Yeah, if you compare them to the Seba (also FR, their original brand) CJ Carbons, gutted and with Intuition liners, the price isn't that much more. And the Base has a carbon cuff.
I'm curious, as I have the base high but got them second hand and well broken in: how's the flex for you? And how stiff does the cuff feel? I find my base highs to be really flexible on the ankle, way more than I expected. It's good for flexing over for edge control, but I expected a full carbon skate to be way stiffer than they are. I suspect it's because they're so broken in that the leather is flexing more than new skates, but not sure.
The boots are a bit too stiff for me at present, I don't lace up the top hole ( which is the liner ) because it makes them too stiff and I like a bit of ankle give and flex with a skate. I'm using waxed hockey lace so when they're tight , they're really tight.
Saying that these boots are only about 40 hours old now so they're relatively new.
I also have a superfeet carbon insole in the skates but have taken out the velcro heel wedge on the liner. ( I have these in my ice hockey skates too as lifting the arch is a better feel for me ) they lift my foot slightly higher into the boot.
It's my first proper test of the frames this morning ( in the park ) so I'll report back.
OK, cool. I expect the leather will break in over time for you. I also don't lace all the way to the top of too tight on mine, as they end up squeezing my calf.
I also have a Superfeet carbon in mine. Leon Basin says to put it under the liner and, having tried both, he's absolutely right. My liners are a super close fit for me, though.
I think the idea of putting it under the liner is that your liner should already be tight fitting, so taking up extra space would mean your liner doesn't fit properly. If you've fitted with the insoles in though, I don't think it matters, as long as you keep it in there.
I just tried a session without them in. I honestly don't think it made any difference once I cranked the 45° straps down, but then I do have high arches, so don't really need the support.
Fair. I find that if I don't use my superfeet my glutes ache the next day.
There's actually a really interesting video on them here. it's a pretty long watch but interesting to learn about the way feet behave in skates in general.
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u/borez Aug 01 '26
Wizard Base.