Skating has been an elemental part of my life ever since I learned it in elementary school. But, for the wide feet that I have, finding comfortable figure skates is not too easy. I have heard a lot of people telling me to compromise on comfort, but I wish to disagree.
If you are anything like me, wide-footed and fascinated by skating, this article is solely meant for you. If skating is a pivotal part of your everyday life, it is extremely necessary to have the right shoes for your feet. In my opinion, the Bauer Nexus 2N Wide Skate is one of the best figure skates available for wide-footed skaters in the market.
To ease it up for you, I have compiled this comprehensive guide with 8 ideal shoes for wide-footed skaters. Read on to know more, as I speak from experience regarding the same.
Aspects of the Best Figure Skates for Wide Feet
Before you dive into choosing the ideal figure skates for your feet, there are some important features you need to keep in mind. Unless your skates do not satisfy the ideal criteria for you, I suggest you do not buy them.
The following are some of the important criteria:
1. Durability
The durability of the figure skates plays a very important role in how well you can skate. More importantly, you need to make sure that your skates are worth every penny you pay. In short, If your skates are described to be less durable, they would wear out quickly.
Skating means a lot of terrain exposure and footwork. So, there are some protective features required to keep wear and tear at bay. The material above your toes should be able to provide additional protection. Shoes, if they boast of triple stitching, are a blessing in disguise, since they would keep the seams intact.
Additionally, look for solidity in the outer sole. Being in constant contact with the wheels and the ground, it can get worn out easily. If the outer sole is solid, the shoes would last longer.
2. Appearance
The look and color of your figure skates matter. Do not compromise on the aesthetic of your skates ever. Figure skating at any level, be it in the area or at the Olympics, requires it to be visually appealing.
Color matters big time, and let nobody convince you otherwise. I learned that the hard way. While skating on white ice, the right colors can affect those watching. This is why there are multiple ranges of colors, with the most common being red, green, blue, black, and brown. Also, if you wear matching gear, it adds to the aesthetic.
3. Stiffness
Figure skates are usually defined by their stiffness, i.e., fitness rating. The higher the rating is, the more support the skates provide. However, you need to choose your fitness rating based on your experience.
If you are a beginner, I suggest you start with lower stiffness, so that you can enjoy comfort. Advanced skaters, however, need higher stiffness. This protects ankles against sprains, too, apart from acting as a shock absorber.
To determine the stiffness, hold and squeeze the figure skates. If you want one with low stiffness, the skates should bend slightly, However, if it is one with high stiffness, the skates should not bend under pressure.
It is a little tough to learn the basics with a stiff boot, and this is also why beginners are advised against using this.
4. Experience
Figure skates, just like skateboards and inline skates, have to be upgraded with practice, skill, and experience.
Apart from the stiffness levels, the number of pieces varies – beginners usually use a single piece, while experts prefer their skate to have their boots and blade separate. This would also help change the blade during wear and tear after continued usage. Moreover, this could give room for customization.
If you plan on getting single-piece figure skates, make sure you choose the right size of the shoes. It is important to choose a pair of not more than 1 extra size even if you are looking at its longevity.
You can also choose your blade length based on your comfort. This, you can figure out with experience and time.
5. Purpose
- Recreational – If recreation or leisure is your reason to skate, then you can opt for warm and durable figure skates. Comfort should also be your priority while ensuring that your skates would last for years even without constant maintenance. For the boots, you can opt for thermal ones, since they tend to last long, and will also keep your feet warm.
- Instructional – If you are an expert in figure skating, I would suggest you go for instructional boots and blades. It would be best if you could go for a higher fitness rating pair of skates. These would be ideal if you spend 4-6 hours a week skating, and usually do lunges, bunny hops, three turns, jumps, etc.
- Competitive – Usually, competitive and instructional figure skates are almost the same, but competitive skates have certain criteria. For example, USFS competitions require boots and skates with stiffness between 55 and 75. In advanced competitions, the stiffness, however, can go up to 100 in the freestyle category.
