aghh got ya now, I just went of the retailer search on the Jackson website. I tried Specialist Skating Services, but couldn't get an answer... will try again. cheers for that mate

I worked in an ice rink shop in the UK and can confirm New English supply stores rather than individual customers wanting to buy direct.
Good luck on finding some skates! Could you not go back to the shop which wouldn't let you try the RF4s and say you're interested in buying some just so you can try them on...you can always say they don't fit if you don't want to buy them there?!

Hi Anthony

Just to say that this is a really important decision and you don't want to get it wrong! I spent ages 'researching' my boots and blades but when it came down to getting them, I really needed to try on and discuss with someone who knew their stuff. Nothing I found out in my 'research' pointed me to the boots I eventually ended up with. I'd also add that Mrs Redboots and others are absolutely right about not buying boots 'above level' - when I skated as a teenager, I remember being so tempted because I thought "I get there soon and they'll last longer". The reality was that they were like concrete, hindered my progress and made me incredibly frustrated . . .As a returning skater in my late 30s, I have been careful to stick to my level and as a result my boots and I are living happily ever after . . . !

lol I'm starting to think about buying the RF-4's anyway so I guess I can try them on lol the only other similar boot my local store sell is a gam, and I've only heard bad things about them. At the end of the day if I buy an RF-4 set then they'll break in quickly and they're good up to single jumps... thats a long time away. If I buy a more advanced boot and it's the wrong one for me then it's 200 quid wasted, where as the RF-4's are like 90 quid and as long as they aren't too tight they'll be fine. This Skating thing id bloody complicated. lol

Sooky What you said is strengthening my opinion that the RF-4's are the boot for me, the only bad thing I've heard about them is that they are quite a slim boot, but when I looked at them in the shop they looked like they would fit my foot. So I guess I'll see what they're like at the rink on Saturday Cheers for all your help

I am not sure of your level, but I will tell you i know all about Jackson Freestyles, i skate in them myself. And let me tell you, by the time you strat learning the axel, they just dont really match up. Bu the time I started learning doubles, i find there is not nearly enough support for this.

It has only been about 2.5 months and I'm already moving to better boots soon. My advice, is if you are really determined to improve and fast, get better boots right away, because these beoots can;t really take you through to clean doubles.

wow, I actually thought they were reasonably advanced, well I think I'll definately just get some RF-4's now, cos the most advanced thing I can do is back crossovers.. so I'm a long way from even single jumps. thanks for that info, it's very useful x

its good that you are taking your time, basic skills are so important. I know because i rushed through them to get to jumps and now my foot work is poor. i focus all my efforts on jumps and have very poor spins and even entries in to spins. My advice, take your time, make sure you have your mohawks and 3-turns down well before you start other things, because feeeling secure and comfortable on the ice will help you sooo much.

I didn't mean top diss the freestyle boots. They were perfect for learning all the basic skils, they just dont have enough support for more difficult jumps, especially if you don't upgrade the blade.

I skate with Wilson Jubilee blades by the way, and I would reccomend them to you also, I changed to these shortly asfter getting the freesyles and control and speed instantly improved. They are very good blades and not too expensive

If you have wide feet (which I do), Gams are fantastic - I wouldn't wear anything else now! I'm on my second pair, this time the intermediate-level 0070, and apart from the fact that they are slightly tight over my bunion (and you are far too young to have bunions!), they are, and always have been, bedroom slippers! (I mean in terms of comfort, not in terms of support - they're great in both areas!).

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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!

If I got the RF-4's would it be worth upgrading the blade? I think my local shop either put a wilson or an MK? blade on them, but it will be a fairly basic type I'd imagine

You probably would be okay on the blade it comes with for about six months; if you got Coronation Ace or the MK equivalent, you might find you struggled for a week or so. On the other hand, they wouldn't be massively too much too much blade for you, and they would last you until they wore out.....

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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 think I'll look into an upgraded blade, see what they say at the store