White or Tan Boots?

[slcbelle]

Since I'm getting custom boots, I can choose my color.  I've always like the look of tan boots on coaches and performers.  White boots, while very classic and clean, remind me of my first pair of baby shoes.  I just can't shake the image.



I loathe the look of OTB tights.  I want my tights inside of my skates.  It makes my legs look better that way.  But, the tan leather doesn't really match skating tights very well.  I'm a little torn.  I think I want tan but I wonder if I'll ever regret it.  Maybe I should stick with white baby shoes?

What's your opinion on the white vs tan argument?

[FigureSpins]

I've had tan boots - they hide the dirt/scuffs and are fine if you don't mind the nylon laces.  I prefer cotton or poly/cotton and ended up having to dye new laces to match the skates. 

Not worth the effort, so I switched to white skates/laces several years ago and just swipe the boots now and then with a Mr Clean Magic Eraser to keep them from being gross. 

You could get white boots and wear colored laces if you like the look.  The trend at our rink is to glam up the soles and heels with decorative duct tape.

Custom skates come in colors as well, but you still have the lace issue.  I have friends with blue suede or purple skates. 
They wear OTB tights for tests and competitions where the boots don't go with the costume/program.

My favorite look in skates was worn by a former male skating show skater-turned-coach.  He had black uppers and medium-brown heels/soles.  It looked really sharp and stood out in a great way.

[slcbelle]

Ah.  I've only had cotton.  What didn't you like about the nylon?  I can see how dyeing laces would be tricky.

[jjane45]

oh oh super cute baby shoes!

[FigureSpins]

Ah.  I've only had cotton.  What didn't you like about the nylon?  I can see how dyeing laces would be tricky.

Nylon slips too easily and cuts my pinkies when I pull tight.  If you pop a lace, nothing stays on the hooks, so you have to hobble off on one foot.

Dying laces isn't hard - you just have to make sure that the plastic egrets (tips) don't get wet or they'll come loose.

I used to make a small jar of strong instant coffee, add a few tea bags and a couple drop of blue food coloring.  Add laces and soak until they're the right color, then dry them well and iron to set the color.

[icedancer]

White boots.
Classic.

[AgnesNitt]

Just a heads' up, tan boots tend to be associated with coach boots or synchro.

[icedancer]

Just a heads' up, tan boots tend to be associated with coach boots or synchro.

Or skating professionals - ice show skaters.

[FigureSpins]

Just a heads' up, tan boots tend to be associated with coach boots or synchro.

Right after I bought my instructors boots in tan, I started coaching at a rink that had tan rentals.  The parents thought I was wearing rentals, lol.

[sampaguita]

White boots for me. But then I prefer the classic look.

[Neverdull44]

I had white boots all my life.  But, I was self conscience about my Size 9.5 feet on the bottom of wimpy, skinny calves on my 44 year old feet.  So, I bought tan this time around to camouflage my feet.  I like them.  They stay pretty clean.   When I'm 70, I'm going to wear pink skates. 

[blue111moon]

If the tan of the boots doesn't match your skin/tights color, it can be more obvious than white boots.  Also some shades of tan are very orange under rink lights which gives the look of duck feet. 

[Vicki7]

Only people I've ever seen in tan boots are professionals and coaches. A friend once told me "You're making a huge statement if you skate in tan boots and don't have the skill to pull it off." I kinda agree with him, but don't know if the situation is the same in other places.

I love my white boots, sometimes I'll wear purple boot covers if I want a change

[slcbelle]

OK.  I'm convinced.  I'll go with white. 

[Kitten23]

I'll throw in my two cents even though you've made a decision.

I have tan boots.  Why?  My skin is tan (okay brown) and the white boots against my pecan brown skin was very stark.

If you don't like the tan laces, do what I've done: dye the white cotton laces in black coffee.  The color will take and then you rinse out the coffee smell in cold water.

[sarahspins]

If I were to get custom boots I'd go with a fun color... that had been the trend locally until our fitter moved away, and there are still quite a few colorful skates, but not quite as many as before

[slcbelle]

If I were to get custom boots I'd go with a fun color... that had been the trend locally until our fitter moved away, and there are still quite a few colorful skates, but not quite as many as before

I'm not a fun color girl.  I wear black most of the time with a little gray, white, or tan here and there as an accent color.  My house, on the other hand, is colorful.  But not what I wear.  The only 2 people I've seen at my club with colored skates are both over the age of 70.  One woman has dusty lavender, the man has bright yellow.

[davincisop]

I would get coral pink one day. My old coach bought a pair of "used" (brand new, didn't fit previous owner) Harlicks that were pink. She was so excited when she got back from the conference she bought them at.

[4711]

Nylon slips too easily and cuts my pinkies when I pull tight.  If you pop a lace, nothing stays on the hooks, so you have to hobble off on one foot.

Dying laces isn't hard - you just have to make sure that the plastic egrets (tips) don't get wet or they'll come loose.

I used to make a small jar of strong instant coffee, add a few tea bags and a couple drop of blue food coloring.  Add laces and soak until they're the right color, then dry them well and iron to set the color.

AGLETS....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Evcsj1gx1CE

[FigureSpins]

AGLETS....

Autocorrect, sorry.

[1cesk8er]

As the proud owner of Coral Klingbeil Custom K's. I say go with your favorite color!

If looking for traditional, I prefer white to tan personally. You can always jazz them up with some colored laces!

[slcbelle]

I went with tan!  I just love that look.  I was fitted yesterday at Harlick by Jason and my boots should be ready in early August. The options I got are:

- tan elk
- chemglaze
- orthotics
- asymmetric lacing (to reduce pronation)
- heel huggers
- 2 layer, medium plus stiffness with duo bond
- single loop scallop
- dance back stay
- heel wedge (left foot only)
- clarino lining
- rubber sponge tongues
- poron soles
- expedited service

The damage?  About $1150.

[jjane45]

Ahhhh ooohhhh! Best of luck

[sarahspins]

Sounds fantastic   I hope your feet love them