Skate Brands
Each boot brand has its own sizing chart and blade length recommendations for their boot design. For example, Edea recommends for their boot design that the blade length is slightly shorter than what the other manufacturers recommend for their respective boot designs.
Even if you find your size in each boot brand, each brand fits the foot slightly different. Jackson is known for having a wider toebox and a narrower heel, while Riedell skates are known for having a tapered, more narrow toebox. That's why it's great if you can try on different brands in person before you buy to figure out which brand works for your feet best. But Jackson, in general, works for most peoples' feet and is the most popular brand by far. Riedell is the next most popular. Edea, Gam, Harlick, SP-Teri are less common, but still great choices too. Risport is more popular in Europe.
Jackson Ultima and Riedell Eclipse blades are common because most people buy skates from Jackson or Riedell with the blades pre-attached. But if you are buying a boot and blade separately, the MK blades and John Wilson blades are very popular choices. Paramount is famous for their "lightweight" and custom-color blades.
Even if you find your size in each boot brand, each brand fits the foot slightly different. Jackson is known for having a wider toebox and a narrower heel, while Riedell skates are known for having a tapered, more narrow toebox. That's why it's great if you can try on different brands in person before you buy to figure out which brand works for your feet best. But Jackson, in general, works for most peoples' feet and is the most popular brand by far. Riedell is the next most popular. Edea, Gam, Harlick, SP-Teri are less common, but still great choices too. Risport is more popular in Europe.
Jackson Ultima and Riedell Eclipse blades are common because most people buy skates from Jackson or Riedell with the blades pre-attached. But if you are buying a boot and blade separately, the MK blades and John Wilson blades are very popular choices. Paramount is famous for their "lightweight" and custom-color blades.
Skate Sizing
Your skate size is usually very different from your shoe size, so DO NOT use shoe size to figure out skate size! Skates must fit very snugly so that they don't rub and create blisters while you ice skate. (The exception to this rule is that some cheap, recreational skates are based on shoe size and those skates will say to go by shoe size. But any "real" figure skate isn't based on shoe size.)
Just to show you how sizes can vary by skate brand:
I currently wear Jackson skates, womens size 9B. (B is the width.)
Here's a comparison list when I look at my foot measurements for other skate brands:
All Olympic skaters use different brands. So there is no "best brand". It's all in what fits your foot the best. The rest is just personal preference. If you are a beginning skater, purchasing an advanced boot will not make you a good skater. In fact, it will make things even worse because the boot will be too stiff for you to break down, AKA "overbooting" yourself. It will be like trying to skate with cement blocks around your feet. So always buy a skate that is suitable for your skill level. "Underbooting" or "overbooting" will only hurt you.
Just to show you how sizes can vary by skate brand:
I currently wear Jackson skates, womens size 9B. (B is the width.)
Here's a comparison list when I look at my foot measurements for other skate brands:
- Jackson 9B
- Riedell 8.5A
- Edea 270
- Gam 9A
- Harlick 9A
- SP-Teri 9A
- Risport 270B
- Graf 7.5
All Olympic skaters use different brands. So there is no "best brand". It's all in what fits your foot the best. The rest is just personal preference. If you are a beginning skater, purchasing an advanced boot will not make you a good skater. In fact, it will make things even worse because the boot will be too stiff for you to break down, AKA "overbooting" yourself. It will be like trying to skate with cement blocks around your feet. So always buy a skate that is suitable for your skill level. "Underbooting" or "overbooting" will only hurt you.
Which Brands are Olympic Skaters Wearing?
- Jackson - Karen Chen, Nathan Chen, Jason Brown, Mirai Nagasu, Mariah Bell, See full list here.
- Riedell - Kurt Browning, Elena Radionova, Johnny Weir, See full list here.
- Edea - Yuzuru Hanyu, Evgenia Medvedeva, Gracie Gold, Mai Mihara, Patrick Chan, Yulia Lipnitskaia, Max Aaron, See full list here.
