Online skates recommendation

[hanca]

I stuck my Jacksons into normal owen to heatmold them. I downloaded some advice from the internet about how to do it. First I made the owen hot, then I switched it off and put them in for about 5 minutes. It worked.

[TAHbKA]

I didn't realize ice skates were possible to heatmold (I knew that about bont speedskates...). Hm... now that sounds more interesting

[hanca]

I didn't realize ice skates were possible to heatmold (I knew that about bont speedskates...). Hm... now that sounds more interesting

Only some, not all. Usually the higher level of boots, not the recreational ones.

[Hanna]

I don't know in how much of a hurry you are but if you're willing to wait until May, you could probably get something here (again).

[TAHbKA]

Hanna, I think that's the most plausible. I bought the previous pair in intersport, but if I recall they only had the crap I bought or Rispot (which seems a bit too much). Are there any other stores in Helsinki? (will you take me there?))

[Hanna]

So you're looking for something that's a bit better than the 30€ skates but not quite Risport etc.? Do you have a budget (if shipping + taxes won't be an issue)?

May is sort of "off season" for general sports stores (like Intersport) to be selling skates so I don't know what kind of variety they will have... but the stores that are specialized in figure skating sell skates all year long, of course.

And yes I'll take you to a shop if needed.

[TAHbKA]

So you're looking for something that's a bit better than the 30€ skates but not quite Risport etc.? Do you have a budget (if shipping + taxes won't be an issue)?

Shipping/taxes will not be in issue if I take the skates in my luggage (which I will).
Budget? Am not sure. Guess anything around 200$ is fine, but I still want a soft-ish boot.
The Rispot I saw 5 years ago was 140E or so, which is fine, but the boot was far from soft.

Yay, thank you!!!!!

[Hanna]

Shipping/taxes will not be in issue if I take the skates in my luggage (which I will).
Budget? Am not sure. Guess anything around 200$ is fine, but I still want a soft-ish boot.
The Rispot I saw 5 years ago was 140E or so, which is fine, but the boot was far from soft.

OK so basically your budget allows you to go to the pro shops instead of general sports store/market stuff.

There are two pro shops in Helsinki that have Riedell, Risport, Edea, Jackson and Wifa for beginners/recreational (between 100 and 150€, mostly). I have no idea how soft the boots are though... Figure skates often don't tend to be very soft (until you've broke them in) but I guess the beginner ones may be a bit different? At least you'll get the chance to try them on though instead of just buying blind.

Here are links to the boots that the stores recommend for beginners
http://verkkokauppa.luckyskate.fi/pr...alog.php?c=130 (this store is very Riedell orientated)
http://skateshop.fi/naytatuotteet.ph...hmaTunniste=13 (this store has more variety but the prices are not online... I'm pretty sure that most of it is between 100 and 150 though)

[J-Ro]

Some brands are heat-moldable because the interior support is plastic, not leather. You can't heat mold leather, of course. If you are a recreational skater, you may like Jacksons. I would go for something a bit more substantial than the soft skate, though. It's REALLY soft. A friend of mine runs a skate shop in Boston. If you send your foot measurements, she could likely find something that would fit and be appropriate. She's very good.

I would recommend the Jackson Mystique. This is a recreational set but better than the Glacier series or the Softec. It's about $100 or 77 euros. Yes, there are cheaper boots, but you just don't want to put any old junk on your feet, either, because skating is so much more enjoyable with proper equipment.

[TAHbKA]

אThanks J-Ro!

so I tried the Edea boots - it seems allright - apparently my foot is not as wide as I thought it was.

Hanna, the prices in Finland seem to be a bit on the high end....

Another trouble is the shipping - apparently to ship anything from the USA would cost about 60$, which would also mean I'd have to pay a tax in Israel....

Checking the options of someone going there and bringing me the skates, but am less and less optimistic about that ....

[J-Ro]

אThanks J-Ro!

Checking the options of someone going there and bringing me the skates, but am less and less optimistic about that ....

I may have a solution for you. I'm in the United States and I work for an airline that goes to Israel. PM me for details...