As authorized figure skate boot dealers, we carry a large selection of quality figure skates for both advanced and beginning skaters from some of the top figure skate manufacturers in the world, including Don Jackson, Harlick, Riedell, Gam, Risport, Klingbeil and SP Teri. However, we don’t sell ice skates online…

You can find plenty of websites peddling figure skates on the web and buying online can be very appealing – you do it from the comfort of your own home; the process can be fairly quick; and the product gets shipped directly to your door – what could be easier?

The problem is that ice skates are not sneakers and figure skating is not a casual sport. The risk with buying figure skates online is not taking into account the intricacies of the human body. Your online vendor isn't going to provide you a proper skate fitting and often enough, ice skates purchased over the internet fail their owners in three respects – they are not the proper size, brand, or model to fit your situation and it doesn't matter to the vendor - you buy at your own risk. Think Emily Hughes buys her figure skates over the internet? Of course not. Obviously, Emily is an Olympian and very serious about her skating, but whether you’re a serious skater or not, shouldn’t you be as equally serious about your physical well-being as she is about hers?

When you think about it, ice skating requires an individual’s entire strength and body weight to be focused on two, thin, steel blades. The skater is required to be able to balance, propel themselves across the ice, turn, and stop when needed. Higher level skaters, of course, also need to be able to perform field moves in addition to jumps and spins. Whether a beginner or upper level skater, performing these activities on an 1/8” wide steel blade places an incredible amount of pressure on a skater’s feet, ankles and knees. As a result, any sort of improper fit in boot size or level can result in physical trauma to the body – sometimes evident immediately and sometimes not evident until later in life. At the very least, improper fit will result in the skater not able to maximize their skills and a premature breakdown of the boot, meaning you’ll be buying another pair of skates sooner than later. Take a look around your local rink – see people’s knees knocking together when they skate? Hear the kids talking about their sore ankles and feet? How about those skaters that just can’t seem to stay upright?

Receiving a professional skate fitting is very important. Every skater is unique – feet are different, bodies are different, skill levels and skating frequency differ. No two skaters, regardless of ability, are exactly alike. When it comes to ice skates, there’s no “one size fits all”. Therefore, someone with the proper training, experience, and knowledge should evaluate a skater in person to determine what’s the best skate brand and model for each skater’s individual needs. You simply can’t get that expertise over the internet. Each skater is unique and when you consider the amount of money you’re investing in a pair of skates, the amount of time you spend skating, as well as the potential pitfalls associated with purchasing an inappropriate pair of skates, buying figure skates over the internet doesn’t make sense. Your online vendor isn't going to give you follow-up care or help when your skates don't fit properly and are giving you problems. Ice skates are simply one item that should be purchased in person.

After working with people’s feet for 20 years in the orthotic business, we've learned that each foot and each situation is different. For this reason, Houston Skate & Dance Shop does not sell figure skates over the internet. We fit them professionally, and in person. Come see us, and get the skate that’s right for you and your situation.