Experiences with Pro-Skate Fitting?

[noodle1083 0]

I was just wondering if anyone has tried Pro-Skate's skate fitting; more specifically, their remote fitting? They seem to have a lot of good things to say on their site, but I'd like to know if they actaully deliver. I'm in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and I really want to get a proper fitting skate. However, there doesn't seem to be anyone in my area who can offer such a service, which has left me contemplating the idea of this "remote fitting". If anyone has any experience with this service, or with Pro-Skate in general, I'd love to hear about it.

[Pats 0]

I've bought pretty much every pair of skates I own there. The service is good, if in store they align your skates, etc. I believe for a remote fit that they ask you to draw an outline of your foot which you can email/ fax into them and then you go from there.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

If they ask for a fax, the fax distorts images. You're better off mailing it.

[noodle1083 0]

After you trace your foot, I believe you're supposed to take measurements of the length and width (at widest part). They then want you to send in pictures of your feet. Is it possible to make a valid recommendation of a skate make/model with this limited information?

[sabre09923 0]

Probably. The only thing I would be concerned about is depth.

[Sven 1]

Check the videos on the NBH Site to see how a pro gets his last done.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

If they are not going to make you custom, don't even bother. You can try out the skates yourself at your LHS.

[ju87 0]

I used their remote service. The reason why I tried the service is because there is only 1 LHS in my city/country and they stock a limited amount of brands, models and sizes.

The service provided was excellent. I followed their instructions and I received a prompt reply from Pro-Skate. The fitter asked me for additional info and measurements and got me to take more pix to determine the depth of my foot. He came back quickly with a recommendation and even offered to re-mount the runners to offset a pronation problem that I have free of charge.

Ultimately, I did not end up purchasing skates from them. This has nothing to do with the service provided because it was truly excellent. I'm hesitant to purchase skates that I have not personally tried.

[thekingsingh 0]

I tried Pro-Skate by using their remote fitting process. I know it's a bit of a gamble buying online, but I've had difficulty with skates in two to three years of hockey - LHS purchased or otherwise.

They took my tracings (faxed, with measurements) plus photos of my feet from different views and provided me with skates that were fitted to my (unique) foot shape, as well as adjusted the alignment of the blade. The result? These are the best fitting skates I've ever had and I'm quite happy with them. If I lived in Edmonton, they would be my shop.

The guys were extremely courteous and pleasant to talk to as well, and I'll go back to them again when the time comes. Their skates are more expensive than what you'll find online, but since they also fit them to your foot shape I thought it was worth the additional cost.

[noodle1083 0]

I tried Pro-Skate by using their remote fitting process. I know it's a bit of a gamble buying online, but I've had difficulty with skates in two to three years of hockey - LHS purchased or otherwise.

They took my tracings (faxed, with measurements) plus photos of my feet from different views and provided me with skates that were fitted to my (unique) foot shape, as well as adjusted the alignment of the blade. The result? These are the best fitting skates I've ever had and I'm quite happy with them. If I lived in Edmonton, they would be my shop.

The guys were extremely courteous and pleasant to talk to as well, and I'll go back to them again when the time comes. Their skates are more expensive than what you'll find online, but since they also fit them to your foot shape I thought it was worth the additional cost.

How did they know how much to move your holders during the alignment? I supinate, and would be interested in having an alignment done(as nobody here does it) but I worry that they wouldn't be able to get it dialed without me being there...

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

I tried Pro-Skate by using their remote fitting process. I know it's a bit of a gamble buying online, but I've had difficulty with skates in two to three years of hockey - LHS purchased or otherwise.

They took my tracings (faxed, with measurements) plus photos of my feet from different views and provided me with skates that were fitted to my (unique) foot shape, as well as adjusted the alignment of the blade. The result? These are the best fitting skates I've ever had and I'm quite happy with them. If I lived in Edmonton, they would be my shop.