In short, choose the figure skates based on your purpose to ensure that they do not hinder your movement and performance.
6. Skating Frequency
By reading the above factors, I am sure you know by now that skating frequency plays an important role. This also decides the durability of skates required. If you are not a very frequent skater, you should focus on comfort. In this case, you should go for figure skates and boots with lower stiffness levels.
However, if you constantly put your efforts and time into skating, then you should probably go for figure skates with higher stiffness. However, if you are into the competitive arena, look for the criteria and then choose. Also, the more often you skate, the more durable skates you would have to opt for.
Best Figure Skates For Wide Feet
Keeping the above-mentioned features in mind, I have compiled below some of the most suitable skates for us wide-footed skaters. Never let the fact that you have wide feet discourage you from skating, ever.
Read on to know more about the description, reviews, and why each of the figure skates would be suitable for you.
1. Bauer Nexus 2N Wide Skate
The Bauer Nexus 2N Wide Skate is one of the best figure skates for wide-footed skaters in the market. This is wider than its other counterparts – Bauer Vapor and Bauer Supreme, but this is also a bit pricey. To give you some context, a 10D in this model is equivalent to 10EE in the others.
The very smart make of this skate is applaudable. The pro-level heel is really well-thought as it gives ample support to your feet and ankles. This anatomical mechanism, with its durability, helps in excellent shock absorption and effective transfer of energy.
Pros:
- Spacious and airy
- Highly durable
- Good feet and ankle support
- Flexible yet stiff
- Effective energy transfer
Cons:
- Pricey
- Blades need to be sharpened before use
2. Jackson Ultima JS1290 Figure Skates
This is ideal for women with wide feet. The sleek, broad cut would be perfect for your wide, curvy feet. The Jackson Ultima JS1290 Figure Skates are quite the definition to figure skates, according to a lot of leisure skaters.
As part of the Excel series, the leather provides a good fit and excellent comfort to your feet. This comes in handy if you wish to skate for long hours.
The additional polyurethane on top does not allow ice to accumulate on the skates. The material of these skates also acts as protection from lace bites.
Pros:
- Extra padding (ankle support)
- Good flexibility with regular use
- Connected boots and blade
- Excellent comfort
- Polyurethane coating
Cons:
- Stiffer despite the rating
- Only for casual skating
3. Botas Stella Figure Skates
The Botas Stella Figure Skates is one of a kind in the market. It is extremely pocket-friendly, has an excellent design, and has wonderful efficiency.
Highly focussed on comfort these are ideal for occasional women and children skaters. It is of high quality and is worth every penny spent.
These figure skaters are also highly durable. The fabric lining with a PU coating adds to the comfort and also helps keep your feet dry. The simple and elegant design also adds to its demand in the market.
These are ideal for beginners but grow along with the skater’s experience. This is perfect for those into continuous practice.
Pros:
- Pre-sharpened blades
- Highly durable
- Excellent comfort
- Polyurethane coating
- Europe certified
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Thin laces
- Below-average stiffness
4. Riedell 110 Opal Figure Skates
The Riedell 110 Opal Figure Skates can be declared as one of the best pairs of figure skates without a doubt. This pair would be my personal recommendation if you are a beginner. These skates focus more on comfort and have a lot of cushions.
These skates have moderate stiffness, which is adequate for beginners looking to practice a lot. The nickel plating on the blades prevents them from rusting. The sole is made of PVC so that your feet remain moisture-free. The skates also help with your balance, as it has a split tongue.
Pros:
- Rust-free blades
- Comfortable PVC soles
- Split tongue
- PU coating
- Well-flexible
Cons:
- Beginner-specific; skates do not grow with experience
- Pricey
5. Riedell 119 Emerald Figure Skates
The Riedell 119 Emerald Figure Skates boasts of an open throat design, which is designed specifically for wide-footed skaters. They possess the valuable qualities of durability, comfort, and versatility.
