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Inline Speedskates: Boots, models, fit?
After spending time with other skaters in speed boots lately, I have been feeling very fortunate to have a favorable foot-to-boot relationship! I spent probably 3-4 years putting my ankle bones through agony, purely so that I could skate in speed boots as opposed to rec boots (worth it!). So my feet have paid their dues and done their time.
At some point (for reasons unbeknownst to me) they just stopped hurting, but it's not like they just 'got over it'. I feel like the shape of the Verducci V-Max boots I wear is very well suited to my foot-quirks. I attribute this in part to the somewhat higher ankle cuff which completely clears the top of my protruding inner-ankle bones. Other inline speedskating boots I tried tended to cut a line in the top cuff across my ankle bones, which must be higher-set than most, or something. Everybody has such quirks, and what a wonderful world it would be if we could compile a fuzzy list of reflections regarding ankle-problems and which boots helped that scenario the most. Well ok, a spreadsheet would be fabulous too, but a fuzzy list would be more helpful since hard facts don't account for technique fluctuations, or, say, the pressure your feet are under when you're heavier than you should be. Weighing less, relative to myself, definitely alleviates my foot pain, anyway.
I started looking at boots for sale on the web and realized that I haven't really paid attention to the various bootmakers and their styles & philosophies over the years. Some questions I have: What difference is there between a particular manufacturer's models? Huge, or not significant? Is it just a molding thing? I.e., are the old Verducci V-Teks just a semi-custom form of the old stock-but-moldable Verducci V-Max's? Or is there another difference - I mean other than velcro vs buckles? What are some blatant differences between say, Powerslide boots and Mogemas? I guess to get a clearer picture of all this I'd have to conduct interviews and see if any patterns appear from the responses. Hmm...that sounds like a fun excuse to spend alot of time on skates (since I'm not a party animal!).
Would anybody like to share their findings, regarding their foot issues and boot revelations?
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Comments
Boot Fun
Boots aren't always fun, but I've done well on Powerslide C4s and R4s. Mogema is out of business. It's now Cado Mundo. They have 2 models that appear to be durably constructed.
Bont has made a lot of changes for this year, so their new product line is particularly interesting. They have complete skate packages based on their 3 point design ranging from the low $200s (Pure), to about $1100 (Vaypor). Bont is attempting to appeal to the solid fitness skater through the pros and everyone in between. All models are very light for their price. Many of the models are available in 2 point designs.
Those are the lines that I've been following. I know that there are smaller custom companies out there, but I personally have not had the need to go that route. I seem to have pretty generic feet. What a blessing! Perhaps someone else can bring us up to "speed" on customs.
My Error on "Boot Fun"
Three-Point Speedboots
Thanks for bringing up 3 point boots, Clairem. It made me go and look up to see what the deal was, about fastening the boot to the frame in 3 places. Turns out that boot weight, lower to the ground, and larger wheel rubbing were the main reasons. They all seem like valid reasons to me! With more fastening points, Bont was able to use less carbon fiber since the need for stiffening the bottom of the boot so much was reduced. Perhaps losing a frame bolt whilst skating might not be as drastic any more, if you've got 2 more points fastened as a back up. Has anybody with a 3 point frame had a bolt go loose mid-skate? I know I'm way behind the skating times here, but I thought I might as well write about it, even though you all probably know this.
I wonder how the function affects the fit.
Funny how the look of inline speedskates changes. All that custom-made 5-wheel speedskate jewelry, for naught :-). Melt it down and start again. Fitness skates are about the only things that haven't changed much in overall appearance since the late 1980s!
Boot Fit
Indoor Boots
Well that's a very good point you bring up, Profjb, and thank you for reminding me why I gave up on indoor before really even starting: 30 mins of executing bad technique/crossovers = 6 months of excruciating ankle pain. I'd still like to make a go of indoor but I appreciate now that different boots would be in order for that. For example, the left boot would have to have an exaggeratedly enlarged inner ankle bone section, for the times I mess up and supinate with my inside foot instead of leaning in with the hip into the turn.
So then my imaginary boot-fit study should also account for indoor vs outdoor.