The guys were extremely courteous and pleasant to talk to as well, and I'll go back to them again when the time comes. Their skates are more expensive than what you'll find online, but since they also fit them to your foot shape I thought it was worth the additional cost.

How did they know how much to move your holders during the alignment? I supinate, and would be interested in having an alignment done(as nobody here does it) but I worry that they wouldn't be able to get it dialed without me being there...

Yeah...I'd love to know how they determine that from a trace. I'm willing to bet that they "adjust" every skate. There's a store in this area that does that - they have the customer walk and then they sell them "orthotics."

Yep...Superfeet grey insoles. And they sell this service for $60.

[sherwood3 0]

I have bought my last 4 pairs from them and always been happy, this time I got them else where( from a shop in edmonton) because i got a better deal, but I went there to get the work done, once they found out they where not purchased from them, I was not treated very well at all. even though I was paying for thier services to align and alter as needed. The store actual was not even busy and I waited over 2hr to get everything done, I expect that when its busy. anyways I was not happy with the service and I feel aswell the job was done not as good as it should have been.

question for you store owners:

If a guy bring in a pair of skates purchased else ware, but whants to change over the holders and steel, brand new never ben used, say E pro's to lightspeed2's general would you trade straight across, pay full price or workout a small fee, feedback will be appreciated

thanks

[noodle1083 0]

Man, I just wish I could find someone to do this kind of thing in Halifax. It seems hard to belive that no one in the Maritime provinces offers these specialized services... (proper fitting, blade alignment, etc, etc)

[thekingsingh 0]

I tried Pro-Skate by using their remote fitting process. I know it's a bit of a gamble buying online, but I've had difficulty with skates in two to three years of hockey - LHS purchased or otherwise.

They took my tracings (faxed, with measurements) plus photos of my feet from different views and provided me with skates that were fitted to my (unique) foot shape, as well as adjusted the alignment of the blade. The result? These are the best fitting skates I've ever had and I'm quite happy with them. If I lived in Edmonton, they would be my shop.

The guys were extremely courteous and pleasant to talk to as well, and I'll go back to them again when the time comes. Their skates are more expensive than what you'll find online, but since they also fit them to your foot shape I thought it was worth the additional cost.

How did they know how much to move your holders during the alignment? I supinate, and would be interested in having an alignment done(as nobody here does it) but I worry that they wouldn't be able to get it dialed without me being there...

Yeah...I'd love to know how they determine that from a trace. I'm willing to bet that they "adjust" every skate. There's a store in this area that does that - they have the customer walk and then they sell them "orthotics."

Yep...Superfeet grey insoles. And they sell this service for $60.

I will concede to the questions about the accuracy of Pro-Skate's alignment. There's no way they can do a true custom alignment without actually seeing your feet in person. What I believe they did was attempt to determine the "midline" of my feet based on my foot shape and on the pictures of my feet that I sent to them.

Getting your feet fitted online can in no way replace the quality of service you'll get from going to a (good) shop in person. I did get fitted for skates at another (major) hockey shop when I was travelling in Vancouver. However, in time, those skates gave me issues that could not easily be resolved and decided to look for new skates.

With the skates that Pro-Skate did for me, I'm skating much more pain free and am enjoying the game more, so in that sense I feel it was worth it and would consider using their service again.

Unless of course JR would like to take a crack at my feet :)

[Miike 1]

Man, I just wish I could find someone to do this kind of thing in Halifax. It seems hard to belive that no one in the Maritime provinces offers these specialized services... (proper fitting, blade alignment, etc, etc)

Being from Halifax myself there are lots of places that will do this for you. Any Cleves should be able to help you, but if not go to Sportwheels which is on Sackville Drive. They'd be able to help you out as well.

But if not, and you are talking about anywhere in the "Maritime Provinces" then i bet Maritime Sports in Moncton will do that for you as well.