The toe box is kept higher, to give your feet enough room. The Achilles tendon is also well-padded, adding to protection against injury.
However, follow their size chart well, since their sizes are usually different when compared to the standard sizes. This pair might not be the most comfortable but sure gets better with use.
Pros:
- Protection against injury
- Higher toe box
- Open throat design
- Ankle reinforcement
- Well-flexible
Cons:
- Blades need sharpening
- Pricey
- Jackson Ultima GS180 SoftSkate
The Jackson Ultima GS180 SoftSkate is an ideal pair of figure skates for intermediate skaters. They are huge on comfort and budget. The skates are really attractive, with differently colored fleece. The inner lining is so big on comfort that you can even wear your skates without socks, and it would not affect you in any way.
These can be used for occasional skating and would lose their durability with frequent usage. This pair would be a steal for a beginner. The tongue and collars are padded, providing the much-needed warmth while skating in the rink.
These are not meant for you if you plan on skating multiple hours every day.
Pros:
- Extremely comfortable
- Provides good warmth
- Cost-friendly
Cons:
- Do not evolve with experience
- Comparatively less durable
- Fragile blade
7. Botas Dagmer Figure Skates
The Botas Dagmer Figure Skates are probably the best figure skaters in the market for beginners. The design is also built keeping this in mind. The blades have a plastic sole that makes them child-friendly. The skates are approved by European safety standards.
The tongue is made of felt, which is a much softer material, adding to comfort. This also keeps you safe from lace bites. The anatomical thought put into making these skates is what makes them suitable for wide-footed skaters.
Keep in mind that these skates are solely for beginners, and not advanced skaters.
Pros:
- Extremely comfortable
- Protection from lace bites and sore feet
- Certified by Europe
- Comfort tongue
Cons:
- Not for experts
- Tough to thermoform
- Sharpening required
- Does not grow along with skater’s experience
8. Jackson Ultima JS1490 Figure Skates
The Jackson Ultima JS1490 SoftSkate is a good choice if you are an intermediate skater. It is extremely versatile, durable, and pocket-friendly. What makes it stand out is that it has a very colorful appearance and still is unisex. The PU coating on the surface adds to ease of usage and comfort.
Keep in mind though, that you do not get the performance elite skates would yield. The inner lining, too, makes it comfortable and durable while keeping your feet dry.
The additional ankle padding and chrome-plated blades add value to these skates.
However, keep in mind that these skates take some time to get used to. The more you use them, the better you will start feeling in them.
Pros:
- Extremely comfortable
- Professional look
- Rust-resistant blade (chrome-plated)
- Ease of cleaning
Cons:
- Not for experts
- Takes time to get used to
- Sharpening of blades required
Buyer’s Guide Chart
| Product | Where to Buy | Price |
| Bauer Nexus 2N Wide Skate | Amazon website | $409.00 |
| Jackson Ultima JS1290 Figure Skates | Amazon website | $103.99 – $139.95 |
| Botas Stella Figure Skates | Amazon website | $79.95 – $119.95 |
| Riedell 110 Opal Figure Skates | Amazon website | $75.00 – $79.99 |
| Riedell 119 Emerald Figure Skates | Amazon website | $165.00 |
| Jackson Ultima GS180 SoftSkate | Amazon website | $89.95 |
| Botas Dagmer Figure Skates | Amazon website | $94.95 – $129.95 |
| Jackson Ultima JS1490 Figure Skates | Amazon website | $139.95 |
Final Thoughts
The quality of a pair of skates is known to be more important than the skater’s talent itself. This is because the pair of skates is what will decide your protection, stability, speed, and grip.
So, keep in mind all that you want your skates to possess before diving right into the purchase. More importantly, have a rough idea about how much you’d wish to spend on the pair.
I hope the above list I compiled of some of the best figure skates in the market shoes helps you with your decision-making process. Happy and safe skating!
