 sizes different than womens') but other than that, they're basically the same.

What you really need to do if you plan to do anything more than skate in circles on a public session is go to a reputable skate shop where they can measure your feet (in three different skate brands you might need three different sizes and/or widths) and based on your foot shape, general size/weight, skating goals, and current level, they can recommend a boot and blade that are good for you. If you want to give us a general idea of where you're from, someone might know of a local shop where they do a good job. Definitely don't buy online- the only time I'd suggest buying online is if you're positive your feet are completely done growing and you're buying at least your third pair of the same boot and blade.

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Shae-Lynn and Victor: We knew you were champions, and on 3/28/03 the whole WORLD found out! Thank you for twelve wonderful years!

Is this website you were looking at?
http://www.isk8.biz/product.asp?ID=55

I started skating 11 months ago, and, not knowing much better at the time, I did order a pair of low-level skates online. However, they are a well-known brand of skates (Reidell) and I was very lucky that they fit pretty well and are still good now. I also took very careful measurements of my feet and sent them to the seller.

HOWEVER, I wouldn't do this again - and my next skates will be fitted.

A friend of mine had some "recreational" skates - much like the ones on the website, but leather uppers. She wore them four times - and then bought some Risport RF4's at the skate shop in Queensway (London).

I also noticed that these skates are PVC uppers - I'd have thought that they won't let your feet breathe very much!

Remember as well, you are not just risking poor boots, but also poor blades.

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Amanda

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance . . . "

My Skating Journal

So can anyone reccommend a good all round skate like for comfort which is the main thing but also how it reacts on the ice, so I can look around and do my homework properly.

I intend to look around the internet at certain skates that maybe people recommend and then try to find a good shop in my area that know what they are talking about.
That is what I usually do for a lot of things that I buy.

If anyone can recommend also a shop either in the Lowestoft, Graet Yarmouth, or Norwich area that is worth checking out I would be very grateful as I have know idea where to start

Unfortunately, since everyone's feet are different, none of us can really recommend the boot that's best for you. For a beginning FS skater, Reidell, Jackson, and Graf make decent and affordable boots. It will depend on your foot type which is most comfortable for you!

I've been looking at Riedell Blue Ribbon skates, the link is below if anyone would like to take a look and tell me if you think they are ok or not as I cannot really tell one type skate from another - they all look the same.

If you can give me any tips on what to look for in a good skate I would much appreciate it.

Thanks!

www.riedellskates.com/ice/121.html

I would recommend looking into the riedell Medallion series instead of the Ribbon series, because I started out with the White ribbons, and I advanced out of those skates within months. I would also recommend Jackson Mystiques or Freestyle.

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Jessica

http://ilove2skate.livejournal.com/

http://www.myspace.com/sk8fabulous

Keep in mind that Riedells are known to be narrow. Jacksons are wider. A common mistake is to try on Riedells (because they are so commonly available), find that they are too small, and buy a larger size, when the problem is really just that they are too narrow. This results in a skate that is too long.

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When I started skating I joined a class with two other friends. I know what you're talking about - it's so hard to distinguish between skates when you're just starting.

One of my friends bought from the proshop, and me and my other friend ordered ours online. I ordered Riedell Blue Ribbons, actually. Within a couple of months both my friend and I had broken down and gotten fitted. I think the Blue Ribbons are an okay skate, its just that I did not have the right size, and I was too new to judge how they fit when I first ordered them. I was stuffing foam in the toe! It just doesn't work because you want to make sure your weight is distributed correctly over the blade. Also, the Blue Ribbons have a plastic sole and my proshop wouldn't re-mount them.

I'm in Jackson Freestyles and they are so much more comfortable than the ones I ordered online. However, I think it comes down to the fit more than which brand was better.

as dbny said, Riedells are more narrow. I liked the Blue Ribbon and it was quite comfortable, but again, you do need to find the brand that works for you. The Blue Ribbon style is for more advanced beginners than the white ribbon (so you won't advance out of them as fast). Do take a look at the Medallion series as well

Mine are the Reidell Blue Ribbon - I got the wide fitting, and they have been pretty good.

I have been wearing them for 11 months - I should think I will get a new pair in about six months, so not bad for beginner's boots. I got the Blue Ribbon over the rest of the "Ribbon" series, as they were the most advanced model and I thought they would last longer.

Your local rink should be able to advise you on local skate shops, no?

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Amanda

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance . . . "

My Skating Journal

It would help if you would tell us which states or which country you're in.

From your username I'm guess Baton Rouge, LA.

She's in the UK

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Amanda

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance . . . "

My Skating Journal

Does the Norwich rink not have a shop? Failing that, you'll probably have to go to Chelmsford, although I wouldn't swear they have a shop, we'll have to ask Peanutskates and I think she's on holiday.

Incidentally, there is a truly fantastic coach at Norwich these days (her name begins with P, but I'm not going to post the full thing in a public forum), so if she has a slot or a class, you can't go wrong! We did a camp with her once, and would love to work with her again.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I know the coach you are talking about - my son and I are only really just starting out, is it worth going to her for private lessons or do you think she would prefer more qualified skaters.

Are shops that sell ice skates only located at ice rinks?

There is a shop so I here at the Norwich rink called Skate Lodge I think, it only has a phone numberon the rink's website, I was hoping to find a website directly for them if possible to find out if they will be open when we go over next as we usually can only get over there for the last session during the week for public skating.

No, shops aren't only located at rinks. Rainbo (in Chicago) is stand alone

Depends on where you live - here in the UK, there are very few shops that aren't located in a rink. I know of one, in London, and I'm not even sure that still exists. However, there are several fitters around the country who work from their own homes, but I don't know of any in East Anglia, where batonstar lives.

Not at all - beginning skaters make up the vast majority of any coach's pupils, especially at a very new rink like Norwich. You could try taking joint lessons with your son, at least for now, until you see how you get on. I'm sure she'd be delighted to give you a trial lesson or two until you see whether her style of teaching suits your style of learning.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Hiya! I've been thinking of buying my own pair of skates, and I was wondering if anyone here could advise me about which brand to get? I'm in Aberdeen, and the skate shop here only stocks Riedell blue ribbons and Risport RF4s(only available by order). I've got wide feet; could you let me know which of these skates would be better for me? And is there any reason why the Riedells are 20 to 30 pounds cheaper than the Risport Skates?

Thanks!

If the shop has Riedells in stock, then try them on. The person in the shop will probably know which is best for your feet, and should measure your feet to get some idea of the size you will need. They should feel tight-fitting, as they will slacken a bit with use.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

BUT remember:

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Mrs Redboots and dbny: Thanks!

There is a shop at the Norwich ice rink. It is named 'The SK8 Shop' and is usually open on weekdays from late afternoon to early evening. At weekends I believe it is open mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Telephone numbers are: 01603 416600 / 01603 779667. There is also a shop in the city of Norwich named 'Skatewise Skate Shop' telephone 01603 764644. These two shops are part of the same organisation.

P is indeed an excellent coach who is in much demand. As far as I am aware she takes on students of all abilities and ages.