I went to Jamaica, New York on Saturday morning, and what an experience it was!!!

The factory is a wonderful cluttered place full of memorabilia and historical items. You can find everything from an autographed poster of Sarah Hughes (she wears Klingbeil's) to old programs from US Nationals 20 years ago, along with some interesting historical paintings, including one of Mr. Klingbeil done in old colonial style.

The experience was amazing. Bill Klingbeil is an absolute delight. He seats you in his famous chair, which is autographed by every skater he fits--I will also have to sign it when I receive my boots. He takes careful measurements of your feet in a ledger and makes drawings of them and then has you place your feet in a box with pink foam. You stand up, and your feet sink into the foam, (which really felt cool!!!) and this creates the impression for the mold for your "last" for the boot.

Then came the part that was truly amazing, although it left me a little chagrined. My friend Diane had told me to bring my present skates, he'd want to look at them. (These were Reidell silver stars, bought used, formerly skates for figures for a young skater--I just added new blades when I got them). He picked up the skates, looked them over, handed one to my husband, and asked me: "Do you have trouble doing any particular moves, like turning?" After I gathered my jaw up from off the floor and told him about my struggles with three turns and sometimes with spinning, he smiled and told me he thought he could explain why: My present boots are too big. I'm a 4, not a 4 and 1/2. My heel is very narrow and myforefoot borders on wide width, and Reidells are not designed for those type of feet!!!! (They are wider in the heel). He said I would have been better off with an SP Teri or Harlick. But what really made me want to scream was when he asked my husband to look at the boot he was holding and pointed out the MY BLADES WERE NOT CENTERED ON EITHER BOOT!!!!! (Not to mention the center stitching was off on both of them.) When I first got them I took them to "Famous Local Pro Shop that shall remain unnamed" and I realize now that they just took off the old patch blades and put new ones on. They never tried them on me even thought I told them I had bought them from someone else!!! I was a beginner in group lessons back then, and I didn't know any better. I know my present sharpener noticed they were a little off and shimmed the left one up, but geez, all this time in boots that didn't fit and off center blades. To quote Charlie Brown: AAAAAAAUUUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!! :? I guess the look on my face was priceless because Bill reached up, took my hand and said, "Don't worry, honey. You're gonna love what I make for you and you'll do fine from now on." The old boots are even cut too high on the ankle for me. He told me they probably keep me from bending my knees well enough, and his boots will lay a 1/2 inch lower on my ankles. After it all sunk in, I felt somewhat relieved. Suddenly, I felt like my poor little skating feet were finally in good hands--I'd found the REAL SkateGod!!!

They will be ready in a few weeks, and I have to order new blades as my blade size is also down 1/2 and inch. He was also very insistent that he will mount my new blades. All in all, it was an amazing day--as an engineer, my husband was totally fascinated the whole time. We got to see the factory, (Skating boots in all stages of preparation) meet his son and crew, and we really felt we were in good hands. I'm very excited and so happy I FINALLY got this done. I just hope I don't have to learn to skate all over again!!! I can't wait to go back!!!

Miss soon to be "Happy Feet,"

Beth

Congratulations!!! That sounds sooo exciting. I wish I could do the same. How do you get an appointment withMr. Klingbeil? I have horrible gargoyle feet and would love a pair of boots made just for them. I think I might just try that later on. Please do keep us posted.

Klingbeil Shoe Labs, Inc.
145-01 Jamaica Avenue
Jamaica, NY 11435

Phone: 718 297-6864
Fax: 718 658-2396

Just call and make an appointment. His Office Manager is Lorraine, and she is a sweetie. He does fittings on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. If you are driving, its best to get an early appointment as you have to use metered parking and according to my skating buddies, it fills up fast. We got there at 8:00 AM for for an 8:30 appointment on a Saturday, and there was plenty of parking. (Bring quarters). You can go hungry as they have coffee and bagels waiting for you!!! You'll meet the whole crew, Bill, his son Don, probably more of the rest of the family, and the cat, who scratches, according to Lorraine, so its best to worship him from afar. According to Don, he's "not their cat, he just hangs out"--I guess the multiple cans of 9 Lives in with the coffee are for the customers!!! The entire trip was worth it just to see the photos of skaters on the walls (my favorite was an autographed photo of Emily Hughes, Sarah's sister, teasing Don Klingbeil for his bad jokes but he makes a "good boot!!!")