- Gam - Marissa Castelli, Jeremy Ten, Ronald Lam, Nam Nguyen, Rika Inoda Meryl
- Harlick - Meryl Davis and Charlie White, Polina Edmunds, Nancy Kerrigan, Tonya Harding, Brian Boitano, Kristi Yamaguchi, Debi Thomas.
- SP-Teri - Mirai Nagasu, Dorothy Hamill
- Risport - YuNa Kim, Mao Asada, Shoma Uno, Tatiana Volosozhar, Adelina Sotnikova, Brian Joubert
- Graf - Ashley Wagner, Javier Fernandez, Carolina Kostner, Brian Orser, Alexei Yagudin, Evgeny Plushenko, Oksana Baiul.
- Klingbeil (went out of business) - famous for custom boots molded to the skater's feet
Boots by Skill level
Test Level | Price Range | Skate Boot | |
---|---|---|---|
Recreational | $60-$80 | Jackson Softskate series Riedell Sparkle/Soar/Opal |
Very soft and comfortable skates if you just want to skate around occasionally and not take any classes. |
Basic Beginner | $90-$200 | Jackson Excel/Mystique/Artiste/Marquis Riedell Pearl/Emerald/Diamond Gam Pirouette Risport Venus/Antares Edea Brio/Motivo |
Offers enough support for skaters in Learn-to-Skate Basic Skills classes |
Beginning Freestyle | $200-$400 | Jackson Classique/Elle/Freestyle/Competitor Riedell Stride/Edge/Motion/Flair Gam Concept/Select Risport RoyalPro/RF3/RFlite Edea Overture/Chorus Harlick Classic Graf Prestige/Richmond SP-Teri Escalde/SilverMedalist/GoldMedalist |
Rated for single jumps. Offers enough support for the beginning freestyle levels. |
Intermediate Freestyle | $400-$700 | Jackson Debut/Elite Riedell BronzeStar/SilverStar Gam Podium/Bronze Risport RoyalExclusive/RF1Elite Edea Concerto/Ice fly Harlick Competitor Graf galaxy/Edmonton SP-Teri ProTeri/SuperTeri/ZeroGravity |
Rated for double jumps. Offers enough support for skaters in the Juvenile thru Novice test levels. |
Advanced Freestyle | $700-$900 | Jackson Elite/Supreme Riedell GoldStar/Fusion/Aria Gam Silver/Gold Edea Piano Harlick Hitester/Finalist SP-Teri SuperTeriDeluxe/KT-2/KT-3 |
Rated for triple and quad jumps. Offers enough support for skaters at the highest levels of competition. |
Blades by Skill level
Test Level | Price Range | Skate Blade | |
---|---|---|---|
Recreational | N/A | N/A | These skates are so cheap that the blades don't get their own names. |
Basic Beginner | $20-$50 | Riedell Eclipse Luna/Capri Jackson Ultima MarkII |
Lower-level skates come with the blade pre-attached. |
Beginning Freestyle | $70-$200 | MK Flight/DoubleStar/Galaxy Wilson Arrow/Majestic Riedell Eclipse Cosmos/Volant Jackson Ultima Mirage/MarkIV/Aspire/AspireXP |
Lower-level skates come with the blade pre-attached. |
Intermediate Freestyle | $200-$300 | MK Vision/Professional Wilson CoronationAce/FourAces/CoronationComet Riedell Eclipse Aurora/Quantum Jackson Ultima Legacy/Protege Paramount Model CA/CP |
These blades you will have to buy separately and have them mounted to your skate boot by a professional. |
Advanced Freestyle | $400-$700 | MK GoldStar/Phantom Wilson GoldSeal/Pattern99 Riedell Eclipse Infinity/Pinnacle Jackson Ultima Elite/Freestyle/Supreme Paramount Model C9/440SS |
These blades you will have to buy separately and have them mounted to your skate boot by a professional. |
Origin of company: Canada
Jackson and Riedell are the most popular and well-known brands because they make skates for ALL levels of ice skaters, from the most recreational beginner to the most advanced Olympic athlete. No other brands cover such a wide range of skaters.
