Are Riedell Blue Ribbon Figure Skates Good Skates?

Question

I am an adult beginner in basics one. I love skating and plan on sticking with it through freestyle. Is the Riedell Blue Ribbon a sufficient skate? I am on a tight budget :(. Or would it be better for me to purchase the Red Ribbon Skates and upgrade my blade? Please help. I really need to purchase skates pronto but don't know what to do. Can you do spins in Blue Ribbons and Red Ribbons?

Answer 1

I recommend adults get no less than the blue ribbon (model 121).  Due to height and weight, anything lower will break down quite quickly.  Do NOT purchase the red ribbon (model 117).

Answer 2

I would get Blue ribbons. they have more support and a better blade than red ribbons therefore they will last longer and take you through more levels than the red ribbons. They are both too beginner for spinning and probably not stiff enough. You will need to get new, better, more expensive skates by then. Or to save money when you start spinning you can get a better pair, but used.

http://www.riedellskates.com/fit/riedell...

Answer 3

Yes, Blue Ribbons should be fine. They can take you up to Basic 5. When you get to the freeskate levels, you might want to consider upgrading to one of the medallion skates. (gold, silver, or bronze)

Answer 4

Blue Ribbon should be fine, as you are just beginning.  It's the "highest" of the beginner level Riedell skate sets - Red Ribbon is a step down.  

All the Beginner Riedells have PVC soles - and the blades are riveted onto the boot.  As you get into jumps/spins, you will not only need a better supporting boot, but better support of blade attachment as well.  When you get to the Intermediate boots, they are all leather soles/heels and the separate advanced blade you need would be screwed on.  That being said, you cannot/shouldn't s***w an advanced blade onto a PVC sole, so upgrading to an advanced blade on a beginner boot won't do.  

Sometimes they do give you a choice in blades for these skate sets . . . best to get the better of the choices . . . but otherwise standard blades are all nearly the same that won't make much of a difference in skating.  When you get to advanced blades, there WILL be a difference!  

I began as an adult in a Riedell skate set (model has since been discontinued) and it took me through flip jump and spins.  I was beginning to "slip" on toe jumps as it was increasingly difficult to grip on those teeny beginner toe picks . . . and my spins were just plain not working well.  I could spin, but just not as well as I would have liked to.  So I upgraded both my boots and blades . . . and it made a HUGE difference.  Otherwise, I loved my Riedell skates up until that point . . . and there really is a lot to do before getting to jumps and spins anyway (including building up your foot muscles before going onto a stiffer boot) . . . so I say Blue Ribbon is fine if that fits your budget (and your feet!).

Best of luck!