Wired Review of Figure Skates (1/18/2008)

[FigureSpins]

This is a little out of date, but I think it's cool that "Wired" magazine reviewed recreational figure skates from real skate manufacturers.  GAM was definitely the loser in this review.

http://www.wired.com/gadgets/gadgetreviews/magazine/16-02/pl_test
(scroll down to read skate stuff)

Blades of Glory
Ice-skating blows when you're gliding in lousy footwear. To avoid falling on your ass, beginners need skates with ankle support, flexibility and fiendishly sharp edges. — Miyoko Ohtake

Jackson Ultima Classique
$140 jacksonultima.com
Canadian skating legend and 1962 world champion Donald Jackson knows how to make a pair of skates. Although this boot was the stiffest of the models we tested, the notch below the lace hooks encouraged a natural bend in the leather so the top of the boot doesn't bite into your shin. Learning to skate in a pair of Classiques is like learning to drive in a Nissan GT-R, so bring your confidence to the rink.
Wired: A rare combination of support and flex. Hugs your feet and anklebones in all the right places, letting your toes breathe easy.
Tired: M inimal support in the arches. Plastic heel looks a little cheap, but who cares: You'll be spinning too fast for anyone to see your feet.


Riedell 121 Blue Ribbon
$135 riedellskates.com
Riedell has the edge in the American skate industry, equipping some of the sport's biggest stars. But at the beginner level, the boot doesn't live up to the brand name. Sure, it feels like a slipper when you slide your foot in, but as soon as you stand, the comfort level drops. The laces dig into your ankle, and an overpadded tongue leaves little wiggle room for toes.
Wired: Bake-and-lace fitting is a hoot: Toss them in a 200-degree-Fahrenheit oven for eight minutes, put them on, and tie extra snuggly.
Tired: Narrow fit makes it hard to find that sweet spot between laces that are too tight and too loose — and you need them just right to balance on a quarter-inch blade.


GAM Horizon
$141 gamskates.com
In Canada, there's a church, doughnut shop, and ice rink on every corner. So you'd think Montreal-based Gamsports would make the perfect pair of entry-level skates. It doesn't. The boots are very uncomfortable and bruised our ankles. Worse: The Horizons must have been designed with Quebec winters in mind — they pinched so much it took three pairs of socks to attain comfort.
Wired: The blade is nicely mounted with a medium-size rocker, meaning your chances of falling on your face or tripping over toe picks are drastically reduced.
Tired: Not made for the wide-footed or blister-prone. With no natural bends built into the boots, the leather puckers in odd places when you finally break them in.


Dominion 718
$60 skates.com
When you first lace them up, the 718s feel fantastic. But don't let that elevated sense of comfort fool you. When you hit the ice, it'll probably be with your face, because of the 718's bum blades. The steel, which normally curves up smoothly, is cut at a severe — and unforgiving — angle. This makes tipping over extra likely. Our advice? Avoid these skates at all costs, unless you happen to like face-planting in front of that blind date.
Wired: The boots hug your heels, not your toes. Translation? Your feet stay planted within the boot without getting pins and needles.
Tired: Zero arch support. Tongues don't lie flat. Don't be surprised if the extra-soft boots fall apart after one winter's worth of triple axels.

Just a guess, but the GAM folks probably sent the Dominions first and when they found out about the negative review, I think they sent the Horizons along to save face.