Got my "new" skates!!

[karrot]

I was all set to get a brand-new pair of skates, as I'd mentioned a couple weeks ago... but being that this is going to be the first pair I've owned in 20 years, I thought it would be fine to go for a used pair to start with. At the pro shop when I got fitted, I liked the Jackson Freestyle best, but the last pair they had in stock was a 6.5 B, half a size too long. So when a pair of like-new Freestyles in 6 B showed up on eBay, I couldn't resist going for it! The pair I bought is definitely from several years ago (thin red insole, logo-free tongue, Made In Canada tag, and MK 21 blade) but is in pristine condition. They're beauties!

So... then came the trying on.  The length is perfect on both boots, and the heel fits snugly. But I could tell right away that I'm going to need to get the forefeet punched out just a bit (at least/especially on the left boot) around both the ball and the toes. The only part of either foot that hurt immediately was my left outer anklebone. Owww!! This old model doesn't have ankle pockets in the padding. The right boot didn't really squish my toes or hurt my anklebones. I think its fit may be improved by heat molding alone.  Knee bend was just fine with only the top hook left undone. Heat molding should help my feet fit better into the heelcups better too, right?  I've still got to tap it back there when I try the skates on.

This older-model skate is lined with nice, thick suede. i.e., it feels quite a bit stiffer than the new model, which was comfy right out of the box. The blade doesn't appear to have been sharpened beyond the factory sharpening, and the blade mount is still the factory installed one. I couldn't find much online about the MK 21 blade... it doesn't seem like MK makes it anymore.

One other thing is that I actually have a pretty high arch and while the skate boot is super supportive, I wonder if it'd fit even better if it had more of an arch. As far as shoes go though, I don't find it really necessary or more comfortable to have a really supportive insole (I usually wear slip-on Vans sneakers or Dansko clogs, and the Vans are comfier to me on pretty much any day.)

It may be that the previous owner had the skates heat-molded before, and that would account for why one foot fits me better than the other one. I'm still pretty sure that these will be perfect for me after I have them tweaked and broken in.  

[sampaguita]

Maybe your feet are slightly different from each other? My right foot is slightly shorter than my left, for example.

[AgnesNitt]

It may be that the previous owner had the skates heat-molded before, and that would account for why one foot fits me better than the other one. I'm still pretty sure that these will be perfect for me after I have them tweaked and broken in.  

Like Sampaguita my feet don't match. Left foot is stock, right foot has a narrow heel. I think non-symmetric feet is normal.

Also, my guess is that the other boots felt more comfy was because they were slightly bigger. Once these get broken in, they'll probably be great. I know my Jackson Competitors feel like moccasins now.

[Gabby on Ice]

I'm getting new skates too! The skates I bought were the Riedell 255 TS, and they should get here in a few days, hopefully. I think that both my feet are the same size, but I have narrow feet, so I hope I'll have no problem breaking them in.

[karrot]

I always thought my feet were symmetrical too. I guess I was wrong. I think my left foot is tighter in the boot because I broke my big toe 6 yrs ago and its joint fused so it doesn't bend.

[ChristyRN]

My left foot is slightly bigger than my right.  I had to punch out the toe area in my Competitors in a B width.  In the C width, they are perfect. 

My next boots will be a split last modification--C forefoot, A heel.  I found out at Southeastern regionals that Jackson boots are a size narrower in the heel.  I love the feel of the heel in my B (which is really an A) but the forefoot of my C. 

I also found in my most recent pair of Competitors that the ankle pockets were a little high.  It took a few hours to make them match my ankles. I also got them used, worn twice, at a great price.  I am not looking forward to my next pair.

[aussieskater]

I also got them used, worn twice, at a great price.

That's the definition of "used" we all love!  Hope they continue to be really comfortable for you.

[karrot]

Good news... after putting my new skates on for a while at home each day this week while sitting around, they were almost perfectly comfortable yesterday when I first took them for a spin. The difference having good skates makes is like night and day!!

...We found my husband a pair of quite decent hockey skates for $5 at the thrift store yesterday too... how convenient that it was skating day!

[Janie]

Wow so lucky! Enjoy your new skates, both of you!