That’s precisely the point I was making. In order to opt for less of something (stiffness in this case), it has to be an actual option.
I still strongly disagree with the oft expressed notion that a stiffer skate entails a stronger skater. There are plenty of counter examples, but the general rule would have to account for context, and in the current hockey skate market an argument can be made for skates being too stiff for the good even of the strongest skaters in the world. That’s what I was trying to get across.
I absolutely agree it comes down to personal preference.