Buying skates for an adult beginner??

[jourdanwantstoskate]

Hey everyone!

I'm going to be signing up for an adult Learn To Skate class near the end of April! I thought about buying recreational skates just from the local sporting goods store but I plan on practicing a lot and sticking with skating for the long-term, and after some research I'm starting to realize that I'd have to buy replacement skates pretty shortly after purchasing the recreational ones.

Sooooo....my question is....what would be the best skates for an adult beginner? I've read some other posts on this forum and figured out that I should give my weight and height so that I can get the best recommendations for me personally. So, here goes it..I'm 5'11", and I weigh 187 pounds. But the thing is that I'm losing weight. I've lost 43 pounds already and I'm gonna be losing 47 more. By the time the class starts I'm going to be around 165, but my ultimate goal is 140, so the short version of that is I should probably gear my skate shopping around being 140 pounds?

There is just so much info out there about skates. Buy boots and blades seperately or together? beginner boot or a stiffer boot so that it will last me longer??? IM SO CONFUSED!!

So here is the short version of what I'm thinking:

- I'm gonna be 140 pounds, 5'11", I normally wear a size 11 women's shoe, and have a pretty average width in both the ball of my foot and heel

- I'd prefer to buy a nicer boot that I can keep for a while as my foot is done growing

- For the first pair I'd prefer to buy a boot & blade packaged together, so that I can eventually keep the boot & just upgrade to a nicer blade

Also, I live in the Nashville area and I'm having trouble just finding figure skates in the first place. No one sells them. I'm willing to drive 45 minutes or so to get them because I want to be able to buy them in person and actually try them on my feet.

Oh yeah, my budget is about $200 - $250, and that's kind of stretching it, I'd prefer to keep it under $200.

Sorry this is so long, but thanks so much to those who reply!!

[jjane45]

Significant weight change affects boot width, I'd say don't buy anything expensive until your weight settles.

Are you an absolute beginner? If so, consider just getting a decent entry level pair that lasts you maybe a year, not something too stiff designed for freestyle.

[jourdanwantstoskate]

Thanks so much for replying!

I've never really held my weight in my feet. They've stayed the same through this whole process and are pretty bony already. There's not really any fat left to lose off of my feet.

I'm pretty much an absolute beginner. I can skate around at a decent pace without holding onto the boards, but that's about it. I grew up in Florida where we didn't really have anywhere to skate, so now, at 19, I'm finally getting to learn how!

Do you know how much an entry level skate costs? And what is a good one that you would suggest? I'm having trouble finding a place to buy skates in Nashville :/

[sarahonice]

I'm a relative beginner too (been skating a year). I decided to buy my own skates right at the start, but wasn't sure I wanted to go with the cheapest option ($120 range) or spring for a better pair at double the cost. I was pretty sure I was going to stick with skating, like you, but I wasn't absolutely certain and I didn't want to waste money.

I ended up going with entry-level Jackson Artistes. They're pretty much your most basic figure skating/freestyle skates. They come with the blades, and since the sole is PVC (not leather), you can't swap the blades out. I was told they'd last me a good 2 years.

I upgraded to Freestyles around 9 months in. My skates weren't totally broken down and I probably could have worn them months longer, but I was motivated more by wanting better equipment to match my improvement. I was learning scratch spin, backspin and loop then, which I didn't expect to be doing for another year, and I didn't feel my skates were stiff enough anymore. (I learned at a much faster rate than I anticipated but it would've been foolish to start out expecting that.)

If I'd bought the Freestyles right away I would have been fine but I don't regret going with the Artistes first. Even if I started with Freestyles I probably would've upgraded the stock blades after a year. When I bought the new boots I switched to Coronation Ace blades, which means I spent about $400 that time - not money I was willing to spend on Day 1.

[FigureSpins]

I agree with sarahonice's approach of starting with a good intro skate set and then upgrading after a few months.  You are tall, which means you need a boot with more support than a tiny tot, regardless of your height:weight ratio.  I would buy good skates now because dull, damaged rentals hold back progress in skating.  Plus, they hold their resale value well, so you could probably sell the starter skates and get back part of your purchase price. 

I would recommend the Jackson Classique skate set initially, which runs around $125-$150; the next-step would be Jackson Freestyle boot, which costs $190-205 plus the cost of the blade.  In the Riedell line, the 133 RS ($155) would be the entry-level skate set, with the 255 TS ($270) boot-only.  The John Wilson Coronation Ace, MK Professional or Eclipse Mist are all good blades and run around $220 per pair. 

If you feel the skates are getting too big/wide as you lose weight, you can pull up the insole and insert a cut-to-fit Dr. Sholl's insole underneath.  That will lift your foot up in the skate and make it a little more snug.

Welcome to AOSS and skatingforums!

[FigureSpins]

I think Orianna2000 has dealt with some of the pro shops in the Nashville area, so maybe she can recommend a skate fitter.

[accordion]

I had similar issues buying boots. Further complicated by the fact that here in OZ skates cost up to twice what they do in the USA. This despite our dollar parity!

