boots and blades. suggestions?

[pompeiii]

So I have a bad feeling I need new skates (sooner rather than later).

Right now I'm skating in Riedells (229) in a 5W and while they're OK and fit better than my previous pair, I'm not sure they're the best fit for me. My foot has started to cramp in my boots lately, especially in the ball of my foot. Maybe they're not wide enough? But, I notice my left heel is slipping/shifting/lifting in the skate. I can tie them tighter, but then I'm in real pain and my heel still moves some. All of this is telling me that the boots just don't fit that well. I probably would make due for the time being, but I'm also starting to feel like I need a stiffer boot than I currently have. When doing 1/2 jumps (1/2 flip/waltz), I feel very shaky when I land, like I don't have enough support and at this point, I'm afraid the boot is holding me back. I do tie the upper part of my skate tighter than I should to compensate, but that only does so much. The skates are still in great condition and aren't broken down yet (I've had them for a year and a half now). I'm currently using the stock blades that came with it and they're pretty awful so I'll likely need blades as well (even if I try to make these boots last a little longer than ideal).

Anyway, I am an adult skater and not exactly light. Right now I take lessons and do synchro. Any advice for boots and blades? Obviously I'll get fitted properly before purchasing. I have access locally to riedell, jackson, edea, and many other brands as well (my coach isn't entirely helpful on this matter just wants me to find something that fits and is comfortable). I'm just trying to get some ideas as to models that may work so I can wrap my brain around prices and start saving (it's been an expensive year with too many emergencies requiring finances). I don't see myself ever progressing past SOME single jumps either.

[PhysicsOnIce]

Okay few questions:

Do your boots:
  1) have large creases in the ankle area?
  2) have any creasing in the toe box? (ie the front of your boot)
  3) feel better( ie support your foot better) if you tie the bridge (ie the middle part of your boot) tighter?

In terms of fitting. This is a very personal question and most likely only truly answerable by a fitter. You might want to look at the "Who's wearing what" post to see peoples boot/blade combination. But if the riedells are feeling too narrow you might want to look into Jackson or Sp-Teri's. They tend to be a bit wider.

[pompeiii]

Okay few questions:

Do your boots:
  1) have large creases in the ankle area?
  2) have any creasing in the toe box? (ie the front of your boot)
  3) feel better( ie support your foot better) if you tie the bridge (ie the middle part of your boot) tighter?

In terms of fitting. This is a very personal question and most likely only truly answerable by a fitter. You might want to look at the "Who's wearing what" post to see peoples boot/blade combination. But if the riedells are feeling too narrow you might want to look into Jackson or Sp-Teri's. They tend to be a bit wider.

Good questions. No large creases in ankle area.  I'll have the to check the toe box, but not that I know of. If I tie the bridge area tighter, too much pain. I try to find a happy medium between comfortable (but too loose) and tight but little pain. Things have actually gotten worse since I changed laces from cotton to nylon mix (not by choice, but by necessity) but all of this also corresponds with warmer temperatures, humidity, and feet expanding. I'm planning to go into the pro shop this week to see options (maybe I can get current skates punched out a bit), but at the end of the day, no matter how tight I tie the ankle area, l feel like there is NOTHING supporting me when I land. That's a really scary feeling. I'm definitely looking at Jackson and my coach wears Sp-Teris. We'll see.

I'll also take a look at the boot threads too. I'm just sort of curious though, at my beginner level, what boot people would wear (in an ideal world across all brands regardless right now of fit).

[Loops]

I'm not a fitter, and you definitely need to talk to a good one.  It costs you nothing or relatively little if you have to pay a fitting fee.  But I will say that I agree it sounds like things don't fit quite right.  I used to wear Riedells, and suspect they're probably among the lasts that, off the shelf, fit me best.  But I have had fitting problems in the past with the tongues hitting nerves (that was lots of fun  ) and I ALWAYS need to get the balls stretched out.

I'm going to explore the option of split width Jacksons (among other things) when I'm stateside this summer.  Split width options might be something about which to ask your fitter.   I can only talk about my own feet.  My heels are narrow compared to the front, and it seems there's no stock boot that can accommodate that (caveat- among those I've tried!).  Either they're too wide in the heels (sounds like your problem) or they're too narrow in the front (also sounds like your problem).  Someone one these forums also talked about extra wide tongues, so that option exists too, if its the edges of the tongue that are causing you problems over your bridge. 

My old skates (1989ish era Riedell Comps- 2nd to stiffest available at that time) NEVER fit me right- they're the ones that hit the nerves, and I lived with numb shins during those years, and things would pop inside my shins when I took off for jumps.  I was at a higher level than you, but that doesn't matter.  You need your skates to fit you properly, otherwise at best you can't control them and therefore don't progress as fast and at worst they cause injuries.

I skated in those boots competitively for 2 years, and used them recreationally after I quit up until October last year.  I had no choice, financially.  So I understand about holding off.  But it is worth it to at least start looking.  As for what model boot- that's between you, your coach and your fitter- there will probably be one brand that has a stock last that is closest to your foot, then you'll need to sort out if the stock is the best, or you need split width. 

In terms of blades, I think the standard for your level is MK Profs or Wilson Coronation Aces.  Both are very similar, so I would go with whichever is cheaper.  This is also between you and your coach though.

If your coach is being less than helpful, Kinzies Closet has some really informative comparison charts, matching boots and blades to skating levels. It's noted on there, but as an adult you need to look at least one level up for boots (because we weigh a bit more than an 8-12 year old kid!).  But if you're lucky enough to have a good fitter, they'll pick up the slack for your coach.

Good luck.  New skates are exhilarating and sucky at the same time.  Gel sleeves pulled down over your heels might help with the slippage in the mean time (and will help with break-in in the future....I NEVER skate without mine!).  Stretching the front may also buy you some time.