Adult skate recommendation

[Tryingtoskate]

Hi! I need help on deciding what skates to get. I'm 27, 58kg and am working on UK bronze but have been learning jumps up to loop. Spins are non existant at the moment (can only do ~4 rotations in an upright spin and just started working on my backspin).

Long story short, what skates would you recommend for someone who skates around 4-8 hours a week and is looking to advance quite fast (pass bronze silver gold in the next few months)?

I have Jackson mystiques which are too big for me - my coach recommends the elle to everyone but I've read this is only for half rotation jumps and a jackson freestyle would be more suitable? When would I need to look at boot and blade combinations?

Thanks!

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hi! I need help on deciding what skates to get. I'm 27, 58kg and am working on UK bronze but have been learning jumps up to loop. Spins are non existant at the moment (can only do ~4 rotations in an upright spin and just started working on my backspin).

Long story short, what skates would you recommend for someone who skates around 4-8 hours a week and is looking to advance quite fast (pass bronze silver gold in the next few months)?

I have Jackson mystiques which are too big for me - my coach recommends the elle to everyone but I've read this is only for half rotation jumps and a jackson freestyle would be more suitable? When would I need to look at boot and blade combinations?

Thanks!

Hi and welcome.
Do the jackson's fit you well? Or does your foot shape require a different boot brand? That is the biggest question.
You need to see a professional figure skate fitter and have them trace and measure you and see what brand is best.
If that turns out to be jackson, you shouldn't be in a boot lower than the Premiere Fusion and pair it with an intermediate blade--JW Coronation Ace or MK Pro.

You should not be jumping in the boots you have on, they aren't rated for it. It's not safe.

 

[WednesdayMarch]

Hi! I need help on deciding what skates to get. I'm 27, 58kg and am working on UK bronze but have been learning jumps up to loop. Spins are non existant at the moment (can only do ~4 rotations in an upright spin and just started working on my backspin).

Long story short, what skates would you recommend for someone who skates around 4-8 hours a week and is looking to advance quite fast (pass bronze silver gold in the next few months)?

I have Jackson mystiques which are too big for me - my coach recommends the elle to everyone but I've read this is only for half rotation jumps and a jackson freestyle would be more suitable? When would I need to look at boot and blade combinations?

Thanks!

Hello and welcome from another UK member!

You really do need new boots if you're learning jumps up to loop. And you'll find that your spins improve exponentially with a decent blade, ie Coronation Ace or MK Professional.

What you need most is a proper fitting from a good professional fitter, ie at Al's Skate Shop in Blackpool or Everglides in Gosport. They are more than worth travelling to if you don't live close as they will save you far more in pain, heartache, frustration and wasted money than the fuel and time it takes to go there! If you go to a shop/fitter and they have only 2 brands, ie Edea and Belati, then make your excuses and leave. There's nothing wrong with either of those brands provided they are right for the foot and the skater but you need a much wider range to make the right choice. If you DM me, I can also give you a list of places to avoid like the plague! I have personal experience of both Al's and Everglides and my skaters have been delighted with the difference a proper fitting boot and the right blades have made to their skating.

There are a number of good skating boot brands and it's important that you get the right boot for your foot and your level and aspirations.

 

[Tryingtoskate]

Hello and welcome from another UK member!

You really do need new boots if you're learning jumps up to loop. And you'll find that your spins improve exponentially with a decent blade, ie Coronation Ace or MK Professional.

What you need most is a proper fitting from a good professional fitter, ie at Al's Skate Shop in Blackpool or Everglides in Gosport. They are more than worth travelling to if you don't live close as they will save you far more in pain, heartache, frustration and wasted money than the fuel and time it takes to go there! If you go to a shop/fitter and they have only 2 brands, ie Edea and Belati, then make your excuses and leave. There's nothing wrong with either of those brands provided they are right for the foot and the skater but you need a much wider range to make the right choice. If you DM me, I can also give you a list of places to avoid like the plague! I have personal experience of both Al's and Everglides and my skaters have been delighted with the difference a proper fitting boot and the right blades have made to their skating.

There are a number of good skating boot brands and it's important that you get the right boot for your foot and your level and aspirations.

Hi! Thanks for your help!

I was thinking of getting a virtual fitting from Everglides as I'm in scotland so it's a bit of a trek to travel there. At my rink you have to pay £25 to try boots on so I was hoping everglides could recommend skates suitable for my level along with the size and I'd just buy them online but I'm unsure if I'd be better trying them on beforehand.

I've been pondering about skates for months now so I really need to get it sorted!

 

[Tryingtoskate]

Hi and welcome.
Do the jackson's fit you well? Or does your foot shape require a different boot brand? That is the biggest question.
You need to see a professional figure skate fitter and have them trace and measure you and see what brand is best.
If that turns out to be jackson, you shouldn't be in a boot lower than the Premiere Fusion and pair it with an intermediate blade--JW Coronation Ace or MK Pro.

