Brands and Models: Where to Start?
"So which one is the best?"
Each brand has it's own unique set of features. It is best not to think of certain brands as being superior or inferior to others. Not all Olympians wear the same brand. The key is to find the brand that fits your foot the best and then find the model of that brand that matches your level.
It is critical that you make sure the skate matches the level of the skater.
Are you a freestyle skater, a dancer or synchro? Do you do pairs? Is your foot wide? Do you have a high arch? These are additional questions that should be considered when picking out new skates.
Regardless of what brand you purchase, it is critical that the fit is exact.
YOU SHOULD NEVER BUY SKATES BIG FOR CHILDREN!!!
Yes, children grow quickly, but it is far less expensive to replace your skates once or twice a year than to take you child to the hospital because they broke their ankle in skates that did not fit properly.
Below are several of our most popular brands with a brief description of their features and how they differ from one another
A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW THEY SHAPE UP....
Jackson Ultima - Canada
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Heat mold-able for an easier break in
(does not apply for entry level ice skates with plastic soles)
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Wider toe box and foot bed. More comfortable for wide toes or people with bunions/bone spurs
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STRONG boots - do not crease or soften as quickly as similar models from competing brands
Famous skaters who wear Jackson:
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Nathan Chen
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Amber Glen
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Jason Brown
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Adam Rippon
Risport - Italy
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Risport has boots offered in leather, aloe and their new models are made of lightweight micro fiber with carbon fiber soles.
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A more gradual lift in arch and instep make this boot a more comfortable fit for people with flat or pronated feet
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COMFORT - Risports consistently get excellent reviews for comfort and easy break in, HOWEVER; this does mean that they are likely to break down quicker for powerful skaters.
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Skaters who wear Risport:
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Alexandra Trusova
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Anna Shcherbakova
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Elizaveta Tuktamysheva
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Mao Asada
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Yuna Kim
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Shoma Uno
Riedell - USA
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Most Riedells models are made with synthetic materials so
they are an option for those who do not support the use of
leather
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American Made!
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NARROW - Riedells fit incredibly tight and narrow through toes and instep so they are an excellent choice for individuals with slender feet and ankles.
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Skaters who wear Riedell:
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Jonny Weir
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Vincent Zhou
GRAF - Switzerland
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Beautiful design, Grafs are high quality leather boots with intricate stitching
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HIGH ARCH - Grafs have an anatomical foot bed and are designed with a high arch lift, making them an excellent and comfortable choice for people with high arches.
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Grafs have a wide AND high toe box
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Skaters who wear GRAF:
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Carolina Kostner
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Javier Fernandez
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Ashley Wagner
EDEA - Italy
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Modern and unique design
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Moderate instep and arch, slightly tapered toes, looser fit in the ankle by design (meant to encourage easy knee bend and flex)
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Edeas are very light weight and one of the easiest brands to break in
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Skaters who wear Edea
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Alena Kostornaia
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Yuzuru Hanyu
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Evgenia Medvedva
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Alina Zagitova
AURA - Canada
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Aura skates are the newest boot on the market
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Full custom, carbon fiber boot made from 3D scan of the skater's foot
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The lightest boots on the market
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VERY rigid. Recommended only for advanced skaters
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Skaters who wear Aura
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Nam Nguyen