Buying Figure Skating Boots? Make an Appointment

I am calling today to make my daughter’s next skate fitting appointment. To date we have been fortunate with what I consider not too bad expense (under $500), but dd’s coach pre-warned me this time they will be more as she will be fitted with a better boot and blade with her progress over the past year. Better to have what is needed rather than an injury we will all pay for the rest of her life!

Yes make an appointment. We are lucky to have several great shops so it is more about chemistry w/staff than equipment availability & skill.

In June DD got her first pair where the boot & blade were not sold together. Gulped at the price, but also took the pluge on newer blades made of steel and aluminum. They are soooo light. Still hasn’t helped with the Lutz, but it will … some day.

At what level do you buy the boots and the blade separately? Or alternatively, at what skill, since my daughters are ISI right now.

You know, I think in all sports if they become more advanced/get more serious then the equiptment costs go up. I’ve heard how much the point shoes for ballet cost, and how (VERY!) often they need replaced. And how much skiing equiptment costs, a good pair of hockey skates, etc. My daughter’s last pair of boots were $500 and we were (for the 1st time ever) able to reuse her blades – which were $200 originally. We are considering putting her in some $350 – $400 Pattern 99 blades – but this may have to wait a bit closer to Christmas, I don’t have $400 just sitting around unfortunately…. Anyone know of a used pair of Pattern 99 or Gold Seal blades in a 10 inch size for sale, please let me know! (And yes, I am checking MySkatingMall & Ebay…) We were able to have my daughter fitted for her last pair of boots locally & then we ordered them online. But she’s been in Riedells for so long that it is fairly “ho hum” to get new boots, she’s been in that brand forever, wears no bungas, gets no blisters! Yay for Riedells!

I’m a cheap SOB! We’re not that much into skating at this point – in fact, I don’t think anyone around here is! I’ve only plunked down $60 for skates. That’s Jackson baby! LOL. However, I can see why you’ve spent so much on these things. It makes sense and gives me a second thought to actually getting customized boots/skates. I told DH how much you paid and his eyeballs rolled into the back of his head – at least I think they did because that was the last thing I saw before he hit the floor!

My daughter just completed Freeskate 4 and will now move onto 5. At what point would you suggest she get customized skates? Her ultimate goal in the next year is to complete Freeskate 6. Then she wants to try out for the traveling synchro team (she’s on the beginner team, which doesn’t require tryouts) and she wants to compete.

I made appointments to get fitted for custom boots (the owner of the boot company was in town for a competition and doing fittings), but I did not make appointments when I was wearing stock boots. As for when you should get custom/expensive boots – it depends on the age and skill level and what the coach says. Obviously, if you are starting out then begginer level skates are fine (as in just skating or just starting to learn jumps/spins). If you have a child who is going through a lot of growth spurts and isn’t at a super high level of competition it may be better to get a medium to high-end stock boot than a full custom one (depending on brand), but if you have a fully grown teen or a young super high level skater then custom is the way to go I think. It took me a long time before I broke down to pay for custom boots, but I really wish I had done it sooner. They last longer because they fit right and your foot isn’t fighting the boot, which also makes skating easier. I used Reidells when I stated but had a lot of problems with them (not that they were made poorly, they just didn’t fit my leg right and so I broke them in weird spots), then went to Jacksons for a long time, but they wore out fast. So yeah, now I adore my Harlick boots. Just one word of caution – changing brands might mean changing blade sizes, so factor that into decisions if cost is an issue.

Ohhhhh Yes!!!! We have to always make an appointment when we get new skates for India. We go to a proshop in Canada. Getting new skates is an all day event. There is one guy in Canada that we have fit her skates and he is awesome.

He also diagnosed her double hernia’s that she had two operations to repair when she was twelve and her ankle tendonitis before her doctors even knew what was wrong with her.

The best thing I like about getting her skates from this guy is that he is very reasonable regarding the price, he customizes the boots in his shop and will not let you leave until you are properly alligned in the boots, he also mounts and sharpens the skates all before you leave his shop. You can also come back to his shop any time if you are having any problems with your skates.

We have been so blessed having this guy fit her skates. Within 1 week of getting her new skates India is back to doing all the skills that she was able to do before she got new skates and new blades. I can honestly say that if we did not start coming to Canada to get her new skates than she would not be skating today nor would she have passed her Senoir MIF or her Novice FS. Thanks Joe at Brian’s Customer Pro Shop in Windsor CA. WE LOVE ALL THE GREAT WORK YOU DO!!!!!.

