Figure Skating Boots: Your Epic Guide to Buying Them & Taking Care of Them!

There is so much that goes into finding the right skate for you! While many figure skating boots are similar, some are quite different in material and performance. In this video, I'm going to help you better understand ice skating boots so that you can make an informed decision on the best choice for you, including Jackson Ultima, Riedell, Edea, Aura by True, Harlick, Graf Switzerland, Avanta, and SP-Teri.

00:00 Introduction to Figure Skating Boots
00:42 What Factors Should You Consider When Deciding on the Right Figure Skate?
00:58 What is Overbooting?
01:08 Where to Go To Buy Figure Skates?
01:56 Is It Expensive to Get Fitted for Ice Skates?
02:31 Can I Learn to Ice Skate in Skates That Are Too Big?
02:53 Should I Purchase Figure Skates Online?
03:14 Why Should I Not Ice Skate in Too Large of a Skate?
03:44 How Often Should I Replace Figure Skates?
03:54 Buying Used Ice Skates
05:21 Figure Skates for Different Skating Levels
05:39 Rental Ice Skates
06:03 Soft Skates - Soft Tech Skates
06:20 Beginner Ice Skates
07:18 When Should I Upgrade My Figure Skates?
07:34 Double Reinforcement for Figure Skates
07:55 Figure Skates for Learn to Skate Free Skate Levels and ISI Freestyle
09:15 Maximum Weight for Figure Skates
09:58 Ice Skates for Adults & Teens
10:32 Ice Skates for Wide & Narrow Feet
11:05 What is Last in Figure Skates?
11:16 Figure Skating Stock Boots
11:28 Jackson Ultima Figure Skates
11:38 Riedell Figure Skates
11:50 Edea Figure Skates
12:13 Harlick Figure Skates
12:25 Risport & Graf Figure Skates
12:40 Aura Figure Skates (Aura by True)
12:53 SP-Teri Figure Skates
13:08 Custom Figure Skates: Avanta, Jackson, Riedell, Harlick, SP-Teri
13:39 Avanta, Harlick, SP-Teri Custom Skates
14:04 Edea Custom Shaping
14:47 Measuring for Figure Skates | Figure Skate Sizing
15:08 Figure Skate Blade Size
15:22 Fitting Figure Skates
15:46 How Long Does It Take to Get Custom Figure Skates?
16:12 Heat Molding Figure Skates
16:41 Lacing Figure Skates
17:01 How Long Will Figure Skates Last?
17:23 Tonya Harding Broken Lace
17:50 Water Sealing Figure Skates
18:14 Why Should I Wear Thin Socks With Figure Skates?
18:58 Can I Ice Skate Without Socks On?
19:11 Storing Ice Skates Properly
19:40 Should I Get New Ice Skates Before My Competition or Test?
19:56 Breaking in New Ice Skates
21:17 Mounting Figure Skates Blades
22:01 How Long Will My Ice Skates Last?
22:34 How To Tell When It's Time to Replace Your Figure Skates?
22:59 Figure Skating Care & Maintenance
23:34 Should I Ask My Coach Which Figure Skates to Buy?

My name is Aimée Ricca, and I’m an ISSA Certified Elite Personal Trainer (E-CPT), Nutritionist (CN), and Youth Fitness Coach (CYFC). I'm also a PSA Ranked and Rated Skating Coach/Choreographer. My passion is to inspire and empower you to achieve your healthy living goals – because I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive!

⚠️⚠️ ⚠️ Disclaimers ⚠️ ⚠️ ⚠️

[mrsfrappucchinoblub]

My best advice would be: always ALWAYS try on the skate you'll be purchasing and consider it well.I was bitterly disappointed with my first pair of skates. My coach advertised this pro shop as the best thing, like they have such good eye for foot shape etc etc. It is sadly also the only shop in a 200km radius from where I live 🙈 So I went there and they actually don't have boots to try on. They just measure your feet and recommend a pair and you just have to take them basically. I was fitted for Jackson Debuts because they said "we'll recommend them for any adults" and didn't like them at all but couldn't say why, it was just a feeling. When I needed new ones, I did the 200km trip to the next pro shop and ended up with Edeas. I loved them from the first moment and regret nothing 😂😂

[Sheea_real]

i left jackson for risport once in like eight years and i came crawling back on my hands and knees. Jackson, always

[Eponine_Sandon]

I got super lucky buying second hand skates (to clarify in my state there’s hockey shops but no figure skating shops you can buy okayish skates at bobwards or whatever but not what I was looking for) and I was wearing old narrow skates with a flimsy ankle and was in pain. I bought a pair of used Jackson freestyle skates worn a couple times an sat in a closet I’m a street size 6 and I bought a 5.5C they were perfect, I got them heat molded at a hockey store and they’re amazing but if I had got a 5, 6, or b I would be miserable, someday I’ll travel out of state to a skate shop but in the meantime I’m grateful that I got lucky

[christyj]

Love that you've taken the time to do this, but have to say I had a terrible experience with Aura. They made the boots way too big despite confirming they had the right measurements.

