New Skates

skatemom · May 29, 2014, 05:31:49 PM

Hello!

My daughter is getting new skates, so I had some questions about adjusting to the different blades and new boots. She's getting SP Teri's Pro Teri, and Pattern 99 blades. She currently has Eclipse Volant blades from Riedell. I wanted to know if the Pattern 99 blade is appropriate for her level, and if it will be hard to adjust to the new blades. Just so you guys can get a feel for what level of skating she is at, I'll list what jumps she is working on, and what spins she can do.

She's landed her axel and her double sal is inconsistent, and she's working on double loops and double toeloops. Right now she can do a camel-sit-backsit, flying camels and some other spins as well. Does the Pattern 99 blade seem appropriate for her level? About how long will it take for her to break in the boots and adjust to the new blade?

Thanks

Loops · May 30, 2014, 02:13:50 AM

I can't speak to the boots- every skater breaks in differently, and SPTeri's have a rock-like reputation. I would say look at the Harlick website for break-in advice (they do it the old fashioned way, which is better for the boots). Hopefully she can still skate in her current skates while she's breaking in the new ones.

New blades are always a bit of an adjustment, even if one stays with the same model (sharpening flattens the blade). If the Volants have a 7' rocker, she'll have a little more of an adjustment to the 8' on the 99's. But my guess is she'll be just fine. And yes, its a good choice for her level.

skatemom · May 30, 2014, 06:03:50 PM

Thank you very much for the reply! I'll go look at the Harlick website right away. Thanks again!

PhysicsOnIce · June 03, 2014, 02:55:07 AM

I've been in Sp-Teri's my whole skating life, currently in KT2 (Two models up from the Pros) . They are simply the only skates that truly fit my feet. Break in time deepends a lot on the skater's weight, weight balance and knee bend, but typically it takes about one to two weeks of break in time (if do you don't heat mold), heat molding can break this time down to just a few days, depending on practice schedule. Depending on what her fitter and coach say and her weight you might consider the Super Teri, since it will provide more overall support than the Pros. The Pros are generally the starting freestyle Sp-Teri Boot, but if your daugther is a light lander and does not weight much you can probably get away with it, but I would expect that landing mid level doubles could result in a more apid break down. Have you talked to the Sp-Teri Guys? George is more than willing to answer all kinds of questions and is probably the best person to suggest a boot for your skater. He also likes to know who is in his boots, so If you can just call them and talk to George.

I am not going to lie Sp-Teris can be hell to break in, but once they are broken in they are super comfortable. Expect that the first few times skating they feel like iron casts, but that's because of the multiple layers of high quality layer involved. George and the guys do everything the old fashion way and that's what makes the Sp-Teri's special. But that also means they are heavier than most skates, I think mine weigh a approximately 1.2 kg per skate. A session or two of just stroking, three turns, cross-overs and some light footwork will get them manageable and just normal practice throughout the break in process will get them broken in pretty nicely.

I'm in MK professionals and have more or less the same level as your daugther, but I tend to prefer a less advanced blade. I feel have to learn more control to do things correctly with a less advanced blade, but that is presonal preference. That being said the Pattern 99 will most likely be my next move up. I think it is great choice for people working on mid/ high level doubles and above.

AgnesNitt · June 03, 2014, 05:29:45 PM

I don't jump but if I was a skater's mom, the question I'd be asking myself is "how long before I have to replace these skates vice how long do they take to break in?"
If the kid's not going to break in the skates before she grows out of them maybe it's worth considering something else.

skatemom · June 03, 2014, 09:31:59 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone! I didn't expect to get this many answers!

PhysicsOnIce- My daughter is about 95 pounds, and her coach advised the Pro Teri's because they were supposedly easier to break in. I'll be sure to call as soon as possible.

I've also heard the term heat molding quite often, but could you please explain the process of heat molding to me? I've never really understood what exactly it is.

AgnesNitt- Good point. She's 12 years old, so she's definitely going to be growing quite a bit. She hasn't had a major growth spurt yet, so that's probably coming up soon. I'll make sure to take that into consideration before ordering the boots. Thanks!

Bill_S · June 05, 2014, 08:52:25 AM

Quote from: skatemom on June 03, 2014, 09:31:59 PM

I've also heard the term heat molding quite often, but could you please explain the process of heat molding to me? I've never really understood what exactly it is.

Here's a link to a web page about the heat molding process. It's nicely organized and written...

http://www.iskateriedell.com/2011/heat-up-your-skating/

skatemom · June 05, 2014, 10:34:47 AM

Thank you very much!

PhysicsOnIce · June 23, 2014, 05:01:56 AM

Quote from: skatemom on June 03, 2014, 09:31:59 PM
Thanks for the advice everyone! I didn't expect to get this many answers!

PhysicsOnIce- My daughter is about 95 pounds, and her coach advised the Pro Teri's because they were supposedly easier to break in. I'll be sure to call as soon as possible.

I've also heard the term heat molding quite often, but could you please explain the process of heat molding to me? I've never really understood what exactly it is.

AgnesNitt- Good point. She's 12 years old, so she's definitely going to be growing quite a bit. She hasn't had a major growth spurt yet, so that's probably coming up soon. I'll make sure to take that into consideration before ordering the boots. Thanks!

Sorry I have been away from the Forum for a little while due to summer craziness.

Heat molding is basically a process where the skate is heated to an optimal temperature (the temperature depends a bit on the skate manufacture and the materials used), that allows for the inside of the boot to mold to the skaters foot. Basically it accelerates the break in process, giving the skater more comfort and an almost custom feel in stock boots. I Think the technology came in about a few years ( definitively later than 10 years). We would have never had this done to the old Sp-Teris. What happens is that once the boot is heated, you put on the skates and sit with them until the are cool. You can almost immediately ( as long as they are fully cooled) skate in the them. For me it was saving craze on my KT2. Be aware that the process does mold the boot to your foot, but also can accelerate the break down process if done repetitively. Sp-teri does not recommend doing it more than two times.

Just out of curiosity, did you daughter get her new skates already? If so, how is she adjusting.

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