When I bought my Jackson Freestyles last Fall, the fitter suggested I get an 11.5 instead of 11 to allow for the width of my feet because only mediums were available. Even though I wore 10.5 when I skated for a couple of years decades ago, I went with the suggestion. Heat molding and mainly MITF helped me not notice the problem until January or February, right before I started competing.
Wobbling, heel slippage and all the other too-big boot problems started happening. ::sad Intense heat molding and extra insoles only added blisters and cramps to the mix; can you say 30-45 minutes to get everything applied to skate comfortably and successfully? I have never had those after years of hiking and other stuff in properly glove-like fitting gear so, I had to loosen them up a bit and live with wobbliness. If you were to look at my competition videos, you would see the boot collapsing on some landings that I rescued by having spent a lot of time working on deep edges. I have been trying to master spins with wobbly boots and it is very frustrating. :bash
Now I am at the point that ANYTHING that fits right will be better than what I have - I skated in glove leather boots when I skated before. The problem is my current budget is temporarily very small and I have got to get in Pre-Bronze and Bronze tests before the Adult Nationals deadline to meet my personal goals for the year. That means I can't wait for the financial upturn in a couple of months.
New Jacksons are out of my price range except for Mystiques. New Riedells in my budget include 110,115 and, 117. Even though I said anything that fit will be good, my male Sam's Club gene flares up at spending that kind of money on something I will beat to death in a few months and probably won't support me long, anyway. Plus, some have PVC soles.
Ebay has not been helpful in my size, but craigslist has some things: Riedell Gold Star ($150, size 10.5,) Riedell 220 B (Silver medallion, $40, size 11,) Riedell 320 B ($95, 10.5) BTW, My toes are just short of the Riedell 11 and are at the Jackson 10.5.
So, my question really is: will the Riedell 220 B's last me a couple of months? The price is great if they will work. Silver Medallions were a bit expensive, but only rated to Basic 6 with stock blades, higher when up-bladed. The Gold Stars seem to be quite a deal if I can get my foot into them, but that is a big if.
(6'2"", 201 lbs, just got nice used Ultima Freestyle blades. Single jumps: all except Lutz and Axel. Spins: iffy scratch and back wiped out temporarily by new blades, working on sit. MITF: Working on double 3's, twizzles, brackets, counters, rockers, edge pulls, loops...)
Any opinions or comments on the issues I have mentioned are welcomed and encouraged. Also, feel free to send me any extra Elite Plus 10.5's you may have lying around the house