What ice skates should I buy, and can anyone recommend a good supplier??

Question

Hi there ,

I've just started ice skating lessons and have just completed my uk skate level 3. I have currently been using the hire skates at the arena where I have my lesson but considering it costs £2 a time and I'm going ice skating 3 times a week I have told myself if I pass my assessment this Thursday my treat is going to be to buy myself my own skates and hopefully in the long run save some money.

Trouble is I have no ideal what sort of skates I should be looking for and dont want to buy a pair that are too advanced for me. I dont really have a budget limit as I'm happy to pay whatever will result in me having a half decent pair of skates.

Can anyone recommend a make, type or style of skate I should be after. I know I dont really want hockey skates I would prefer figure skates.

Also if you no a good website or supplier (I live in London) that would be great.

Many thanks for your help

Hayley x

Answer 1

I have had my pair or Riedells for three years and they are AMAZING and have kept up well...i suggest Riedells..but some girls at my skating club are all for Jackson. Look around, try on a bunch of pairs and see what you prefer!! Good luck, and happy skating!

Answer 2

Here is a link

http://www.riedellskates.com/...

Answer 3

im not too sure about suppliers in london or web sites that deliver there, but i think riedells may work good for you

im not really sure about your level, so heres a link for you: http://www.riedellskates.com/fit/boots.h...

to find out what you have to do for each level, go to this website: http://www.paradefsc.org/basic/levels.ht...

i also used to wear grafs; theyre really comfortable,  but it may be too advanced for your level

Answer 4

rental skates are horrible. i used rentals all through basics and had to constantly change them cos the blades were blunt. This made me lose confidence in the edges for crossovers, 3-turns etc. Plus i have a low arch so the retals always gave me blisters. Its really important if you plan to continue skating to get your own skates that will fit and support you as you progress. The switch from rentals to your own takes getting used to too cos i wasn't used to having such sharp blades - you'll love the extra stability you get from the edges but stopping, like your snowplough, will be harder.

riedells and jacksons are very popular beginner skates and widely recognised for their quality. although after using rentals any skates would feel awesome =) if cost isn't an issue i would suggest Riedells Bronze Medallions with a Jubilee blade cos they'll last through all the basics and your freestyle 1&2. Although they'll take longer to break in than the Ribbons they should last longer. Alternatively, Jacksons are heat moldable to make breaking in much easier. You can check http://www.riedellskates.com/fit/boots.h... to see what level skates you should be getting but your best bet is to ask your skate coach because they know your skills best and can recommend something that will support you through the next few levels without being too stiff for you to break in. you should also get yourself fitted at your local skate shop because skate sizing isn't true to shoe sizing. This site may help for sizing http://www.skates.com/Fitting-Riedell-sk...

but nothing beats getting yourself properly fitted. The wrong fit will damage your skating.