Buying Boots
While there are many reputable brands of boots, some of the most popular ones, and the ones that most of our skaters use, are Jackson, Riedell, Edea, and Risport. All of these brands have skates for all disciplines and skill levels, and entry level skates tend to run in the $100-$200 range. Below are links to boot selection guides for each of these brands.
Another alternative for an entry level skater is to purchase used skates from another skater. Club members often sell used skates that they have outgrown or are no longer suitable for their level of skating.
Boots break down over time, especially those of skaters who do a lot of jumping. As a result, these skaters need to buy new boots fairly regularly. The good news for beginners, however, is that these boots are often perfectly fine for beginner skaters and an excellent way to get a higher quality skate for lower cost. Check on the rink bulletin board or ask around to see if this might be an option for you or your skater.
It is always a good idea to get professionally fitted for skates, and even more so when you are purchasing a brand new pair. A reputable fitter can provide recommendations for brands that suit your foot and will have a variety of boot brands and styles available to try on. They will also be able to provide recommendations for an appropriate blade for your level. Many of our skaters go to the Cleveland area to purchase new boots. Both Matt at Trusted Edge and Chris and Carl at Skaters Edge are experienced fitters who can help you choose the right boot for you or your skater.
Caring for Your Boots
The leather of your boots is susceptible to water damage. With the trend towards making boots as light as possible, many boots are no longer made entirely of leather. It is still important, however, to dry off your boots at the end of each skating session, especially the sole of the boot which is still often made of leather. You generate a lot of snow/water when you skate, and it will destroy the soles if you’re not careful. This is of special concern around the blade-mounting screws, which need good strong non-rotten leather to bite into.
The interior of your boot needs some TLC too. More likely than not, your feet will sweat while you’re skating. That moisture can get trapped inside the boot and rot it from the inside. To help avoid this problem, open up your boot as much as you can when it’s not on your foot. Loosen the laces as far down as you can. Pull the tongue up and out from the boot as much as you can to help the inside of the boot breathe. If at all possible, let your boots live outside of your bag for a little while once you’re home – until they are nice and dry inside. At the very least, unzip the bag to let them air out.
While there are many products available to help manage the smell you will inevitably notice emanating from your boots (sprays, scented deodorizing balls, etc.), one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to minimize this problem is with a dryer sheet. Simply placing a dryer sheet in each boot and leaving it there whenever you’re not wearing them can help a lot. Be sure to push the dryer sheet all the way down to the bottom of the boot (and towards the toe), as that is where the bulk of the sweat accumulates.
Last, but not least, bear in mind that boots will break down over time. The primary place this happens is along the sides at the point where your ankle becomes your foot. Over time, the leather in this area will become thinner and crease. This is a good indication that the boot is no longer supporting your ankles the way they need to be supported. Check your boots periodically and get new ones when they get too badly broken down – your safety and the quality of your jumps rely on the consistency of support that only a well-cared for boot can provide.
Caring for Your Laces
Laces are not something people generally spend much time thinking about, but a lace that breaks at an inopportune time can cause an awful lot of grief and can even cause an injury. Treat them with respect and replace them when they start to wear or to lose “threads,” or when the aglets (little plastic things at the ends of the laces) come off. Always keep a few spare pairs of laces in your skating bag.
It’s also important to use the right length of lace. Too long and you’ll have huge loops of lace left over, which can drag near the ice and become a hazard. Too short and you’ll have a hard time tying your boots securely. Write down the proper length of your laces somewhere you can easily find it so that you will always know what length to buy.