You should not be jumping in the boots you have on, they aren't rated for it. It's not safe.

Hi, thanks for your help!

Jacksons *seem* to fit me well but it's hard to tell as they're 1-1.5 sizes too big...

I've been looking into Jackson freestyle or debuts but I don't want to spend too much on a separate boot and blade with the debuts as I just skate for fun but also don't want to hinder my progress!

Would you recommend a virtual skate fitting? My rink is very hockey focused so I'd feel more at peace with people who specialise in figure skate fitting online rather than getting fitted at my rink by hockey skaters.

 

[Sibelius]

Hi There,

I sound like a broken record here, but...

If you, as an adult, skate 4-8 hours/wk...that's pretty serious. You need the proper equipment, 1) so you don't hurt yourself (you can still break an ankle skating "just for fun") and 2) so you're not wasting time and money not progressing.

As far as Jackson boots specifically, their fit guide says you could get away with, at your size, their Entre boot (I think more or less a bladeless Freestyle). BUT...it's (at least in the U.S., don't know about U.K.) only $20 less than the Debut, and $80 less than the Premiere. The latter two are pretty close in stiffness regardless of the Jackson numbers. My skater has been through 2 pairs of Debuts and 1 pair of semi custom Premiere's, now in full custom "Premiere's", so we have some experience with both of them. As an adult you get the opportunity to think long term. What I mean by that is if you invest in a higher level boot it could be the only one you'll need for a long time.

Blades are even more important for progress than boots. You say "spins are non existent", well you'll get them faster/better on a CoroAce or MK Pro. Entry level blades (found on "kits" like the Freesyle) are mostly flat and useless for getting proper spin technique. Again, a couple of hundred on a CA or MK Pro and you may never need another one, or at least not for a long time. I know, it's easy spending other people's money, but trust me, you never save money in this sport, you either pay now or later, or both if you're the parent of a young skater!

Best of luck, and get properly fitted in person if at all possible. Fitting fees are usually credited towards a purchase and meant to keep people from trying skates/boots on and then buying online. You get so much more from a proper fitting, including heat molding, punching and general service over the life of the boots. Sharpenings is' extra though.

Jackson Fit Guide

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Hi, thanks for your help!

Jacksons *seem* to fit me well but it's hard to tell as they're 1-1.5 sizes too big...

I've been looking into Jackson freestyle or debuts but I don't want to spend too much on a separate boot and blade with the debuts as I just skate for fun but also don't want to hinder my progress!

Would you recommend a virtual skate fitting? My rink is very hockey focused so I'd feel more at peace with people who specialise in figure skate fitting online rather than getting fitted at my rink by hockey skaters.

You're welcome! Again, for the skills you are doing, you cannot do those in a rec boot/blade set. They are too soft for you and you will get injured. Jackson Premiere (Fusion)2800 is the softest you can go with in that brand. What area are you in? We can suggest fitters for figure skates in your area usually.

 

[WednesdayMarch]

Hi! Thanks for your help!

I was thinking of getting a virtual fitting from Everglides as I'm in scotland so it's a bit of a trek to travel there. At my rink you have to pay £25 to try boots on so I was hoping everglides could recommend skates suitable for my level along with the size and I'd just buy them online but I'm unsure if I'd be better trying them on beforehand.

I've been pondering about skates for months now so I really need to get it sorted!

The £25 fitting fee is designed to stop people "showrooming", where they get all the help from a professional and then buy online because it's cheaper. Having had a store of my own, I can totally understand it. That £25 fee will almost certainly be incorporated into the price of any boots and/or blades that you buy from the store, though. It won't be on top.

If you can get to Al's Skate Shop in Blackpool, Lancashire (rather nearer Scotland than Everglides in Gosport!) then going there in person would be a great option. If you really can't get there either, then have a virtual fitting from Everglides but please don't take their advice and then buy online. If you buy from them, they can tailor your new boots and blades to suit you. I've watched them do this and it's fascinating to see the care they take to get it right. I've seen them heat moulding boots for a customer in the USA via a combination of the proper oven, wooden shoe stretchers and the actual feet of one of the staff which were an eerily similar size and shape to those of the customer! So the boots and blades will arrive ready to go, having been set up and sharpened, which is another thing they do beautifully. I should point out that I have absolutely no tie to Everglides, but I always sigh with relief when one of my skaters goes there as I know they are going to save time, frustration, pain and, ultimately, money. I go there myself for fitting, too. If you can afford it, take a little holiday on the south coast. There is also a rink at Gosport, so you can get your new boots and blades, try them out and have them tweaked if necessary.

Good luck!