Jackson Figure Skates Review

These solid, reasonably priced skates can be a bit stiff

Jackson Competitor Boots With Mirage Blades
Photo © Tournament Sports

Jackson figure skates, which include such models as the Artiste 1790 and the Mystique 1490 among others, are part of Jackson Ultima's line of skates. The company, founded in 1966 by former world figure skating champion Don Jackson, also produces other skates, such as Jackson freestyle skates and Jackson Softec figure skates

Jackson figure skates are reasonably priced, the quality of the boots and blades is great, and they suit the needs of all levels of figure skaters. But there are also a few minuses to consider before buying these skates. Read on to learn the pros and cons of Jackson figure skates.

Pros: Why Buy Jackson Figure Skates

Jackson sells figure skates for all levels of figure skaters. Take the Jackson JS1491 Mystique girls figure skates, for example. These skates are priced at just under $120 as of January 2018, which falls in the average to upper-average price range for a good pair of figure skates.

This model is designed for beginning girls skaters. Kinzie's Closet, an online skate marketer that also does extensive reviews of various skates, notes that the Mystique offers:

  • Leather upper polyurethane coated for easy care
  • A softer topline for added comfort
  • Synthetic lining that is comfortable and durable
  • Flex notch for added flexibility.
  • A full quarter and extra ankle padding
  • Vinyl/mesh comfort tongue with foam padding
  • Stiffness rating: light

Kinzie's Closet explains that stiffness ratings refer to the amount of support for a particular model of skate. The stiffer the figure skate, the stronger the support. So, a light stiffness rating is a good thing for a beginner, as are added flexibility and padding, as well as a softer topline.

There are many models of Jackson figure skates to choose from and the quality of the boots and blades is exceptional. It is also very easy to purchase the skates since many figure skating pro shops and online marketers sell them. The boots support a skater's jumps and spins, and the blades give students the assurance they need as they perform difficult figure skating moves.

Cons: Why You Might Think Twice

When purchasing a pair of figure skates, the boots should be somewhat stiff to give your feet and ankles support, but they should be flexible enough to break in and feel comfortable. When Jackson boots are new, they sometimes hurt: Even beginner-level boots that are designed to be softer and more flexible (and have more padding) than skates for upper-level and advanced skaters can be a bit too stiff. The skates tend to be uncomfortable—at first. This is not a major minus to Jackson figure skates, but it is something to think about. 

Tip: Don't Be Cheap

Buying good skates is a bit of an art. It may be tempting to buy inexpensive figure skates, but anyone who is seriously involved in figure skating knows that you should buy from stores that deal exclusively with figure skates and figure skating supplies. You can buy good skates from many reputable online marketers, but even these sellers, such as Kinzie's, note that "skate sizing cannot be determined accurately by comparing to street shoe sizes."

You can measure your own feet, but it's best to visit a specialty skate shop, where experienced staff can accurately measure them for you. Visiting a shop also gives you a chance to try on skates to see if they fit, are comfortable, and are too stiff or tight, especially if you are a beginner buying your first pair.