You can also have a pro shop take your measurements and send them to the Lab, although they work on the skates that they personally fit first each week. They are guaranteed--if they don't work for you for whatever reason, your money will be refunded. Cost is fixed: $495 per pair, regardless of size or what has to be done. Payment is cash, certified check, money order only. You will need a $200 deposit when you go for the initial fitting. My friends have also told me they will do yearly maintenance on them--one got hers entirely torn open and repacked when they started to break down, and they were like new again when finished. As you can guess, they take great pride in their work.

Hope this helps,

Beth

Thanks for al the info Beth. I just got my Reidell 320s two months ago. So I think my poor tortured feet will have to wait. Also, I've only been skating about six months so I don't want to get boots that are too much for me. However, I will certainly keep all this in mind the next time I get boots.

Beth,

Keep us posted on your new skates. The after purchase experience is as important as the initial visit.

I've forwarded your story along to several friends that are considering custom boots. I'm sure they'll be interested in your experience.

Sounds terrific!!!!

Gary

Beth,

I'm also waiting on a pair of skates from Klingbiel, so I can share your anticipation. Like you, I have some foot issues that were not addressed by my silver stars that I'm hoping will be improved in my new custom skates. One of my feet is a half size smaller than the other, and I have very narrow ankles. In addition, my left foot tends to pronate, and, as a result, I have warped the top of my boot into an angle. I'm really hoping that the new Klingbiel skates will improve some of my elements, but man, oh man, am I dreading the break in period. My silver stars were awful. And I'm also terrified I'll have to relearn everything now that my feet will be in a different position.

Good luck with yours!

I have always found Klingbeils to be very easy to break in (I'm on my third pair...)

The first day I wore them on the ice, I was able to go most of a 45 minute session with only 1 minor relace (that due mostly to the slick nylon laces that were shipped with my boots).

I wore them (w/ guards) around the house for a couple hours each night before I got on the ice in them...this because I had a dance test coming up and didn't want to change boots until after the test.

Klingbeils have a rep for being easy to break in.

And... I fully plan to get Klingbeils for my next pair of boots (probably in about a year to 18 months, based on how this pair is going...).

I was just about to spend 360 on new SP Teri boots but now you have me thinking maybe I should try Klingbeil. I have a serious problem with my ankle and bruising (and now calluses). I tried on SP Teri's and they seemed high on the ankle and I thought bending in them would be hard and the fitter just said that I would have to adjust, like it's that easy. I have somewhere I could stay in New York. Can you get to them by subway?

Not being a New Yorker, I'm not sure; However, give Lorraine a call at the factory and ask. Jamaica is not far at all from midtown Manhattan (hubby and I went there afterwards, toured the city, saw "Les Miserables" and just made a wonderful day of it) and I imagine there is some public transportation.

Beth

I bet you will progress a lot faster in skating once you get your new skates. That is so rude that the other place didn't plug the original holes & place the blades properly according to your feet. Unless it couldn't be done with those skates, in which case they should have told you!

I left Silver Stars for SP-Teri (I get the split last boot), but a lot of my friends get Klingbeils & they love them & never complain.

I've skated 3 to 4 sessions a week for the last year and my SP Teri's would still be rubbing holes in my ankles if I weren't wearing bunga sleeves. I've also skived, conditioned, and burnished the leather around the top to remove any sharp edges.

They bend a little more than when they were new, but not much. It was three months before my coaches and I agreed that I could at long last lace the top eyehooks.

