Hey i been skating for quite a long time now im looking to buy sum ice skates ive tried many of the american shops and they wont ship to england does anyone know any good uk shops that i can buy online from ?

thanks alot

Jamie

Where are you located, what standard, and how much do you want to spend? Do you want to buy a starter boot and blade set, or separate boots and blades?

I would recommend taking the shape of your foot (sit down and draw outline round it, then measure width of foot at widest part) and doing it through the post. There are various private suppliers and skate shops around the country who will take a telephone or post order. You could then either get them to post you the skates, or (recommended) go in person to have them fitted.

The only UK online site I can think of is Topskate, and although they are probably very good, their blade range is limited to John Watts, and they do not sell Wilson or MK.

If you tell us roughly what area you live, someone here will probably be able to recommend a supplier in your area who will accept a telephone order with credit card, or a cheque through the post.

If you are in the south of England, you could do worse than to visit Les Westaway, who lives just outside Reading. He will supply over the telephone, but ideally he would want to fit you first.

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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!

Definitely well worth a visit. We get all our skates fitted by Les and have never had any problems!

Nicki

I'd second Topskate. Kev is very helpful and reasonably priced. You'd have to be careful with Les as, in my experience, he seems to fit the stock that he has to your feet rather than vice versa. Personally I wouldn't use him.

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The best whisper is a click

Does Topskate sell boots other than Harlick now? I know they used to specialise in Harlicks only which is great if you want Harlick but not if you are after another type of boot.

I've not had any problems with boots from Les Westaway - he seems to have a large stock so finding something to fit didnt' seem to be much of problem and was willing to go through every boot and make he had if you wanted to, as well as punching out etc if necessary. I wasn't so happy with the blades as he said the John Watts were similar to Majestic and I dont' think they are - perhaps he just meant in price or level they were aimed at but to me they have a very different feel.

I think the Aberdeen rink has a shop that sells online but you'd have to know exactly what you wanted.

Hi

He is the distributor for Harlick but is a really good guy and am sure will try and help you if you're after other boots.

The reasons that I gave for my other opinion aren't just the ones that I spoke of here!

Hope that you're all ok


x

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The best whisper is a click

You could also ring up a rink with a strong figure skating contingent, and order by phone from their recommended local shop.

The rinks I am thinking of which fit the bill here include Nottingham and Slough - they would both be able to fit you up with a suitable pair of skates and either post them or let you pick them up. There must be others as well.

If you are more a less a beginner or just occasional skater, don't let anybody hussle you into spending 400 pounds on boots and blades. you can go easy on your first purchase, and probably spend about 80 pounds to 100 pounds (big guess) on a good quality boot/blade set. Don't buy too much skate, as you won't need it for a year or two at least.

PS. If you are looking online for a good financial deal, it won't always pay to buy cheap from the US, as you can get stung for huge amounts in Customs, VAT and Courier admin charges. A lot of local skateshops will give you 10 percent off for cheek if you ask!!

I agree, Kev and Helen at Topskate are very helpful indeed and I have bought a few dresses etc from them, but as far as I know they only sell Harlick boots and John Watts blades. Of course there's nothing to say they can't get another make in for you so it may well be worth your while getting into contact with them.

Nicki

The trouble is, for that sort of thing you have to know what you want! For a beginner, the local skate shop at any rink - Streatham, for instance - can do a good pair of starter boots and blades, but I wouldn't guarantee the fit!

I'm amused that we have, as usual, divided into pro- and anti-Les camps - one seems to either swear by him or at him, with no middle ground..... I'm pro, except that the last time we went to see him we didn't come away with new skates - but with a new car (not, of course, from him, but from a garage in his area!).

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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 it is probably not right to discuss individual suppliers in public on the internet. PMs or personal emails are more suitable.