Confused about which boots to choose... [ice dance + figure skating]

[azertyuiop]

Hi everyone !

After reading some thread here and asking for advices around me, I finally decided to post here as I didn't come with the same proposals and I am now very confused.

I would like to change my skates because I currently wear 260 Risport Antarès boots and Mark IV blades that I bought already used and they are really broken now. At that moment, I just took the same size as my shoe sizes, and tried a friend's boots after an online seller recommandation. I also found them too high for outside spread eagles (it hurts me), and not really good for ankle bending (even though it could be due to the fact that I tigh them really hard to make up the lack of ankles' support). I am also thinking that they are too big for me, based on the traces of my toes on the insole, even though I am not "mooving" inside (but this could perhaps explain my scratchy backward skating). Except for these, I didn't have big issues with them.

But the thing is, I am competing since september in ice dance (preparatory, moving towards prebronze next year, working on brackets etc, outsides mohawks, choctaws, forward and backward twizzles, ...) but I am also following artistic lessons ( singles jumps -> toe loops and salchows are ok, starting seriously on loops and flips, sit and back spins,... . I skate 3 times a week, around 1h each time.

I do know that a unique boot made for both disciplines doesn't exist, but I am looking for a compromise for I can't afford 2 pairs of skates, and I think that's doable for my current level. So I am looking for something stiff enough for my weight and single jumps, with a rather low-cut profile.

In ice dance, the club and my mates only advised Overture or Flamenco Ice/Risport Dance.
In figure skating, one of the coaches advised me Chorus.
I never wore Edea before (I had really basic skates before my Antares), but they almost only use them in both clubs. No one in my clubs was able to offer me consistent advices about skates, and there is no skate shops in my town.

So I asked online shops what they would recommand to me and I had contradictory returns :
In EDEA :

• Overture : some says it would be enough for my skills, other said it will be too easily broken for an adult.
• Chorus : ok for adult, but high-cut profile, so not really great for ice dances.
• some even advised friends in my level and ages Concerto

In Risport :

• Electra Light : both Electra and RF3 seemed to be advised by Risport for both disciplines. But Electra's stiffness is only 45 and some said it won't last me a lot ...
• RF3 Pro : They are higher than the royal pro, so best for good jumpers
• Royal pro : this is what advised the person recommended by Risport France for figure skaters and ice dancers, because it's lower cut than the RF3 Pro which are apparently a parallel line. But others said it would be overbooting.

I was planning to collect advises first and to try used Chorus and Overture at the club, and then call a shop to ask for them to order the boots I am interested in, and then to travel to try them, even though there aren't any proper fitter in my area (only shops, mainly hockey oriented). I am in France in Clermont-Ferrand and Valence, if you have any suggestions. Also, almost no shops in France offers different widths with Edeas, so I am starting to consider going in Italy if necessary, even though I don't speak italian (but I guess they speak english ?).

About me :
- height : 167cm [5.5ft] / weight : 65 kg
- 25 years old
- neutral arch (based on this : https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1693/9553/files/arch_description_large.jpg)
- irregular feet (based on this : https://static.wixstatic.com/media/...f41e_309dd0eb3bb646b88dbf90d309f40f7f~mv2.jpg )
- foot length : 250/251 cm [9.8 inches]
- food width : 9.3 cm [3.5 inches] for the left one / 9.5 cm for the right one


Practice :
- 3-4h/ week
- working on singles, sit spins, etc
- competing in ice dance (pre bronze)

I guess I gave you all the informations I could ...

 

[WednesdayMarch]

The boots to choose are the ones to fit your feet, and that really can only be ascertained by a professional fitting.

Dance boots are a relatively recent invention and ice dance can be practiced in pretty much any boot. Freeskating (especially jumping) isn't a good idea in specialised dance boots.

Edea boots aren't for everybody, even if they fit the feet. Many people dislike the wide "fit" around the ankles. But that's only something you learn by skating in them.

If Risport fit your feet, I'd recommend the Royal Pros, although RF3 Pros would also be fine.

Graf make good boots, which should be available easily in Europe. I'd steer clear of Graf Dance, though, for obvious reasons; you want something higher cut if you're going to be jumping.

Sorry to not be more help, but you really do need a proper fitting. I know that people from France travel to Everglides on the south coast of the UK for fittings. Everglides also provide a "virtual fitting" service if you really can't get there.

 

[azertyuiop]

I know that professional fitter would really be best, but it's really uneasy in France... It's extremely rare that skaters get properly fitted here...

But everglides are really far away from where I live, and with the Brexit, it sounds complicated. Also, I don't think the online appointment would be enough for my needs. Don't you know somewhere in Northern Italy ?

The Royal pro, if they fit my feet, won't be too much for my level ?

And on the contrary, would overture/electra be stiff enough ?

Thanks for your answer though !

 

[WednesdayMarch]

I know that professional fitter would really be best, but it's really uneasy in France... It's extremely rare that skaters get properly fitted here...

But everglides are really far away from where I live, and with the Brexit, it sounds complicated. Also, I don't think the online appointment would be enough for my needs. Don't you know somewhere in Northern Italy ?

The Royal pro, if they fit my feet, won't be too much for my level ?

And on the contrary, would overture/electra be stiff enough ?

Thanks for your answer though !

I don't know anywhere in Northern Italy, but @Ic3Rabbit may do.

I think you'd be fine with Royal Pro, provided they suit your feet. Neither Overture nor Electra will be stiff enough for you.

