Hello there....adult skater here of many years. Took about ten off to have children and am not getting back into skating about 4 times a week. My current level is Adult Silver....I do single jumps, and hope to get back to working on an axle in the near future. I've always used Harlick (stock) Finalists. It's a pretty stiff boot. My only real complaints with it has been the tongue twisting and some bruising of the leg, but a Bunga pad seems to take care of that. I lace very tight, so it could be my own fault, not the boots. Maybe the added thickness of the Bunga pad cause the tongue to not fit properly and twist too? But that's not why I am writing...
For the first time in about 13 years I am deciding on a new boot. Stay with the Harlick because it's what I am used to? Or try the Riedell 2010LS that he had me try on, which felt like a slipper. He can't get my actual size in that for another 3 weeks, but it sure felt comfy. 13 years ago I wouldn't have even tried a Riedell on. They had a reputation of being a recreational skate, but they seem to be everywhere now.
Has anybody gone from a very stiff Harlick boot to the Riedell? How is the adjustment. I notice the back is much lower than the Harlick too, wonder if that would be hard to get used to....I love that the Riedell has the tongue hook and it doesn't seem like it would go anywhere. I've also read a few places that the Riedell's break down quickly though.
so looking for any advice....stay with the tried and true and add a tongue hook, or try something new and comfy?
Shari