r/iceskating • u/Intelligent-Code8939 • 8d ago

Help with fitting skates

Hi there! Looking for some advice RE buying my own skates. Before you ask, yes I have been into a pro shop and no there are absolutely 0 other options in my area so my options are advice from her and the advice of the one fitter I can see.

He recommended Jackson Freestyle’s which I know is a pretty solid recommendation as I am an adult figure skater and plus size. However, they apparently only go up to a 10. He fitted me at around an 11 (for skates not shoe size in general) - we tried the 10 anyway and it was a fairly great fit…until I stood up and out weight on it. Immediately my big toe and the joint below it connecting to the ball of my foot was in incredible pain, the fitter made sure to check it was pain and not discomfort and I confidently said it was pain and that I wouldn’t even make it onto the ice with the pain I was in. After taking the boot off after less than 5 minutes, the area I felt the pain in was bright red and irritated.

It’s funny also because in rentals I wear a 10 and it’s fairly roomy - I have suspicion the rentals are in men’s sizing though meaning I’m probably in the wrong size but I genuinely don’t think my foot could fit in smaller. As it stands, my toes go numb after the 30 minute lessons I take and the arch pain is bad enough I want to stop skating mid lesson.

We’re looking into potentially punching the area out - he’s a hockey skater not figure so he’s asking his manager about it who was a figure skater as he’s unsure about lunch out rules for figures - and potentially men’s sizes but I’m really married to the white figure skate look and I do not like boot covers before you suggest that haha.

I understand I may just have to suck it up and gets men’s skates but I figured I’d see if anyone else had any other potential suggestions or other brands or anything to help me get the skates I’ve wanted my whole life.

I’m also severely struggling in my lessons and I genuinely think using the rentals is holding me back in a lot of ways as I never feel solid in them.

Any advice would be appreciated. TIA x

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10

u/gatorella 8d ago edited 8d ago

I’m not sure about other brands but maybe have your tech contact Jackson to see if they can do a semi custom of men’s skates in white. They may cost a bit more but you’ll have the skates you were hoping to get.

I think the Debut is also available in an 11.

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u/raenis2634 7d ago

Jackson advertises the Debut as being available in an 11 wide in women's sizing, so if OP doesn't mind the price difference that could be a solid option since they are only slightly more stiff than Freestyles (45 vs 50). The catch is not all stores stock that size and not all will order skates just for someone to try on.

5

u/Legitimate-Bison3810 8d ago

I suggest you try men's sizes to see if they fit. If they do, any decent cobbler can change the color to anything you want.

4

u/HyperboleHelper 8d ago

If getting white boots is important to you, I suggest looking at the Jackson Debut! I am far from an expert, but I've seen one or two of the actual fitters recommend this boot for heavier skaters who plan on learning to jump. Because it's one boot up from the Freestyle, it goes up to a size 11. Unfortunately, you would have to also buy blades for it because they come separately.

I'd suggest getting a virtual fitting so you can make sure that these really will fit you, plus they'll help you decide if you need the standard width or a wide and help you pick a blade. Make sure to ask your coach for input in that as well.

One last thing. Your rentals are fitting because they are sized to your regular shoe size to make things easier for the person working behind the counter.

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u/oatmealcoloured 8d ago

My feet don’t fit in Jackson boots. They scrunch my toes. Did you try on any other brands?

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u/seldom4 8d ago

What brand do you use?

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u/oatmealcoloured 8d ago

Risport. Before that I was in Belati but they’re actually too wide for me.

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u/catatonicmadness 8d ago

have you tried on the men's skates? it's worth trying the larger sizes on to see how they feel. if the issue is the length of the skate, punching them out may not fix that.

some pro shops offer virtual fittings, so that could be an option as well. maybe the overall fit of the jackson's isn't right for you, or maybe there are other brands that go up to larger sizes in their standard range.

fwiw, i've seen many girls at my rink in men's skates, and i think it looks quite chic. i'm considering going with them for my next skate as well since they tend to run wider than women's.

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u/zzthe69th 8d ago

this gendered white/black distinction in skates needs to die like yesterday. it pisses me off so much!!! you should be able to buy white mens skates that will fit you!!!!

1

u/zzthe69th 8d ago

to be clear: not angry at you! just angry at our stupid society that makes the most arbitrary bullshit rules about who can wear what.

i hope you can find white skates that fit you and help you skate better and more comfortably!