Good fitter near DC or upstate NY?

[Query]

Marlan @ Fairfax ice arena says that because my boot size differs by heel-to-toe vs arch length I should find a find a fitter with a Jackson 3d scanner who also fits custom Riedells. Any good ones within a few hundred miles of DC or upstate NY?

[AlbaNY]

I don't know about the scanner aspect, but Dave at Westside in Long Island City is very good at custom fittings.  I went through him for my customs, and I see a lot of people on other skating focused internet chats recommending the same for the NY region.

Upstate is a broad term.  I liked the advice that Cassie at Northern Ice & Dance in Potsdam gave me when I was starting out and would trust her for a fitting. 
There's a shop in Boston (a few hundred miles from upstate NY?) that many people recommend also.  I knew skaters who went there for custom Harlick fittings.  I'd have to check on the name.
Many skaters I know go to a lady in Skaneateles for fittings, and I have her info if you want.  Again, I never saw a 3d scanner except that I think Westside had something like that for Auras? 

[Query]

Many skaters I know go to a lady in Skaneateles for fittings, and I have her info if you want.

Thanks. I want. My relatives live near Ithaca. Skaneateles is the closest.

I keep trying to reach people at Jackson, Riedell and Graf, for their referrals, and info on whether they can accommodate my feet. So far no luck.

Each skate brand that uses 3D scanners (CCM [for hockey ], Jackson, maybe Graf), has their own scanner, which are incompatible. I think the CCM one just lists the closest stock CCM size, much like Dr. Scholl's insole fitters.

I'm tempted to check out Avanta. Maybe they have less business since their public conflict with Karen Chen, so their delay isn't too long...

Aura has stopped making custom figure skates. But their contact number, near Chicago, is also Avanta's.

Given the high cost of custom figure skates, it might be worth driving somewhere like Chicago if I thought they could do it right.

I don't even know for certain that I need custom boots. But my toes are close to twice as wide as my heel, and heel-to-toe vs arch-length (i.e. heel to ball on the inside edge of the foot) would lead to 1 shoe size different. Plus, I think I want a horizontal footbed, with no bend line and no forwards tilt, though I should really try some sort of experiment to see if I can use that.

[AlbaNY]

I'll message you the contact information a bit later.

Good luck.  I'd probably try Avanta myself.

[AlbaNY]

Query, I couldn't figure out how to pm an image, and now I don't see how to add one on here either.  Can you point out the right thing to click??

[AlbaNY]

Ugh.  I had to use imgur.
I hope it works.

ETA: okay, not on the first try.  Here's a link:  https://imgur.com/a/If5HUzV

[Query]

Cool.

[Nate]

I would just go wherever Harlick tells me to go and get fitted for their customs, with as many measurements as humanly possible as well as pictures, etc. sent to them.

I find the customs from most other brands to be a bit too "minimum effort."

Pretty sure the Custom Grafs I ordered were literally stock boots they slapped a hook on and sent out as is, and they were the most expensive boots I have ever purchased.

[AlbaNY]

I would just go wherever Harlick tells me to go and get fitted for their customs, with as many measurements as humanly possible as well as pictures, etc. sent to them.

I find the customs from most other brands to be a bit too "minimum effort."

Pretty sure the Custom Grafs I ordered were literally stock boots they slapped a hook on and sent out as is, and they were the most expensive boots I have ever purchased.

You know I love my Harlicks.  I entirely agree with you except that Query probably doesn't want to wait 18 months.

  I don't think I want to know how much custom Grafs are knowing how much my Harlicks added up to. 

[Loops]

For whatever it's worth, i talked to Will at avanta earlier this fall. Their going rate is 2500 USD. And their wait was acceptable (i did forget how long it was  once I saw the price tag).

Does Jackson still even do customs? How competitive is Avantas price?

[Query]

I phoned Will (the other Avanta bootmaker is Charles). $2250, 22-23 week delay. Expedited $800-$1000 extra (call main office), 8 week delay, not recommended. They just sent fitter to Maryland, so no more scheduled. They could send fit kit with wet sock casts; usually works well; but recommended travel to them for final mods. If unsatisfied with fit, 15 day return policy - but policy below says 675 is non-refundable.

Full custom fit, including things like heel height (usual=1+5/8" for freestyle, 1+3/4" for Dance), bend line (i.e. ball of foot) position & orientation. Not sure Jackson Rapid Customs do either.