Always call first. I didn’t know this the first time I went boot/blade shopping in my area. I waited literally hours before anyone asked me if I needed help (the place was packed with skaters that had appointments and apparently it was competition season for the kids-way bad timing on my part) and then I ended up with the wrong guy. Hey I didn’t know at the time that you only go to Scott at Cooke’s Skate Shop. He is THE guy. So I left there with boots that didn’t fit quite right and blades that were a bit too long. A year later I had a spare $1000 kicking around and I wanted to compete so I decided on customs. Again I went to the wrong guy at the wrong shop and ended up with custom boots that didn’t fit right with no recourse. I ended up having Scott fix them. So my advice is this: ask everyone and I do mean everyone, not just your coach, who does boot/blade fitting in your area and is really really good and call ahead because the right guy at the right shop is booked up for weeks.

okay i could use some advice… i have these boots we thought were gonna be great (we spent 250$!!!) and they hurt my feet like crazy, are like a inch to big, have no support, and are making me fall, (NEVER get RIEDELL BRONZE MADDALION 280s, worst boot ever!) and i found some jackson competitor boots and they are very cheap (they are 230$, other people sell they for 300$, they have a good return police and a good quality blade!) so my question is how do i convince my grama to buy them or do you know a cheaper modle that has they same quality?

Hi, troubled.

I don’t think the problem you’re having is with the Riedell brand. I think the problem is that your boots weren’t fitted properly. If a boot is too big, your foot is going to slide around, the boot’s support won’t line up with your body to support you. Any brand will have this problem, if it’s not fitted correctly.

I completely understand your desire to save money on figure skating boots, but first you should find a boot that fits your foot first, rather than finding one that’s at a good price. You’re not really saving money if your feet hurt, you cause your foot damage, and you pay for lessons and ice time to overcome equipment that doesn’t work for you.

If you’re facing a budget issue, troubled, I would say spend less money now on ice and lessons and get the boot and blade that work best for you. I’m pretty sure that’s not the answer you wanted to hear, but it’s the right one.

Take it from me: I’m cheap. But, saving money by purchasing equipment that doesn’t fit you isn’t saving money at all. After all, you have a new pair of $250 boots and blades that aren’t working for you. Don’t spend the $230 until you know the boot will fit or that will be a waste, too.

I wish you success, troubled.

I totally agree! Got to a good fitter and see if he or she can advise you on the proper skates to buy for your feet. Don’t buy more boots until then. Also, just so you are aware, the Competitor is one stiff boot! Please check with a fitter before purchasing more equiptment. Good luck!

If she has a private coach, I would ask her coach. If she doesn’t, I would ask one of her Learn to Skate coaches what they suggest and then ask who fits skates in your area. My daughter just competed at Freeskate 5 and will be competing pre-preliminary w/ axel next month. She just got her very first pair of “big girl” skates. What I mean is, this is the first time I have bought a boot and blade seperately. These are not custom boots, they are stock boots. Unless your skaters have odd feet, they should be able to wear stock boots for awhile yet. In fact, my daughter just outgrew Jackson Freestyle boots/blades and they cost us 200 new for BOTH the boot and blade. Don’t worry about having to spend several hundred dollars just yet. Yoy may even find a nice pair of used skates for a fraction of the price of new skates. So, pick your hubby up off the floor and tell him not to panic YET. Save that for later! LOL!

I had the beginner boots (boot and blade together)- Jackson Artiste until I was in Freestyle 2 (ISI)- the reason I went to the boot and blade seperately was because my coach was concerned that I had very little toe picks for the toe-assisted jumps and wanted to be sure I didn’t hurt myself while trying to jump. I ended up with Reidel 435 with a majestic blade- I love them both. It took awhile to get used to a “real” blade w/ actual toe pick- but now I can’t imagine skating w/o it! And the Reidel boot was soo comfy- hardly any problems with breaking in, only one blister on each foot- there is so much padding, its great! Anways- I would say switch boots when your daughter’s coach tells you she needs upgraded skates. There are some little kids who still have the beginner skates in freestyle 4- they are smaller and therefore don’t need more boot yet. It just depends.

