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Last updated: Apr 27, 2023
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Figure skating is a graceful and highly technical winter sport which is most often seen at a professional level. The fit and feel of equipment is important in a sport which relies so much on precision and calculation. When it comes to apparel and ice skates, these five brands provide excellent options for figure skaters.
Table of Contents
- What Are the Most Popular Figure Skating Brands?
- 1. John Wilson
- 2. Jackson Ultima
- 3. Edea
- 4. Riedell
- 5. Harlick
- Honorable Mentions
- FAQ
What Are the Most Popular Figure Skating Brands?
- John Wilson
- Jackson Ultima
- Edea
- Riedell
- Harlick
1. John Wilson
- Year Established: 1696
- Website: https://www.johnwilsonskates.com/
- Sponsored Athletes: Yuzuru Hanyu, Shoma Uno, Adam Rippon
John Wilson is the world’s top manufacturer of ice and figure skating blades.Top Olympians and World champions are seen wearing these blades, including recent Olympic gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu.John Wilson set the foundation for the company over 300 years ago with his reputable technology and innovation in designing blades for King William III.
John Wilson has a large range of blades available to their loyal customers. The carbon composite technology of the blades allows for the material to feel very lightweight yet extremely durable.Wilson blades allow skaters to reach greater heights, with shock-absorbing technology and cushioned landings.
2. Jackson Ultima
- Year Established: 1966
- Website: https://jacksonultima.com/
- Sponsored Athletes: Nathan Chen, Kaetlyn Osmond, Guillaume Cizeron, Kirsten Moore-Towers
Over the last half century, Jackson Ultima has climbed the ranks as one of the most powerful global leaders in figure skate blades and boots.They are sponsored by some of the best figure skaters in the world, like well-known American skater Nathan Chen. This company also has a variety of top skaters from around the world to represent their brand.
However, not only does this company provide for Olympic skaters, they offer a large range of skates and blades for recreational and leisure skaters as well.They use heat-moldable technology for their customizable figure skates and provide a variety of high quality and durable blades.
3. Edea
- Year Established: 2000
- Website: https://edeaskates.com/en/
- Sponsored Athletes: Yuma Kagiyama, Mark Kondratjuk, Daniel Grassl, Aleksandra Trusova, Kaori Sakamoto, Loena Hendrickx
Edea is a younger Italian company that has become extremely popular among the top skaters in the world. Yuzuru Hanyu and Evgenia Medvedeva, two of the best male and female skaters in the world, wore Edea boots before retiring from the professional circuit.This company has risen in popularity the past few years due to their unique technology and design. Edea skates are ultra lightweight and provide more control and comfort which allows skaters to have greater sensitivity in the sport.Their skates are customizable and extremely shock absorbent.
4. Riedell
- Year Established: 1945
- Website: https://riedellskates.com/
- Sponsored Athletes: Vincent Zhou, Stéphane Lambiel, Elena Radionova, Johnny Weir
For the past 75 years, Riedell has been an industry leader in figure and roller skates with high-quality and hand-crafted boots.This company consists of talented professionals that have spent decades working at their manufacturing plant in Minnesota.These employees value the detail and dedication it takes to making each pair of skates in their 125 step production process.
Riedell offers a wide range of skates from affordable leisurely skates to highly competitive skates for Olympic and World champions.Riedell has reliable and comfortable skates that are made with care. Riedell sponsored skaters include 2022 Olympic gold medalist Guillame Cizeron and Olympic silver medalist Vincent Zhou.
5. Harlick
- Year Established: 1933
- Website: https://www.harlick.com/
- Sponsored Athletes: Nancy Kerrigan, Tonya Harding
Locatedin the Bay Area, Harlick Skating Boots has been manufacturing high quality figure skates for the past 90 years.Their products have even been worn by infamous skaters Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding.Harlick boot designers consistently work alongside skaters and industry professionals to provide top-notch figure skates to the world.
Harlick provides the opportunity for skaters to customize their skates through options such as orthopedic ankle padding, scalloped insteps, special tongue padding and more.Harlick tends to be more expensive compared to other brands, but they are highly customizable and made with the best quality.
