So I went to the shop near me yesterday after work, and after around 1.5 hrs. of trying stuff on, I left without any skates and a bit overwhelmed. I'll preface this by saying I didn't give my budget up front, I wanted to be kind of open on what I was trying on, and assumed a beginner would be put in pretty moderately priced skates to begin with, that was my first mistake. Also, the owner is very into tri skates (3 wheels) of size 100 and up. He said that they are becoming some of the most popular varieties because they smooth out the ride so much skating outside and that the 3 wheel design allows you to have larger wheels with a shorter frame to keep more maneuverability than a quad frame with larger wheels.
Up first was a Powerslide Next 100 skate. I think this was a starting point because it is a full molded plastic shell, so more lateral stiffness for what I described wanting to do with the ski cross training plan. This also has a removable liner like a ski boot, you can even replace that with an intuition liner if you like. The skate is supposed to be pretty bomb proof as in it won't break down outside of wheels of course, so it should last a good long time. I skated around a bit and it felt okay, though I am a bit worried that the large wheels will get me going too fast to start.. The owner didn't seem to take much issue with this, and thought I'd pick it up pretty quickly with my background and how I was already getting around on the first skates I'd been in since I was a kid. The fit felt secure for the length and width, it was comfortable, but the overall volume above my foot felt like it was in a tub, so I was definitely wanting to try on more options.
Second thing I tried on was just a boot as it wasn't set up with a frame or wheels yet. It was the Powerslide Swell. This is a hybrid boot that has both soft and hard shell components to it and is also laterally stiff. It was extremely comfortable, it literally felt like a glove as it touched every contour of my very low volume foot, including my instep. It has a specific 3 point frame it uses that has a channel down the center of it where the wheels sit, so this is supposed to lower your center of gravity a bit even though they are typically used with 3 larger wheels as well. I think I can go down to 90 mm, or I could do 100 +, but I would definitely NOT go over 100. I believe I could also do a 4 wheel setup, but I am warming to the idea of doing 3 wheels right now because it keeps the frame shorter and from some things I've read, people say it makes them easier for maneuverability since your central point of rotation is the single middle wheel versus 2 middle wheels with a quad setup. I could have had the owner put frames and wheels on the boot, but I didn't because I wanted to try more options, so I will have to do that next time since, spoiler alert, I'm heavily leaning towards these skates after having been able to go home and research some things myself after my visit. Though I really don't think they need it with how well they fit out of box, I was also told they can be heat molded to help with the break-in process.
The next thing I tried on was the Seba High Light. Here's where things started going a little downhill, as I LOVED these skates. This is another hybrid boot, super comfy (but roomier) and a little taller so starting to feel more like a really streamlined comfy little ski boot. The wheels on this one were much smaller than the others I had been on at 76mm (they also can accommodate an 80mm), and I felt more stable and connected to the ground I assume because of this. So I'm liking this skate, and ask how much it is.. $419 (on sale).. ugh what???
So I pull out my list of skates I'd originally been interested in trying from K2 and Rollerblade. He kind of dismissed the K2 saying that he really doesn't like them unless I am okay with their getting worn out really fast. He said that the lateral support starts out feeling okay, but in not too long they break down quite a bit and then I'll get less and less lateral stability and be trying to tighten, to no avail, to compensate. This resonated with
@WaterGirl 's comment above regarding always having to try and tighten.. So I then asked about Rollerblade and he says they are better constructed and brings out the Maxxum 90 which is supposed to compete with the Powerslide Next 100 that I'd originally had on. I put that one on and I really liked the fit, another form fitting one (why can't ski boots fit me with this ease?!!?). However, I could immediately feel a bunch of pressure points, like the liner was super thin or something and I'd definitely need some padding.. Now if I'd originally tried these on as I'd wanted, well then I might have just thought that was fine, but after having on the other skates that felt so good and like I could stay in them forever, well these kind of stunk.. Not only that, but they are still like $279 skates. I don't want to drop that kind of cash on something that doesn't feel good.
Then I go back to the Seba (that yeah there is no way I'm paying for, but why not play more with them..) and ask if they have the next size down to try on because actually those felt a little longer and had less heel hold than a couple of the others even though it wasn't a bad fit by any means. So he comes back out with a size down, but it is actually the top of the line model because it is carbon fiber and this one is not much more than the High Light because it was a demo skate and therefore 30% off. So this one is $530 (um yeah we are going in the wrong direction..), but I try it on for the sizing aspect. I'm relieved that it is a tiny bit tight actually, on my little toes. He has me try them on without the insoles to see if that makes enough room, it just about does.. No problem says the owner, this one is also heat moldable, AND we use equipment like ski boots to punch things out when necessary..
So at this point I am completely overloaded with information, annoyed with myself for trying on expensive skates that make the still not cheap cheaper ones feel like crap, and I want to get out of there badly! I make my exit and promise to mull things over.. I was annoyed that I got all frazzled, and there was no making any real decisions at that point.
Once I got home and away from the situation, I started further researching the Seba High Light and Powerslide Swell options. Pushed the Seba aside because they are just too expensive and I couldn't find them any cheaper online either. The Powerslide Swell on the other hand seems like a good option given how well they fit me. Plus I found a bunch of really good reviews and such online for them, so that makes me feel better as well. Seems I could get older versions cheaper online, but may just go back to the shop because I'd like to have them all setup and heat molded for me, plus I'd like to keep the local resource since it doesn't seem there are almost any others around for brick and mortar shops anymore. I'm also thinking it'd be best to start with 90mm wheels, so I figure I might be able to switch these out at the shop since they aren't built yet versus buying a fully built pair online and then having to purchase the additional wheels etc. anyway.
Super excited to get started.. would you try and source cheaper online, or go through the local shop and pay a little more but have a good contact going forward?
Sorry for the book!