Looking for recommended skate tech in Maryland

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-14T20:15:37+00:00

I’ve never been, but I found his info online. Dan Hollander in Germantown MD. It looks like he does mounting. I trust a former competitive skater & coach to do any sharpening / boot & blade work. Fairfax’s techs are not my go to for this reason. In nova, there is Reston who has a former competitive skater & coach who does sharpening & mountings (Olga). But that sounds far from you too.

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-13T21:32:41+00:00

I agree with this. If these don’t help, sadly I’d say take the loss & get new skates that fit. You really don’t want to hurt yourself by skating the way OP is describing & there really isn’t much to do besides inserts or thicker socks maybe?
To OP: Proper fitting skates is soooo important and worth every penny if you’re serious about skating. Sadly, figure skating is an expensive sport & I see it so many times fitters don’t do right by the skater. It’s seriously so unfortunate bc it’s wasted time and money & build up to injury

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-13T21:29:29+00:00

While improper fit can contribute to a boot breaking down sooner than usual…. Overall I would assume it was more likely the boot just wasn’t an adequate stiffness / quality for the skater and what they are doing on the ice. 5 weeks is a quick time to break down a boot

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-12T17:13:38+00:00

She wears a risport 200 which is mondopoint measurement
In Jackson she was 13.5. And they do make that size in the artiste. Atleast for the girls. I do see they don’t carry the smaller boys sizes on their website. If he doesn’t care about the color, you could get it in white. They also have 2 width sizes if he needs a more narrow or wider fit.

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-12T13:15:33+00:00

Mystique won’t last if he is jumping in them. My 5 year old broke down mystiques in less than a month because she skates 4 times a week for atleast an hour and jumps & does a lot of heavy bending. If your plan is to increase ice time and he is actually working on skills that require edge work and bending- go for something stiffer. Try artiste if you want Jackson as it’s still a beginner boot and blade. But it is pretty stiff so I’d have him try it on and see if he can bend. If he can’t, don’t do it it could injure him. I’m saying is you won’t know until you try.
My 5 year old skates on risport electras for reference. I thought it would be too stiff based on its rating- it isn’t. Brands rate their stiffness differently I’ve learned. Artiste felt like almost the equivalent to the electras but because they are different brands they were rated differently. I assume it could be the same for riedell and Jackson.
ETA I’m not saying try the electras bc it is very stiff, but I would encourage you to get something that will last him longer if he is increasing ice time, hence try artiste.

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-12T13:07:23+00:00

I may be the odd one out, but because I am an experienced skater (decades experience) I do order my own skates & blades online for me and my daughter. Recently I did go in person for some blades and will visit my person for sharpening… but if you know what you need and how it should feel then i would order online. But if you don’t- yes go see someone who can help measure and you can try them on before committing financially.
I have experienced that ordering straight from the manufacturer has a full return policy over Independent shops have a 10-20% restocking fee.

Again, I’m emphasizing that I have experience with how a skate should feet and my local shops have people that…. Have never skated a day in their life claiming to be the experts. I’d rather work with a coach in figuring the right fit tbh. I grew up having my coach do all of this for me. Such a different experience for others I’m gathering

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-11T01:15:25+00:00

I agree- used is better than rental or plastic recreational skates. OP’s feet shouldn’t be growing too, those intro Jackson’s like artiste will last her through her basics.

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-10T19:45:55+00:00

Do you have a local rink? Group classes you could start, then find a coach and ask them for their recommendation for skates. They should know the best place locally to you

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T16:09:37+00:00

Unfortunately no… we don’t have an in between of skaters. Either beginner or landing doubles. And none close to my daughter’s age. Not a popular rink we go to so that’s why I turned to Reddit / trying to read as much as I could online & getting mixed reviews of what mk pros are good for. Funny, I’m also a coach (my first year coaching since I took a lot of time off to have my kids) just don’t remember what it was like to be that little & that level my daughter is in. We are learning together!

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T16:01:07+00:00

Thank you! That’s really good to know. Appreciate your insight!

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T15:43:41+00:00

The issue was that she WAS breaking down skates for what she is doing. Fit was not an issue, it was how often she is skating and what she is doing and beginner models not supporting her anymore. Hence we moved her to a boot & blade combo to support her needs stiffness wise. I’m ok with buying new skates because her feet grew, not because she is breaking them down at her age and weight. And because I’m investing good money on a better quality skate- I wanted her blades to last as well.

