What to do about Skate Sizing. The Complete Guide to skate sizing

We get many calls at NewSkates about what size to order.  Skate sizing can be tricky, leave it up to the Pros.  Here at NewSkates, 95% of the customers who use a size chart from skate manufacturers,  have to return the skates.  The reason is the  number on the size chart is the EXACT amount of space in the boot.  You need to add 1/4 inch to the legnth of your foot to make the chart work.  Another thing NEVER and I mean NEVER use rental skates as a sizing guide for your new skates.  100% of the customer who purchase skates based on the size of the rentals they use at the rink, retun the skates for a size exchange.

Here is what you should do.  Apply some common sense to the question of sizing.  This is not has hard as it sounds.  If you wear a size 8 then GET a size 8.

Shoes are made all over the world and it is tough to use some if not all your shoes as a sizing guide.  Our customer call us and say my shoe size is anywhere from a size 6 1/2 to a size 8. NO ITS NOT!  The shoes are cut different your foot is just one size.  Use a sneaker as your guide.  New Balance, Nike and other are real good size guides.  If all else fails, next time you are in WalMart, go to the shoe sections and measure your foot.

Now to the skates. In Ice or Roller Skates,  the high top “Artistic skates” the black are cut in Men’s sizes and the white are cut in Ladies sizes.  If your lady wants black skates, go down one size,( if she wears a size 7 get her a size 6) and if your man wants white skates go UP one size (if he wears a size 7 get him a size 8 )

Low cut “Speed Skates” in roller skates are ALL cut in men’s sizes.  Men get your size, Ladies go down one size. 

If you wear a 1/2 size and the skate you want to purchase are availabe in whole sizes only…pick your poison, the skates will be either 1/2  a size big or 1/2 size small.  We recommed going 1/2 size big.  Your can always wear a thick sock and lace them tight.  If they are small they just hurt, however if you prefer a tight fit them go to the lower size.

Kids skates are easy.  Kids are a moving target.  Give them room to grow.  Just make sure that the size you start with is accurate.   One of the biggest problems we have at NewSkates is parents using a shoe that the kids are wearing are a few months old.  Get an accurate measurement and them go up a size.  In those kids sizes often the difference between the sizes is on a fraction of an inch

If this is not enough information for you call me at NewSkates 877-265-9099 and I will personally assist you.  Thanks for your time, talk to you soon.

Frank

The New Riedell Tourch

The Riedell Tourch will be here in the fall. Check it out, Lets talk about the new 495 boot and all the features that will make this the best skate for every skater

NewSkates.com has the Riedell news !

NewSkates.com just finished changing many of the Riedell roller skates on our site.  Here are some of the changes.  First nearly all skates have gone up in price, many with changes.  One addition of note the R3 now comes in a Derby version with Flat Out wheels and a toe cap, this is available now for $149.00.  Here is a link R3Derby Skate. The R3 is also available as an outdoor skate with Radar Energy wheels.  Here is a look at he R3 Outdoor Skate.  Most of the other skates have some changes to the plates, wheels and bearings.  Coming this fall some new skates from Riedell, the Dart, word is this one will be available in several colors and sell for $99.00, The Tourch a new derby skates with the 495 boot coming in September this one will sell for $599.00 .  Last but not least the Riedell 122 Boot is getting a new look and this will show up on the Colbolt and the Spark.   I think that covers our Riedell story for now and always remember NewSkates.com is your best place for good advise on skates.  Our number is 877-265-9099 and our email is Sales@NewSkates.com   Talk soon

Roller Skating is BACK!!!

Everything that is old is new again.  As a skating rink operator www.cnskatepakace.com  and owner of NewSkates.com, www.newskates.com we have seen a hugh rise in the popularity of Roller Skating.  What is behind this surge in skating.  I have a few ideas.  Back in the late 70′s and early 80′s roller skating was one of the most popular activities in the country.  Today in 2010 those skaters from the 70′s and 80′s are parents looking for a great family activity and they are  taking their kids skating. Everyone is having a great time at the rink and they are sk ating at least once a week and some are skating more frequently.  The return in popularity is also seen on tv.  Big Bang Theory as well as a few other shows  had a roller skating scene this season and you see roller skaters in more and more commercials.

The skating centers have gone from busy to packed and the manufacturers of roller skates have been caught short of inventory as those new regular skaters are buying skates.  Riedell, Roller Derby and Sure Grip all have some gaps in inventory.  Retailers like NewSkates.com have been waiting for many of the popular Riedell brands to come back in stock. For example the R3 quad speed skates from Riedell have been sold out for months.  This has not slowed the demand for skates and other brands have benifited from the shortage at Riedell.  Most of  these skates should be back on the shelves shortly.

Roller skating is a fantastic family activity, fun for kids of all ages.  If you retuned to skating, you know what I am talking about.  If you haven’t skated in years, what are you waiting for?  The skates are better the skating centers are better.  See you at the rink.

Frank Schiazza is the owner and operator of CN Skate Palace in Aston PA  and NewSkates.com delivering skates worldwide.

Question about wheels

We received and email asking what is the best wheel for any surface. Here is our response to that email:

Thank you for your email. Every skating floor wooden or other material has its own living breathing personality. Some floors are “tight”, lots of grip and some are slick. The manufacturers make the wheels in different hardnesses, that is the number in the 90′s. The higher the number the harder the wheel. There is a trade off with speed and grip. The more grip, less speed, hence less grip more speed as the wheel is not grabbing the floor.

If you want one wheel to be good on all surfaces look for a wheel that is in the lower 90′s. The Tuner wheel or if wheels are offered in firm or grip, choose the grip

Because of what I mentioned earlier, one wheel is not considered the best. We suggest you stay in the Radar family of wheels, we think overall they are the best wheels made.

Now if you tell us you are deciding between 2 wheels and which one is best for you, we can make a suggestion.

Regards

Frank@NewSkates.com

Roller Skating Babies

Just happened into the funniest ad for Evian water that features babies roller skating to Rappers Delight.  Enjoy this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQcVllWpwGs
Frank@NewSkates.com

Online Skate Shops

Are all online skate shops the same. Some are in fact some online skate shops have 3 or 4 sites all with different toll free numbers that are all answered by the same person in the same building. Now I am not going to mention any sites, but with a simple Google search of a term like Ice Skates or Roller Skates, and some careful observation of the sites you can see the ones that are operated by the same people. If a website like ours NewSkates.com, has great product selection and customer service, then we do not have to hide behind a new name and website.

Why would we want to have another site with the same products? Why would we create another toll free number and have the same people answer? Only if we have something to hide.

Be aware there are some skating site operators who get a bigger thrill out of being on top of a search engine than taking care of customers. That is not us.