Skates feel like ski boots help!

Purplescot79 · Jan 22, 2019

Hi

I skated in my teenage years as a recreational skater. I am now nearly 40 and I have been taking a weekly group lesson for the last 18 months. Initially I was using my old skates (no idea what brand). They were basically just leather with no padding.

I got myself a pair of Jackson artiste skates about 10 months ago and they fit well in that they don't hurt my feet or rub but they feel far too heavy! I was able to do crossovers in my old skates but really struggle with the jacksons. It's like I need more room to cross my legs over as they are so big and heavy

Is there another brand that anyone would suggest that I could look at that feel narrower and lighter bearing in mind I have wide feet (hope that makes sense!).

I am currently learning forward crossovers and 3 turns. I'm 5' 4" and 120lbs

Thanks for any advice

jf12 · Jan 22, 2019

Purplescot79 said:
Hi

I skated in my teenage years as a recreational skater. I am now nearly 40 and I have been taking a weekly group lesson for the last 18 months. Initially I was using my old skates (no idea what brand). They were basically just leather with no padding.

I got myself a pair of Jackson artiste skates about 10 months ago and they fit well in that they don't hurt my feet or rub but they feel far too heavy! I was able to do crossovers in my old skates but really struggle with the jacksons. It's like I need more room to cross my legs over as they are so big and heavy

Is there another brand that anyone would suggest that I could look at that feel narrower and lighter bearing in mind I have wide feet (hope that makes sense!).

I am currently learning forward crossovers and 3 turns. I'm 5' 4" and 120lbs

Thanks for any advice

I have never tried the lower level Edeas, but did you try any of those on? They will still feel like the outside of the boot is 'big', because there's padding just like your current Jacksons, but they are designed to lace looser at the top, so you can move your ankles more.

A lot of fitters would have actually put someone your height in even stiffer and heavier boots than the ones you got. You might just have to get used to the support. Remember if you bend your knees a lot it creates a lot more room to do crossovers.

Purplescot79 · Jan 22, 2019

Hi

Thanks for the reply. The nearest shop is around 150km away. I might just make a special trip rather than risk getting the wrong boot.

jf12 · Jan 22, 2019

Purplescot79 said:
Hi

Thanks for the reply. The nearest shop is around 150km away. I might just make a special trip rather than risk getting the wrong boot.

Just to add, if they're comfortable, that's already like a 75% win.. you don't know if other boots that might feel lighter might actually be a lot less comfortable. It may end up being a tradeoff.

ypht96 · Jan 22, 2019

I think, this is probably because you‘re used to your old (no name) brand shoes. You might be lacking leg strength which is why the boots feel heavy. Maybe do some exercises?
I think figure skates are more or less the same weight, only amateur ones (without proper padding or ankle support) are light

Silver Ice · Jan 22, 2019

Have you talked to your instructor?

You might not be getting enough knee bend to do the crossovers properly rather than the boots being too big and heavy.

Purplescot79 · Jan 23, 2019

She did say to bend my knees more but I find the tongue digs into my shins when I do that. I like the feeling of a tight skate but think I maybe tying the top way too tight. Going to try a looser top and see how I go. Maybe I haven't fully broken them in yet, if I have had them too tight, then the flex isn't happening as it should

My daughter has just gone from Jackson Artiste to Edea Overtures so I will compare the two side by side and if they look the same width and weight then I'll just need to start doing leg exercises!

Thanks

hanyuufan5 · Jan 23, 2019

If you're tying them as tightly as recreational skates, that could definitely be the problem. I don't think I even could tie my Jackson Freestyles as tightly as I did my old recreational skates, although they're a higher level and thus stiffer than Artistes.

Were your recreational skates a wide width? Mine weren't, and they were also too long. I had to tie them extra-tightly to compensate for the length, which resulted in me losing feeling in my little toes because they were too narrow. My new skates certainly look kind of like ski boots given that they're the widest stock width in one of the smallest sizes, but they don't feel heavier than my old ones.

Also, could they be too big? Were you fitted for them by a specialist in figure skates? Someone who mostly does hockey could very easily have put you in the wrong size.

Ask your coach how to tie them and if they're the right size, and if they still feel too heavy/clunky after being tied properly, then leg strength very well might be the problem.

bostonskaterguy86 · Jan 23, 2019

When I got my new Jackson Debuts I couldn’t do crossovers with them tied up to the fourth hook - they were too stiff. I undid the top hook and they were much better. Try tying them one hook down from the top until they break in a bit, and stick to stroking, edges and crossovers with nice, deep knee bends (though it might not be a good idea to jump with them tied lower). Eventually you will start to have some more flex in the tongue and you’ll be better off.

Nimyue · Jan 23, 2019

bostonskaterguy86 said:
When I got my new Jackson Debuts I couldn’t do crossovers with them tied up to the fourth hook - they were too stiff. I undid the top hook and they were much better. Try tying them one hook down from the top until they break in a bit, and stick to stroking, edges and crossovers with nice, deep knee bends (though it might not be a good idea to jump with them tied lower). Eventually you will start to have some more flex in the tongue and you’ll be better off.

I did this with my freestyles when they were brand new also. The Jacksons come up pretty high on your ankle, which is nice when doing jumps, but does make them difficult to bend in when brand new.

Purplescot79 · Jan 23, 2019

Thank you all for your helpful comments. I am going to try not tying them so tight and see how I get on. I'm raring to go now and can't wait to see if I can do my crossovers better. I have another 4 days until I can get back to the rink though. Aaahhhh I want to try now lol

bunnybarista · Jan 25, 2019

I had the Jackson Artistes when I started out (adult skater) and they are actually very lightweight compared to traditional boots (Harlick, Sp-Teri, etc.). I personally never had issues with them feeling too heavy, and when I switched to a higher level boot I realized that the Jacksons are extremely light.

Your best bet is to skate as often as you can in them and eventually you will develop the necessary leg strength.

Skates feel like ski boots help!

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