GAM skates

jlspink22 · December 29, 2014, 11:54:36 AM

Does anyone know if GAM skates have a last similar to Jackson or if they are the same company? I thought GAM was bought out?

sarahspins · December 29, 2014, 08:00:03 PM

Gam supposedly has a wider toe box and narrower heel, but I've never tried any personally to confirm that - no one I know locally wears gams.

jlspink22 · December 30, 2014, 09:27:37 AM

I found a pair on ebay I was hoping might fit my daughter better before moving up a half size or having a too wide heel, but the shop said he thinks their C is like a jackson B. I really was hoping to find something not too expensive since we seem to outgrow skates every 3 months.

Bill_S · December 30, 2014, 10:28:06 AM

FWIW, I had GAM boots on my first pair of PIC skates. I'm not sure of the model now because it was over ten years ago.

I hated them. They were broken-down within a year, and I was dangerously close to injuring my ankle jumping in them. They might have been fine for recreational skating, but not for someone working on figure skating moves.

That said, it was a long time ago. Changes are likely to have occurred since then. There's also the possibility that I owned a beginner model unsuited for me, but I thought that I'd share my own experience for your research into them.

Loops · December 30, 2014, 02:16:25 PM

Several people at my rink skate in GAM's. I think Bill_S's experience is atypical. I've heard the same thing as SarahSpins- wide toe, narrow heel; if I go with a freestyle model for the next pair of boots, I will certainly be trying them. One of our coaches skates in a pair that look old and beat up enough to have seen her through her last competitions 10+ years ago.

Worth a shot, I'd say. If they fit your daughter's feet then you're in good shape. I do believe they have been bought out by Jackson, but they haven't stopped making them, fwiw.

Christy · December 30, 2014, 02:46:49 PM

I'd heard the same (wide toe box, narrow heel) and know loads of people who skate in them, and really like them.

amy1984 · December 30, 2014, 05:13:37 PM

I had a bad experience with my last pair of GAM's. Factory defect. So nothing that's going to happen with every skate. Other than that, I've skated on GAM and loved them. Similar to Jackson in size. I find them a bit wider in the toes. Maybe a lower heel? Check out Kenzie's closet because they have size charts with the actual measurement in inches so you can check the length. I have only heard of a select few people saying they 'hate' GAM (I might have been one of them when I had warped skates

). In general, they're comfortable and good for kids. They didn't have a model in high enough stiffness in stock at the place I bought my last set of Jackson's at or I probably would have bought GAM again despite the problems I had.

Edit: in terms of breakdown (mentioned by Bill), as with any brand, it's important to make sure the skate is appropriate for your needs. GAM, like other brands, make a wide range of skates from rec all the way up to strong enough triples, quads, etc. Google the model number so you know what you're getting. GAM and Jackson broke down in a similar amount of time for me.

Bill_S · December 30, 2014, 07:28:16 PM

If it helps, here are photos of the GAM boots that I owned briefly. I sold them many years ago.

Maybe that will help narrow down the model that I had and disliked. I do remember that they fit comfortably, but they just didn't support my ankle enough.

amy1984 · December 30, 2014, 11:06:35 PM

Those don't look supportive. I can see why they broke down. I can make out a '65' on them, but there's numbers I can't see. However, I guess I should remember that skates have changed a lot, even in the last 10 years.

Quote from: Bill_S on December 30, 2014, 07:28:16 PM
If it helps, here are photos of the GAM boots that I owned briefly. I sold them many years ago.

Maybe that will help narrow down the model that I had and disliked. I do remember that they fit comfortably, but they just didn't support my ankle enough.

jlspink22 · December 31, 2014, 01:38:33 PM

The ones I was looking at are the same support level as the ones she has now, it's either that or a pair of freestyles in C width. I wouldn't go any higher in support than that with her being little.

amy1984 · January 01, 2015, 01:05:35 AM

Quote from: jlspink22 on December 31, 2014, 01:38:33 PM
The ones I was looking at are the same support level as the ones she has now, it's either that or a pair of freestyles in C width. I wouldn't go any higher in support than that with her being little.

Makes sense.

Query · January 01, 2015, 07:59:51 AM

GAM and Jackson are owned by the same company. That doesn't necessarily mean they are identical.

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GAM skates