Jackson skates are easy to find, come in many widths, and are heat moldable to get the best fit for each skater. Jackson has some of the most reasonable prices for skates and its width options make it the best brand for wide feet. Jackson skates have a wide toebox and a narrower heel area, which seems to fit most skaters' feet.
Jackson and Riedell are the most popular and well-known brands because they make skates for ALL levels of ice skaters, from the most recreational beginner to the most advanced Olympic athlete. No other brands cover such a wide range of skaters.
Jackson skates are easy to find, come in many widths, and are heat moldable to get the best fit for each skater. Jackson has some of the most reasonable prices for skates and its width options make it the best brand for wide feet. Jackson skates have a wide toebox and a narrower heel area, which seems to fit most skaters' feet.
Origin: Canada
Gam is owned by the same company as Jackson, but has a different design for their boots. Just like Jackson boots, Gam boots are best for people who need a wider toebox. The in-step "wings" were created as a security wrap-around affect.
Gam is owned by the same company as Jackson, but has a different design for their boots. Just like Jackson boots, Gam boots are best for people who need a wider toebox. The in-step "wings" were created as a security wrap-around affect.
Origin: USA
Riedell and Jackson are the most popular and well-known brands because they make skates for ALL levels of ice skaters, from the most recreational beginner to the most advanced Olympic athlete. No other brands cover such a wide range of skaters.
Riedell skates fit quite differently from Jackson/Gam skates. If Jackson doesn't fit your feet well, Riedell may be the answer. People tend to fit into Riedell boots very well or not at all. Riedell's fit incredibly tight and narrow through the toes and instep, so it's best for people with tapered toes, or slender feet and ankles.
Riedell and Jackson are the most popular and well-known brands because they make skates for ALL levels of ice skaters, from the most recreational beginner to the most advanced Olympic athlete. No other brands cover such a wide range of skaters.
Riedell skates fit quite differently from Jackson/Gam skates. If Jackson doesn't fit your feet well, Riedell may be the answer. People tend to fit into Riedell boots very well or not at all. Riedell's fit incredibly tight and narrow through the toes and instep, so it's best for people with tapered toes, or slender feet and ankles.
Origin: Italy
Risport skates are very popular in Europe, but have gained some attention in North America as well. These skates tend to run narrow and therefore are not the best for wide feet. They have a more gradual lift in the arch and instep, which can make this boot a more comfortable fit for those with flat or pronated feet. These skates are known to be comfortable and durable. However, they can be more difficult to find in North America and cost more due to import costs.
Risport skates are very popular in Europe, but have gained some attention in North America as well. These skates tend to run narrow and therefore are not the best for wide feet. They have a more gradual lift in the arch and instep, which can make this boot a more comfortable fit for those with flat or pronated feet. These skates are known to be comfortable and durable. However, they can be more difficult to find in North America and cost more due to import costs.
Origin: Italy
A new company that was created by some people from Risport, these skates have become very, very popular in the last few years with skaters in both Europe and North America. Many of the newest World Champions skate in Edea boots.
Edea boots are designed very differently from traditional skate boots. They are known for being ultra-lightweight thanks to being made from synthetic materials instead of traditional leather. They also have a shorter break-in time, although this also means the boots might wear out a little faster than other brands. Some of the higher models have new anti-shock technology built into the bottom of the boot to relieve the pressure of triple or quad jump landings for advanced skaters.
Edea skates cannot be heat-molded in the traditional sense or you will destroy the boot. They have to be taken to a specialist who can perform boot shaping on this brand. Probably due to their current popularity and innovative design technologies, the higher end models can be very expensive.
Edea fits well on skaters whose heel, arch, and toes are about the same width. Similar to other brands, these skates tend to fit a skater very well or not at all.
A new company that was created by some people from Risport, these skates have become very, very popular in the last few years with skaters in both Europe and North America. Many of the newest World Champions skate in Edea boots.
