Find Your Skate

From a child's first lap to a competitor's triples, the right boot keeps you comfortable and in control — and the wrong one holds you back. This guide walks you through three quick questions and points you to the skates made for your skating, across both brands we carry: EDEA, handmade in Italy, and Jackson, with a skate for every stage.

💡 In a hurry? Jump to Step 2: Find your level to see recommended skates at every stage.

Step 1: Complete Skate, or Boot Only?

Your first decision — the same choice whether you land on EDEA or Jackson. Most skaters up through their first jumps want a complete skate; more advanced skaters build their own.

Ready to skate

Complete Skate

Boot and blade already mounted and sharpened — open the box and skate. Jackson offers dozens of complete sets, and EDEA has ready-to-skate discovery packages.

Best for: beginners through intermediate, and any first pair. $100–$540.
Browse complete skates →

Build your own

Boot Only

Just the boot — pick the blade that suits your discipline and have a pro mount it. EDEA's whole range is boot-only, alongside Jackson's advanced boots.

Best for: intermediate through elite skaters choosing a blade. $250–$1,100.
Browse boots →

Step 2: What Are You Working On Right Now?

Pick the row that sounds like your skating today — not where you hope to be. Each level lists strong picks from both brands and a link to shop that level.

Level You're working on Stiffness Popular picks Shop
Just Starting First lessons — balance, gliding, stops, basic edges 40–55 Jackson Softec Vista, Mystique, Excel · EDEA Wave, Motivo Shop →
Landing First Jumps Crossovers, spins, first single jumps toward the axel 55–75 Jackson Freestyle, Elle, Debut · EDEA Overture, Chorus Shop →
Axel & Doubles Landing the axel and working double jumps, stronger spins 75–90 Jackson Premiere, Supreme, Synergy · EDEA Concerto, Ice Fly Shop →
Competitive & Elite Consistent doubles, triples and quads; daily training 85–95 Jackson Supreme (95), Synergy Torch · EDEA Piano, Ice Fly Shop →
⚠️ Don't over-buy support. Jumping straight to an elite boot holds you back — you can't bend into your knees, the foundation of every skill. Match your boot to what you're landing today (then read the note below on weight).

The Weight Factor: Matching Support to Your Body

Support isn't only about skill — your body weight is the other half of the equation. Landing force runs 2–8× your weight, so the more you weigh, the more boot you need to resist bending. It's why the softest "beginner" skates — built for light, young skaters — can be too soft to support an adult, even a first-timer.

⚠️ More weight = more landing force. Size support to your weight, not just your skill — a boot that's right for a light junior can be too soft under an adult. When you're between two boots, go stiffer.
If you weigh… Support guidance
Under ~120 lb (most kids & teens) The level chart above works as-is.
~120–170 lb Consider one support level higher than your skill suggests.
Over ~170 lb Go one level up, and lean toward the stiffer end of it.

So if you're an adult just starting out, skip the softest recreational skates and look at boots with a support rating around 45–60 — for example the EDEA Overture (55), or Jackson's Debut and Entré — which support an adult frame while staying forgiving to learn in.

💡 Shopping tip: Use the Support Rating filter on any Boots or Complete Skates page to dial in the support you need — set the minimum to 55 and up if you weigh more, so only boots that will actually support you show up.

Understanding "Stiffness" & "Support"

Every boot carries a number from about 40 to 95. EDEA calls it stiffness; Jackson calls it a support rating — they mean the same thing. Higher is stiffer, giving more support for powerful jumps but less ankle flex than a new skater needs. For a full breakdown by weight, skill, and jump level, see our Understanding Boot Stiffness Ratings guide.

EDEA or Jackson?

You'll find a great skate in either brand — here's how they differ so you can lean the right way.

EDEA — handmade in Italy Jackson — a skate for every stage
One unisex boot fits women, men, and kids — you choose by size Dedicated women's, men's, and kids' models, each built for that skater
Exceptionally lightweight, heat-moldable boots that shape to your foot The widest range — from a child's first complete skate to elite boots
A favorite of many competitive and elite skaters Ready-to-skate complete sets that take out the guesswork
Sold as boots — you choose the blade (plus a few discovery packages) Broad sizes and widths, including kids' and wide fits
Premium materials and fit, at a premium price Strong value at every level

Step 3: Getting the Fit Right

  • Width matters. Jackson boots come in Regular and Wide; EDEA fits many feet out of the box and heat-molds for the rest. A correct width does more for control than a stiffer boot.
  • Men's, women's & kids. Men's sizing runs about 1.5 sizes smaller than women's, and we carry kids' sizes too — always check the model's size chart. Shopping for someone specific? Use the Shop For filter on any Boots or Complete Skates page to jump straight to women's, men's, or kids' models.
  • Blade & mounting. Complete skates arrive mounted and sharpened. Boot-only means adding a blade and a professional mount — see our Boot & Blade Combinations guide, and we can fit it for you.
💡 Tip: Not sure of your size? Start with our Boot Sizing Guide or book a Virtual Fitting.

Still not sure?

Tell us what you're skating and we'll point you to the right boot, blade, and size — no guesswork, skater to skater.

Get a Fitting Recommendation