Where to buy skates?

[Di75]

I am looking to purchase some decent skates. I want to take some group lessons maybe...or at least have my own pair when I go ice skating. Last time I went I used rentals, and they hurt my feet quite a bit. So, where is a good place to buy skates? I have been to Play it Again Sports and they didn't have many good used ones. They had some new skates, but they were only $50 or so, and that seems cheap for skates. They seemed a little stiff when I tried them on. But, I am not sure how they should fit exactly. I guess I would need to break them in. I don't want to spend too much, maybe $100-200 or so.

Well, I don't really know what I'm doing, so if you have any tips, please share. :)

[Anita18]

Your rink's pro shop should stock them, though mine only had Riedells that didn't come in wide sizes. (I have wide feet, so I had to go somewhere else). Most people have Riedells to start, but if you want you could go to a big rink with a big pro shop; they should have more brands. (I've heard that the big rink near where I live even stocks Grafs, but I've never been there.) I got my pair of Riedells at Play it Again Sports, and they had a rather large selection. All were Riedells, and I was even able to pick which model I wanted (all leather or the other kind - wood? Whatever. I didn't pick that one, LOL..) I recall them being $175 for the all leather. The wooden soled ones were cheaper, but the staff at the store told us the all-leather was better. (Leather doesn't rot as fast as wood, I guess..) You're right, $50 is really cheap for boots. I wouldn't buy anything under $100 (just in case) unless they had been used before. If you're really serious about it, people have gone to the skate factory itself and the people there have been really helpful in getting the right fit and the right boot. I however am probably not going to take the trouble to beg my mom and drive up to San Francisco to the SP Teri factory there, LOL...

New boots should feel stiff, especially at the ankles. You have probably gotten used to the rental skates, which are notorious for horrendous ankle support. :p You need the stiffness to support your ankle. (Believe me, once you get into edges, you'll really need it :) ) But they can't be <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> too<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> stiff: wearing a skate that's made for a skater higher than your level is foot murder. (The really elite kind I've heard are like cement blocks!) Breaking the Riedells for me wasn't a lot of trouble; it's the tongue of the boot that needs the flexibility so you can bend your knees (<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> very<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> important in skating!!!).

When you fit them, be sure that you're wearing the socks you're going to be wearing while you skate. (I just fit mine barefoot, just in case) There shouldn't be any loose places around the foot or the heel. (the toes should be free enough to wiggle a bit) Tie the laces really tight around the foot but leave them a little looser around the ankles so you can walk around and see what they feel like. If they pinch a lot (to the point that you can't walk, LOL) they're too small. I guess a little pinching is okay since you really need your skates to be tight to get the edges. (I only wish I had known this months ago, sigh...http://cwm.ragesofsanity.com/s/net4/frusty.gif)

I broke my boots in by walking around in them (with the guards on, LOL) around the house for a day or two. The first time you do so, don't tie them all the way up the ankle. Leave a couple hooks untied so the tongue can bend. Then as it becomes softer, you can tie them all the way up.

There, I hope that's it! Good luck with your skating! Keep us posted on your progress! :rollin

[Di75]

Thanks for all the information! :) I haven't gotten a chance to go out and look for skates again, but your info was very helpful. I'll keep all that in mind when I get my skates, whenever that is. I will certainly post again about...if I ever get started with this skating thing. :)

BTW, I've never seen that little smiley...is he bumping into a wall? It must be a new one...LOL, that is too funny! :lol

[Anita18]

Yes he's bumping himself into a wall. Isn't that cute?! :D

There are tons more over here:

smilecwm.tripod.com/ (http://smilecwm.tripod.com/)

Careful, some of them are kinda inappropriate, but all of them are very cute!