Skates on a Budget

[Bwtam]

I took a couple of lessons at a rink--stroking, crossovers, etc. I was using the ugly, uncomfortable rink skates (size 6). Now, I just want to skate for fun at nearby rinks. I would like to buy some boots, but am on a VERY tight budget--nothing over $70. I've seen a lot of boots being sold on eBay and other Internet auction sites. I'm so tempted to buy a pair b/c they are often $50 or less. But my shoe size is 6 1/2 and sometimes I feel like maybe I should be wearing a 5 or 5 1/2. So how do I size my foot correctly? Should I look for a certain brand or specific information? Thanks--I'd appreciate any kind of help I could get!

[Deetlebug]

Go to a pro shop at a local rink. Tell them you are interested in buying used skates but don't know what size you need to look for. They should be able to measure you and then you can shop around for some used skates.

Hope this helps. Good luck and happy skating.

d . . b

[Skwilla]

I don't know if this is any help but go for the used skates! Some are even $10!! That's how much my very first skates were but they weren't actual figure skates, just the floppy kind that don't work too well but they worked for me! There are actual figure skates too that you could get even as low as $32. I don't know though. The skates I have now are really nice skates but they are borrowed (they are Harlicks which are soo expensive!) so I'm hoping I don't wear them out anytime soon, they've been going ok for a year now! So If you know anyone with skates like that you could do that. I got them from my friend's coach.Sorry, I tend to blab after awhile. I don't know if borrowing apeals to you but your best bet I would say is used skates.