Is it the right time to upgrade skates?

[jourdanwantstoskate]

Hey everyone,

I've kind of curious if I'm approaching that time where I'll need to be upgrading my skates. I'm trying to think toward the future because as all of you know, skates aren't cheap so I'll have to start saving up now.

I've recently switched from group to private lessons, no reason other thank scheduling conflicts with my job. Due to the private lessons, I've made a lot quicker progress than before. I've been working on forward outside 3 turns, mohawks, forward & backward crossovers, 1-foot spins, holding edges on the circle, and most recently my landing position. My coach says that we're going to start the waltz jump on thursday.

My main concern is that I'm a 5'11" female, I weigh about 180 and I'm in Riedell 121 RS. I was going to get the 133 TS, but apparently they don't make them in my size, which is an 11. The boots on the 121's already have pretty bad creases where the flex-notch would be, and whenever I'm holding my landing position, my ankle just does not feel like it's anywhere near being supported enough. Also, spinning is a little on the more difficult side with my current skates as it's a low quality blade, therefore the rocker is minuscule at best. I've only been skating since April so I'd hate to get rid of my skates so quickly, but if it will help me then I'm willing to do it.

any thoughts? maybe time to upgrade?

[sarahspins]

If you have deeply creased the 121's in 6 months I don't think the 133's would ultimately fare much better - while your weight does have some impact on boot lifespan, how you skate and how often you skate plays a bigger part.  I broke down skates faster as a 125lb teenager than I do now as an adult and 40lbs heavier.. but I also spent much more time on the ice when I was younger.  I skate in very stiff boots but it works for me - I'd feel very insecure in anything softer, and ankle bend has never been a problem for me.

What does your coach have to say about boots?  You may need to move up to a higher level skate (more than one level above the 121's) if you aren't feeling enough ankle support.  Working with a good fitter can also give you a better idea of what is available - I am pretty sure you could in fact get the 133's in your size if you decided to go with those (the men's version can be ordered in white), but the 255 or even a competitive level boot may be a better option.

[jourdanwantstoskate]

thank you for replying,

the crease in the 121's isn't horrible, it's just more than anything I almost feel like I'm getting too much ankle bend in them, if that makes any sense? I haven't talked to my coach about it much but I probably will on thursday. I do skate 4 or 5 times a week, usually for an hour and a half to two hours.

I'm not sure of the quality of the fitter at my rink. It's just the woman who runs the skate academy, she fitted me in the wide, size 11 riedell 121's. The only brands she sells are Edea & Riedell.

[sampaguita]

I would advise against the 133. They're about the same stiffness as the 121. If you're having creases at the flex notch with the 121, you're going to break down your 133 in no time.

I have tried on both Edea and Riedell. IMO, Riedell is the better brand for the lower-end skates -- that, plus Riedell is heat moldable, while Edea is not. (The Edea Ice Fly, however, is a completely different matter.) I suggest trying on the Riedell 255 and see how that works for you. If it's too stiff, maybe you can try the 229 (? - it's the model between the 133 and the 255).

[FigureSpins]

I would advise against the 133. They're about the same stiffness as the 121. If you're having creases at the flex notch with the 121, you're going to break down your 133 in no time.
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I suggest trying on the Riedell 255 and see how that works for you. If it's too stiff, maybe you can try the 229 (? - it's the model between the 133 and the 255).

Riedell's 121 model is not the same stiffness as the 133 model.  The 133 provides more support, especially in the adult sizes.  Just mho.  For someone just working on the basic skills, the 133 is fine.

The 229's are supposed to be the same stiffness as the 133's, but with a traditional leather sole instead of PVC soles.  I've seen several pairs that developed a painful crease at the pinky toe/ball of the foot.  Very strange place for it to crease and one family that went back to Riedell for an exchange twice were told that it's the joint where the two pieces of support connect.  I wouldn't recommend the 229's.

The 255's are more stiff than the 133's if you're not concerned about being able to break them in.  However, at the OP's level, a too-stiff skate will take a while to become comfortable for skating.  That can delay process.  The price difference is something else to consider for a Basic 8-level skater: the 255TS costs around $315, whereas the 133TS costs $200.  I would suggest buying the 133 TS model for now and upgrade to the 255 TS when sit/camel spins and Flip/Lutz jumps are on the horizon.  Just my opinion.

Whatever you do, make sure the sizing is correct because another cause of skate breakdown is incorrect fitting.  If the skate's too wide or too big, the boot will develop deep creases when it molds to your foot/ankle.

[jourdanwantstoskate]

thank you so much for the help!

how do you know if your skates are too big? I started wondering about that today because whenever I was practicing my 1 foot spins, as I put my weight in the ball of my foot, I noticed that my heel was slipping up just a little bit in the back of my boot? Does this mean they're too big? and how close are your toes supposed to be to the end of the boot?

[JSM]

If your foot is flat in your skate, your toes should be just at or very near the end of the boot.  The reason for this is to position your foot to use the rocker properly!  Also, trying to do toe jumps in too big of a boot can be very painful!

Heel slippage can be due to a few different reasons.  If the boot is too long, and your foot moves forward, the heel can move as well.  If they are too wide, your heel can slip upwards even if the length is correct.  Also, if the boot is older/breaking down, the padding can compress and result in heel slippage even in well fitting skates.

I'm sure there are other reasons too!  Getting properly fitting skates can be such an expensive endeavor, but worth it once you get it right.  If the boots fit, everything else can fall (no pun intended) into place.