AboutMarlene Bruland Expertise Have been an Artistic USARS Roller Figure Skating Coach (Quad) since 1954 in the Northwest Region, coaching figures, freestyle, pairs, dance, creative solo and Precision Team events, and was a former competitive skater and national placewinner. Holds a Gold Medal Proficiency Test in Dance Skating.
Experience Has been teaching for 52 years in the Northwest, coaching many National Winners in Freestyle, Dance, Figures, Creative Solo and Precision Team skating. I hold a Gold Medal Proficiency Test in Dance skating and coached a skater who placed 3 times in 4 World competitions and she also was the Pan Am Champion in Ladies Freestyle. I have coached 5 US National Bronze Medal Precision Teams who participated in 3 World Championships.
Question I used to be in an artistic skate club when i was in middle school, and still have my reidel 320 boots. I've just recently begun skating again (i've since graduated college) and the boots are a bit snug in the toe, but still fit perfectly everywhere else. I believe they may be about a half size too small (and here i thought i hadnt grown any since then... i certainly havent gotten any taller!) Is it possible for boots to be stretched just a bit? is there something you can purchase to do this, similar to a shoe stretcher? I will not be competing, this is mostly for recreation and exercise, so the fit isnt essential, but i'd like to be comfortable. I dont have the money to just replace the boots, and feel as if that would be a waste, as i'd spent so much when i first bought these skates. Any tips or tricks you have would be greatly appreciated!
Assuming this just cant be done, is there any sort of decent resale value on these types of boots? They're in really great shape, just a bit scuffed...
Answer If I were you, I would go to one of the Ice Rinks in your area who deal with figure skaters. I know that there a lot of our Roller Figure Skaters who do this in the Seattle area. Usually the Ice rinks have some equipment that stretches the boot and it really works. Roller Rinks usually don't work too much with the stretching and boot problems. If this doesn't work for you, then go to a shoe shop, explain the problem and see if they can help, however they do not have the expertise with Figure Boots. Hope this helps.
Sometimes you can pick up a good pair of used boots on the Internet.
