Islandrs19

I got mine a few weeks ago (old toe cap / design). I got them because I have terrible arch pain all the time. I've gone through several other skates and finally decided that if anything was going to fix my issue, it was these. They have not been magic, but they have significantly reduced the pain I experience to at least bearable. In fairness, we have been tweaking and trying different things and are still working on it and the latest round of suggestions had a positive impact. I have to say both before and after the sale, Rob from VH has been great. The fit is amazing. My last skates were Bauers and I always felt like my feet inside the skates were set funny. No matter what I tried they always felt like they were sitting part of the way on one side. Also, if I tied them tight enough to keep my foot from feeling like it moved a little, the arch pain was excruciating. With the wrap of the VHs, I don't really have to have them that tight at all and my foot feels like it is in the right spot and perfectly connected to the ice when I turn, etc. The fit alone improved my skating and turning. The skates are very comfortable. In fact, just before they arrived I banged my ankle on something that took a good chunk of skin. I hadn't skated since it happened and it scabbed over, so when the skates arrived I figured I was in for some pain there. Nope. Didn't even notice it at all. I have the clarino liner. It is what they recommended when I asked about the two different ones also. I have nothing to compare it to, but I like it. My feet probably sweat above average but I feel like the clarino does a good job. As for accuracy of the measurements, I think close is good enough. I found it hard to get the drawing perfect. I did also send a number of pictures of both feet like they tell you to do. I also did a couple where my foot was on the tape measure lengthwise and width for extra information. Took some pictures with the tape measure next to my very high arches, etc. Like I said, the fit has been perfect. I did the middleweight felt tongue. It gives a little extra padding to guard against the lacebite. It's been great. Very happy with it. I think the thick one would have been too much. Hope all of this helps.

I could use some advice from this group. I am thinking of getting a pair of the VH skates made for me and I found MSH and this forum while reading up on VH. I am hoping to have the same result as a number of people in this thread that finally found a skate that was comfortable despite whatever issues they had going on with their feet. I have read every one of the 1015 posts in this thread (some more than once). I think I have a good idea of the types of customization options that are available to increase comfort, durability, or look and to personalize the skates. I have made a list below, but am wondering if I am missing anything and I have some questions about specific options sprinkled in. Based on prior posts, I think the list of options are: Comfort top edge Flexible tendon guard (instead of the standard) Original or felt tongue - Are there two different types of felt tongues? I am leaning towards the felt tongue. For anyone that has tried both, what was the difference in comfort or performance, if any? Protective coating on toe cap - Does this cover the screw on the top of the toe box? Also, what does the screw do? Extra copper rivets for holders Extra ankle padding Double stitching at the toe quarter packageMissing anything? Anything else people wish they had done or could have done now that you've had some time to skate in them? As for personalization, beyond the white leather, it looks like people have also had their number stitched on the back of the skate as well as their name stitched on the tongue. Any other fun things anyone else has had done just because they can? I saw the pictures of the skates that some people had issues with, particularly the early ones. But for those of you that got them now that they've refined their process and methods a little bit, how are they holding up? Stiffness still good? Stitching, carbon fiber, etc. all holding up? Thanks in advance.