How do you know when it is time to upgrade? Kids are always growing, but as adults, when do you make the switch?
I suppose that is two questions rolled into one :-P
1. How do you tell when your skates are really breaking down, if there are no outward signs of wear?
2. At what point do you decide you need a better boot/blade?
I'm skating on Riedell 133s that are from a few years ago but haven't had that much wear on them. I'm still a beginner, just working on elements from the later basic levels / FS1 at this point. No complaints about my current skates really, so really I'm asking out of curiosity and the fact that i like to plan ahead. Or perhaps it is my bad shopping habit that has me looking at skating gear all the time! ;)
I never broke down my old boots, but the insides had widened so much that I could no longer pad them out so my heel didn't move around when jumping. I got fed up with the blisters and got new boots then. For someone with a slightly wider heel they're still good boots.
I'm currently debating whether my dance boots are breaking down (or just broken in) as I'm now getting a lot more lace when I've tied them than ever before. I might just need new laces though.
If there's a crease in the ankle that goes beyond the halfway-around point, chances are that you are losing support. Here's an example of my Riedell Bronze Stars that I still use for my PIC skates. They are way overdue for replacement. I've had them since 2001, but skate only once or twice per week in them...
(http://www.afterness.com/skating/images/pic_skate_creases.jpg)
...and how the ankle portion is misaligned as seen from the front...
(http://www.afterness.com/skating/images/pic_skate_boots_lean.jpg)
This is severe, but at least you will know what to look for.
With my former pair of Riedell Gold Stars, a sturdier boot than the Bronze Stars shown above, the ankle support hadn't failed after 6 years of skating. However the leather on the inside had worn away from use, but that's an obvious sign to replace them. (I really loved those boots!)
(http://www.afterness.com/skating/images/worn-skate-lining1.jpg)
I was skating about 12-14 hours per week back then and that takes a toll on a boot's life.
Old thread from the additional archives:
http://skating.zachariahs.com/skatingforums-onice/www.skatingforums.com/archive/index.php/t-24147.html
Thank you nick for the link and thank you bill for the detailed photos!!
I impulsively decided to upgrade my skates today!
Ugh, the whole thing I wrote somehow managed to delete itself? So here it goes again -
I went to rainbo this afternoon to take in a pair of older skates I had laying around, and I ended up asking about new skates just so I could figure out what I may need in the future and plan ahead... Tried some on and it turns out I've been wearing a size too big! (What can I say, I've lived in roomy shoes lol)
Ended up really loving the fit of a riedell 255ts that had been used for a week (turns out the box said one size but the skate was another - lucky for me!) but, I needed a blade. Ended up with an aspire xp (used) bc I didn't want to give my fiancé a heart attack with the expense lol. All in all, it was $245 and I'm super excited to skate in them. Yay.
Quote from: littlerain on May 06, 2014, 11:56:01 PMTried some on and it turns out I've been wearing a size too big!
Don't feel bad - this happens to MOST skaters with their first pair of skates. The good news is that some skills (particularly spins and turns) may become much easier for you with a better fitting boot since your weight will be more correctly balanced on the blade.
Quote from: sarahspins on May 07, 2014, 12:50:13 AM
Don't feel bad - this happens to MOST skaters with their first pair of skates. The good news is that some skills (particularly spins and turns) may become much easier for you with a better fitting boot since your weight will be more correctly balanced on the blade.
That is very good news hehe, wish I could test them out today! Thanks sarahspins :)
Quote from: littlerain on May 06, 2014, 11:56:01 PM
I went to rainbo this afternoon to take in a pair of older skates I had laying around, and I ended up asking about new skates just so I could figure out what I may need in the future and plan ahead... Tried some on and it turns out I've been wearing a size too big! (What can I say, I've lived in roomy shoes lol)
Been there done that! The proper fit makes a huge difference. I've only been in mine a week and can already tell a huge difference.
Quote from: ChristyRN on May 07, 2014, 08:39:49 PM
Been there done that! The proper fit makes a huge difference. I've only been in mine a week and can already tell a huge difference.
Oh that is encouraging! I was worried about how the difference might feel, especially since I can't skate on them until my lesson tomorrow. Well perhaps I can get on freestyle for a half hour before hmmm