So... Being that I've spent now thousands and thousands and I still have no boots, what are few more hundreds? From two years ago, when I've realized that no new Riedell model boot fits like my old Redell 220 that is not produced anymore, AND Riedell changed he shape of the toe box and all their models feel too big, I keep looking on internet for an old 220, well hopefully new, or slightly worn. I found like a year ago something almost new that seamed that shape (they couldn't read the model), and it was same shape, just a lower level model, cut a little lower, so no good, because it didn't offer me enough support. They I found, again, almost new, a 220 but half size smaller, so I haven't bought it. Still I kept looking.
I found somebody local selling on ebay new Riedell with small factory defects, kind of half price. Plus he accepted returns, of course if the boot was not mounted. More than that, he accepted for me to pick up, so basically to try. I was hoping he might have older models, where the toe box was not changed yet. Well, he didn't, but what he had, was lots of advice... He turned out to be a retired bootfitter, having time on Sunday afternoon to share his experience. He described me the manufacturing process and said that in his opinion custom has 50-50 chance to work out, as they are not as precise as one would expect. Well.. that is not good...
Anyway, as we looked to the boots we've realized the higher level ones had a deeper front cut, so the lacing starting more towards the front of the boot. That should help a little to tame that higher toe box. Up to this point I was keeping my interest into the high intermediate boots, as advised by all bootfitters, as my old boots had supposedly a flex of 50. So up to now I've tried the models Stride, 50 flex, Flair and Motion, both 70 flex. Now, I've tried a Bronze star, flex 80. It felt stiff, but it also felt huge.. like lenght and volume. We've looked at my old boots, and he agreed that this new raised toe box is inserted into the lace differently, so it creates some extra lenght. Unfortunately he didn't have the next half size smaller at his place, he said he brought just the size I wanted 5.5. He also said that in 5 he only has a wide boot for this model.
Well, I found a size 5 Bronze Star from another seller and bought it. He accepts returns, so if they feel totally wrong, I'll send them back, I would loose the shipping back and forth.
So... My left foot is measured on Riedell chart at 5.5 and the right foot at 5. It is my estimation that, few years ago, when Riedell made the toe box higher it made the size feel longer by quarter of a size. And yeap, this is how these Bronze star size 5 feel... The right one is just slightly longer, and the left one slightly shorter. It also becomes clear that when the toe box was raised, the boot volume was raised, they feel half a size larger overall. These new boots, Riedell 5, feel in volume as my old Ryedell 5.5.
I'm sooo sooo mad at Riedell for not knowing their own sizing and messing the custom boots so badly, and wasting a skating whole year of my life
But, I hope these Bronze Star stock boots will work. I don't expect them to be perfect. The toe box is still too high, that was my complain with the Riedell new boots fitting in the first place.
I have bootfitter appointment tomorrow.
