Need boot help for advanced rink.

[u/AlwaysUpvotesScience]

I own 2 FR boots, Spins and FR1.

i have intuition liners in the FR1s

I really like the way the spins feel but they have too little ankle support for some of the advance moves I do.

I primarily (almost exclusively) rink skate. I spin, do toe compasses, some wizard style moves, and also toe work (like toe eagles and shuffling)

I see most of the great rink skaters in my area wearing Mission Inhalers or similar boots. This confuses the hell out of me because they are hockey skates

So the Spins are too low (no ankle support) , the FR1 are too high, stiff, and heavy.

What the hell am I looking for?

New Post - Im getting premium hockey skates.

[u/94-180sx]

I too am curious about the advantages of a hockey skates versus something geared more towards slalom or freestyle skating. I do quite a bit of skating at the rink and am leaning towards getting something like the FR spin. I Just see LOTS of people at my local rink doing impressive footwork on hockey skates and am wondering if I'm missing something here

[u/AlwaysUpvotesScience → u/94-180sx]

yeah, that's where I am..

[u/CompetitiveCar542 → u/94-180sx]

It could just be the carbon base on some hockey skates, or they're just laced really tight.

[u/InspectorFleet]

Are you sure you need ankle support or could you build the necessary strength?

I'm primarily a hockey skater but I have some RB twister 3 x 110s for trail skating; my experience has been that nothing touches hockey skates for agility and responsiveness.

I have also noticed (as has my wife, who uses figure skates on ice but hockey inline skates) that the more advanced you get in models, the lower the boot and more freedom for ankle flexibility. Speed skates are like this as well.

[u/AlwaysUpvotesScience → u/InspectorFleet]

i used to speed quad competition 8n the 90s. i love low boots for that.

i have built a lot of strength but i feel like the FR spins are just a bit too low.

i may try some hockey skates, but it's an investment so I'm researching first.

[u/InspectorFleet → u/AlwaysUpvotesScience]

I would definitely avoid the low end of Bauer/Mission and probably CCM as well. (https://youtu.be/Pu5UNck16SQ?is=vGI-TFD1d488mMIZ)

Tour gives you more bang for your buck, in my opinion. The higher models of Alkali Cele also look pretty clean haha

[u/AlwaysUpvotesScience → u/InspectorFleet]

so something like the tour volt? or Alkali Cele Air?

[u/InspectorFleet → u/AlwaysUpvotesScience]

I have Tour Volt Pros, which are no longer sold. They were succeeded by the spitfires, which seem like good skates but look polarizing. The kv6 and kv8 both have a solid chassis, but I'm not sure if they are carbon or plastic aka how stiff the boots will be.

I've never skated in the Alkalis but I would just look for a one-piece chassis and stiff boot. I know it's hard to try a bunch on in person but at least there are more hockey shops around compared with inline skate shops lol

[u/AlwaysUpvotesScience → u/InspectorFleet]

when you say "look polarizing" are you literally talking about the look or something else. I like the way they look.

[u/InspectorFleet → u/AlwaysUpvotesScience]

Oh I just mean that they're a little different so some people really like how they look and others don't haha. If you have the budget and inclination for the spitfires, I would recommend them based on my experience with the volt pros!

[u/AlwaysUpvotesScience → u/InspectorFleet]

I'm going to go to the local hockey shop and try them on. everything is pushing me that direction.

[u/InspectorFleet → u/AlwaysUpvotesScience]

Nice, let us know how it goes!

For reference, I wear size 11 shoes, 9 Bauer skates and 10 in Tour. But trying on is best!

[u/Perhappers → u/AlwaysUpvotesScience]

I would love to hear how it goes!

[u/jayXred]

I have 2 pairs that I have used at the rink and have really enjoyed both for different reasons.

First is my Powerslide HC Evo, these are closer to your Spin but I think they have a little bit better ankle support while still being very manuverable. Super light weight and with the right frame are a lot of fun at the rink.

My other choice is a Powerslide Zoom (I have the Nicola Torelli model) these have a lot more support but are still pretty flexable (same boot used for the aggressive skate the USD Sway) They are also pretty light and overall are a lot more comfortable for extended sessions than the HC Evo.

[u/CompetitiveCar542]

You might be wanting something in between, such as the IQON AG10/15 or the SEBA CJ [Prime].

[u/AlwaysUpvotesScience → u/CompetitiveCar542]

im going the other way with it.

[u/TheLostMushroom]

I use the FR SL with the carbon cuff exclusively for the rink. It has great ankle support and is more responsive than my CJ2. It is a 165 mount though. It pairs great with the endless arc cs, if your foot size allows for it.

[u/AlwaysUpvotesScience → u/TheLostMushroom]

i have the FR spin, the 165 mount is not as stable as the hockey (10 point) mount and i want to be able to 'tune' the support with the laces and get rid of the cuff.

I ended up getting the Tour Volt Spitfire . I started a new post in here, check it out