What are Stiffness/Support Ratings?
The Stiffness ratings in the Figure Skate Comparison Guide refer to the amount of support for a particular model of skate. The stiffer the figure skate, the stronger the support. Stiffness ratings will vary depending upon figure skate brand. For this reason the Figure Skate Comparison Guide has given a range for stiffness with each level.
Stronger skaters or larger adult skaters might want to move up to the next higher level boot (a more stiff boot), lighter or younger skaters might want to move down to the next lower level (or less stiff boot) but purchase a higher level blade. This is especially true for young girls skating at higher skill levels, but their physical size can’t justify a figure skate boot built for a senior lady. When in doubt consult your coach or instructor.
If you have chosen the correct figure skate boot and skate several times a week, then it should take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to break them in. If your feet are killing you after 5 or 6 months then you probably picked the wrong boot for your skating level. Expect blisters and/or sore spots during the break in process.
Figure Skate Comparison Guide
There are several factors to consider when choosing figure skates such as your body type, your skill level and the stiffness rating of each boot. The Figure Skate Comparison Guide below has our recommendations for choosing figure skates based upon an individual's skill level. This guide refers to the test levels of the United Skate Figure Skating Association (USFSA) and the Ice Skating Institiute (ISI). It also uses the recommendations provided by figure skating manufacturers as well as observations and experiences of the customers who have bought figure skates to help you select the most appropriate figure skates.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Figure Skates
Four factors to consider when purchasing your boot are: your weight, how often you skate, your skating level and your foot length & width. Remember there is no "better brand" of figure skate, there is just the brand that fits your foot the best. To read more information about figure skates, visit our Figure Skate Facts page.
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| Test Level | Skill Level | Skate Type |
|---|---|---|
RECREATIONAL ONLY This means that these skates are meant for pond skating or for skaters who only want to skate occasionally. Except for the very young (ages 7 and below), these skates do not have the support needed for skaters who are taking lessons and wanting to advance in the sport. | Occasional ice skating, non-competitive skating, or beginner skaters (not for Adult Beginners). Good Recreational Boots with a support rating between 15-20. gliding, stopping, forward stroking, basic edges. | (Girls Beginner/Rec.) (Women Beginner/Rec.) Jackson JS1491 Mystique Jackson JS1592 Mystique Riedell 113SF Riedell 110 Opal (Girls Beginner) (Girl Beginner) (Beginner Women) (Boys Beginner) Risport Scott Hamilton |
BEGINNER INSTRUCTIONAL This means you need more support for skills learned through instructional figure skating. In addition you will be skating more frequently and need a skate that will stand up to the increased usage. ISI Pre-Alpha, Alpha USFSA SKATE CANADA SKATE UK AUSSIE SKATE | Basic steps, swizzles, gliding, stopping, forward stroking, basic edges, forward crossovers, two foot spin, backward stroking. Boots Should have a support rating between 20 - 30. Lowest Rating is for Youth, Higher Rating for Adults. | (Beginner Girls) Jackson JS1593 Mystique Jackson JS1790 Artiste Jackson JS1790 Artiste (Beginner Boys) (Beginner Girls) (Beginner Men) Riedell 133 Diamond GAM G0171 Pirouette (Beginner Women) (Beginner Girls) Risport Scott Hamilton Risport Antares (Beginner Adult Women) (Youth or Adult) SP -Teri Silver Medalist SP-Teri Escalde Graf Splendid Gold |
ISI USFSA SKATE CANADA SKATE UK AUSSIE SKATE | Back crossovers, three turns, bunny hop, forward lunge, arabesque, ballet jump, beginning half jumps, simple footwork such as Mohawks, hockey stop, T-stop. Boots Should have a support rating between 30 - 45. Lowest Rating is for Youth, Higher Rating for Adults. | Jackson JS1791 Artiste (Youth Girls) Jackson FS2130 Elle Fusion (JS1993) Jackson FS2192 Freestyle Fusion (Adult Men) (Youth Girls) (Youth Girls) (Adult Women) (Youth Girls) Riedell 33 Diamond Riedell 223 Stride Riedell 223 Stride (Youth Girls) (Youth Boys) (Adult) Sp-Teri Gold Medalist Graf Ace |
ISI USFSA SKATE CANADA Pre-Preliminary SKATE UK AUSSIE SKATE | Advanced stroking, crossovers, forward one foot turns, consecutive edges, half-jumps, one foot spins, sit spin. Beginning single jumps. Boots Should have a support rating between 40 - 50. Lowest Rating is for Youth, Higher Rating for Adults. | Jackson FS2191 Freestyle Fusion (Youth Girls) Jackson FS2190 Freestyle Fusion (Ladies) Jackson FS2193 Freestyle Fusion Jackson FS2192 Freestyle Fusion (Men) (Women) (Men) (Boys) Riedell 29 Edge (Ladies) Risport RF3 Pro (Adult Men) Sp-Teri Pro Teri Graf Prestige |
ISI USFSA SKATE CANADA SKATE UK AUSSIE SKATE | All single jumps. Half and Single jump combinations, beginning axel. Spins such as backspin, scratch and sit, camel, spirals, simple footwork. Boots Should have a support rating between 45 - 70. Lowest Rating is for Youth, Higher Rating for Adults. | (Youth Girls) (Youth Boys) Jackson FS2450 Debut Fusion Firm (Adult Women) Jackson DJ2471/DJ2470 Competitor (Ladies) (Women) (Men) (Youth Girls) (Youth Boys) (Women) (Men) (Women) (Men) (Ladies) (Youth Girls) (Youth Boys) (Ladies) (Men) Graf Richmond Special Sp-Teri Pro Teri |
ISI USFSA Intermediate Free SKATE CANADA SKATE UK AUSSIE SKATE | All single jumps, Combination jumps, Axel, Change foot spins, flying spins, more complex footwork, spiral sequence. Beginning doubles. Boots Should have a support rating between 55 - 75. Lowest Rating is for Youth, Higher Rating for Adults. | (Ladies) (Ladies) (Ladies) Riedell 910 Flair (Ladies) GAM G0078 Bronze Label (Ladies) (Men) Graf Richmond Special Sp-Teri Super Teri SP-Teri Super Teri Deluxe |
ISI USFSA SKATE CANADA SKATE UK AUSSIE SKATE | All single jumps, all double jumps, combination doubles, lower level triples, flying spins, complex footwork. Beginning Triples. Boots Should have a support rating between 70 - 85. Lowest Rating is for Youth, Higher Rating for Adults. | (Ladies) (Ladies) (Men) (Men) (Women) (Men) (Women) (Men) (Ladies) Risport Royal Exclusive (Men) Risport Royal Exclusive (Women) (Men) (Women) (Women) (Men) (Women) (Men) Graf Edmonton Sp-Teri KT-2 SP-Teri Super Teri Deluxe SP-Teri Zero Gravity |
ISI USFSA USFSA SKATE CANADA SKATE UK AUSSIE SKATE | Triples, quads, combination triples, all spins, complex foot work. Boots Should have a support rating between 85 - 100. Lowest Rating is for Youth, | (Women) (Mens) (Women) (Men) (Women) (Men) (Women) (Men) (Women) (Men) Risport Royal Exclusive (Men) Risport Royal Exclusive (Women) (Men) (Women) Graf Washington Sp-Teri KT-3 |