A VERY stiff boot. They'll probably live longer than my feet will.

Yazmeen, congrats. I'm green with envy (though Klingbeils would be too much boot for me now). I wish someone (such as the woman at my pro shop!) had told me before I bought a pair of Riedell 275s that Riedells were not for us folk with wide toes and narrow heels and, in my case, generally mutant feet. I'm convinced now that my left boot is a hair too big--I keep having to relace it to prevent it from eventually feeling too loose in the heel, especially after I've been spinning or working on turns for a while. I wear a sock with the forefoot cut off underneath my skating tights on that side to build up my heel, and it still happens. I'm thinking of calling Riedell and asking them if they can ship me something to insert in the left boot.

Have you ever gotten the back of your boot cut lower (like a dance boot) to allow for more knee bend? Does that compromise the support given by the boot?

cheers,
--mikawendy

thanks for sharing your experience. i know a lot of skaters with klingbeils and they are all very happy...i have been considering them for my next pair of skates but mine are still new and ny is pretty far away...we'll see

I still LOVE my Riedells!!

I like my Riedells too...but I don't LOVE them!!! I'm definitely consider Klingbeil as my next boot. (Nothing too high end, of course...probably just the K2 will do for me!) And I have a fitter where I live who will do a decent enough job of fitting me.

Cheers,
jazzpants

Yazmeen, congrats on your new boots...you will love them!

Klingbeil's is just a few blocks from a subway stop. I think it is 46th Street on the #7.

Ask for combo cotton/nylon laces. They have them in stock and will gladly substitute them for the all nylon laces. Don Klingbeil volunteered them to me...don't remember why.

As several others have said, Klingbeils are easy to break in. I never had a moments pain in mine during the breaking in period, and was able to skate 1.5 hours the first time. Of course, I only do low level moves, still...

Klingbeils are really not "too much boot" for anyone, as they are made specifically for each individual based on that person's height, weight, skill level and foot shape. I didn't need a super supportive boot, but did need a perfect fit to be able to skate four times a week without pain. I think I could wear my Klingbeils all day in perfect comfort.

__________________

Beth, what a wonderful experience! Thanks for sharing it with us. I've probably got a few more seasons left in my Riedells, then I'm tempted to trek down to NYC for Klingbeils. I've also got the wide toebox/narrow heel feet not designed for Riedells, but some bunga pads in the heel help a lot. But to have skates that are custom fit? Wow! He certainly sounds like a SkateGod to me too!

Schmeck

Hey Beth,
I'm glad you had such a great experience with your Klingbeil fitting. I've heard many good things about the folks there. But of course the proper location of your blade depends also on how you stand, not just where the center of the boot is. My right blade is very slightly inside and so I stand flat when I think I'm standing flat. If my blade were mounted exactly in the center, I'd be pronating.

For any adult thinking about custom boots, they're wonderful! I have custom SP Teri's, because my left foot is half a size bigger than my right, fitted by Mike Cunningham at Skaters' Paradise (also a great skate fitter).

BTW, it is great that Klingbeil has their satisfaction guaranteed policy, because the competitive skaters I know say that every 4 or 5 pairs they may get a bad boot, and it's always been replaced or fixed. This happend to my coach about a year and a half ago, and he got a free pair of boots out of it, even though he skated on them for months. So just don't automatically assume the boots are perfect; if you have any problems, it might not be you, it might be the boots.

Pat

I had never previously seen the "mount straight down the center" instructions that came with my most recent pair of Klingbeils...

But then I started thinking... if the measurements were done correctlly (and especially with the foamy mold stuff), then the custom boot can be built to "compensate" for the pronation or suppination or other stance issues ... "Compensation" isn't really the right word... maybe "correction" is a better word. Thus allowing for a "straight down the center" mount.

Not saying it's right. But as I recall, the elder Mr. Klingbeil started in the "corrective shoe/boot" business and migrated into skate boots.

