Opinions on Riedell 255 vs 229, 910 and 435

[dlbritton]

I was skating on Riedell 255 TS before they were stolen. The fitter has recommended the new 255 Motion as a replacement since they are very similar to what I was on.

However I need a wide which is a non-stock boot and it will be the end of August at the earliest before any wides will be available. I have emailed Riedell to see if they have the 229, 910 or 435 in stock in my size.

I am 60 years old, male, 200 pounds and have been skating for 2 years. I am in Adult 6 and hope to test pre-bronze and bronze MITF in the future.

I notice the Riedell 229 is now available in a men's wide (was not available in a wide 2 years ago when I bought the 255s) and is listed a stock boot. The 229 is listed through single jumps and the 255 is listed through double jumps. I will never do a double jump (the fitter agreed with that assessment).

Should I consider the 229 if Riedell has my size in stock or would I skate out of it in a short time?

The 910 is also listed with men's wides as a stock size. The stiffness and jump levels are the same as the 255. What is the difference between the two and should I consider a 910 if it is available in my size?


The 435 is my 3rd alternative but men's wides are a non-stock size so it may be a moot point. Would that be too much boot if it is available? The fitter did feel it is probably too much boot but I am soliciting more opinions.

I hate having to wait another 6 weeks just to start trying on sizes (I need to see if an 8 1/2W or a 9W is the correct size) which is why I am considering the 229, 910 or 435 if they are available sooner.

Or should I just be patient and wait until the 255 is available? 

[sarahspins]

Honestly the stiffness of boots and what you need has less to do with what jumps you are doing and everything to do with your own strength - stronger (and also heavier skaters***) need stronger boots.  I wear skates rated for triples - I will absolutely *never* be using mine for triples

With that said, unless you found your old 255's to be too stiff, I wouldn't suggest moving down to the 229, you probably would break them down fairly quickly.  You could probably safely consider the 910 or the 435 without a lot of risk of being "over" booted since you have such a strong skiing background - meaning you're not exactly the "average" Adult 6 skater.

*** Honestly pretty much ALL adults fall into this category, unless they happen to be very very petite - we're just bigger than kids, which is the size most boot makers have in mind when recommending appropriate skating levels.  Because of that, it's much harder to overboot a lower level adult with mid-level freeskate boots than it would be with a kid - if you put a kid in the same skates and they wouldn't be able to bend at all, while adults can usually do just fine with skates rated a level or two above where their skills are.

[dlbritton]

Sarahspins: Thanks for the feedback. I included my weight because I figured it was relevant.

Can anyone comment on the "skating" difference in the 255 and the 910? I see the 910 has 3 hooks rather than 4 and a low cut back. What do those items impact? It is listed as a "Crossover" skate, whatever that is. Is it intended as a dual purpose figure/dance skate or similar?

I found an interesting chart on the Kinzies Closet site comparing the 2013 and 2014 Riedell boots since the 2014s are stiffer.
But from the skills listed on the chart I definitely need to stick with the 255, 910 or 435.


2013                  2014                     Skills                                                                                                       
255TS                229 Edge              Advanced stroking, crossovers, consecutive edges, one-foot spins
910LS                                             Beginning Single Jumps

435TS                910 Flair               All Single Jumps, Spins such as backspin, scratch and sit. Simple footwork.
                          255 Motion
                          435 Bronze

[Loops]

Can anyone comment on the "skating" difference in the 255 and the 910? I see the 910 has 3 hooks rather than 4 and a low cut back. What do those items impact? It is listed as a "Crossover" skate, whatever that is. Is it intended as a dual purpose figure/dance skate or similar?

I am not up to date on Riedell, but do skate in a dance boot. The 910 does sound like a crossover.  The lower back will help your extension and toe point. I find I rather like that feature. I also find the lower back more comfortable. (Caveat-I think all skates are now lower cut than my 1990era Riedells.)  I am less sold on the lower sides, I haven't the ankle strength to control the depth of my edges; it's either very shallow or I boot out.  Or maybe I just prefer a higher cut boot. Or maybe I need to do a ton of relevés.....

But I can do up to a single Lutz just fine in them, and the boots aren't what's holding me back on attempting an axel (it's the blades ). And I've heard Jason Brown skates in dance boots. 

I am glad I tried dance boots.  I don't know how the 910s compare to mine (3-hook risport dance), but the people at Riedell have always been ready to answer whatever questions I had. I would call to find out how much lower they are, especially on the sides. My opinion is that the 910s are worth considering at least.

[Live2Sk8]

I just got the Riedell 435s.  Prior to that, I had the old Riedell Bronze Stars, the 320s.  I am a petite adult.  My old boots lasted 9 years.  When I got the 320s, I had no break-in period at all.  Loved them.  The new Bronze Stars (the 435s) are SIGNIFICANTLY stiffer, more like the old Gold Stars.  I had no problem with the boot itself, but the tongue is unbelievably stiff.  If I ever need new boots again, I will have a different tongue put in, or have it softened first.  Riedell was great - I emailed them about how miserable I was with the tongues, and they said I could mail them back and have them softened.  I ended up just working through the pain, but I have permanent dents in my shins now from the tongues.  It took 4 weeks before I could skate without taking ibuprofen before, and icing my shins before/after I skated.

My boot dealer told me I would not like the 910s (but didn't give a reason why).  He also offered the 255s to me but recommended I go with the 435s.

Good luck deciding, and SO sorry your car was stolen!

[dlbritton]

My boot dealer told me I would not like the 910s (but didn't give a reason why).  He also offered the 255s to me but recommended I go with the 435s.

Good luck deciding, and SO sorry your car was stolen!

After the advice I have received here and talking to several  coaches (former National Team members) I will stick with the 255 Motion that the fitter recommended. One coach told me he personally didn't like the low cut of the 910 and would recommend against it for me.

[littlerain]

I'll be interested to hear your thoughts once you get your new skates. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long?  I think I'll have a similar decision to make one day if I ever practice and get better :-P