When you start your search for figure skates, be aware there’s lots out there on the internet but few good ones! Don’t be fooled by makes with names associated with the Alps! Don’t use someone else’s old skates either.
Speaking as an ex ice figure skating coach, I can remember the numerous tragic mistakes pupils, who had not asked for equipment advice, made. Needless to say these boots ended up in the bin, or at best, the charity shop.
Ice boots need to be strong, leather upper at least, and a minimum stiffness rating of 20 (Graf 500) much higher if you plan to jump with them 48 (Edea Overture)
And you must be willing to spend a bit of money. Beginner sets start from about £80. With £40 skates, you are generally better off with the rink skate hire!
The blades must be of good quality steel, and attached by way of screws, not riveted like ice hockey skates and with proper full-size picks on the front. The fit must be close for adults, but perhaps with a little growing room for children, though not more than one size. Make sure you get the right width skate too. Comfort-wise, unless you get the right width the boots will never be comfortable.
Fasten them up properly, making sure your heel is in the back, with a little space behind the top of the tongue, so that you can bend your knees without the boots cutting into your shins, yet retaining sufficient ankle support.
Beware, most boot manufacturers only offer a particular standard fitting, whatever their websites tell you, so you need to pick your brand and model very carefully and try them on your feet.
Yes, there’s quite a bit to think about, so it really is worth visiting a specialist store like us, and I mean one that stocks all the good brands, Belati, Edea, Jackson, Graf and Risport, and all the good blades from John Wilson, MK and Ultima. Not just a couple of white figure sets along with a row of ice hockey boots.
We will charge a little more than the bargain basement internet prices, but you will be measured and properly fitted within a wide range of goods. You will also have our aftersales services, like skate sharpening (bad sharpening usually ruins your blades), free blade fitting on the high end models, and advice from people who skated to a high level, virtually all their lives!
Some Suggested Models coming up:
