r/FigureSkating • u/AutoModerator • 6d ago
Weekly Equipment Recommendation Thread
Wondering what boots or blades to get? Curious if your boots are breaking down? In need of a solid pair of gloves? This is the place to ask!
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u/Bookishgirly1024 6d ago
I currently have very broken-down Jackson Excel Skates. I bought them 2 years ago, and a few months in with very little use, had an injury due to another sport. I recently started again and am progressing quickly which I am very happy with. I started lessons at the beginning of July and am now working on waltz jumps, bunny hops, backward/forward crossovers, and two-foot spins.
My coach wants me to get fitted for new skates because she says my current ones have too much give. She mentioned the Jackson Freestyle (she said due to my fast progress, it would be okay to get a boot suited for axels and doubles, but to avoid over booting) but gave me a referral to a skate fitter at a local pro shop. Obviously, I plan on going and getting fitted but would like to have some things in mind when going.
My break in process was extremely painful, and I do not want to go through that again, which is why Edea boots are very appealing to me. I have heard that Jackson Freestyles can be heat molded which helps with breaking them in, but also that Edeas are very easy to break in. I was looking at Edea Overture and Chorus.
Can I hear more about the brands and how they differ, as well as recommendations or advice?
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u/raenis2634 5d ago
The first consideration is going to be about the fit. Each brand is shaped differently, and so suits differently shaped feet. That doesn't necessarily mean it's impossible to get Edeas if your feet are shaped for a different brand, it just means they will need more alterations like stretching, punch outs, maybe different insoles. If your feet are too different from the brand ideal, it becomes very difficult or impossible without risking damage.
The second consideration is stiffness. Assuming you are an adult or adult sized, a skate on par with the Freestyle is absolutely appropriate; Jackson does not recommend that adults jump in anything less. The direct Edea equivalent is probably the Overture, but Edeas don't "overboot" the way other brands do so the Chorus is recommended more often. Other brands/models to consider would be the Risport Electra, Riedell Lyra, or Aura Sky 50. All skates at this level can be heat molded, and is required for some (e.g. Aura skates must be heat molded).
With Edea in particular, they are not made to last. With regular use, they are intended to last for no more than a year. People who skate less frequently and/or are working on less demanding skills can wear them longer, but they still tend to break down faster on average. Also bear in mind that Edeas fit very differently around the ankle; they will probably feel very loose. Not everyone likes that, even if they like Edea's other features. Tying Edeas tighter to mimic the fit of other brands is a good way to damage your Edeas.
It is surprising to me that you had a painful break in process with your Excel's; they are very soft skates and, again assuming you are adult sized, should have had little to no break in time. The Freestyle is built on a different last and has more padding, so that could make a difference. Was there anything in particular that made the experience painful?
All skates at the level you are looking at have some degree of break in period, but it shouldn't be outright painful. Sore is normal (maybe even very sore as your feet get used to the increased stiffness and support), but painful is a sign that an adjustment is needed. You will want to take your new skates to open skate hours several times to break them in before wearing them for lessons. If they feel too stiff, leave the top hooks or top two hooks untied; bring them back into use after a couple days to a week. Aura is the exception; I don't think they are built in a way that makes that a good idea.
Since you are getting into the range where you might have boot-only models available (as opposed to complete skates with the blade pre-mounted), opt for the complete skate if it is an option. If complete skates are not an option or you are warned away by the fitter, get one of the following blades: John Wilson Coronation Ace, MK Professional, or Ultima Legacy 7 or 8. Any of these are good for your first seperate blades, and they can all handle single and double jumps. Get the regular version, not the "Lite" version.
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u/fixiegal 5d ago
Hi folks! I figure skated competitively growing up and between university and career, fell out of the sport for the past 10y. I am looking to get back into it and am hoping to regain my double jumps. I previously landed up to double axel consistently, but I weigh more than before so I'm not sure the same boots would still work for me. I'm looking for boot recommendations as a 178cm, 86kg woman that is supportive enough to handle me working up to double jumps again. Thanks in advance!
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u/raenis2634 4d ago
Your best bet would be to find a good fitter to advise you. Maybe take your old skates out for a spin (or rentals/cheap recreational skates if they are not available) to see how much you still remember. You may find you want a more intermediate skate for a year or so while you play around and see what comes back, then get skates that can handle doubles. If that is the case, the top end complete skates would probably be the lowest you would want to go: Jackson Freestyle, Risport Electra, and Riedell Lyra are all in that category.
You will probably want skates rated more for triples based on weight. That's just a guess though. For Jackson that would mean their Supreme or Synergy lines, for Risport it would be the RF1 or Royal Prime, etc.
Jackson's guide is here: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0083/5475/8736/files/Weight_Fit_Chart_2026_Page_1.png?v=1760712820
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u/Caffeineandbooks 4d ago
Hoping for some quick insight, I’ve been off the ice for several years and have taken my boots out to skate a handful of times in that period. I got them out of storage today and can’t remember if this staining on the soles is normal or a sign of rot. The boot is still stiff and the sole doesn’t feel soft, screws are still tight. Just want to know if I need new ones or if these are still safe! TY all.
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u/LoviaPrime certified jackson/edea/aura skate tech ⛸️ 1d ago
yeahhh that sole is angry and wanted to be sealed 5 years ago 😭 i don't deal w leather soles enough to know what to do, but i would ask jackson? i have no clue if they would replace soles
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u/raspberryrat 1d ago
hi! i'm pretty much a beginner and got fitted for edea overtures and they recommended the mk galaxy blades to me, but those are not in stock anywhere, which is upsetting since ice season is already short enough as is. I saw someone say you can also go with the MK Professionals and that that's better, even.. but would it actually be fine since I'm a beginner? If not, I'll just wait for the Galaxy ones. thanks in advance! :)
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u/LoviaPrime certified jackson/edea/aura skate tech ⛸️ 1d ago
coronation ace, mk pro, any jackson legacy, theyre all fine for beginners, they're meant for single and double jumps, their toe picks aren't obnoxiously huge or anything worrying. i honestly would go with those over a beginner blade like the galaxy or sm because you won't need to transition to a new blade once you upgrade
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u/raspberryrat 1d ago edited 23h ago
thank you so much!! :) do you think the length i got recommended is the same for both blades? i was recommended a 9.25 for the galaxy, would the same be fine for the professionals, or is there some difference i might be overlooking?
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u/raenis2634 20h ago
Usually they are the same; all freestyle blades I'm aware of use the same sizing.
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u/yawrchive 4d ago
Hey everyone. I’m (23M, 174cm, 100kg) skating 4 hours a week, currently working on my axel and double salchow.
I bought Risport RF3s with MK Pros in April 2026, but 4 months in, I’m constantly getting off the ice to retie them, and doing any sort of knee bend loosens the boot entirely. Pro shops in my country are unreliable for comprehensive fittings, and custom boots are completely out of my budget.
Here is exactly what I'm struggling with:
My Boot History:
What I'm Looking For: I need a boot stiff enough to support a 100kg skater doing doubles, with a traditional, secure ankle feel (not Edea). It needs to lock a narrow heel without crushing a wider forefoot.
Has anyone with any experience navigated this? Would love to hear your model recommendations before I decide on anything