I'm getting ready to go to California and hope to visit a preferred Harlick dealer while I'm there. There's a long list of customizations available for the Harlick skates and I could use some help deciding which options to choose. For the most part, I'll be sticking with what's free, but there are still a lot of options and I don't know what they all mean, or which would be better for me.
Just for the record, I am a beginning skater, taking private classes for Adult 2. I plan to go into ice dancing, not freestyle. Once my fit issues are cleared up, I expect to skate twice a week. I have extremely wide feet, with narrow heels, and I have very flat feet, with some pronation. I don't know how severe the pronation is, or if it requires any compensation or not. I had planned to email Harlick about it and get their opinion, but I've run out of time, I'm leaving for CA tomorrow morning. So, if the pro-shop can't answer my questions about compensating for my pronation, I'll have to skip ordering the skates at this time. I'm not risking $700-800 on an uncertainty.
So, the options:
Ankle Padding Options- Deluxe Padding (No Charge): Rolled Top Edge, Tendon Pads, Achilles Pads, & Ankle Pads
- Heel Hugger Padding: Deluxe Padding Included
Is all the deluxe padding necessary? What benefit does it provide? I don't know what heel hugger padding is, but I have narrow heels. Do I need this? Or might it be uncomfortable?
Ankle Reinforcement Options- No Additional Reinforcement (No Charge)
- Two Layer Construction—Medium/Soft (Similar to Competitor or Classic)
- Three Layer Construction—Medium Plus (Between Competitor and Competitor Plus)
As a beginner skater, I believe it suggested two-layer construction, but I'm not 100% sure. I don't want to be overbooted. I want something firm enough to support what I'll be doing over the next year or two, but I want it to break in fairly quickly, too. I won't be getting into the advanced jumps or anything. And I'm a slow learner, so I don't expect to progress super fast.
Scallop Options- Flex Notch Scallop ($30)
- Single Loop Scallop ($30)
- Double Loop Scallop ($30)
I know I want flex notches. But what's the difference between "flex notch", "single loop", and "double loop"? Which would be best for me?
Boot Lining Options- Smooth Leather Lining (No Charge) – Standard Lining
- Clarino Lining (No Charge) – Perspiration Resistant
- Rolled Top Lining Edges (No Charge)
- Moisture Barrier Lining ($20) – Prevents perspiration from passing through lining to outer boot
What's the clarino lining like? I'm guessing it would be a good choice, but what kind of texture does it have? What benefit does the rolled top lining edges have? How important is the moisture barrier?
Additional Custom Boot OptionsName in Soles ($20)
Is this a good security precaution to take, to help ensure nobody steals my $700-800 skates? Where is the name placed, exactly? On the inside of the boot? On the outside? On the underneath, where nobody can see it?
Tongue Options- Rubber Sponge Tongues (No Charge)
- Wider Tongues (No Charge)
- 1 or 2 Hooks on Tongues (No Charge)
- Lace Loop Holes on Tongues (No Charge)
Since I have extra wide feet, I assume I need a wider tongue. Is this true? Since I have pronation, I probably need hooks on the tongue, to help keep the tongue from slipping to the side. But one hook or two? Or loop lace holes, instead? I haven't a clue, here.
Arch Support and Pronation Correction Options- Foot Impression Kit ($25)
- Cast Poured From Impression Kit ($35)
- Orthopedic Arch Support ($125)
- Inside or Outside Wedge Correction ($45)
I do have some pronation. Do I need a foot impression kit? I doubt I need an arch support, but perhaps wedges would help? Any advice here?
Sole Finish Options- Natural Soles w/ No Sole Finish (No Charge) – Not waterproofed
- Natural Soles w/ Wax Finish ($45)
- Standard Sole Finish (No Charge) – Dark brown wax
Since the soles are leather, I'm assuming it's a good idea to get them waterproofed. Is there a big difference between the free "dark brown wax finish" and the $45 "natural soles w/ wax finish"? Is it merely color? I would prefer natural-colored soles over dark brown, but not if it's going to cost me $45.
Special Boot Pattern Options- Low-Cut Backstay (No Charge)
- Dance Backstay ($50) – Allows better toe point
- Lunge Pads ($30)
- 'BB' Backstay ($50) – Extra padded collar at top of boots
- Asymmetrical Lacing ($45)
I do intend to go into ice dance, instead of freestyle. But is it necessary to get a low back at this point? What's the difference between the free "low-cut backstay" and the $50 "dance backstay"? What are lunge pads? What is "BB Backstay"? And what is the benefit of asymmetrical lacing? Do I need any of these?
Thanks in advance for any help!