He said send pictures of old boots for rebuild info.

[Query]

Avanta sent me:

We are glad you were able to connect with Will about your skates. To help you get started with the ordering process, please follow the link below to access our order form and policies:

Order Form and Policies https://6bg2satj.paperform.co

Steps to Proceed:

    Review the policies on the link above.
    Complete the order form and submit it.
    Pay Invoice

The current price is $2,250, with a 50% deposit of $1,125 required to get started. If you would like to proceed with the order, please fill out and submit the online order form. Once we receive your order form submission we will send you your invoice for the deposit.

For Fitting Options:

    Virtual Fitting: Upon receiving your payment, we will promptly ship your fitting kit and provide you with all the necessary tracking information.
    In-Person Fitting: Upon receiving your payment, we will secure your in-person fitting, confirming the date, time, and location for your convenience.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're always here to help!

[AlbaNY]

That's still a while to wait, so ouch at the price.  As I recall that is around the Harlick price but much faster.  I don't know about custom Jacksons except that some coaches at my LTS had them and happily.  Personally I'd feel more comfortable with an in person fitting for all the money we spend on the skates.

[Query]

Custom Harlicks start at $1795, but they are now up to almost 2 years delay.

Must discourage many people from buying custom boots - maybe me included.

I really, really wish I could find a shop that stocks Jackson Ultima Freestyle boots in mens size 6 (or close) wide, so I could try them on. Maybe they can be wide enough - and I would make an insole to snug the heel and midfoot. But I don't know about the heel height, and the position, orientation and depth of the bend line at the ball of the foot.

Maybe I don't need Jackson Freestyle level boots. I'm doing 1/2 rotation jumps, and never did ice dances past Pre-Bronze. But I'm 140 lbs, and I still try deep edges.

I don't see "Freestyle" boots on Jackson's website - except on the fit guide. I'll call Jackson for info and for store suggestions.

[LunarSkater]

I'm onto my second pair of custom boots with Riedell. If you can find a good fitter, who is familiar with Riedells, it might be a way to go. My new pair cost $1200. I got them in about eight weeks, I think?

From my discussion with Rainbo Sport Nashville my first time getting customs, heel height from shortest to tallest: Riedell - Risport - Jackson - Edea & Avanta. That was pre-COVID, so I don't know what, if any, changes have been made to boot models since.

As for boot model, please do not decide a boot based off your skill level. Your skill level would put you in a boot that won't support your weight. You shouldn't go for an advanced boot, but I very much think you would be unhappy with a beginner level boot. Don't compare stiffness ratings between brands, they aren't consistent. Whenever my LTS skaters ask what brand of boots to buy, I always tell them the one that fits their foot the best. In your case, you might need to special order a wider boot. Or you might need to end up in full customs. But only a good skate store with a vareity of brands to try can help you with that. I hope you are able to find someone.

[Query]

A Riedell factory fitter told me they couldn't make boots for people like me with wide toes - but that was about 20 years ago.

My biggest custom item is wide toes and lower heels. I'm leaning now towards modifying stock Jackson "Freestyle" (model name) boots. Cheaper and 5 day delivery.

Based on Jackson's fit guide, I am men's size 6 or women's size 7.5.

I bought used women's 7.5 wide "Freestyle" (model name) for $35, at Play It Again Sports, that will probably fit, with custom insoles & heat molding, stiffer than my old boots but less stiff than new Freestyles. I just finished making new insoles for them (they are otherwise a bit big for me, though tstop4me suggested they might have expanded through use and heat molding), punched out the bend at the bottom of the tongue that was impinging on the toes using a ball & ring pliers. I'll heat mold today.

I plan to cut down the heels, because I'm always fighting the lean created by high skate heels. But that means changing the fit, shimming the blade mounting plate, filling & redrilling holes, and making it harder to reach the toepick on the Ultima Aspire XP blades that come with them (1/2" ROH, already sharp, but a lot of wear).

Better to try all that on $35 used boots then on $380 new boots!

I already told one lady she was too sweet, kind and gentle to tease me about white boots. Do you know if Jackson Freestyles have a clear coat layer that must be removed, or can I just apply black shoe polish?

[LunarSkater]

Well, considering I have wide balls/toes and Riedell specifically says 'toe room' on their website, your information regarding what can be done with Riedell customs is out of date.

I hope your skates work for you.