Time for a "real" pair of skates?

[New to skating]

I'm quite new to skating, but am really enjoying being on the ice, and would love some advice on what skates I should consider for purchase (and when!)
I've had six 1/2 hour group LTS lessons and several hours of fooling around on the ice (some with my 9 yr old, a few with myself.)  I'm currently skating on a pair of $50 Bladerunner skates I picked up last year on vacation (to avoid rentals). I've "officially" passed Level 3 basic, but am told I have "natural" ability with strong and fluid 3 turns, forward and back crossovers and natural "Mohawks" (I don't really know what that means), etc.  At any rate, I'm considering buying a non-recreational skate, but don't really know where to start. The local rink manager said I would progress really fast through the LTS levels if I started to spend any real time skating, so I don't know if I should just stay with my Bladerunners or go ahead and get a better skate that will hopefully last me through the next year or so.  Any advice?  Thanks so much!

[sarahspins]

I think a low level pair of freestyle skates would be appropriate for you at this point, and you will progress much faster on better skates.

[AgnesNitt]

Merry Christmas New To Skating.

There are several 'real' skate brands that have appropriate skates for beginners. Jackson and Reidell, and SpTeri.
SpTeri has Silver Medalist (you'll need to buy blades)
Jackson has Elle, Mystique, and Freestyle and the Competitor. These come with beginner blades
Reidell I know little about. I've always found their naming conventions obscure, so someone else will need to talk about those. 

Sorry to blogroll but I wrote a long post on my blog that covers this.

[New to skating]

Thanks for your replies, Sarah and Agnes

Are there any favorites you would steer me towards? I'm 5'5",  120lbs, 44yr old.

Thanks again- and Merry Christmas!

[WaltzJump413]

Merry Christmas and welcome to the forum!

I wear Riedells (121s). You might want to look into that brand--maybe even 133s or 255s? Here's the site (you can search by level): http://www.riedellskates.com

I'd suggest getting a fitting done. It's very helpful to know what size and width your feet are. (For example, I had no idea I had super-wide feet. That played a lot into my skate decision). My fitter was great about suggesting different options.

Best wishes! I actually joined this forum when I was looking to buy my first skates, too....lots of helpful people on here.

[New to skating]

Thanks, waltz jump! It sounds like getting a new pair of skates at this point isn't such a silly idea. I'll look into the Riedells and try to find somewhere not too far that will do a fitting.  I agree that getting measured/trying on several boots sounds most ideal. Thanks again and Merry Christmas!

[sarahspins]

If you look into the Riedells you'd probably be okay in the 133 or 229 if Riedell fits your foot well (they don't fit everyone).

In Jackson, the Freestyle or Competitor set would be fine.

[WaltzJump413]

Thanks, waltz jump! It sounds like getting a new pair of skates at this point isn't such a silly idea. I'll look into the Riedells and try to find somewhere not too far that will do a fitting.  I agree that getting measured/trying on several boots sounds most ideal. Thanks again and Merry Christmas!

Oh no, definitely not silly! It's great that you're doing so well, esp. with turns!

Sarah, I forgot about the 229s--good idea. 

[Rachelsk8s]

It sounds like getting a new pair of skates at this point isn't such a silly idea.

Hi new to skating and merry Christmas!!! I agree with what others have posted above, you are definitely at the point if you plan on sticking with skating to purchase a non recreational skate. There are many different models made by all of the top brands, I won't go into listing them all as they've been listed for you  but I do think that you should get fitted for them by a pro shop, if you can one that deals with figure skates, not your sports chain store. Different brands fit feet differently, Jackson is often known for fitting people with wider feet versus Riedells fitting more narrow feet, but obviously there are always exceptions made. 

[dlbritton]

Different brands fit feet differently, Jackson is often known for fitting people with wider feet versus Riedells fitting more narrow feet, but obviously there are always exceptions made. 

As a fairly new skater myself, I can certainly recommend getting your own skates. My confidence and performance have taken a huge step forward since I got my own skates (Riedell 255 mens 9W).

I did find that Riedell mens wide skates are actually wider in the ball of the foot than the Jackson wide skates. Not sure about regular and narrow sizes or womens sizes. 

[New to skating]

Thanks again for all of your replies, everyone! I'm on vacation in Canada with my family and am going to try to find a shop with a good selection before we leave. Happy Holidays and best wishes to you and yours!

[sk8time]

Not to add more complexity to your decisions, but it is good to know that the positions of blades can be adjusted on at least some of the skates suggested above, such as Jackson Freestyles.  In my experience, some experienced shops will try to make adjustments right away, but when I got my skates, at about the same experience level where you are, it was great to have my coach make the adjustments based on how I skated.  She did this after I had some time skating in them to get adjusted properly and specifically watched my balance on ice to try to optimize the adjustments.

It would be good to find as local a shop as possible to work with them after the purchase for these adjustments (or with a coach at your rink).  Some of these points may be raised by AgnesNitt in her blog.

[KateSkates]

Definitely get fitted by someone who knows what they're doing. They'll be able to advise you as to the best brand for your foot shape and your feet will thank you!