Skates recommendations for adult skater

[Blouper]

Hello new member and newish adult  ice skater here.

I know there are a lot of posts about skate recommendations, so I apologise for adding yet another, it's just a bit daunting going through them all.

I am currently working towards SkateUK level 7 (group lessons only, no private coach yet) and wearing Risport Antea skates, which I would like to upgrade to something that might be more suitable and wondered what others would suggest. My aim is really to only progress as far through the levels as my age/ability will allow and skate for my own enjoyment.

I am female, 5'3 and 61kg and edging towards 50yo, so no spring chicken. I have a square foot shape, lowish arches and overpronate a little.

Many thanks for taking the time to read 

[transmissionoftheflame]

I wish I could help more but I’m out of the loop


All I would say is try lots on and don’t feel rushed or pressured


People on here recommend Al’s in Blackpool and Everglides


How are your current skates working for you? Any pain or foot issues, do they give you support, how is the fit?

[Blouper]

They are not bad fitting and fairly comfy. A little narrow across the toe area maybe and occasionally cause pain around my right ankle bone area.

I usually protect that side by using an old footless sock round the ankle to provide a little more padding. I do find them firm/supportive but they are heavy.

 I can try phoning those places you mentioned and see what they say (thank you!). Maybe the ones I have are good for another while and I'm just being tempted by shiny new ones I don't need!

[transmissionoftheflame]

I think you should be OK for a while though ideally you'd want to eliminate the pain and perhaps have more room for your toes so a wider boot may be better.  It's worth phoning shops before making a trip to check what stock they have but i would really recommend trying them on.  Some shops will order in but might charge a restocking fee if they deem it's a "special order" and not a stock item (same goes for online orders).  Shops don't want to end up with stuff they are not selling - but slightly lower end boots in more common sizes and ladies' colour you should be OK.  It might be worth having some 1-1 lessons - your skating will benefit and you can get some advice from the coach.  Other more experienced skaters at your rink(s) may also be a good source of advice.  But ultimately I think you have to try and work what feels right to you.  I am surprised you say the boots are heavy - I thought Risport were on the lighter side.  I use Edea skates which I think are reasonably light, probably the Overture would be the next model up from the one you're using right now.  I don't feel they are a great fit for me but unlike other boots I have used they had zero break-in time.  You probably should look at a boot with a blade that can be removed (screwed in rather than riveted on) - I don't know what a decent entry level blade is - maybe Ultima Mirage.


Happy skating!

[Blouper]

Thank you for the help. I'll make sure to visit some places and try different ones on and see if I can talk to some of the coaches.  It sounds like there's no great rush so can take my time to choose.

[transmissionoftheflame]

Interestingly this popped up in my YouTube suggestions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpOgjb0Nu4g and then https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nqC8hJhmNo - Marika Humphreys reviewing a couple of pairs of £50-60 skates then the £160 Jackson Excel.  Sadly she doesn't say quite as much about how far you could go in the Excel.  She's 5'7" and I think around 55kg from what she says her BMI is.  I don't know whether the Antea is on the same level as the Excel or slightly below.  My guess is that in something like the Excel you would be fine for quite a long time.  Marika makes skating in £50 skates look sickeningly easy!  There are a lot of really good videos on her channel, worth a watch (and she is a joy to watch skate, which I have had the pleasure of doing in person.  She is not "young" any more but still fearsomely fit.

[Blouper]

Thanks for this! I have watched a few of her videos and really like her, but hadn't seen this one. She does make everything look so easy. The comments about arch and ankle support were really useful and while the Antea's feel fairly stiff they might not be supporting me correctly.

The Antea's have New English blades that are attached by screws but the profile and rocker look more similar to the SFR she reviewed so maybe they are slightly lower than the Jackson's (the Antea is an old boot that is discontinued, I bought second hand to see if skating was something I'd like to do). Someone on a Mark 4 blade in my group with a similar ability finds turns and spins much easier than I do, so I wonder if that is part of it (amongst other things).

[transmissionoftheflame]

Yes I couldn't find the Antea on Risport's website so it is trickier to know where it fits into their range.  I don't think it's necessary to spend silly money on blades but I think between the two blades featured in Marika's review it's certainly worth spending the extra money if skating is something you want to go forward with.  As for the boots it may well be that the Antea's are ok for you in terms of stiffness but may not be ideal for your shape of foot - sadly the only way to know more is try lots on and hope that if you buy another pair they feel as good when you skate as when you tried them on.  You could buy another secondhand pair and sell them on if they are no good - a lot of fiddlefaddle but might save you money.  I know the shop in Streatham used to let you skate in whatever secondhand skates as they are at the rink but of course your choice is more limited.  The skate shops I mentioned come recommended but I am personally sceptical that someone can tell you what is ideal for your foot.

[WednesdayMarch]

Make an appointment to visit Everglides in Gosport. They'll fit you properly in the right equipment to take your forward. It'll save you a lot of time, pain and money!