help choosing 1st pair of skates for an 18 y/o beginner!

[Aisling]

hello everyone!

I'm an 18 y/o adult figure skater who is very new having started skating just over a month ago.
I currently have 30min weekly group lessons and also try to go to public sessions for practice during the week depending on how much uni work I need to do.

I haven't done any grades but have been trying to teach myself and would say at the moment I'm probably on a UK state grade 5 working on backwards crossovers and two foot spins.

I have been using rental skates but keep being told I need to upgrade - when I went to the skate shop nearest to me they measured me at a UK 245 and recommended the edea overtures with edea rotation blades (for reference I am somewhere between 95-100lbs or 44kgs ish and about 5'4).

I've been hearing that edeas are really hard and painful to break in and am slightly worried I may be 'over-booting' for my skill level but equally I want skates which will last me a long time as they are so pricey.

I would really appreciate any advice anyone can give me as to which skates they may recommend (was also considering the Jackson Artiste skates?)

Thank you so much!!

[VisuallyImpairedOnIce]

A lot will depend on your specific foot shape - I wear Jacksons and Edea are completely out for me because of their shape.


You don't say where you're based, but I'd potentially recommend a second opinion at either Everglides (based in Gosport) or Al's Skate Shop (locations in Blackpool and Deeside). They're both experienced stores and should be able to help you make that decision.


If you're having group lessons, you must be working on a syllabus - I'd ask your group coaches if they have any advice too.

[WednesdayMarch]

The bad news is that all new boots are hard and usually a bit uncomfortable to break in. The good news is that these days, they are nowhere near the trial that they used to be as they have padding! And wonderful things like heat moulding, custom insoles, arch supports and ankle gels are available to help.

Edea Overtures are an ideal boot for your weight and level provided they suit your feet. Other suitable boots are Risport Electra and Jackson Freestyle. Did you try the Overtures and feel they were comfortable? Were any other brands and models available to try?

If you can stretch to Coronation Ace blades, you'll be much happier in the long run than on the Edea Rotations.

[Aisling]

The bad news is that all new boots are hard and usually a bit uncomfortable to break in. The good news is that these days, they are nowhere near the trial that they used to be as they have padding! And wonderful things like heat moulding, custom insoles, arch supports and ankle gels are available to help.

Edea Overtures are an ideal boot for your weight and level provided they suit your feet. Other suitable boots are Risport Electra and Jackson Freestyle. Did you try the Overtures and feel they were comfortable? Were any other brands and models available to try?

If you can stretch to Coronation Ace blades, you'll be much happier in the long run than on the Edea Rotations.

Hi!

I've heard you can't really put edea overtures in an oven to heat mould though which is why I thought they would be more uncomfortable :/

The person I saw didn't have them in stock and said he doesn't know when they would be back in stock which is another reason I am considering getting something different. Instead he had me try on a pair which he said were similar (can't remember which ones though I think they were jacksons) and they were fairly comfy but had what felt like a LOT of space in the back around my heel which he said could be easily filled with gel pads and special socks etc - I also only had them on for about 2 mins aha. I didnt try on any other shoes as he sort of just recommended the edeas without mentioning anything else.

The blades come with the boot which is why I was going for the edea rotations as they're included - when I progress do you think I could then move on to the coronation ace blades? (im not sure if you can switch blades without switching boot also aha)

thank you so so much for your reply!

[Aisling]

A lot will depend on your specific foot shape - I wear Jacksons and Edea are completely out for me because of their shape.


You don't say where you're based, but I'd potentially recommend a second opinion at either Everglides (based in Gosport) or Al's Skate Shop (locations in Blackpool and Deeside). They're both experienced stores and should be able to help you make that decision.


If you're having group lessons, you must be working on a syllabus - I'd ask your group coaches if they have any advice too.

Thank you so much for your reply!!

I am based in london and get lessons at alexandra palace as part of a uni student society thing - I have only been to two lessons so far so am unsure at the moment but will definitely ask next week! Thank you!
 
When I got my feet measured they didn't say anything other than the size so I'm not entirely sure - I used to have quite narrow feet and ankles as a child but am pretty sure they're just average now if I get them measured again I will ask!

many thanks!! 

[spinZZ]

Instead he had me try on a pair which he said were similar (can't remember which ones though I think they were jacksons) and they were fairly comfy but had what felt like a LOT of space in the back around my heel which he said could be easily filled with gel pads and special socks etc - I also only had them on for about 2 mins aha.

No, no, no!  The key fitting parameter for a figure skate boot is proper heel lock:  the heel of your foot should be held in the heel pocket of the boot firmly and snugly (but you should not feel pinching or pain).  After you lace up, stand up and have someone else hold your boot down firmly against the floor (that person should grasp the boot by the periphery of the outsole and by the external heel, not by the uppers).  Then try deliberately to move the heel of your foot within the boot.  The heel should not move up/down, forward/backward, or side/side.  This should all be done with the boot as-is, and while you are wearing thin socks (or tights).  No thick socks, no squishy fillers.

