“First, the upper of the skate is sewn to-
gether,” he said. “Ten the stiffening supports are glued or sewn into place. Meanwhile, a ‘last,’ which is a solid mold of the foot, is found for the size of the skate being made and has an insole attached to its bottom. Te upper is placed over the last and the insole is then placed in a machine to staple or glue the upper to the insole. Te half skate receives a sole, and then a blade is mounted.” Traditional skating boots are typically
made of leather, although some manufacturers are opting to use other types of materials. One such company is Italian figure and roller skate manufacturer Edea. With the advances in the technical side
of the sport, the materials used are even more important. For example, Edea uses lightweight materials in its boots, said Sabrina Merlo, founder and owner of the company. “Since the company started in 2002,
Edea has been at the forefront of this progress — introducing lighter materials for speed, ergonomic design for greater maneuverability and innovations in lacing and padding for comfort and safety,” Merlo said. Materials used in the inside of the boot, including insoles and lining, are crucial to pro- tecting skaters’ feet as they perform difficult elements like quadruple jumps. “Our latest boot includes a double
antishock layer, which not only reduces ice chatter for a smoother skating experience but absorbs landing impacts, allowing for quicker transitions and faster ice speed,” Merlo said. When it comes to choosing a pair of skating boots, finding the right fit is signifi- cant.
“Size is the most important thing when choosing a boot,” Merlo said. “Unlike ordinary shoes, boots should hold the heel in place. Our boots hug the foot without pressure points and ensure the heel is held perfectly for the correct foot position.” In years past, many high-level skaters would opt for custom boots. But that thinking has changed, Ladwig said. “Many skaters today actually use stock
boots,” he explained. “Most manufacturers have made large advancements in post-pur- chase molding to achieve high levels of customization and comfort through heat molding.” Edea is an example of a manufacturer
that is, pardon the pun, on the cutting edge of this technology. “Our special shells and memory foam
lining give the skater the perfect fit,” Merlo said. “Te break-in period is much shorter so that after one session, the skater feels at home.”
Edea founder and owner Sabrina Merlo is excited about industry advancements. Te stiffness of the boot is important for
skaters at any level; however, the skater’s level dictates the amount of stiffness they actually need.
“Strength of the boot is a key aspect to consider in any purchase,” Ladwig said. “Te strength of an elite skater’s feet and legs are built by years of conditioning and skating and allows them to use stiffer boots.” One of the most common pitfalls of the
purchase process is when skaters “over-boot.” “Sometimes I hear skaters who start out buying the most expensive boot, because they want the top model, when they are not ready for the stiffness developmentally,” he explained. “It’s like giving a 15-year-old with a fresh driver’s license a permit for a Formula One race car.”
Te blades of a skate also require careful consideration. As with boots, a skater’s experi- ence should drive the type of blade they need, Ladwig said. “Blades, like boots, have a progression, and good companies offer complementary pairings in entry and intermediate packages of boot and blade,” he said.
Te mounting of a blade is important
to a skater’s performance. If it is “off” even slightly, it can cause a skater many problems, and in some cases, injuries. “Because of the rocking to the toe and using the toe pick to jump, mounting a figure skate is different from quad roller skates or inline skates,” Ladwig explained. “Te blade of a normal figure skate being center mounted
means it is aligned with the tangent to the top of the sole and heel.” Skaters should never try to mount their
own blades, Merlo said. “Getting the blades professionally fitted
will ensure the correct position,” she said. As skates are worn, the blade will inevi-
tably shift from their original position. New technologies can help to minimize this. “Te revolutionary thin sole combined
with the hi-low screws means the blades will hold position without loosening over time, which is a perennial problem for more tradi- tional skates,” Merlo said. Perhaps the most powerful part of the blade — the toe pick — is often not given a lot of attention. “One aspect I think skaters overlook is the toe pick rack,” Ladwig said. “Each blade does have slightly different curves, but blade to blade they have different picks, which matter greatly to jumping.” And again, a skater’s level plays a role and
it’s important not to “over-blade.” “For a beginner skater, I find a straight pick better at allowing some rotation off the ice,” Ladwig suggested. By pairing modern technology and prod- uct education, a skater can find skates that work well for them, Merlo said. “Identifying your strengths and what you
need from the skate helps you pick the right model for your skating ambitions.”
SKATING 31
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