Boot Sizing Guide

Getting the right boot size is the single most important factor in figure skating comfort and performance. Unlike street shoes, figure skating boots must fit precisely — a boot that is even slightly too large will compromise your control, cause blisters, and shorten the life of the boot.

This guide covers the part that is the same for everyone: how to measure a foot properly, and the mistakes that cost people a good fit. Once you have your measurement, you will pick up your brand's own sizing system — because that part is not the same for everyone.

Why You Cannot Use Your Shoe Size

One of the most common mistakes new skaters make is ordering figure skating boots straight from their street shoe size. Shoe sizes vary dramatically between brands and are only rough approximations — a size 7 in one brand may fit completely differently than a size 7 in another. Skating boots are also fitted far more snugly than shoes you walk in, because the boot has to hold your foot still rather than let it move.

Every Brand Sizes Differently

Before you measure, it is worth knowing what the measurement is for. The two brands we carry use completely different systems:

• EDEA sizes in millimeters, taken directly from the length of your foot. Your measurement is your size.
• Jackson sizes in US sizes, across separate size runs, and runs roughly 1 to 1.5 sizes below your street shoe.

How to Measure Your Foot

Follow these steps to get an accurate measurement at home. This is worth doing carefully whichever brand you end up in — it gives you your EDEA size directly, and it is the first thing any fitter will ask you for.

Step 1: Time it right.
Measure in the afternoon or evening. Your feet swell throughout the day, so measuring later gives you a more realistic size for skating sessions.

Step 2: Wear your skating socks.
Use the same thin skating socks you plan to wear on the ice. Thick athletic socks will throw off your measurement.

Step 3: Set up your measuring surface.
Place a sheet of paper on a hard floor against a wall. Stand on the paper with your heel touching the wall, distributing your weight evenly on both feet.

Step 4: Mark the longest point of your foot.
Have someone mark the tip of your longest toe (usually the big toe or second toe) with a pen held straight down. Do not angle the pen.

Step 5: Measure the distance.
Measure from the edge of the paper (the wall) to the mark in millimeters.

Step 6: Measure both feet.
Most people have one foot slightly larger than the other. Use the larger measurement when selecting your boot size.

Now Find Your Size

With your measurement in hand, continue to the sizing guide for the brand you are shopping. Each one works on its own terms.

Common Sizing Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying too large for "room to grow." Oversized boots reduce control, make learning harder, and can cause ankle injuries. For children, no more than 10mm of growth room is recommended.
• Carrying your size across brands. An EDEA size and a Jackson size are unrelated. Switching brands means sizing from scratch.
• Reading a size number without checking the run. Jackson sells overlapping size runs, so a 13 can mean a small youth boot or one of the largest boots made. Always check which run a boot belongs to.
• Using your street shoe size directly. Measure your foot. Do not convert from US, UK, or EU shoe sizes.
• Measuring with thick socks. Skating socks are thin by design. Thick socks bunch up inside the boot and reduce the precision of the fit.
• Measuring only one foot. Always measure both feet and use the larger measurement.
• Measuring while sitting. Stand with full weight on your feet — your foot spreads under load, and this is how it will be in the boot.

Rather Not Do It Alone?

Sizing is one of the few things genuinely worth doing with another person. We offer professional boot measuring, a virtual fitting over video call if you are not local to us, and a free boot consultation if you would rather talk it through first.

Next Steps

Once you know your size, consider having your new boots professionally custom shaped for a custom fit. Pair them with thin EDEA Skating Socks designed specifically for figure skating, and learn proper lacing techniques to get the best support and comfort from your boots. Still deciding on a model? Start with Find Your Skate.