Favorite brands of skates?

[isakswings]

I know this will vary from skater to skater and can change over time too, but what are your favorite brands of skates and why? Dd has worn Riedell and Jackson. She has worn Jackson skates for awhile and loved them until now. What other brands do you or your skaters love? A store near us stocks Risport skating boots. We also have a fitter we can go to for help with other brands of skates. Are Risport boots worth checking out? Edeas are becoming very popular too. What about those?

I am also considering taking her to have them heat molded again. These boots are only 5 months old! The GOOD thing is I could likely use her skates for myself. Mine are a tad too small and put my feet to sleep. Hers mostly fit me, but are much stiffer then I would have bought. I would have purchased Jackson freestyle boots. Lol.

[Willowway]

Although I'm sure people here are happy to share their experiences, what you say is true - it varies. No two people have the same experience with a boot model and a lot of us as adults who will wear a well-fitting boot for far longer than any growing child really have very little to offer in terms of direct experience re: a young skater's boot and fit for a young, growing foot. 

Just because I, at my advanced age, might like my Jacksons (and I do) and am tortured in Riedells means nothing vis-a-vis the best fit for your daughter; the lasts for adult boots have very little to do with the lasts for smaller boots. Every boot has fans and detractors as the previous thread about Edea demonstrates very well.

I know you're trying to find the boot that is right (currently since her foot is always changing) for her foot, her skating level (stiffness) and her fit preferences (I like extra room across the broadest part of my foot and a vice-tight heel but that's me). Trying and trying and trying is, as I am sure you already know, the only way. It's time and $$$ consuming - and I know you know more about those aspects of it than I do!

That said, having her boots heat molded again risks very little and you might avoid buying a new pair right now. There's no reason that I know not to try that. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work.

Here is one piece of advice I would give if it helps. Kids are usually not quite as expressive and specific as adults about how boots feel when they try them on. They feel it; they may not express the fit issues in ways that would assist us. I am thinking specifically about an interaction I sat through at Skaters Landing not long ago while I was waiting through a sharpening. 9 year old skater getting news boots with terrific Dad as sidekick. She tries them on, they are laced properly by the fitter. When asked she says "they fit okay" and was non-commital beyond that. The Dad, who clearly knew his daughter, asked very specific questions (which the fitter picked up on and went with) - "how does your little toe feel on that side? on the other side? the same? can you wiggle it?"  and so on through the whole boot ("is there any extra room there? or there?"). Results, the boot was a little loose in the heel and a touch wide - all things she never might have said. They went to another brand. It was a great lesson in kid communications - I was impressed!

[hopskipjump]

She has had jackson and riedell.  She liked both but riedell fit better (special order split width).  once you find a boot that works, we have no desire to try something else.

[isakswings]

Although I'm sure people here are happy to share their experiences, what you say is true - it varies. No two people have the same experience with a boot model and a lot of us as adults who will wear a well-fitting boot for far longer than any growing child really have very little to offer in terms of direct experience re: a young skater's boot and fit for a young, growing foot. 

Just because I, at my advanced age, might like my Jacksons (and I do) and am tortured in Riedells means nothing vis-a-vis the best fit for your daughter; the lasts for adult boots have very little to do with the lasts for smaller boots. Every boot has fans and detractors as the previous thread about Edea demonstrates very well.

I know you're trying to find the boot that is right (currently since her foot is always changing) for her foot, her skating level (stiffness) and her fit preferences (I like extra room across the broadest part of my foot and a vice-tight heel but that's me). Trying and trying and trying is, as I am sure you already know, the only way. It's time and $$$ consuming - and I know you know more about those aspects of it than I do!

That said, having her boots heat molded again risks very little and you might avoid buying a new pair right now. There's no reason that I know not to try that. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work.

Here is one piece of advice I would give if it helps. Kids are usually not quite as expressive and specific as adults about how boots feel when they try them on. They feel it; they may not express the fit issues in ways that would assist us. I am thinking specifically about an interaction I sat through at Skaters Landing not long ago while I was waiting through a sharpening. 9 year old skater getting news boots with terrific Dad as sidekick. She tries them on, they are laced properly by the fitter. When asked she says "they fit okay" and was non-commital beyond that. The Dad, who clearly knew his daughter, asked very specific questions (which the fitter picked up on and went with) - "how does your little toe feel on that side? on the other side? the same? can you wiggle it?"  and so on through the whole boot ("is there any extra room there? or there?"). Results, the boot was a little loose in the heel and a touch wide - all things she never might have said. They went to another brand. It was a great lesson in kid communications - I was impressed!

I should have specified...dd is 14+ yrs old and and wears women's shoes and skating boots. Her foot hasn't grown in length for 2 years.

[isakswings]

She has had jackson and riedell.  She liked both but riedell fit better (special order split width).  once you find a boot that works, we have no desire to try something else.

That is how we have felt about Jackson until now. I hope we can find a way to make these work,

[twokidsskatemom]

That is how we have felt about Jackson until now. I hope we can find a way to make these work,

I have a pair of edeas that she can try out if that would help her. They are molded to dd feet but there is no reason you couldn't take a blow dryer and mold them to J Feet.
I think they are 250s,
let me know if that is something that would help, at least she could skate in them and see if they are a good boot for her.

[hopskipjump]

What is different about the boots she has now and the ones she had 5 months ago?

[rosereedy]

I skated in Risport, Riedell, SP Teri and Klingbeil. I love my Klings the best then SP Teri. Hated the other two. Just never fit me right.

