Riedell Custom Skates didn't fit.

[johnallocca]

Some of you know I'm trying to get back to skating after many years. I have wide feet. Most men have wide feet. The stock Riedell boots crunched my toes and feet because they are too narrow. I recently found out that Riedell boots are more narrow than most. So, I was talked into custom Riedell boots. After waiting 2 months, I got the boots. They crunched my toes and feet. They were made the same width as the normal Riedell boots, not according to my foot tracing.

I had the same problem in the past. The fitter tried stretching the boots twice resulting in only a small difference. I had to stop skating for short time because I was developing foot injuries. So, finally in 1997 I got Klingbeil boots from Bill Klingbeil. They fit perfectly.

The moral of this story is that if you have wide feet, don't order Riedell boots, custom or regular.

Also, I'm not sure if Klingbeil is still in business. Using their website, one cannot make an appointment and they are not answering their phone.

John

[blue111moon]

The master fitter for Klingbeil, Will Murillo has moved to Nashville to work with Bill Fauver on their new boot line, Avante.  I believe at least one of the other Klingbile bootmakers went with him.  I think that that will be my choice for my nexr boots, even if it means a trip to Nashville.  A shame about Klingbiel.  They were great boots ruined by poor customer service after Don left.

[FigureSpins]

I liked Will a lot, his heart is in the business.  What a shame about Klingbeil.  Avante, huh?  I'll have to check them out.

Riedells always fit very snugly, but they will mold to your foot.  Especially if you ordered a stiffer strength boot.  They'll never fit like a pair of Bill (not Don) Klingbeil skates - comfy from the start.  With Bill gone, that era has passed.  (after three pairs of just-okay Klingbeils, i switched to SP-Teri skates.)

With the new foams and padding, sometimes boots that feel too tight initially turn out to be fine once they've been broken in properly.  My stock SP-Teri's were certainly that way. 

OP - return them.  You have it in your mind that these aren't the skates for you and you've been complaining since before you received them because of the shipping delay. Might as well get what you want now, so you won't feel like you settled for something lesser.  The time has already passed, what's another month or two?  I know people who are just dying for their current skates to break down because they settled.

In fairness, I know many skaters and coaches with custom Riedells who didn't have the issues you've experienced, so I can't assume that your situation is the norm.

[Loops]

Aw man, bummer, after waiting all that time!  Have you discussed the situation with Riedell directly?  They do answer their phones, and are really nice!  Since you have customs, my guess is that they'll do what they need to to make it right.

[pegasus99]

The past 3 pairs of skates I've had, all 3 felt like they "didn't fit" in some way once I got them on the ice. The Jacksons were the worst to break in, I think it took a month before they felt "right." The SP Teri's made my feet feel like they were about to fall off the first hour I was in them, but after a week I'm concerned because they seem too comfortable.. lol.

Did you give the new boots any time at all?

[dlbritton]

The moral of this story is that if you have wide feet, don't order Riedell boots, custom or regular.


John

I have somewhat wide feet but was able to get a stock Riedell 255TS 9W that fit. The left boot may be a little loose in fact, just breaking them in, but an 8 1/2 W was too short for my right foot.

In Jackson's even a Wide would not accommodate the width of my foot without going to a custom boot (for the length I needed).

[johnallocca]

Update: the fitter's son was able to stretch the boots. They are still very tight. But, they don't deform my foot. I will wear them at home while waiting for the blades to come in, which is supposed to take 1 week.

John

[icedancer]

Update: the fitter's son was able to stretch the boots. They are still very tight. But, they don't deform my foot. I will wear them at home while waiting for the blades to come in, which is supposed to take 1 week.

John

Well, good.  If they don't have blades on them don't walk around in them at your house - I hear it is bad for the soles (I guess unless you just stomp around flat-footed) - as they are not meant to bend. I am sure you know this but I just had to say it.

[johnallocca]

I spoke too soon.

I woke up this morning with difficulty walking. My right leg is in tremendous pain. The right arch is too high for my foot. My foot will be injured before the skate breaks in. Also, I have little fat on the bottom of my feet and need to have at least the thin insole that comes with the skates. The fitter took them out so my feet will fit into the boots. The boots are far too tight and they need to be corrected. Riedell guarantees them and will make a new boot if they need to. But, that will take another 2 months. I have no skates now.

John

[johnallocca]

Figurespins...

