Klingbeil staff at Avanta Skates

[alan]

Does anyone know if any of the former Klingbeil employees are still working at Avanta Skates. I know Will Murillo was when Avanta was in Tenn., but now that the company moved to Hayward, Ca. I'm curious.

[Query]

I can't answer, but it is fascinating that they have moved to California, like a number of other skate companies. There must be a lot of skaters there.

[alan]

Thanks for reply. It is a little surprising they moved to California. Most companies want to move from California.

[theoreticalgirl]

I get the sense that Don and Will are still with the company based on social media posts, but it never hurts to check in with them directly. They are pretty speedy about answering questions on the FB page.

BTW, I would love to know if folks have bought Avantas since the last Avanta discussion on the forum. Particularly interested in your overall experience of fitting and turnaround, plus the final cost of boots (if you're comfortable sharing). I wear Klingbeils and am trying to figure out where my next move might be.

[Jenna]

I was going to get fitted at Adult Nationals, but they cancelled because Don was sick.  The price list they sent me was $1050 for customs and you could add up to $200 of options (tongue and sole stuff).  I was disappointed because I loved my Klingbeils and wanted to try Avanta.  When they were in TN, it was a drivable weekend trip, not so much to Cali (do all skate boot makers have to set up shop in the Bay Area?) I needed boots, so I took a leap and have Edeas now.

[alan]

How do you think your Edeas compared to your old Klingbeils?

[Jenna]

It was an adjustment at first.  Obviously, it's hard to beat a good custom fit and Edeas have poor arch support, IMO.  Other than that, they feel pretty good.  Definitely a great stock boot and more affordable than a custom Avanta boot.  If Klingbeil were still around, I wouldn't have switched, but I would put the Edeas as a good second choice.