[Mergen Tatara]

Jackson or GAM, because I have super wide (duck's) feet.  My width in each foot is about 40% its length     Can't change my genes 

[isakswings]

What is different about the boots she has now and the ones she had 5 months ago?

She was in Freestyles and moved to Premiere boots. She couldn't stay in Freestyles since she would have broken them down too quickly. It was suggested by another coach/skate fitter that perhaps as she has grown, he feet have changed(widened or something). They have not grown in length but her body has. She doesn't usually complain about boots unless they are breaking down or getting too small. These are neither too small or breaking down. It is a bummer...I like Jackson boots but not if they are hurting her. Her feet hurt and from what she says, it is not one area in particular. Plus, the tongue is cutting her skin. That is easily solved...but the pain causes her feet to hurt and hinders development some.

[isakswings]

I have a pair of edeas that she can try out if that would help her. They are molded to dd feet but there is no reason you couldn't take a blow dryer and mold them to J Feet.
I think they are 250s,
let me know if that is something that would help, at least she could skate in them and see if they are a good boot for her.

That may work! I will message you. I think that is the size we would need to try. Did G not like them? Do you know what size blades they need?

[isakswings]

I skated in Risport, Riedell, SP Teri and Klingbeil. I love my Klings the best then SP Teri. Hated the other two. Just never fit me right.

Thanks!

[isakswings]

Jackson or GAM, because I have super wide (duck's) feet.  My width in each foot is about 40% its length     Can't change my genes 

Bummer! Dd has normal or slightly narrow feet. I am trying to avoid customs boots. We haven't needed them before!

[AgnesNitt]

The good thing about being an adult skater, is once you find a model and size that fit, you never have to worry about it again--until the company redesigns it.

[davincisop]

Like everyone else has said, this is all subjective.   I have super wide feet apparently for a girl, so my Reidells I had forever weren't ever comfortable and would cause my feet to go to sleep. When I switched to Jacksons, because I heard they were better for a wider foot, I loved them. I had to get a custom E width but it was worth it. I plan on sticking to Jacksons.

I noticed that Edea Ice Flys seem to be becoming a trend around rinks. I already know they probably would not work for me due to my foot width but I know two girls that have them and seem to love them.

[isakswings]

Like everyone else has said, this is all subjective.   I have super wide feet apparently for a girl, so my Reidells I had forever weren't ever comfortable and would cause my feet to go to sleep. When I switched to Jacksons, because I heard they were better for a wider foot, I loved them. I had to get a custom E width but it was worth it. I plan on sticking to Jacksons.

I noticed that Edea Ice Flys seem to be becoming a trend around rinks. I already know they probably would not work for me due to my foot width but I know two girls that have them and seem to love them.

We are going to try out a pair of Edeas. Many skaters in our area like them. We considered Edeas when we bought her boots, but I decided against them because we didn't know much about them. The Ice Flys look interesting. Edeas may or may not work for dd either. I am bummed about the Jackson's not working for J. I thought we were good to go. Just goes to show that things change!

[isakswings]

The good thing about being an adult skater, is once you find a model and size that fit, you never have to worry about it again--until the company redesigns it.

True! I have Riedell boots but I think they are too small...my left toes fall asleep. :/ I fit into dds Jacksons but the toe box needs to be a little wider. I have been dealing with my boots because I am not the competitive skater. Anyway....thanks for the reply!

[SynchKat]

Wifa.  I have only ever had one pair of Jaksons and didn't really like them at all. I have narrow feet so Wifa skates are perfect for my feet. 

[isakswings]

Wifa.  I have only ever had one pair of Jaksons and didn't really like them at all. I have narrow feet so Wifa skates are perfect for my feet.

Thanks! She is going to try out a pair of Edeas. We'll see how they work out for her. She tried on another skaters Edeas and liked how they felt on her feet. She said they felt much better then her Premieres feel. If these work, I will have to see if I can sell her Premieres. They are only 5 months old! :/ Jacksons have always fit her well...not now!

[severina]

I love my edea concerto.  I would have gotten the ice fly but I first wanted to try the one that felt most like a skating boot rather than a tennis shoe.   Now that I like them I'm going to use the ice fly in the future when these break down.

I am 35, 120lbs and I do double jumps.

[isakswings]

I love my edea concerto.  I would have gotten the ice fly but I first wanted to try the one that felt most like a skating boot rather than a tennis shoe.   Now that I like them I'm going to use the ice fly in the future when these break down.

I am 35, 120lbs and I do double jumps.

Thanks! Today was the first time she skated in the Edeas. Still some pain, but these are much stiffer then her Jacksons. We are heat molding them tonight. She did say they felt better after she'd been in them awhile and that they felt better then her Jackson boots. Tomorrow she will skate in them again. If they work, she will stay in them.

[treesprite]

I am in love with Jackson Elite Plus. I wore my new ones for the first time yesterday, and they are my second pair of them. I have never had to use a pad or special insole or anything in the old pair, and am expecting the new pair to be the same (they are the same model and size). The boots I've had in the past were Riedell and SP Teri, both of which required the use of pads due to discomfort, and I developed bunions due to the narrow toe boxes. 

[Robin]

I have used Riedell, Harlick, SPTeri, Risport, Jackson, and Klingbeil. I currently use Klingbeil customs and have had Harlick customs. After wearing these, it was impossible to go to the plastic boots like Jackson and Risport. I hated both. (I used SPTeri for figures back in the day when we used to do figures.)