Yes, I suppose you're right. But Beth's original boots are not Klingbeils, and I don't think they were custom, so a dead-center mounting may not have worked either. {shrug}

Pat

That I will agree with. Plus I think as one's skating improves and matures, the blade alignment may need to change, for stock boots. I know that my balance and center of gravity for control of my edges has changed significantly since I started skating, and continues to change, as I deepen my edges or improve my stance.

And I think beginner skaters don't always know how the blade alignment should feel, and can't necessarily explain clearly to the coach what's going on. (Not all beginner skaters, but I dare-say a reasonable number...) And a group lesson coach may not have the time and/or experience (or be willing to take the time) to help a beginner skater get their gear right.

Yeap! That's my only complain about Riedells. I HATE those toe boxes, but they can be stretched to give you more comfort!!! And I would love for Mr. Klingbeil to take a look at my current boots and tell me exactly what I've been having trouble on. :p

Cheers,
jazzpants

jenlyon and Pat (sk8pics): I think Jen hit the nail on the head--he designs the boot to compensate for the quirks in the foot. And yes, Jen, you're right--he started in orthopedic shoes, and still does them (although skating boots are probably 90% of his business). He's also the government's number one supplier of specialty footwear--namely orthopedic Army boots!!!

He was quite insistent that he mount my next set of blades, and after what he pointed out, I can understand why. My coach and I talked this morning and she is actually moving me "down" (sort of) to the Coronation Ace from the Comet. She feels the Comet has too much toepick and is really unnecessary for a skater of my level. The Ace is less pick and slightly curvier, and I will probably find spinning easier on it. She smiled and said: "Look at it this way, it only took you three years to finally find the right skates--some skaters try for ten years or more!!!" She did warn me that at first the Klingbeil's might feel strange as I will notice that they don't come up as high; However, she said the support will be lower, in the heel where I really need it, and I should adjust just fine. She also said that minimal break-in is needed. She wore her latest pair for four straight hours teaching the first day she had them.

I should mention that my present coach had no say in my present boots and blades. I bought the used boot while still in group lessons, and was suggested either the Ace or Comet, and the "famous pro shop" was hot on Comets at the time, had them in stock, that's what I got. I didn't start privates with Paula until about four months later. For any beginners out there, if you're going to buy skates--talk to a good coach beforehand so you have some guidance into what to get. And get the pro-shop to show you more than one brand!!!

For those who love Reidell's--please, please, please don't think I'm putting them down--they are great boots/skates. I just didn't know they were a poor choice for my little baby feet. Again, everyone I was skating with seemed to use Reidell's at the time. I will put it down to beginner naivete. I didn't know to ask about other brands

jazzpants -- loved your comment about talking to Mr. Klingbeil. I still can't get over how he looked at the skates for a few minutes and immediately pinpointed where I had problems, and was correct!!

I will keep everyone posted on my new babies as they progress!!!

Beth

I actually had my last 2 pairs deliberately cut lower all the way around (3 hooks high instead of 4)--this to help with toepoint and because I'm short. My next pair I'm probably going to have cut a fraction lower than that. (Note: I do only dance and MIF)

My dance coach has his WIFAs (pretty sure they're WIFAs) cut WAY LOW...not much higher than high-top sneakers. It looks weird at first, but I've seen him do the senior International dances, like the Austrian Waltz and Golden Waltz and Tango Romantica at speed and deep edges in them, so I guess they work.

Hey Beth,
I wanted to tell you I just got new blades (still MK Pros) mounted last weekend, because my old blades had really flattened out. So now I actually have some curvature! The first amazing thing was that my back crossovers were quieter because -surprise!- the toepicks were further away from the ice! It was wonderful. My waltz jump was immediately better, too. But the biggest effect was on my 1-foot spin, which now wobbles like crazy as I try to find my new balance point. Once I get adjusted, spins are going to be so much easier, and I hope you will find the same thing with your new curvier blades!

Pat