Care to talk about Artistic Boots ?

[NaNaDo]

I just recieved a wonerful gift certificate from Santa for enough money to get new boots.

NOW ... the boots I have been using are the Riedell Gold Star from the 70's that just about everyone wore back then!!! They were just starting to break in when we gave up skating. They sat in the attic for 24 years and when I went up and got them out 2 1/2 years ago they were still in very good shape ... except the rubber tongue lining is a bit dry rotted and rather flakey!!!
I have been looking at the Riedell again, 375 Gold Star's, 900 Elite Roysl's and the 1500 HLS.
I see today many competitive skaters wear the Harlick's and Edea's...
We are not going to compete again (for now anyway) but I would still like a decent boot, any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. We skate Dance and I will mount the boots on my old Snyder Imperial Plates!

Thanks for any input!

NaNaDo (aka: regina)
www.reginam.com

[ncsk8rgirl]

I an not an artistic boot authority by any means but I do know that the Edea boots are VERY comfortable with no break in time.

[masterd]

I have the Reidell 336 boot. This is a custom made boot and it did not require any time to break them in. In fact we skated a meet and I never had them on with the exception of an hour or two. Skated the meet and came in 2nd place. I can't say enought great things about these boots.

[jkaplenk]

Since you just mentioned a tongue issue one other option you might think about is having them rebuilt. I've had great success with this. It is cheaper than you might think.

When I have boots that fit me well I dread it when I need to get new boots for some new frames, plates or blades. It takes a while to get used to and I've had more than my share of feet problems in the meantime.

I've had tongues replaced, sides stiffened, soles replaced and all sorts of boot surgery. I have a pair of SP Teris that are almost twenty years old and I use on ice, which is harder on the leather than a roller rink due to moisture and it has been rebuilt at least three times and fits the best of any of my boots.

Rainbo sends their work to Montclair Shoemakers in Chicago. They have done boots for many well known world champion skaters. Oftentimes they are just mailed in and out. I have no connection with them other than being a satisfied customer. There are competent shoemakers around the country that can do this also.

Joe Kaplenk

Originally Posted by NaNaDo

I just recieved a wonerful gift certificate from Santa for enough money to get new boots.

NOW ... the boots I have been using are the Riedell Gold Star from the 70's that just about everyone wore back then!!! They were just starting to break in when we gave up skating. They sat in the attic for 24 years and when I went up and got them out 2 1/2 years ago they were still in very good shape ... except the rubber tongue lining is a bit dry rotted and rather flakey!!!
I have been looking at the Riedell again, 375 Gold Star's, 900 Elite Roysl's and the 1500 HLS.
I see today many competitive skaters wear the Harlick's and Edea's...
We are not going to compete again (for now anyway) but I would still like a decent boot, any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. We skate Dance and I will mount the boots on my old Snyder Imperial Plates!

Thanks for any input!

NaNaDo (aka: regina)
www.reginam.com

[NaNaDo]

Hello NCSk8girl and hello again Steve! and hello also to Joe !!!
I know that asking the question I would get conflicting answers and will probably get a few more yet today!!!!


I am sure it will be a matter of personal preference for everyone, but, I "had" to ask since everything is so different today. (lol) My husband got the Reidell Royals a few months after I got my Gold Stars and he absolutely loved his!!! Said they were the best and easiest to breakin, back then...Two of the young girls at our rink had the Harlicks then recently got Edea's, one girl loved the Edea's and the other just hated them and immediately went back to her old Harlick's !?!?!? I am sure I will just have to make a choice and order them. I am just checking here to make sure that I am "not" still "stuck in the 70's with reguards to my boot choice if it does wind up being Reidell".

I do have to laugh though, when we came back to skating, there was so many comments that were different than years ago. One person would look at my skates and would say "eeewww... I can't believe you still have those Imperial plates" !!! The next person would say.."Gee, I would 'kill' to have my old Imperials back" !!!