[noodle1083 0]

Man, I just wish I could find someone to do this kind of thing in Halifax. It seems hard to belive that no one in the Maritime provinces offers these specialized services... (proper fitting, blade alignment, etc, etc)

Being from Halifax myself there are lots of places that will do this for you. Any Cleves should be able to help you, but if not go to Sportwheels which is on Sackville Drive. They'd be able to help you out as well.

But if not, and you are talking about anywhere in the "Maritime Provinces" then i bet Maritime Sports in Moncton will do that for you as well.

Mike,

Personally, I wouldn't consider the places you mentioned to be skilled enough for such work. In fact, I'd be surprised if they knew what a blade alignment was. In my experience, Cleves are the same as Sport Chek; young people who apply to work at a sports store and get the odd product knowledge session every 3-4 months (I've known people from both stores who have worked on skates while their "tech" was on break, and these people should not be working on skates.) While I conceed that Sportwheels is probably better than Cleves, I still don't think they're great. I called there today to ask about a certain brand of skates and the person I spoke with just kept telling me that "Graf are the best skates out there"; not very helpful. Also, I bought my last pair of skates from Sportwheels (coincidentally, Grafs) and they gave me a free sharpening. When I stepped on the ice, I couldn't stand up; it was as if I was wearing skate guards. When I took the skates to my regular sharpener, he told me there were still spots where the blade had not been touched by the wheel. Needless to say, I have not taken my skates back since...

Edit: Thanks for the tip on Maritime Sports. Have you used their services before? I think I'll give them a call.

[Sven 1]

In April i will be in the states (or Canada) and see what you guys got for nice services and will get a top notch treatment.. no matter if its going custom, a radius or anything like that.

The graf/sharpening incident sucks bigtime, noodle.

[zervo 0]

I got my Graf G3 from sportswheels in sackville and got them profiled there. Got on the ice and the right skate was not grabing any ice. As it happened I was in Moncton for a tourney and by shear luck was staying across from Maritime sports I went in there and I must say the service was AWESOME the guy in charge could not believe that these had been supposedly "profiled" and he asked if this was done at Sportswheels I said yes and he shook his head..LOL so he and his assistant worked on my skates for 20 minutes took the holders right of the skates as they had adjusted for pronation at sportswheel and reset them profiled and sharpened for me.....OUTSTANDING SERVICE then he charged my $5......My next skates I will drive to Moncton the service and the knowledge there is second to none and they have an incredible selection.

[noodle1083 0]

I got my Graf G3 from sportswheels in sackville and got them profiled there. Got on the ice and the right skate was not grabing any ice. As it happened I was in Moncton for a tourney and by shear luck was staying across from Maritime sports I went in there and I must say the service was AWESOME the guy in charge could not believe that these had been supposedly "profiled" and he asked if this was done at Sportswheels I said yes and he shook his head..LOL so he and his assistant worked on my skates for 20 minutes took the holders right of the skates as they had adjusted for pronation at sportswheel and reset them profiled and sharpened for me.....OUTSTANDING SERVICE then he charged my $5......My next skates I will drive to Moncton the service and the knowledge there is second to none and they have an incredible selection.

Thanks for the info! I will gladly drive 3 hours to get this kind of service! I'm psyched!!

[Simonp27 0]

Does anyone know how long these guys take to respond?, I emailed them a remote fit request about 8 days ago and have heard nothing yet?

Thanks

Simon

[helper 0]

Pro Skate Edmonton have been my go to guys for 20 years.

I started with them with a fax fit back then when I lived in Revelstoke BC and there was not internet.

They guarantee there fits on line. Talk to Kenny or Keith at either of their locations. I have gotten to know both of them well. They are fully committed to doing whatever it takes to help, true experts.

The key for on-line is can you trust the guys your dealing with and in this case you absolutely can.

[jeffw 1]

Sorry to refresh this but is there a fee for the remote fitting? I can't find anything on the site.

[thekingsingh 0]

Sorry to refresh this but is there a fee for the remote fitting? I can't find anything on the site.

There's no "fee" per se but you'll find the prices of their skates are higher than other places, so they probably build that part in. They also charge for shipping.