I asked if they were custom-ordered in split width and the shop said C/A or C/AA was the Riedell standard, not custom-ordered. We often say "Jacksons run wider." I think some of that is because the heels in Jacksons may be wider, thereby feeling more comfortable.
What's funny is that the girl had to be FORCED to wear them, even though her old skates were too tight. She didn't like the way they fit. Since she has a wide forefoot, I think she needed a wider heel than the Riedells provided, which is why she likes the Jacksons. I'm worried about her tendency to stumble while standing still.
I switched to custom Klingbeils after breaking down Riedell Silver Stars in 6 months. After two years of buying new skates, breaking them in, getting them rebuilt, then breaking them in again, I needed a stiffer boot that would hold up. My first pair of Klingbeils lasted over four seasons with one rebuild. When I stopped skating regularly, I still used them - they were fine until they became painfully tight after I had my twins.
I don't what magic Bill Klingbeil worked, but I think the shop had house elves at the time that he made those skates. I was able to jump and spin in them immediately. Never had a problem breaking them in or getting the blades aligned.