Joe... the rebuild sounds like a good idea, but these boots are a little bit to snug in the toes for me today... I was truly suprised that I could still get into them all these years later. The one young girl that I spoke of above had her old boots that she went back to relined ... so it "is" good to know of places that do this.

Thanks for the comments and thanks for any comment to come yet!!!

regina

[ncsk8rgirl]

Maybe you can get someone to let you try theirs own before you pick one?? What I like, and what you like, and what everyone else likes is different!

[NaNaDo]

Very true NC !!! I was thinking of asking other ladies at the rink that have new boots if i could try theirs on! Two of them skated when we did 30 years ago so they can do a good comparrison in what "was" and what "is" today... for boots!

regina

[rwsz]

definitely have your feet measured correctly first. if you are going to do artistic dance i recommend the edea's dance flamingos or if you want riedell either the 297 or 336. both are very comfortable and have little support. the new silver stars, gold stars and royals are very heavy and really figure boots. but some skaters like a heavy boot for dance so its something you have to think about. good luck

[NaNaDo]

Originally Posted by rwsz

definitely have your feet measured correctly first. if you are going to do artistic dance i recommend the edea's dance flamingos or if you want riedell either the 297 or 336. both are very comfortable and have little support. the new silver stars, gold stars and royals are very heavy and really figure boots. but some skaters like a heavy boot for dance so its something you have to think about. good luck

"Bingo" ! thanks Rick! This is why I think I wanted assorted opinions. Because today... there are so many boots, plates, wheels that are strickly for Dance, or Figures, or Loops, or Freestyle!!! I think that was one of the things that stunned us the most when we returned... skaters have such "large" skate cases today because they own so many pairs of skates. I knew the figure skates had much stiffer boots and I thought they would be to tough for dance!!!

regina

[masterd]

This is a personal preference on boots. At 53 years old I did not want to go through getting a stiff boot that took awhile to break in. For figures I would not have got the 336. For dance something a little less stiff is what I wanted. Deep edges are easier and all around they are a great boot.

[NaNaDo]

Originally Posted by masterd

This is a personal preference on boots. At 53 years old I did not want to go through getting a stiff boot that took awhile to break in. For figures I would not have got the 336. For dance something a little less stiff is what I wanted. Deep edges are easier and all around they are a great boot.

Thank you again Steve and thaks Rick !!! I am looking at a pic of the 336 right now. I like how it looks and like what you guys say about it for Dance. This one sound perfect for me! My old boot that I use now are not broken down just very well broken in and I can hold a beautiful edge for dance. But "can not" stay on or even near the line for figures. But my coach says that OK because I am a dancer not a figure skater!
I also am not interested in taking many many months for boots to break in!
I do know there is allot of skaters that love the Edea's for dance and do say how comfortable they are but I am not thrilled with the "ivory" boot for the ladies... guess I am to old school for that... I like to see a nice white boot on the ladies!

Will let you know what I finally order...

regina

[bobnva]

Originally Posted by masterd

I have the Reidell 336 boot. This is a custom made boot and it did not require any time to break them in. In fact we skated a meet and I never had them on with the exception of an hour or two. Skated the meet and came in 2nd place. I can't say enought great things about these boots.

In my opinion this is, if not the best, one of the best dance boots for roller out right now.

[pastskater]

Well, I am getting ready to sport mine next year...and if having them custom made by any means is an indication of fine fit and no break in time...I am hear to say...I was Robbed!
Harlick custom

So I will get the sad, and ugly pair of skates I have overhauled* God willing, and will get back to you when I do...sometime next year and let you know after a over 20 yr retirement...just how much break in time the second time around is

[bobnva]

Originally Posted by pastskater

Well, I am getting ready to sport mine next year...and if having them custom made by any means is an indication of fine fit and no break in time...I am hear to say...I was Robbed!
Harlick custom

My wife bought a pair of Harlick custom boots at the beginning of last season and tried to wear them for 3 months for figures. She hated them, said they hurt her feet. We tried to talk to the Harlick rep about doing something to help the fit and he wasn't receptive at all. She is skating figures now in a Gold Star and just loves the boot. Not a Harlick fan here. But as a caveat I know some people love them, not us though.