What was worrying me while waiting is that two people told me they tried Riedell customs boots and they were too tight and couldn't use them. They had to go to Klingbeil. And, now mine are too tight. Maybe something or some people have changed at Riedell like Klingbeil?

In the past, my Klingbeil boots (1997) fit perfectly and didn't stretch out with time. If they did, I didn't notice it. From a medical point of view, it seems to me that if a boot stretches, one can compensate by tying the laces tighter or by added a thicker insole.

John

[so_jesslovescats]

I would call Riedell and complain you ordered custom boots they SHOULD honor the fact they didn't turn out right. If it were me I would call and make a bit of a stink but that's because if I bought custom boots it would be a HUGE deal for me money wise and I would want the product I was promised.

And Klingbeil is in some major not so hot looking trouble, like taking money from skaters and never delivering, not answering phones etc.
If you check there facebook page the comments aren't very promising: https://www.facebook.com/Klingbeilskatingboots?ref=br_tf

[Query]

Riedell may be willing to refund the money - most of the custom boot makers will, if you act fast enough and call the company yourself. (Don't put the retailer in that communications loop.)

In any event, it is MUCH better to be fit by the boot maker themselves for the fit and final post-manufacture adjustment - even if you have to travel a long ways. Each major manufacturer also sends a fitting rep on tour to certain competitions - ask. I think when fits go bad, it is most often the fitter's fault, not the maker's. What is more, a fitter can be very good at fitting one brand, and very bad at fitting another - there is no standardization.

[johnallocca]

I called Riedell this morning.

The first thing ___ asked was did _____ Sports heat mold the skates? I told him no. He said that should have been done. As far as the arch being too high, they can lower it. He also said, I don't have to go through _____ sports. I can send the boots to them directly. They will send back to my home.

John

[irenar5]

I am sorry you are having such difficulties with your boots.   Riedell service was great, they really went an extra mile to try and fix my boot (I had to send the boots back and forth 4 times!)

Ultimately, I decided that the Riedell last just did not fit my foot (I have a wide ball and a narrow heel), and I had custom Harlicks made.  I love the Harlicks!  However, there were a lot of spots that needed to be punched out.  Also, even 2 years later something hurts now and then .  Even with a custom boot you are not guaranteed that it would fit without a lot of adjustments.   I would try heat molding them.

[johnallocca]

As a doctor I can say that if you have a low arch and you wear a boot with a high arch, it will damage the structure of your foot. Fortunately, Riedell can fix the arch.

After finding out more information, I can say that my bad experience was with _____ Sports, not Riedell. Riedell said they will fix anything and even make a new boot if necessary.

My boots are now off to Riedell to lower the arches.

John

[Query]

My experience with Klingbeil many years ago, when Don was still in charge, was somewhat similar - all the problems seemed to come from a pro shop fitter, rather than Klingbeil. Unfortunately, the shop didn't tell me that I could call Klingbeil, or that they had a money back guarantee - and the fitter kept telling me that the boots fit, though they caused enormous pain in many ways.

In your place, I wouldn't trust your original fitter to do the heat mold, or to sharpen my skates. I might just barely trust him (her?) to sell me boot laces, but not to advise me on what type or length of laces to buy. 

As a doctor, you have no doubt noticed that an amazingly large number of skaters HAVE damaged their feet in many ways, because of boot fit. I think it is part of the skating culture that people are taught that real athletes should ignore all types of pain. Apparently you don't completely buy into that theory.

[rachelplotkin]

As a doctor I can say that if you have a low arch and you wear a boot with a high arch, it will damage the structure of your foot.

Just curious are you a physician or a PhD/ScD/PsyD?

[johnallocca]

rachelplotkin:

I'm a medical research scientist
D.Sc., Ph.D.
3 years medical school.
3 years graduate school.
Developed a cure for migraine headaches and more.
www.allocca.com

John

[rachelplotkin]

Not an M.D. then?  Will read your information on migraines when I have an opportunity, looks interesting.

[PhysicsOnIce]

The SP Teri's made my feet feel like they were about to fall off the first hour I was in them, but after a week I'm concerned because they seem too comfortable.. lol.

This is really normal with Sp-Teri's. Every pair I have ever had has done this. At first they are like boats, but after a little while they are like gloves.  Just remember that if they seem too comfortable doesn't mean that they are breaking down at all.