 

[Friday]

I know that professional fitter would really be best, but it's really uneasy in France... It's extremely rare that skaters get properly fitted here...

But everglides are really far away from where I live, and with the Brexit, it sounds complicated. Also, I don't think the online appointment would be enough for my needs. Don't you know somewhere in Northern Italy ?

The Royal pro, if they fit my feet, won't be too much for my level ?

And on the contrary, would overture/electra be stiff enough ?

Thanks for your answer though !

I know that there must be a few good shops in Switzerland, cause a few of the skaters I know from Instagram are proberly fitted.
Also, could you maybe go to Austria?

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I know that professional fitter would really be best, but it's really uneasy in France... It's extremely rare that skaters get properly fitted here...

But everglides are really far away from where I live, and with the Brexit, it sounds complicated. Also, I don't think the online appointment would be enough for my needs. Don't you know somewhere in Northern Italy ?

The Royal pro, if they fit my feet, won't be too much for my level ?

And on the contrary, would overture/electra be stiff enough ?

Thanks for your answer though !

There are plenty that carry Risport in N. Italy (Risports home country), where in N. Italy though are you looking for?

 

[azertyuiop]

I found Risport resellers in Torino. But it seems there are french ressellers too, however I don't know if they do a proper fitting.
Regarding Edea, there aren't any fitter in France, but a lot next to the border in Italy, including Torino.

But do we need a spécial fitter for Risport ?

 

[WednesdayMarch]

I found Risport resellers in Torino. But it seems there are french ressellers too, however I don't know if they do a proper fitting.
Regarding Edea, there aren't any fitter in France, but a lot next to the border in Italy, including Torino.

But do we need a spécial fitter for Risport ?

You need a proper fitter for every brand and model. Every time.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I found Risport resellers in Torino. But it seems there are french ressellers too, however I don't know if they do a proper fitting.
Regarding Edea, there aren't any fitter in France, but a lot next to the border in Italy, including Torino.

But do we need a spécial fitter for Risport ?

Yes, all brands, all the time.

Again, where are you located in N. Italy and we can suggest to you some fitters.

 

[Friday]

Yes, all brands, all the time.

Again, where are you located in N. Italy and we can suggest to you some fitters.

She's in Clermont-Ferrand and Valence in France. I mean, there has to be a fitter right? Or how do all the french skaters get their skates?

 

[azertyuiop]

She's in Clermont-Ferrand and Valence in France. I mean, there has to be a fitter right? Or how do all the french skaters get their skates?

They order online (from the club or from online shops), or they go to hockey shops, ans they just try the skates (Always in C width). They can be heat-molded, but they didn't even consider another things than C width, in Edea... Even for a girl with hallux valgus for instance.

The closest shop from me are in Brive and Lyon. But the guy said I should stay on Electra/overture, so I am not really confident now that you confirmed it wasn't a good idea.

And for the one in Lyon, it seems that they just gave Edea (C width still) to everyone. It would be better than Brive though.


I also heard about Interglace-Promoglace in Paris (Asnières), from Risport France, but they are not appearing in official resellers on Edea 's and Risports website.

 

[Friday]

They order online (from the club or from online shops), or they go to hockey shops, ans they just try the skates (Always in C width). They can be heat-molded, but they didn't even consider another things than C width, in Edea... Even for a girl with hallux valgus for instance.

The closest shop from me are in Brive and Lyon. But the guy said I should stay on Electra/overture, so I am not really confident now that you confirmed it wasn't a good idea.

And for the one in Lyon, it seems that they just gave Edea (C width still) to everyone. It would be better than Brive though.


I also heard about Interglace-Promoglace in Paris (Asnières), from Risport France, but they are not appearing in official resellers on Edea 's and Risports website.

They order online (from the club or from online shops), or they go to hockey shops

I thought more of the international and professional skaters who need their skates to fit absolutely perfect.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I thought more of the international and professional skaters who need their skates to fit absolutely perfect.

Elites and pros usually either visit the skating company or one of the reps comes out and works with them.

 

[2sk8]

Graf make good boots, which should be available easily in Europe. I'd steer clear of Graf Dance, though, for obvious reasons; you want something higher cut if you're going to be jumping.

Actually, GRAF makes a boot with a lower cut back and extra side stability for jumping - the WINDSOR. It's a great boot that would suit what you are looking for, but I'm not sure you need to go to that high of a level for the skating level you are at. You really don't need a dance boot for lower level dance. GRAF's RICHMOND SPECIAL might do the trick, and is comparable to a couple of the Risport models mentioned. GRAF's website lists dealers throughout Europe, including northern Italy, but I can't speak to specific fitters at any of those locations.

 

[azertyuiop]

Ok I'll keep the Richmond special as well !
Thanks for the suggestion !

 

[WednesdayMarch]

Actually, GRAF makes a boot with a lower cut back and extra side stability for jumping - the WINDSOR. It's a great boot that would suit what you are looking for, but I'm not sure you need to go to that high of a level for the skating level you are at. You really don't need a dance boot for lower level dance. GRAF's RICHMOND SPECIAL might do the trick, and is comparable to a couple of the Risport models mentioned. GRAF's website lists dealers throughout Europe, including northern Italy, but I can't speak to specific fitters at any of those locations.

Yes, the Windsor is an excellent boot but I didn't recommend it as I really feel it would be too much for the OP at the moment. Richmond Special is a possibility, too.