Skate Buying Guide ⛸️

Buying a pair of skates? Here’s what you need to know!

 

Important considerations:

Size – As you know from when you started wearing rental skates, boot size is really important. Too big and your foot slides around, too small and you wake up with blisters the next morning. When it comes to buying a pair of skates, you want to make sure that the size is right. There’s no harm in searching online to buy a pair of skates, but it’s always worth it to go and try on the skates you want in a shop.

 

Comfort – Depending how often you skate, you want to make sure that the boots feel comfortable. Different boot brands have different amounts of padding which means different levels of comfort. That’s why trying on the boots before you buy them is important. It’s important to remember that boots often feel uncomfortable at the start, and that’s because they haven’t moulded to your feet. They need to be ‘broken in’. Some boots can be heat moulded so that fit your foot shape straight away. Other boots can’t be, due to the material they’re made from, so they have to be broken in by skating in them and getting them to stretch to your foot.

 

Level – Boots are different based on the level they are designed for. Boots that are designed for high level skaters are made of lighter materials and have stiffer support. ‘Stiffness’ is an important factor when deciding on skate, and each boot will have a different stiffness rating. Boots with a high stiffness rating are designed to support skaters attempting high level elements, such as triple and quad jumps. Boots with lower stiffness ratings are designed to be comfortable for new skaters while providing enough support to practice beginner elements.

 

Price – Boots increase in price, depending on the level they are suited for. Boots designed for high level skaters will have high stiffness ratings, high comfort, but will be more expensive. It is important to remember that the price of the boot shouldn’t be the determining factor. Beginner and advanced boots change in cost, depending on the brand. The main focus when purchasing a skate should be the level it is designed for and how it feels.

 

Here is a list (non-exhaustive) of useful websites for browsing figure skating boots and blades:

https://www.willies.co.uk/

https://www.planetdance.com/

https://prolineskates.com/

https://iceboxskating.co.uk/

https://www.wheelsonheels.co.uk/

 

Below, you’ll find a list of boot recommendations for different levels of skater, ranging from beginner to advanced. It is always worth calling a skate shop and making sure they have the boots you want in, before you travel to try them on and purchase them. There are obviously more boots available than these recommendations that are suitable for stages between the ones listed here, but they are a good starting point. Prices given are estimates from different shops, and they often vary depending on required boot size. More advanced boots come as ‘Boot Only’ and blades would need to be purchased separately.

 

 

Level	Model	Description	Price	Stiffness Rating
Beginner	Jackson Ultima JC500	A very beginner-friendly boot with minimal stiffness, great for lessons and early skill building.	£145 (boot+blades)	5
	Graf Bolero	An entry-level model designed for beginner and recreational skaters, offering excellent support, providing the ideal balance of flexibility and stability for developing basic skating skills.	£115 (boot+blades)	25
	Edea Motivo	A beginner-friendly boot offering comfort and moderate support as you build foundational skating skills.	£178 (boot+blades)	45
	Risport Venus	A cost-effective entry skate with light support, ideal for first steps and recreational skating.	£103.95 (boot+blades)	25
	Jackson Artiste	A mid-level freestyle boot tailored for skaters refining their single jumps and spins.	£146.95 (boot+blades)	25
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Intermediate	Edea Overture	A lightweight boot designed for beginner-to-intermediate skaters who are progressing toward single jumps and spins.	£178.95 (boot+blades)	55
	Risport Electra	A versatile boot aimed at progressing skaters who are developing stronger technique and working consistently on doubles.	£199.95 (boot+blades)	45
	Aura 50	An introductory/transition boot offering moderate stiffness and reliability, suitable for skaters moving beyond basics.	£215 (boot only)	50
	Edea Concerto	A performance-oriented boot for advanced skaters, offering high support for rigorous training and stronger technical demands.	£320 (boot only)	85
	Jackson Debut	An intermediate boot with enough support to carry skaters through consistent single and early double jumps.	£265 (boot only)	50
	Risport Royal Pro	A high-performance boot for serious competitive skaters, offering robust rigidity and refined construction to support complex jumps and spins.	£238.95 (boot only)	65
	Aura 100	A specialized boot crafted for skaters who are firmly in the “solid doubles” zone and preparing for triples, with increased stiffness and support built in.	£350 (boot only)	75
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Advanced	Edea Piano	A top-tier boot constructed for advanced and elite skaters, with one of the highest stiffness ratings in the line, engineered to deliver maximum power, stability and precision.	£499 (boot only)	95
	Jackson Elite	A competition-level boot offering premium support, high stiffness and elite-grade materials, designed for skaters executing high-end elements like triples/quads.	£499.95 (boot only)	85
	Risport Royal Prime	An advanced-level boot featuring reinforced structure and high stiffness, geared for committed skaters competing or training at the highest level.	£329.95 (boot only)	90
	Aura 200	The ultimate performance boot in the Aura range, optimized for elite skaters doing intense training, multiple jumps and demanding choreography, with very high stiffness and support built-in.	£475 (boot only)	100