How much were your full custom skates?

[MCsAngel2]

And what brand?

I've had my semi customs about three and a half weeks now, I skated yesterday after 2 weeks off because of knee pain. I never know how a session will go - two weeks ago when I had hurt my knee it was TERRIBLE and I got off the ice after 15 minutes. Yesterday I was expecting another terrible session but it went pretty well, instead. I have been doing balancing and core exercises like crazy and I'm already seeing a difference.

The only thing is my skates are still bothering me. Some of it is the need to break in, and getting used to the weight (and the fact the right boot is too big in the heel and I'm trying different things for that).

But I measured a EE width, and because of that, my pro ordered an extra wide tongue. It's too wide. I'm really sure now it's too wide. It wraps around nearly to the sides of my leg (maybe 1 to 1.5 inches under the boot on each side, I'd have to measure). It's really thick, it makes the boot feel weird, and it digs into my right ankle terribly, it left a deep cut the first time and I have to put a band aid on there every time I skate, but it really hurts in that spot.

I have other issues, and I'm thinking about going full custom the next time so I can get a standard tongue but have the upper cut in a way so it fits properly. But I can't find anything from Jackson about how much a full custom costs, so tell me your stories!

[AgnesNitt]

$1200....worth every penny.

(Full custom doesn't mean perfect our of the box. One boot had to be rebuilt. But still worth it.

[MCsAngel2]

$1200....worth every penny.

(Full custom doesn't mean perfect our of the box. One boot had to be rebuilt. But still worth it.

Yours are Harlicks, right?

[AgnesNitt]

Yours are Harlicks, right?

Yes. I have to 'superfit' the right foot, and it changes due to swelling and bone spurs etc as I get  older. I've made a couple of major internal fits in the last few weeks. that are good enough so I don't have to cut the leather or have surgery--for now.

You don't have to live with the too wide boot tongues. Your pro can probably make adjustmets, even in the thickness.

[icepixie]

$1200 for Avanta as well, and also worth it.  $800 for SP-Teri.  Beware those are more like semi-customs, based on their last with some extra bumps rather than your foot.

[Loops]

Around 1k for Jackson, with blades probably a little more.

I agree that its worth it though- mine aren't a perfect fit, but it's much better than anything I could get "off the rack".  What I most appreciate is that I could combine features to make a boot that works really well for me, and I could get the stiffness level I wanted.

These will last me a loooong time.  If the time comes to replace them, there are certainly improvements to be made, but still, íts absolutely the best pair of skates I've ever owned.

[MCsAngel2]

Did any of you get fitted in person at the factory?

[FigureSpins]

My custom Harlicks retailed for about $1,000 back in 2016.  I was fitted by Phil at the PSA Conference, which gave me a substantial discount.  However, the boots arrived extremely late, too big and way too soft.  My fitter exchanged them with Harlick for a pair that are supposed to be custom but the *)_^& right boot does not fit correctly.  I've had it punched and tweaked, the blades moved, the insoles changed/customized and my ankle tendonitis has migrated from left to right. 

I'm now thinking about my next pair of skates, lol.  Specifically, I think I no longer need the higher heel since I don't wear high heeled shoes often.  Could be part of my issue with these boots.

When Klingbeil was still in Queens, that was a great experience for fittings and adjustments.  Unfortunately, the business was sold/closed and both Bill and Don Klingbeil have passed away, so that's not an option.

I have a coaching friend who bought Avantas.  She scheduled a fitting at US Nationals with Will, one of the owners.  She's happy with them and says they're a lot like Klingbeils, so that's probably my next pair of boots.  Have to talk to my skate tech about them at some point.

If you don't have a good skate tech in your area that you can trust, your best bet is to go with the manufacturer's designated rep.  If you check their website/social media, you'll see that most of the skate makers attend skating and trade events.  If you contact them in advance, they can come prepared to measure/size.  They don't have a workshop, so very little in the way of repairs, adjustments or corrections can be done at these events. 