Stay away from this shop, or at least this particular staff member.

[WednesdayMarch]

If you're based in London but can get down to the South Coast, Everglides in Gosport would be the best place for you to go to have a proper fitting. They stock the good brands and models of boots and blades and because they work on an appointment system, they will have what you need ready to try. Each brand is very different in fit - and Jackson's couldn't be further away from Edea!

A lot of space at the back of the heel is not good and cannot just be "filled with gel pads and special socks". You need boots that actually fit you, or you won't be able to transfer your movements through to the blades and the ice.

A proper fitting with Everglides  (or Al's Skate Shop in Blackpool) will save you time, money and pain.

[Aisling]

No, no, no!  The key fitting parameter for a figure skate boot is proper heel lock:  the heel of your foot should be held in the heel pocket of the boot firmly and snugly (but you should not feel pinching or pain).  After you lace up, stand up and have someone else hold your boot down firmly against the floor (that person should grasp the boot by the periphery of the outsole and by the external heel, not by the uppers).  Then try deliberately to move the heel of your foot within the boot.  The heel should not move up/down, forward/backward, or side/side.  This should all be done with the boot as-is, and while you are wearing thin socks (or tights).  No thick socks, no squishy fillers.

Stay away from this shop, or at least this particular staff member.

thank you so SO much i'm so glad I haven't bought them yet ahaha

I'm thinking of going to the london skate shop to get some as the person I saw before also will probably not have any stock in for a while yet and i'm struggling with the rentals lol

[Aisling]

If you're based in London but can get down to the South Coast, Everglides in Gosport would be the best place for you to go to have a proper fitting. They stock the good brands and models of boots and blades and because they work on an appointment system, they will have what you need ready to try. Each brand is very different in fit - and Jackson's couldn't be further away from Edea!

A lot of space at the back of the heel is not good and cannot just be "filled with gel pads and special socks". You need boots that actually fit you, or you won't be able to transfer your movements through to the blades and the ice.

A proper fitting with Everglides  (or Al's Skate Shop in Blackpool) will save you time, money and pain.

Thank you so much for your reply.

I was thinking of getting remeasured and having a 2nd opinion of which skates would be best for my experience and skill level at the london skate shop.
I've heard good things about everglides but live in student accommodation in central london as it is where my university is and rely solely on public transport to get around so it would be very difficult for me to travel there. The other people I considered going to are called streatham skates if you have heard of them.

Thank you so much anyway and Ill make sure to pay better attention next time to how they fit me before buying!

[WednesdayMarch]

There's also Love Ice Skating in Chelmsford. I've heard some good reports.

If you go to the London Skate Centre, do NOT let them shove you into a pair of Belatis. I've seen some dreadful things coming out of there and being passed off as "perfect for beginners".

Don't worry too much about the heat moulding thing. Not all skates actually need to be heat moulded and the heat from your feet will do it eventually anyway. Plus, I've heat moulded Edeas before now with no detrimental effects. YMMV.

Skating boots should be snugger than you'd wear street shoes and very snug when they are new, but they bed in as you break them in. The key points are that your heel should be locked in place and nothing should actually hurt or feel like it's going to hurt.

[Aisling]

There's also Love Ice Skating in Chelmsford. I've heard some good reports.

If you go to the London Skate Centre, do NOT let them shove you into a pair of Belatis. I've seen some dreadful things coming out of there and being passed off as "perfect for beginners".

Don't worry too much about the heat moulding thing. Not all skates actually need to be heat moulded and the heat from your feet will do it eventually anyway. Plus, I've heat moulded Edeas before now with no detrimental effects. YMMV.

Skating boots should be snugger than you'd wear street shoes and very snug when they are new, but they bed in as you break them in. The key points are that your heel should be locked in place and nothing should actually hurt or feel like it's going to hurt.

Hello, thank you so much!

love ice skating was the first place I went too and peter was amazing! unfortunately though we had decided on the edea overtures but there is stock issues in the uk at the moment and no one really knows when they will come back into stock (ive been waiting a little over a month now since before i even started skating )

i went to london skate centre yesterday as they had 2 pairs of edea overtures in stock online in my size but unfortunately he said it was a mistake and they didn't actually have them.

He recommended I get the edea chorus instead as there is 'not much difference except that the chorus is a little stiffer' (which i feel is WAY overbooting as i haven't even begun learning the most basic jumps (my coach wants to wait until we all have a pair of proper figure skates to begin teaching it).
the chorus is also way more expensive and I really only wanted to spend around £250 as i am still a beginner :/