[esterhuisintveld]

You have so much knowledge on this, thanks for sharing! ❤
I've skated on Risport, Edea, Graff and finally now on Jacksons. They are the best fit for my feet with wide front and narrow heel. I've worn skates that were too large at one point. Lost my Axel and double Sallchow, because I couldn't get to the toepick. So the correct fitting is indeed crucial for your skating performance.

[elliewillow]

I had custom skates that were molded to my feet. & The best blade they had.

If you’re skating more then twice a week I recommend the custom boot. If you are competing then a custom boot with a premium blade are going to help you,

[SamLwin]

I love Aura and I love your channel - so much information!

[TwiggyAshley]

yeah I need a pair of my own skates cause every time I get the chance to get on the ice, the rental skates always leave a blister on my ankles, even though I get my right size and tighten them correctly. thank you for all the info. my problem that there is no skate shop near me cause figure skating is not common where I live, all I have is Academy and Dicks, unfortunately

[cristina_UK]

Great video :) And I'll be just another skater who raves about her Auras!

[naomihaid]

Thank you so much! Im having such a Hard time Finding a Shop where i can try on boots since i am pretty Tall for a Women and have size 9, 5 in normal shoes. Last time i bought boots in our closest Shop, they had one pair risport Rf 3 boots in My size, it was the only pair they had so i bought them but the pair is at least 7/8 years old 😂 so they are Stiff and too small for me as well but i really needed them. Now i am Well prepared looking for another Shop and know More about finding the right boots

[What_a_coincidence]

I just got a pair of used pianos from someone at my rink. I was in choruses before that and they were a size 235 and the pianos are a 240 (the choruses were too small) they were only worn for 1 month and aren’t even broken in. They have mk phantom blades and the skates and blades were only $250. They don’t seem used and my private coach recommended them. I don’t see a problem with them. For anyone wondering the owner of them got a foot injury after on, y wearing them a couple of times and needed to wear custom skates

[auroradazzle_]

My mom once got me ice skates for Christmas last year. They were a bit too big on my feet and just plastic (she always said to take a bigger size for thick socks, while you should use thin socks... but she didn't listen to me, lol). When I started working at the ice rink, I've talked to the owner of the building and he said that he once watched me skate. He told me that my skates were broken; his statement made me confused. They didn't look literally broken.

We don't have a skate shop here in Luxembourg, but he recommended a shop to me which I'll be going to on Monday. It's in Germany. In overall, I'm very grateful that I asked him for advice. Figure skating is very fun (I've learned so many things on those plastic shoes all on my own) and I can't imagine how much I'll improve as soon as I have my well-fitted skates. I'm so excited!!!

[ethanmiller]

I got Jackson EXCELS a little while ago! I love them! They are amazing for my level and great! What do you think is a good skate bag for them? and soakers!?

[kamifan]

I am not sure weather I should purchase edea overture or chorus, overture is more for my level but with chorus I can keep it for longer without having to buy new skates.

[lorrygeewhizzbang]

I'm used to hockey skates but like the look of figure skates, are there any "figure skates" without the toe pick?

[MobiusMinded]

Have always had and will never use anything other than custom Harlicks. YMMV

[AyaaAcademia]

Thank you for the point of the skates having to fit me today instead of in anticipation of what level I'll be! I've been told that I'm wasting money getting my Edea Wave in the beginner category because I'll break them but I'm absolutely an adult beginner (the kind that can't even skate at all). I get that it sucks having to buy another skate once you've progressed but it is better than overbooting imo.

[bakuzan_]

i have edea overtures and i also bought them from the local shop but i noticed that they are two (or maybe three) sizes big for me. i didn't notice it when i first tried them since they were stiff. we don't have much opportunities in terms of figure skating here (it's a little better at other cities) so boot fitting includes trying a few boots and checking the insole to see if it fits. anyway, when i went to the shop and explained the situation, also showing the insole that indicates they are big. she told me that it's normal and that i should wear them with thick socks (which i didn't believe since i feel excessive feet pain when i'm skating. i feel pain regardless of the sock i wore in the boot. ) at this point i don't trust her since i have no idea if she's lying or just don't know anything at all. i'll probably travel to another city solely to get a second opinion.

[cynthiamcgee]

I had espateries for my first Boot and now I have harlicks.

[Laralove]

0:46 why does it say Trent Michaud is wearing 5252's? That cant be right seeing as to how those boots are only reccomended for double jumps?