Used Skates (little kids)

[jlspink22]

I've been on the search for my daughter's next pair for a while since we have had so many break in issues with the last ones (freestyles), but would you believe after 2 overnights on a stretcher, heat molding, padding, wrapping, gel sleeves and now no socks those suckers don't seem to bother her anymore.

Of course I got them on ebay for $40(*maybe less).

I think Jackson Elle's would be better for her, or newer model freestyles that have been worn a bit, but of course finding gently used in a toddler/little girl 12 is like a needle in a haystack.

Those of you with younger kids - did you just suck it up and drop $2-300 or did you keep searching for a deal?

I'll admit I am cringing just thinking about the break in process again.

[JSM]

Have you talked to other parents at your facility?  Used boots are plentiful if you know where to go!  I know a lot of parents that try to sell their child's old skates right at the rink, by word of mouth.  Occasionally I see postings, but more often they go through coaches or just by chatting during a skating session, from one family to another.

Depending on where you live, local skate shops or pro shops may have used boots to try on.  Otherwise, local competitions are GREAT places to find used skating gear - a lot of comps will have a resale for dresses, boots, blades, etc.

As a growing skater I commonly got another skater's hand me downs - it was a great deal for both parents.  My parents didn't have to spend so much on new boots, and the older skater's parents knew they would recoup a bit of the cost of new ones.  It worked well!

[Loops]

I would second this.  At my rink growing up we had an annual skate swap (which was really a sale) at the beginning of the season.  I got all my skates and dresses, both practice and competition from those, and passed things on when I was done with them.  If your club doesn't do this already, it might be something to try and get started (with all your free time, I know right?).  It was great, and a great social moment as well, as I recall.

[jlspink22]

We are still waiting for her club app to be approved so right now I don't know anyone but I'll ask her coach if they do this. I really would rather stay used until she is a bit older if I can.

[sarahspins]

I'm all for deals if they are convenient, but if you need new boots now and just can't find anything in the right size, then I'm okay with buying new as well.  That was the case with my daughter - she has wider feet so finding used boots that fit her has proven to be tricky.  We lucked out with a $35 pair of Freestyles a couple of years ago, but when she outgrew those I bought her a new pair of Elle's because I just couldn't find anything appropriate in her size/width.  She is just about to outgrow those and I was going to buy another pair (I was on the fence about staying with the Elle or moving up to the Freestyle since she's gotten bigger/stronger since we got the Elle's) but then I found a pair of NOS Pro Teri's on ebay in her size for only $80 so we are going to give those a try.  $80 was worth the gamble to me, and pro teri's are similar in strength to Freestyles, so if they fit her feet they should work out fine

[jlspink22]

Found a pair! They are reidells but wide and will likely need to be stretched more but are fully leather with a decent blade. Again older model (f98 with jubilee blade) but for $20 I'll take it.