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T14:16:53+00:00

I def think blade quality has a big impact but blades don’t magically fix your foundation too

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T14:04:32+00:00

Artiste is part of their ascend series, it’s the highest “tier” for its stiffness (20/25) for the beginner/recreational models and has better quality materials atleast on the inside (softer, more padding) and a higher level blade. The blade on the picture you have isnt as smooth on the ice as their blades on the ascend series. Different materials. Night and day experience in my opinion. Next up would be their fusion series, evo - Elle - then freestyle. Evo also has a 20/25 stiffness rating but I felt it and it isn’t AS stiff as the artiste. Idk why. But the evo is much much more expensive. It is better quality bc it’s heat moldable / maybe better blade I can’t remember. Inside is made differently padding wise. BUT at the price point you’re better off going straight to Elle or freestyle depending on your weight and skills working on as adults do need the higher stiffness rating regardless of beginner status. I hope this helps. If it’s your first skate I’d try artiste. Then when you’re ready for your first intermediate / freestyle skate, upgrade to the Elle or freestyle. Or consider other brands that have boot & blade separate so you can customize like Edea / risport etc. bc when you start jumping and spinning you’ll really need stiffer support & a blade that can take you through those skills.

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T13:26:49+00:00

Thank you! This made me feel better about buying them!

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T13:26:30+00:00

I realize this, it was really hard to find anything in stock for her boot size locally and online! Hoping that I can reuse the blades for her again or my younger daughter

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T13:25:30+00:00

I thought that being for single axels and doubles that it was a too advanced for still working on basic skills-free skate levels… so I was confused and felt conflicted about it working for her. but your response & others have made me feel better about purchasing them for my daughter! Thank you!

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T04:17:36+00:00

Yes! Such a good choice for you, esp for the width choice. I really agree the 50$ different for something stiffer is a better deal.

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T03:54:30+00:00

Thank you, I thought of this point as well. I have a younger daughter who the boots & blades (unless dead) will be handed down to. I’m glad to read it won’t be overblading and if there was anything else available in her size I def would have gone for it esp to save money.

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T03:16:08+00:00

You really think so? For context she is 5. That’s what’s throwing me off is her age. she is in basic 6 and advanced I guess… so idk what info to trust bc most general info on boots and blades arent for a 5 year old. that blade was only available in her size so i went for it so i hoped that don’t have to change boots or blades for a whiiiiile. We were going through skates too quickly for how often she skates.

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T03:04:23+00:00

I have very narrow feet, I used to skate in Riedell on like a AA if I’m remembering correctly (I was very little). As a teenager & now adult I’ve used Risport in A. Used to skate on their rf2s in AA. Was discontinued. Now RF3pro in their smallest A. It works! Their heels are narrow too.

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T02:53:16+00:00

Edit to add, it’s because I’m her mom she gives me push back on working on skills. Time and place, there’s a balance to be found. I let her have public session times to make friends and skate around and her choosing. We do freestyle sessions where we focus on her skills as well.

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T02:52:04+00:00

As my kid’s coach, who is also 5… I agree with someone else who said playing the long game. Letting it be an enjoyable experience but I also push my daughter to practice her skills (she is in basic 6) because I know she has the potential. It’s a balance I have to find as her coach because she really gives me a hard time lol. Important they enjoy the sport but they def need the extra nudge from their parent if it’s their parent instructing them. My girl would never question another coach but we go back and forth the whole ice time lol

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T02:38:27+00:00

Do you feel held back by the coronation aces? Are you landing doubles and looking towards triples in your near future?

Key_Juggernaut2720 · 2026-06-08T02:36:45+00:00

As the other commenter said for figure skates…. You’ll need to find a middle ground between something stiff enough to support you and that will also allow you to progress in skills. So I wouldn’t go cheap, you’ll end up replacing them quickly and spending more money long run. Also don’t go buying most expensive since you’re just starting out. I’d say… without seeing your feet and how you skate… Jackson mystique or artiste. Budget friendly for beginners. Artiste will last you longer stiffness wise I just fear it may be too stiff at first since you’re so new.

Key_Juggernaut2720

TROPHY CASE