Specifically, they set up shop at NEISMA, ISI and PSA trade shows.  They usually have a presence at Regionals/Sectionals, but it might just be a sales rep, not a skate tech.  At US Nationals and Adult Nationals, one or more vendors have a booth and can arrange for fittings.  I don't remember who the vendors were at Synchro Sectionals, but I believe the boot makers have booths at Synchro Nationals.  I've also heard, but not seen, that they also attend ISI Worlds, ISI Adult Champs and the National Theater on Ice competitions.

[Loops]

I live in France, where no-one does even split widths, so I did this from a distance. I talked to my US tech, who's been doing customs with different companies for years.  He asked for a very particularly done tracing and then worked directly with the people at Jackson.

It's possible to do from a distance, but I think Jackson is unveiling some new technology, and the sock thing from Avanta sounds overwhelming (albeit intriguing) to me.  Definitely go find someone who can help you out- like FigureSpins mentions- talk to the company you chose to see who has someone closest to you, if you can't get to any of the companies directly themselves.

[DressmakingMomma]

$850 for full custom Riedells, fitted at the factory.

Something to maybe try, the tongues on my daughter's Harlicks were too wide (also cutting into her skin) and oddly tall. The skate fitter pulled out a big pair of scissors and cut right through the leather and sponge padding. Might be an option for you too.

[MCsAngel2]

$850 for full custom Riedells, fitted at the factory.

Something to maybe try, the tongues on my daughter's Harlicks were too wide (also cutting into her skin) and oddly tall. The skate fitter pulled out a big pair of scissors and cut right through the leather and sponge padding. Might be an option for you too.

I've thought about that! The edges aren't finished at all, no rolled edges, the padding isn't lined, etc. I'm probably doing to color the top of my band aid with a marker and lace up the skates in hopes it will rub on to the part of the edge that's hurting, so I can see where to cut or do something else to it.

[Christy]

$850 for full custom Riedells, fitted at the factory.

Something to maybe try, the tongues on my daughter's Harlicks were too wide (also cutting into her skin) and oddly tall. The skate fitter pulled out a big pair of scissors and cut right through the leather and sponge padding. Might be an option for you too.

Hope you don't mind me asking on this thread, but would you say that custom Riedells only work for people with a narrow (Riedell) foot, or do you think they would work for someone with a much wider foot too?

[dlbritton]

Hope you don't mind me asking on this thread, but would you say that custom Riedells only work for people with a narrow (Riedell) foot, or do you think they would work for someone with a much wider foot too?

I can't speak to many skates but in a mens mid level boot the Riedell mens wide was wider than a Jackson mens wide for the same sole length. I hear that Riedell are narrow but I have a somewhat wide foot and my stock 8 1/2Wide Riedell Motion 255 fit like a dream.  Riedell will do a spit width (I think no more than 1 or 2 size different) for a small upcharge.

[Loops]

I can't speak to many skates but in a mens mid level boot the Riedell mens wide was wider than a Jackson mens wide for the same sole length. I hear that Riedell are narrow but I have a somewhat wide foot and my stock 8 1/2Wide Riedell Motion 255 fit like a dream.  Riedell will do a spit width (I think no more than 1 or 2 size different) for a small upcharge.

I don't know, BUT Riedell do come in various widths.  I was very ready to consider Riedell Customs- the price is pretty good. It think the "Riedell" foot isn't so much narrow, as consistent in width.  What I mean by that is someone who has a narrow forefoot to go with their narrow heels (unlike me, who is a C across the forefeet, but a AA on the heels).  Perhaps those with more experience can speak?

[MCsAngel2]

I don't know, BUT Riedell do come in various widths.  I was very ready to consider Riedell Customs- the price is pretty good. It think the "Riedell" foot isn't so much narrow, as consistent in width.  What I mean by that is someone who has a narrow forefoot to go with their narrow heels (unlike me, who is a C across the forefeet, but a AA on the heels).  Perhaps those with more experience can speak?

If I had money to burn, I'd be really interested in trying Riedells again (my first skates as a teenager, before age took it's toll). I have tapered toes, and I'm sure my heels must be at least a size smaller than my toes (says my Jackson split widths), but otherwise my feet look kind of rectangular. I think Riedells look nicer than Jacksons. I'm an EE width but maybe that doesn't matter at full custom level. It does annoy me that each maker has it's own stiffness rating and they aren't consistent with each other.