Honorable Mentions
Risport
- Year Established: 1970s
- Website: https://www.risport.com/en/
- Sponsored Athletes: Shoma Uno, Shun Sato, Wenjing Sui, Cong Han, Sofia Samodurova
Risport is an Italian-based skating company with their headquarters in the city of Montebelluna. They have been making skates since 1970, and were acquired by the Rossignol Group in 1995.
Risport mainly produces boots, and theirs are known for their sleekness and elegance. They pride themselves on maintaining a technologically advanced shoe while staying true to their iconic style. A few notable skaters sponsored by Risport include Shoma Uno and Wenjing Sui.
GRAF
- Year Established: 1921
- Website: https://www.graffigure.com/en/graf/
- Sponsored Athletes: Carolina Kostner, Nikita Katsalapov
GRAF is a classic skate company located in Switzerland who have been making skates for over 100 years. Unlike other major skate companies, GRAF is more popular for making ice hockey skates rather than skates used for figure skating.
GRAF offer highly customizable skates and have recently introduced an ultra lightweight sole for better mobility. All of their skates are made by hand in Switzerland and Canada. A few notable figure skaters who have worn GRAF skates include Carolina Kostner and Nikita Katsalapov.
FAQ
What is the best figure skating brand?
The best figure skating brand is John Wilson.The 300+ year old company has been making blades for amateur skaters, professional skaters, and even royals. Top World Champion and Olympic skaters use John Wilson blades, as they are well-known for being the most advanced and durable.
What kind of skates do Olympic figure skaters wear?
While the brand of skate an Olympic figure skater uses is up to their own discretion, the most commonly used skates in the Olympics are Edea.The Edea brand is also the most commonly used skates at other events, like national and world championships. Popular figure skaters who use Edea skates include Yuzuru Hanyu and Evgenia Medvedeva.
What is the oldest figure skating brand?
The oldest figure skating brand is John Wilson, which has been designing and selling figure skates since 1696.The brand is highly reputable, in large part because of their extensive history. In fact, the brand was once responsible for designing figure skates for the British Royal Family, most notably King William III.
Where do figure skaters get their costumes?
More often than not, professional figure skaters get their costumes directly from costume designers.The attire skaters wear during competition is often meant to correspond with their music and choreography, so typically figure skating costumes are custom designed. Popular designers include Roberto Cavalli, legendary fashion designer Vera Wang, and Satomi Ito.
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I've spent years engrossed in the world of figure skating, delving into the nuances of equipment, techniques, and the sport's evolution. The brands listed in that article represent a rich tapestry of innovation and quality craftsmanship tailored to meet the specific needs of figure skaters.
John Wilson, established in 1696, stands as the oldest figure skating brand, renowned for crafting blades with a heritage steeped in precision and durability. The company's legacy extends to kitting out historical figures like King William III, while modern-day legends like Yuzuru Hanyu trust their gold-medal performances to these blades.
Jackson Ultima, with a legacy since 1966, is celebrated for its customizable skates and high-quality blades. Skaters like Nathan Chen rely on their technology, not just for competitive skating but also for recreational use.
Edea, a younger Italian brand founded in 2000, has rapidly gained favor among elite skaters due to its revolutionary lightweight boots. The brand champions innovation, providing skaters like Yuma Kagiyama and Evgenia Medvedeva with heightened sensitivity and control on the ice.
Riedell, a stalwart in the industry since 1945, epitomizes handcrafted excellence. Their meticulously designed skates, worn by athletes like Vincent Zhou and Elena Radionova, cater to a spectrum of skaters from leisure to competitive levels.
Harlick, established in 1933, offers customizable, top-quality skates, even adorning the feet of infamous skaters like Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding. Their focus on customization, with options like orthopedic ankle padding and specialized tongue padding, sets them apart.
Additionally, there are honorable mentions like Risport, a company founded in the 1970s, known for sleek, technologically advanced boots, and GRAF, which has been making skates for over a century, primarily recognized for its ice hockey skates but also worn by figure skaters like Carolina Kostner.
These brands epitomize the intricate fusion of technology, design, and customization essential for figure skaters across skill levels, showcasing a commitment to innovation and performance in this elegant, technically demanding sport.