So I measured my feet really carefully, then had a long email dialogue with Marion at SkatersLanding. I settled on the Jackson Classique for the reasons FigureSpins notes. After 18 months I still like them and am yet to "outlearn" them. I think I've got a few more years in them.

Recently bought both my daughter's skates from Skaterslanding. Service was terrific each time. My daughters are lighter than me and have growing feet. They got Jackson Mystiques which are ideal for them. The younger will get the older's boots as she grows. The elder may need a better boot when her feet grow out, we'll deal with that when it happens. I suspect that may be Christmas time. I can see skates going under the tree and a Zuca happening for her birthday in early Feb.

Funny (scary) story - my youngest has a skating buddy (SB), they met at summer camp, both absolute beginners. Her father left it a bit late getting boots before term started. The rink shop didn't have any of the entry or intermediate boots left in SB's size. Instead of waiting two weeks for the right size to come in he forked out $AUD450 on Jackson Elle's for his almost 8 year old daughter 

[Willowway]

As an adult beginner I suffered through a lot of 'over booting' (from way too stiff, to too stiff to painful back to too stiff, etc.) which caused all sorts of problems.

I have dropped back (so to speak) to a Jackson Elle - I love it. The break in period was very brief. I have reasonably strong legs and ankles so I'm not expecting the boot to do the work for me although I have lots of support in these. I don't jump so I don't need anything much stiffer.

They're great, great, great and I've been through more other boots than I care to admit.

[alejeather]

I decided to invest in a pair of skates about 3 weeks into LTS and the pro shop guy put me in a Jackson Freestyle with Ultima Mirage blade, with only the information that I wanted to progress to jumping. I think the level of boot was fine for me. The biggest problem was that the first pair was completely the wrong size. I ended up having to buy another pair just because of that.

I'm not entirely sure how close it is to Nashville, but I have heard that there is a good fitter and a decent stock at the Ice Chalet in Knoxville.

And on another note, I have a lightly used pair of Jackson Freestyles in size 10C with Ultima Mirage blades that I could give you a good price on if you thought they might work for you.

[pompeiii]

I've been skating for about a year now in LTS (delta). I ended up buying boots about a week into my second session. The rentals were killing my feet and my coach suggested buying skates. I ended up with Riedell 133s (5.5 R). They were fine for a while. I loved them in the beginning, but after a few months when I started doing more, it became apparent they didn't fit. Several trips to the pro shop, superfeet insoles, and finally, frustration on my part, I decided this past December that I was going to buy new skates. I went back to the same pro shop and after he measured my feet, we realized my skates were a half size too big and too narrow. I ended up in Riedell 229 (5W). Standing behind his original sale, the owner actually took back my old skates and just charged me the difference between the 2 models, even though I had worn the old skates for about 8 months. The 229 has a leather sole and is heat moldable, both of which I needed as my feet are 2 different sizes (my feet pronate and we wanted to be able to adjust the blade if necessary which is why we went with the 229 rather than swapping out for the 133 in my size). Anyway, I'm so much happier with these skates now that they're broken in. Not skating in pain makes all the difference.

In terms of price, the 133 (which is a decent skate, but the pair I had just didn't fit-- I probably would have gotten a year and a half or 2 years out of the skate)  runs around $150. The 229 was around $220ish. Both are boot/blade combos.

[kiwiskater]

I picked out my skates 5 weeks into LTS (Graf Prestige w MK Club2000). We don't get professional fitters etc over here & like accordian the cost is hideous...
I had the head coach come into the shop with me, she showed me the range of boot/blade combos that were appropriate & then I picked the most comfortable boot - I'm told that they can last all the way up to landing singles.

One big thing to note - do not let someone try to talk you into a boot that feels wrong, you will want something that only requires minor adjustment to fit - they were trying to talk me into buying a set of riedells that were way to narrow!

[aussieskater]

Something to remember is that each bootmaker works from a different last so no brand of boots will fit every foot well.  Some people fit Riedell well but hate Jackson; others love Jackson but wouldn't touch Risport etc.  The best thing you can do is try on different models by as many different manufacturers as you can, to find the maker whose last best fits your foot shape.  This may well involve visiting more than one shop; many shops only carry boots by one or two manufacturers.

Agree completely with kiwiskater's and willowway's excellent warnings.  Don't buy longer to try to get the correct width; an error made by many of us with wider feet - me included - when we started out.  The boot has to fit in both length and width. Also, don't let yourself be overbooted by an enthusiastic sales rep. This is one instance where burning cash can actually be counter-productive, rather than a luxury.  Even though you're tall and not the size of a flea, you probably don't need boots which are rated for triple jumps.

And finally, if you buy a set with a PVC sole (eg Jackson Classique), many skate technicians won't touch the blades except for sharpening, which means you won't be able to switch the blades out easily.  On the other hand, PVC soled boots are generally cheaper (always a plus in this expensive sport), and you might well be ready for stiffer boots at the same time as you "out-learn" the blades on such a set.

Have fun and enjoy skating!  It's addictive...

[VAsk8r]

Have you talked to your rink's skating director? We didn't have any good pro shops where I live, so when I decided I wanted to upgrade from the rec skates I bought at Sports Authority, I went to the skating director, who oversaw the LTS program. She measured my feet and recommended Jackson Classiques. I was able to order online without having to make a long drive.

