Harlicks

[Sk8tmum]

I know that there are lot of Harlick skaters on the board ... they are totally new to me, don't really know anyone who uses them - but we're looking at them (custom in all likelihood) - opinions? concerns? (gulp) price??   

Any input would be great. 

[AgnesNitt]

Really expensive.
Although I asked for boots for figures, when she saw them my coach told me they were stiff enough for doubles and I was over booted.
The left boot was a tiny bit too small and tore up one toe to the point the nail split down the middle. To its credit Harlicks rebuilt them. Same problem. I gave up.
I'm in the process of selling them.
I think my issue was the stiffness was put in due to my weight. I was overbooted by my fitter. I should have consulted with coaches I knew about what to ask for (double ankle notches or scallops for example).  

I would recommend really, really knowing what you want. Get your coach to write down what he/she recommends. I mean, every single detail: heel height, stiffness, ankle notches, special lacings, shaft height, cut backs, extra padding, side stiffeners, yada yada.

If the boots cause problems, send them back right away. I was told I could have got a better fitting by going directly to the company. Depending on where you live, that may be an option.

My experience is probably atypical. There are people on this board who swear by Harlicks.

[Kim to the Max]

I am in the "swear by them" category. My first pair were a used pair of customs that happen to fit my feet. I then went into an SP-Teri since they were cheaper. But, I promptly went back to Harlicks after that pair. I just liked how the Harlicks fit. I am lucky that I don't need customs, I am perfectly fine in the stiffest pair of stock boots they have (Finalists, they cost an arm and a leg at about $615, but I can get about 2 years out of them). I've been in the same size for a while, but we do take new measurements every time to make sure nothing changed. When I got my first new pair after my break I went up a width, but I expect with the weight I have lost that I might have gone back down - hence why we do new measurements

[Adultsk8r509]

I am also a big fan of Harlick boots.  I'm in phase III of my skating life.  I skated as a kid age 9-11 on used SP Teri's, then I had a pair of (someone else's) custom Harlick boots when I skated from age 18-20.  For the past 4-5 years I have skated 1-2 times a year on a pair of Reidell's (again used) but I just got my new Harlick Custom Boots and new Phantom Blades.  They are being mounted as I type this and tomorrow I will take them for a test drive.  The cost difference between stock and custom did not seem that much to me.  In addition I have quirky feet; bunions, meaty arches, narrow heels, very wide ball of foot.  Stock was no longer a consideration for me.

www.waltzjump.com

Diane

[irenar5]

I switched to custom Harlicks (Competitor Plus) from Riedells 875.  Due to an injury, I have only been able to try them on ice twice.  The reason for the switch was heel sliding and too little toe room in Riedells.  I got the lightweight design and a  flex notch for my options. 

Impressions:
They had to be punched out a few times after heat molding -for some reason even custom boots do not come with prepunched ankles.  The sole (I just had a regular leather insole) feels very hard, so I had to get shock absorbing insoles from Harlick, but have not tried them out yet.
The boots have a lot of padding inside (much more than Riedells), especially above the heel, which stabilizes the heel very well. They are definitely wider than my Riedells, so there is nice room for my toes to spread out.   
One of my feet is a little longer than the other, however, both boots seem to be the same size, based on how my blades fit on the sole, will see if there is an issue with that.

All in all- in my case the jury is still out on the boot, will post later as I skate more in them.

[Robin]

I used Harlick customs for years until they priced themselves out of the market. I loved them, but these days, for the features I want, they're ridiculously expensive (you can go on their web site and do the calculations). I have since discovered Klingbeil.They're all-leather (no gimmicky "technology" or plastics involved), and the boots are all one price, no matter what you want for features, and they're less expensive than Harlick for what I think is a much better quality and better fitting boot. They are, hands-down, the finest quality skate you will get anywhere. And they're still hand-made in New York City. Also, the service can't be beat. Thank goodness they're staying in business! That said, I don't dislike Harlick, but I've found a better boot with Klingbeil. My husband uses them, my coach swears by them, and so do most of the adults at my club. You may want to explore this option.

[Sk8tmum]

I used Harlick customs for years until they priced themselves out of the market. I loved them, but these days, for the features I want, they're ridiculously expensive (you can go on their web site and do the calculations). I have since discovered Klingbeil.They're all-leather (no gimmicky "technology" or plastics involved), and the boots are all one price, no matter what you want for features, and they're less expensive than Harlick for what I think is a much better quality and better fitting boot. They are, hands-down, the finest quality skate you will get anywhere. And they're still hand-made in New York City. Also, the service can't be beat. Thank goodness they're staying in business! That said, I don't dislike Harlick, but I've found a better boot with Klingbeil. My husband uses them, my coach swears by them, and so do most of the adults at my club. You may want to explore this option.

My skater has worn Klingbeils for several years. We are very familiar with the quality and the pricing model that Don uses, and his expertise in fitting. The Harlicks that we have now ordered, and are handmade in California, are actually less expensive than Klings; all in custom Harlicks, with all of the same features that we used to get on our Klings, which are extensive, are $685 - we hit the cost cap that they put in place for options selected - (which is not that much more than the $649 that Don charges if you go to his store); to order the same Klings from our local guy, it's $900+.  When you are not local to NYC, it is hard to get them fitted properly and the cost escalates.

Many skaters in our area wear or have worn Klings; some love them, some actively dislike them, and it varies from coach to coach and skater to skater. I hope Don does stay in business - he provides an excellent product that works for many skaters, and he did a great job fitting my skater.

[Robin]

Don't get me wrong; Harlick does make a nice boot. I loved mine. I'd go back to them if Klingbeil weren't around because I just don't care for Riedell, Jackson, or especially Graf.  But I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who can get to Don's shop easily.