[cindysk8s]

My new Harlick dance boots came in while we were in Las Vegas last week. I love the Harlick Classics for dance. I'm one of those that swears by Harlicks... my 8 year old has been in Harlicks for 2 seasons now and loves them too. Can't wait to get them mounted and on the floor.

Personally, I don't like the way Reidell's look on my feet - make them look huge!

What i've seen of the Edea's is ok but i'll stick with my Harlicks.

[rwsz]

Originally Posted by cindysk8s

My new Harlick dance boots came in while we were in Las Vegas last week. I love the Harlick Classics for dance. I'm one of those that swears by Harlicks... my 8 year old has been in Harlicks for 2 seasons now and loves them too. Can't wait to get them mounted and on the floor.

Personally, I don't like the way Reidell's look on my feet - make them look huge!

What i've seen of the Edea's is ok but i'll stick with my Harlicks.

the skater that won the senior solo dance wears harlicks, heavy ones at that. he has bad ankles and loves them, so a lot of it is preference.

[NaNaDo]

Originally Posted by cindysk8s

My new Harlick dance boots came in while we were in Las Vegas last week. I love the Harlick Classics for dance. I'm one of those that swears by Harlicks... my 8 year old has been in Harlicks for 2 seasons now and loves them too. Can't wait to get them mounted and on the floor.

Personally, I don't like the way Reidell's look on my feet - make them look huge!

What i've seen of the Edea's is ok but i'll stick with my Harlicks.

Hello Cindysk8er
Thanks for sharing information too! I see from another post that you are from Fantasy ... we are supposed to come down there Sunday evening to make a delivery and stay for the Organ Session ... will you be there? I wear a size 7 or 7 1/2 would my foot fit in you boot? If so, would you mind if I slipped my feet into your skates to see how they feel???

So, "the Good Lord willing and the snow doesn't get to deep" this afternoon and tomorrow, perhaps we will see you tomorrow evening!!! I will ask Allen to point you out to me...OK? And I look like my "avatar" ... Old Lady with spikey white hair!!!

NaNaDo (aka: regina)
www.reginam.com

[masterd]

Most who have the 336 boot will agree for dance it is one of the best. My partner has Harlicks. She likes them alot but after cleaning her skates, wheels and bearings I think I would still take the Reidell 336 boot for dance.

[cindysk8s]

Regina - my boots are a 7 1/2 so of course you're welcome to try them on. They're not mounted yet but at least you'll get a feel for them.

I'll be there for our club party at 5pm and plan to stay for a bit a session as well. BTW - i'm the one skating Esquire with Allen this season!

Hope to see you then - drive safe!

Cindy

[snydertoestops]

Originally Posted by NaNaDo

I just recieved a wonerful gift certificate from Santa for enough money to get new boots.

NOW ... the boots I have been using are the Riedell Gold Star from the 70's that just about everyone wore back then!!! They were just starting to break in when we gave up skating. They sat in the attic for 24 years and when I went up and got them out 2 1/2 years ago they were still in very good shape ... except the rubber tongue lining is a bit dry rotted and rather flakey!!!
I have been looking at the Riedell again, 375 Gold Star's, 900 Elite Roysl's and the 1500 HLS.
I see today many competitive skaters wear the Harlick's and Edea's...
We are not going to compete again (for now anyway) but I would still like a decent boot, any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. We skate Dance and I will mount the boots on my old Snyder Imperial Plates!

Thanks for any input!

NaNaDo (aka: regina)
www.reginam.com

Those Edea's pieces of plastic are muntants. Get a pair of real skating boots.