Now granted...four years and three pairs of skates later, a highly recommended fitter at a rink 1.5 hours away told me my skates were a full size too big and had been breaking down quickly for that reason. But I also lost 20-25 pounds after that initial fitting so that might have had something to do with it. That pair of Classiques lasted almost two years.

[sampaguita]

You can also try to email the pro shop to see what they recommend. Some pro shops are kind enough to guide you through measurements and even recommend which brand would fit best for your feet.

[Robin]

My advice: never buy skates from a generic sporting goods store. I can not emphasize enough how important good equipment is for a beginner. Go to a pro shop, get fitted properly, and get a decent recreational pair. Riedell has an entire line just for adult beginners and recreational skaters. Be prepared to spend about $100. You will progress more rapidly with proper equipment. Your feet will be happier. The skates you get in sporting goods stores aren't nearly the same quality; the blades are often the wrong size for the boot, and the boot itself lacks support. A decent pair of Riedells will last longer.

[Robin]

Also, if you're in Nashville, the Centennial Sportsplex should have a pro shop, no? Nashville has a pretty sizeable figure skating club so there has to be a pro shop nearby. Check with the rink first. By the way, I'd go with the Riedells before the Jacksons.

[Traceekins]

Hi!

This thread in particular has already answered some of my most burning questions--especially which skates to choose as an adult beginner! I've been corresponding with a skate shop via e-mail, and they also suggested the Jackson Elle.

Now that I've read some of your responses, I'm sure the Jackson Elle will be right for me. Thanks everyone!

[sarahspins]

The Elles are great - my daughter (basic 5) has them now, and they've worked out really nicely for her so far.

[Mergen Tatara]

Based on OP's description of her feet as "average width", I'll say Riedell 133TS.  The stiffness is enough to last until double jumps.

[sampaguita]

Based on OP's description of her feet as "average width", I'll say Riedell 133TS.  The stiffness is enough to last until double jumps.

Nope, this is NOT true. I'm 100 lbs, and I broke down my Riedell 133 even before I started getting good waltz jumps. Riedell recommends it until FS2, which basically takes you through the half-jumps.

Please be careful posting information like this. We don't want other people to get injured because of false information.

[sarahspins]

I agree.. the 133 might last some kids through doubles (most kids around here move up before then though), but they are unlikely to last that long for most adults.

[FigureSpins]

I think Mergen is mixing up the Riedell 255's with the Riedell 133 model. 

However, Riedell's ratings have some wiggle room.  I keep students in the 133's until they have their single jumps, so the stiffness is fine for a 5'11" adult beginner.  In USFSA Basic Skills, that's essentially the entire Freeskate range; in ISI, it's through FS4.  The 133's are fine (and saves money) as long as the skater isn't very heavy/tall and the family doesn't expect to get twenty years out of the same pair of skates.  They will break down from jumps more quickly than the 255's, but they break in more quickly so mid-season replacements aren't a major hassle.

You can't always go by a chart in a book, but I wouldn't suggest the 133's for axels or doubles unless the skater was very tiny and still growing.

Sampaguita, iirc, you bought skates online that weren't properly sized and you used them for over a year.  Of course they broke down - the skates had a lot of mileage on them - they don't last forever, even if you don't jump a lot.  The more hours you use them, the more wear and tear.  Your crossover practices made me tired, lol.

[Willowway]

As I have stated in another thread, I love my Elles and I have been overbooted (and spent a fortune) by the best fitters around.

[CaraSkates]

However, Riedell's ratings have some wiggle room.  I keep students in the 133's until they have their single jumps, so the stiffness is fine for a 5'11" adult beginner.  In USFSA Basic Skills, that's essentially the entire Freeskate range; in ISI, it's through FS4.  The 133's are fine (and saves money) as long as the skater isn't very heavy/tall and the family doesn't expect to get twenty years out of the same pair of skates.  They will break down from jumps more quickly than the 255's, but they break in more quickly so mid-season replacements aren't a major hassle.

You can't always go by a chart in a book, but I wouldn't suggest the 133's for axels or doubles unless the skater was very tiny and still growing.

Good point! There is a teeny little skater at my rink  - she wears Riedells but I think they are an older model, equivalent to the 133's. She just moved into them when her feet grew, before she was in 121's. She is working on (and landing!) through 2flip and 2lutz but she probably only weighs 40lbs!

I started (as an adult sized teen) in 121's that got me through Basic Skills. A lot of the teens/adults at my rink who are working on axel/doubles wear the 1310s or 435's. Some of the younger kids wear the 910's but they are much smaller/lighter.

[Mergen Tatara]

Please be careful posting information like this. We don't want other people to get injured because of false information.

OK, my bad.  I retract what I said about lasting till double jumps.  I was just thinking of OP's beginner LTS needs with an affordable, good entry pair of skates for average-sized feet.

I think Mergen is mixing up the Riedell 255's with the Riedell 133 model.

As FigureSpins said.  Thanks for the correction.  255 will endure double jumps.

Although Jackson remains my favourite brand, they are for wide feet folks.