Edea boots are designed very differently from traditional skate boots. They are known for being ultra-lightweight thanks to being made from synthetic materials instead of traditional leather. They also have a shorter break-in time, although this also means the boots might wear out a little faster than other brands. Some of the higher models have new anti-shock technology built into the bottom of the boot to relieve the pressure of triple or quad jump landings for advanced skaters.
Edea skates cannot be heat-molded in the traditional sense or you will destroy the boot. They have to be taken to a specialist who can perform boot shaping on this brand. Probably due to their current popularity and innovative design technologies, the higher end models can be very expensive.
Edea fits well on skaters whose heel, arch, and toes are about the same width. Similar to other brands, these skates tend to fit a skater very well or not at all.
Origin: USA
Harlick offers custom and stock boots at a high price, but is known for extremely high quality. Harlick is known for its customization options, such as heel huggers and rubber tongue lining. After Klingbeil went out of business, some skaters turned to Harlick for their custom-built boots. Since Harlick specializes in custom boots, skaters can get the perfect fit, stiffness, and style options they want. Because of the high-quality, Harlick boots last a long time. Since they are hand-crafted from traditional leather, it can take a long time for the boots be manufactured and mailed to the skater. It can also be difficult to find a boot fitter since most fittings happen in California where the boots are manufactured. Buying a pair of Harlick boots is a serious investment, so it is generally not a boot worn by beginners.
Harlick offers custom and stock boots at a high price, but is known for extremely high quality. Harlick is known for its customization options, such as heel huggers and rubber tongue lining. After Klingbeil went out of business, some skaters turned to Harlick for their custom-built boots. Since Harlick specializes in custom boots, skaters can get the perfect fit, stiffness, and style options they want. Because of the high-quality, Harlick boots last a long time. Since they are hand-crafted from traditional leather, it can take a long time for the boots be manufactured and mailed to the skater. It can also be difficult to find a boot fitter since most fittings happen in California where the boots are manufactured. Buying a pair of Harlick boots is a serious investment, so it is generally not a boot worn by beginners.
Origin: USA
SP-Teri is another brand manufactured in California and known for its customization options. However, this brand does have more stock boots to choose from, as well as being less expensive than Harlick's and faster when it comes to manufacturing and mailing out skates to customers. This too is not a brand for beginners because of the expensive prices.
SP-Teri is another brand manufactured in California and known for its customization options. However, this brand does have more stock boots to choose from, as well as being less expensive than Harlick's and faster when it comes to manufacturing and mailing out skates to customers. This too is not a brand for beginners because of the expensive prices.
Origin: Switzerland (branch office in Canada went out of business)
Graf is a company more known for producing ice hockey equipment, but they do make a few figure skate boots as well. Graf boots are much harder to find and expensive to import. They have a wide toe box, high arch, and narrow heel making them perfect skates for people with high arches. They are made of high-quality leather and well-padded.
Graf is a company more known for producing ice hockey equipment, but they do make a few figure skate boots as well. Graf boots are much harder to find and expensive to import. They have a wide toe box, high arch, and narrow heel making them perfect skates for people with high arches. They are made of high-quality leather and well-padded.
Blade attributes
- Parallel vs Parabolic
- classic vs lightweight
- 7' vs 8' rocker
- ROH (radius of hollow)
- straight vs cross-cut toe pick
- Tail length
ROH was discussed in Lesson 2. This is how you get your skates sharpened and the depth of the hollow created by the sharpening. All blades are sold with a recommend ROH, but your skates can be sharpened how you want them.
7' vs 8' rocker
The back part of the blade is called the rocker. The back of the blade is where most of the gliding and stroking takes place. If you drew a circle with a 7 foot radius and aligned a blade to the inside of that curve, the blade would match the curve. A radius of 8 feet is less curved, or flatter, than a radius of 7 feet. A radius of 8' will give you more speed. A smaller radius of 7 feet, will make you more mobile. For the beginning skater, or a child skater, a 7' radius is fine. You can do turns with less chance of falling as there is less blade on the ice therefore it gives you more agility. Generally, a smaller radius, or more curved blade, will result in smoother three turns and faster footwork. In addition, the front profile radius will give more clearance from the ice to the toe pick and allows beginner skaters the ability to spin better even if they haven't mastered their technique.
