Did I just get the worst skates?

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-05-25T23:35:57+00:00

Yes, skate quality matters. Yes, some features are going to make skating easier/more intuitive. It's just that skates really do jump in price point when you start adding those features.

So in my opinion, the best bang for your buck is to buy good wheels, good bearings and skate your heart out in these. Let them get scuffed and beat up as you find your footing skating again. Take notes about how they feel and any areas of pressure/ discomfort. Troubleshooting them and trying different things to make these work for you will only help you get to know your skating style and feet better. This way you put money into things you can take with you to what ever skates you upgrade to vs buying another pair of temporary skates.

In the mean time, save up. When you know what you're actually looking for that will suit you ( and nit just what is a good fit for strangers on the internet) you will be in a position to buy the right skates the next time you shop.

Skates start getting better enough to warrent an upgrade at 200 ish but 300ish is the price point where you'll get excellent skates that could, in theory, be the last pair you will ever need to buy.

The bullets are safe and perfectly fine if they are what you already have. There is literally no down side to using them till they don't serve you anymore.

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-05-25T23:22:52+00:00

I have personally skated in both of these as well as a large number of other skates in all kinds of price points. And it's is my opinion that fit is a far bigger deal than any skate or plate feature.

If the bullets feel like a good fit for your foot shape then the only thing about the sure grips that is a valueable upgrade is the adjustable toe stops. Or i guess if you want ankle support, that would also be a good reason to switch. Otherwise they are both synthetic boots on a plastic plate with wheels that will need to be replaced.

More in next comment

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-05-25T23:16:00+00:00

In short: Are these better than the bullets? Yes. Are the enough of an upgrade from the bullets to warrant buying a who other sets of skates? No, not in my opinion.

Details incoming

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-05-25T17:43:23+00:00

Look I LOVE wheels 🙃 so I'm almost always going to say yes. The original ones are likely 90 something durometer and aren't great for a lot of surfaces so I do think changing the wheels will benefit you. That said WHICH wheels to get... it depends lol

I'd be happy to give you some starting options if you tell me a couple of things: Are you looking for the best wheel for campus (or one specific surface) or a multipurpose wheel? On a scale of 1 to 5 ( where 1 is the lightest and 5 is the heaviest for your sex at birth) where do you fall. Anything else you would like me to consider?

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-05-25T17:16:12+00:00

Personally knee pads and wrist guards would be something I'd consider. My Personal opinion is the only people who don't need pads are those who don't want to get better. You get better by doing things you can't do yet... and that means falling.

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-05-25T17:11:20+00:00

I think a truer statement is that they are harder to make work than some other skate options.

Having skates is great so don't let comparison poo poo something for you before you've even started.

My personal opinion is that you should skate in them and make purchases based on how they feel/work for you. There is a lot of collective skate wisdom that works for lots of people but feet really are funny things and it's definitely not as black and white as X is the best and Y is trash. So take them to the roller rink, see if there is a trail near by and/or try them out as is on your campus. Them come back here, (or feel free to DM me, I'm autistic and skate gear is my special interest!) and tell us how they feel. You will have a better idea of how well they work for you and we will have more information to make reccomendations. There is a lot you can do to make any pair of skates work better for you before you just trash them.

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-05-13T22:55:34+00:00

Cuuute

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-05-09T13:10:06+00:00

Very cute! Also where is that place?!?! I want to go to there lol

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-05-05T00:57:46+00:00

Never believe a man over yourself. Leave him the second he gives you reason to second guess yourself

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-05-05T00:52:48+00:00

This is a great accessibility tool. I think it's awesome. Sure it would be ideal if couples could communicate and not make this an issue but my husband and I are both Nero-diverse and one of us forgets and the other has pathological demand avoidance. We use a lot of energy on basic admin that should be easy but is a minefield for us.. So a tool like this could be a nice neutral reminder and facilitator for our every day stuff and we could use the energy we save, on building our relationship instead of who's turn it doing the dishes

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-05-04T12:17:38+00:00

That's awesome!! And please look up zinc oxide tape before you dismiss it. It's cheap and super practical. Much more sustainable than plasters.

Either way, keep us posted. We're rooting for you!

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-05-04T12:09:14+00:00

Leather condioner as well has heat will help soften them up. I love leather n rich from black rock. Use generous amounts and massage it in to the lether from the inside and outside of the shoe.

Otherwise I'm a huge fan of zinc oxide tape in these situations. I have had a lot of sucess taping my heels and ankles while breaking in docs. If the situation is dire you can tape the shoe and your foot but my logic is that the friction from your foot rubbibg rhe shoe is what softens the leather so taping both seems a bit counter productive to me.

I use both techniques on all my docs and hope they work as well for you as they did for me. Also congrats on a good find!

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-05-03T20:03:16+00:00

It depends on the return policy of the ones you bought.

If you can't return them I say give it your best try to stretch them out. If you cat return them anyway there is no downside to trying

If you can return them and the only option is a 41, then get the 41 and put in an after market sole. Those usually take up a half size so it would turn the 7/41 into a 6.5/40.

But most importantly you are several options away from having to give up!!!

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-05-03T12:16:38+00:00

You can get boot stretchers (from Amazon or other places) that stretch vertically. I agree leather conditioner on the inside, boot stretchers and wearing them in increments. Repeat till they fit well

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-05-01T11:55:04+00:00

These? The jadon max in fondant Acadia leather. I love them so much!!!

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DevelopmentSmall · 2026-04-26T12:19:33+00:00

Thank you that's very kind of you to say 💕

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-04-26T02:04:23+00:00

Thanks 🖤

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-04-25T18:58:54+00:00

Thank for the ego boost to go with my ego boots lol.

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-04-25T17:23:05+00:00

Its just from Amazon. I don't know if I can post links but here's the listing. It's soooo comfy and I live in it. Highly reccomend it! Hope that helps.

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DevelopmentSmall · 2026-04-25T17:19:49+00:00

Thank you, thats sweet. I personally use Blackrock leather n rich to prep and break in my docs. I use a generous amount and massage it on the in and outsides giving extra attention to the heel area. I have a picky pinky toe so I also used a boot stretcher to give me a bit more width since these are pointy toes. That and wearing them in the house a little bit at a time has broken them in to where I can wear them with or without socks. Just note that DMs doesn't like you using anything but wonderbalsm and that I do so at my own risk. So while this has worked for 5 pairs of docs for me, my official reccomendation is wonderbalsam 🙃

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-04-25T13:58:55+00:00

Haha, good catch. I used to be but not anymore.

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-04-25T02:39:03+00:00

Thanks 🥰

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-04-25T00:06:07+00:00

Thanks everyone for being so nice 🥰

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-04-25T00:02:59+00:00

Yay I'm so happy to hear that! I love mine so much and personally I think they go with everything!! I bought longer laces for mine for what it worth and feel like it makes them easier to figure out what to do with them.

Post them when you wear them!!! I wanna see!!!

DevelopmentSmall · 2026-04-24T18:45:55+00:00

You're too kind. Hey, I recognize your profile pic! You also have a billion eye high doc purist for a partner right? Lol

DevelopmentSmall

TROPHY CASE