[Loops]

It does annoy me that each maker has it's own stiffness rating and they aren't consistent with each other.

Me tooo!!!!!!!

[DressmakingMomma]

Hope you don't mind me asking on this thread, but would you say that custom Riedells only work for people with a narrow (Riedell) foot, or do you think they would work for someone with a much wider foot too?

Part of the problem my daughter had with all the other boots (Edeas, 2 customized Jacksons, 2 Harlick customs) is that nobody built the toe wide enough. She measures EE at the ball (4" at the widest point) and her toes are short and square but she also has narrow heels and pronates. Riedell's customs are truly full custom, built for your feet boots. They modify a last to match your foot, make a custom pattern in their CAD system for your foot and then the boots are hand built by a master boot-maker.

I cannot stress enough how happy we are with these. Going to the factory for the fitting was KEY. It took four trips, but Dan took lots of time with us and pulled Lee (the boot maker) into an appointment to make sure they had it right. Riedell is a five hour drive for us, very worth the extra time.

[DressmakingMomma]

I don't know, BUT Riedell do come in various widths.  I was very ready to consider Riedell Customs- the price is pretty good. It think the "Riedell" foot isn't so much narrow, as consistent in width.  What I mean by that is someone who has a narrow forefoot to go with their narrow heels (unlike me, who is a C across the forefeet, but a AA on the heels).  Perhaps those with more experience can speak?

That may be true for their stock or special order boots, but their customs are a hand-built, designed for your foot true custom boot. My daughter is EE/AA and they nailed both - wide enough at the toes but her heel is comfortably locked in.

[DressmakingMomma]

I realize that I sound like a nerdy fangirl here, but I didn't even know that Riedell did custom boots until a skate tech mentioned it a year ago. 6 years of skating for her and only this last pair of boots fit and even comfortably. Thousands of dollars in boot/blade combos and lots of tears and mounds of frustration. We would get something and it would sort of work for awhile for the break-in period and then the foot cramping, blisters, heel slipping, and such would start in. Riedell came to the rescue so I am a REALLY big fan. 

[Christy]

Thanks so much for the information. It sounds like Riedells could work for my incredibly odd fit, but unfortunately we're a long way away and my skate tech doesn't do them. I'm definitely going to research options to try them, but it may take a while.

[Loops]

That may be true for their stock or special order boots, but their customs are a hand-built, designed for your foot true custom boot. My daughter is EE/AA and they nailed both - wide enough at the toes but her heel is comfortably locked in.

This is what I was trying to get at in my post about the "Riedell foot".  In fact its your posts about your daughter's final success with their customs that even made me glance their way when I decided to go down that road.  Fan girl away!!!! 

I ultimately went with Jackson (haha...see what I did there?  Swear it wasn't on purpose, but leaving it), simply because my skate tech prefers to work with them, and customs from overseas are complicated enough- I needed to have someone I trust to work with.  I grew  up in Riedells- off the shelf models never't fit, but do love the quality of their boots.

[Casey]

$1200 for Avanta as well, and also worth it.  $800 for SP-Teri.  Beware those are more like semi-customs, based on their last with some extra bumps rather than your foot.

Does Avanta also make full customs?  I have Klingbeils now which as far as I know were only full custom, but I thought Avanta was doing the same thing as what Klingbeil did?

[icepixie]

Does Avanta also make full customs?  I have Klingbeils now which as far as I know were only full custom, but I thought Avanta was doing the same thing as what Klingbeil did?

Yes, Avantas are full customs.  SP-Teri are not.

[Casey]

Yes, Avantas are full customs.  SP-Teri are not.

Thank you!  I'll likely give them a try when I'm ready for new boots.  Harlick is also a consideration, but I do prefer the appearance of Klingbeil/Avanta and know that at least Klingbeil works well for me whereas Harlick would probably be more of a change.  On the other hand, Harlick is a better-known brand...  How have you enjoyed your Avantas?

[icepixie]

I LOVE my Avantas.  I didn't know it was possible to skate with no pain until I got these.  My feet are really unusual in several ways, and they accommodated all of them.