However, as you become more advanced and start double and triple jumps you will want a flatter blade (8 foot ) to give you better edge control. Due to more blade on the ice, you can start to prepare your body position for takeoff without falling off the edge so easily.
Personally, I started out on an 8' rocker from the very beginning. Plenty of skaters complain about the transition period when they are used to a 7' rocker and later on have to switch to an 8' rocker once they are higher level. In my opinion, it's just better to start out with an 8' rocker and therefore avoid a transition period where you struggle to change your skating style.
Parallel vs Parabolic
Parallel is the standard style of most figure skate blades. More expensive blades can be parabolic, side-honed, or tapered. All of these are slight adjustments to the blade's profile to create certain advantages in high level competitions. These are generally not things you need to worry about unless you are a high-level competitor.
Straight vs Cross-cut Toe Pick
Straight-cut toe picks are most commonly found on beginner ice skates. Once a skater reaches the intermediate level of freestyle (aka double jumps), cross-cut toe picks become more common. When a skater reaches extremely advanced skating (aka triple or quad jumps) the monstrous K-pick becomes more common. The more advanced a blade is, the more "aggressive" a toe pick becomes. Beginners should stay with baby beginner toe picks to avoid tripping over them while skating.
Tail length
Dance blades (made for ice dancing) have a shorter tail than freestyle blades to aid in quicker steps and movement and to decrease the chance of getting entangled with their partner's blade.
Synchro blades (made for synchronized skating) have a tail slighter shorter than a freestyle blade, but slightly longer than a dance blade. Basically, a synchro blade is a hybrid version between freestyle and dance blades.
Generally, only high-level competitors worry about purchasing a blade specifically made for Ice Dancing or Synchronized Skating. Anyone else just uses an ordinary freestyle blade for everything they participate in.
Classic vs lightweight
Boots like Edea and other brands are now being made with lightweight synthetic materials instead of the traditional leather. Newer blades are also being created with lighter weight materials. Lightweight blades are more expensive than the classic blades and are usually only purchased by advanced competitors who believe that a slightly lighter blade helps them competitively. However, there isn't a massive difference in weight between classic and lightweight blades. More weight can be saved in the boot than the blade, so if you're interested in lightweight materials, it's better to focus on the boot.
Ultimately, purchasing a lightweight boot and blade will NOT make you a good skater. Only practice and dedication makes a good skater, regardless of what skates they are wearing. It would be better to spend extra money on lessons and more practice sessions than buy an expensive version of a boot and blade you don't even need.
Dance blades (made for ice dancing) have a shorter tail than freestyle blades to aid in quicker steps and movement and to decrease the chance of getting entangled with their partner's blade.
Synchro blades (made for synchronized skating) have a tail slighter shorter than a freestyle blade, but slightly longer than a dance blade. Basically, a synchro blade is a hybrid version between freestyle and dance blades.
Generally, only high-level competitors worry about purchasing a blade specifically made for Ice Dancing or Synchronized Skating. Anyone else just uses an ordinary freestyle blade for everything they participate in.
Classic vs lightweight
Boots like Edea and other brands are now being made with lightweight synthetic materials instead of the traditional leather. Newer blades are also being created with lighter weight materials. Lightweight blades are more expensive than the classic blades and are usually only purchased by advanced competitors who believe that a slightly lighter blade helps them competitively. However, there isn't a massive difference in weight between classic and lightweight blades. More weight can be saved in the boot than the blade, so if you're interested in lightweight materials, it's better to focus on the boot.
Ultimately, purchasing a lightweight boot and blade will NOT make you a good skater. Only practice and dedication makes a good skater, regardless of what skates they are wearing. It would be better to spend extra money on lessons and more practice sessions than buy an expensive version of a boot and blade you don't even need.