I used to buy 4 pairs of boots and blades a year; customs for figures and freestyle so don’t b***h about how much you are spending. Employees of skating pro shops will try to sell you what they have on hand; most don’t know anything about boots or blades and will talk a parent into buying whatever. If your coach doesn’t recommend a boot and blade – what does this coach know about anything?

Wow and I thought I was going over the edge spending an extra $60 for icy purple colored paramount blades. I nearly had a stroke today after my daughter was fitted for her boots today at the prelimary level. We have gotten by on “traded” skates all through Basic Skills. The company went through and tried on various boots and ice coach discussed which blades would be appropriate. And after all of that I can look forward to this next summer as she is still growing. The child has surrendered her birthday, christmas money for the next 10 years of her life to off set the cost. All I can say is wow. (thank god I can sew and don’t have to pay for custom dresses) Maybe I will start a business so I can buy my kid skates next year. lol

Does anyone here think that Riedell 117 blade and boot combo is good if I am in learn to skate? The skates at my ice rink are really bad, and last time I skated with them my shins were rubbed red and really hurt for hours afterwards. I live in Australia and there are not many (only one in Sydney, really far away)skate shops, and they all cost a truckload of money.

I really agree with Isakswings because you definietly need to see a good quality fitter before you buy. These boots might cost tonnes and if they don’t fit perfectly, you will be in strife.
Bye.

I have never had any boots, but it sounds like you have had some trouble with them. If I were you (and I am not so if you don’t like my advice just ignore it) I would learn from my mistakes.

A few excellent boot fitters and my son’s IceCoach say that if the skater can use stock boots, then go for it. Not everyone needs a custom fit boot. They are not always fool-proof, but they are great if your child has special foot needs.

IceBoy has been in Riedells since he started and can wear them well.

I agree with finding an expert boot fitter, that makes all the difference in the world. Ask around the rink for other people’s experiences buying new boots. You’ll hear really quickly who is good and who is not. IceCoach doesn’t make recommendations for boots, he lets us talk to the fitters at the shop and they know exactly what boot he needs based on what he is doing now, his weight and the wear on his previous boots. IceCoach does make recommendations for blades (type, not brand). For instance when IceBoy started triples, he needed to get a larger toe pick. We took that recommendation to the boot fitters and they talked us through the blades available and gave us their recommendation based on performance of the blade in the past and our price preference (more expensive or less expensive).

I trust our boot fitters, we happen to go to Canada too. They do such large volume in boy/men skates, so it makes sense for us to do this. We found them on recommendation of a fellow skater’s mom.

Oh, I’d like to add that we don’t make an appointment, we just show up. I call in advance with his measurements and when the boot comes in we drive up and plan to spend the whole day at the store. Last time we went up his feet had grown between the measurements and the time the boot got there, so we had to do it all over again. Ah well. But at least they didn’t try to squeeze his growing feet into too small boots…like the second boot fitter we had…you can guess we never went back to him again…

hey…. its troubled figure skater…. im not buying those boots. im buying jackson freestyles (fitted by a profesinal at my rink). anyway its not that my foot is shifting i would feel that its the flop around like i can squeeze the top of the boot together and the sides are not hard at ALL. but yes i will not make the mistake buying figure skates online (plus it had a defective blade that was not mounted right.) so i just wanted to get that straigt that it was not me, more the boot boot and the seller for not informing me that skating sizes are different and other thing… thanks for the advice tho

Glad it worked out for you, troubled!

I have just got my first pair of boots (Riedell 177s). I am sooo obsessed with them. I wear them when I do my homework ….

Sorry, everyone. They were Riedell 117s, not 177s.
LOL

Though 5 months later than your post, if you are still looking – I have a pair of 10 inch Pattern 99′s. Bought brand new in June 2010, sharpened 3 times. My sharpener is great, I drive over an hour to get them sharpened because of his ability. I am a coach/adult so they have been cared for (I use my hard guards for walking and store them in the soakers). Let me know here if you still need blades. I am asking $310 plus shipping to wherever you are.

Though 5 months later than your post, if you are still looking – I have a pair of 10 inch Pattern 99′s. Bought brand new in June 2010, sharpened 3 times. My sharpener is great, I drive over an hour to get them sharpened because of his ability. I am a coach/adult so they have been cared for (I use my hard guards for walking and store them in the soakers). Let me know here if you still need blades. I am asking $310 plus shipping to wherever you are.

What is the best kind of skates to get, and would you recomend The ‘Jacksons’ brand? Thanks