I feel like Rip Van Winkle -- my new Riedell Gold Star (#375) skates arrived at the fitter and I found that they are MUCHO different than my previous pair of Gold Stars purchased in summer 2002. A lot has happened in skate design since my last pair!

I had a hellish time breaking in the old skates - they felt as hard as pieces of lumber c-clamped to my ankle and caused excruciating pain. The new skates feel kid-glove soft by comparison. I hope they provide enough support once I get on the ice.

The new skates are about an inch shorter than the old model too. I will have no excuses not to point my toe now.

With the new skates so soft, I wonder if I'm going to be able to wear these as long as the old skates? The only reason I'm replacing my old skates after 5 years is because the inside leather is worn through where my ankle bones rub. The support is still adequate for my level, and the soles are still intact (no worn screw holes, etc.).

Here's a photo showing the old and the new. I'm working on waterproofing soles and mounting the new blades (still Coronation Aces) now.

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Bill Schneider

Wow - they really do look different. I wonder what my c. 1993 Gold Stars would look like next to both of those.

The new ones are shorter. It also looks like the tongue area is wider on the new ones. The rolled top on the new ones looks far more comfortable than the top on the old ones. And your new ones have the v-notch too.

I love how skating boots change over time. Looking at really old boots, I wonder how anyone could skate in them! If there were a skating boot museum, I would so be there

ETA: here are my ancient Gold Stars:


They look similar to your 2002 ones, though I'm sure mine weren't as stiff.

The throat is indeed considerably wider on the new skates.

I thought the throat was wide on my 2002 skates compared to my previous bronze stars purchased in 2000. These beat both those for width.

...And what are you doing skating in 1993-model skates!?

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Bill Schneider

Well, I skated on the new boots for 1-1/2 hour this morning, and if all boots were this soft inside, the Bunga Pad people would see a drop in sales. The new Riedell Gold Stars (#375) are night and day different from the earlier "ankle torture" models.

These won't require much break-in time at all.

I just hope they last without breaking down too quickly.

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Bill Schneider

Nooo, I'm not skating in those anymore! They're really broken down. I just hang on to them for nostalgic reasons My sister borrowed them when she was in town last winter. Even broken down and old, they're still better than rental skates!
I now have a much newer pair of SP Teri Super Teris.

I'm interested to see how long your new pair lasts. I'd hope they're still as tough as the older model, even if they feel nice & cushy inside.

How about the Virtual ice skates museum?

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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!

whee! Guess how I'll be spending my time tonight