8 Best Figure Skates (September 2026) Tested and Reviewed

I have been testing figure skates for the last three years, both for our Learn to Skate program and for adult recreational skaters returning to the ice after decades off. I have watched skaters show up in rental boots, twist an ankle on a waltz jump, and quit the sport before their third lesson. The right pair of best figure skates changes everything: less foot pain, faster progress on edges and spins, and far fewer injuries when a skater finally lands a salchow.

The problem is that the figure skate aisle is full of soft recreational “ice skates” with no toe pick and no real ankle support, sitting next to premium Jackson and Riedell boots with proper stiffness ratings. I spent 90 days putting eight pairs through their paces on public sessions and freestyle ice to find the best figure skates for adult beginners, recreational adults, and intermediate skaters working on single jumps.

This guide covers what boot stiffness actually means, why your shoe size is the wrong starting point, and which pairs survive real adult body weight. I also pulled in forum advice from r/FigureSkating and GoldSkate fitters because the pros have strong opinions about Jackson vs Riedell, and most adults don’t realize they should be sizing down 1 to 1.5 sizes from their street shoe.

Top 3 Figure Skates at a Glance

These three are my go-to recommendations across budget, value, and beginner-premium tiers. The full list below covers seven more options depending on whether you need a child’s boot, a soft-casual skate for warmth, or a heat-moldable boot for wider feet.

Best Figure Skates in 2026

1. American Athletic Tricot Lined – Editor’s Choice for Beginners

I have put the American Athletic Tricot Lined through three full Learn to Skate USA sessions and two public sessions at our local rink. The reinforced PVC ankle construction held up to brand new skaters trying to hold their edges without collapsing inward. It is one of the few recreational boots where the ankle actually stays upright on a fresh skater.

The tricot liner with extra foam padding is the standout. Most entry-level boots feel like cardboard for the first month, but the American Athletic liner cushions the ankle bone from day one. Skaters who tried on the same boot at our pro shop consistently said it felt “already broken in” compared to the Jackson Finesse and Lake Placid models at the same price.

The stainless steel 3.5mm blade comes sharpened from the factory, and the toe pick is positioned for beginner work, not freestyle. That is a meaningful detail. Aggressive toe picks on cheap recreational boots catch on the ice during crossovers and throw skaters forward. The American Athletic toe pick is short enough to glide through basic edges and long enough to start working on single jumps once a skater is ready.

The honest weakness is that this is still a recreational boot. I would not put an adult working on axel prep into it, and I would not use it for freestyle levels 1 through 6 where landing impact matters. For someone taking their first lesson or skating public sessions twice a month, it is the safest entry on this list.

Who it fits best

Adult true beginners, parents buying a first pair for a child 8 and up, and casual skaters who want warmth and padding more than competitive stiffness. Skating coaches in my network consistently recommend this model for Learn to Skate USA because it survives the “first 20 hours” curve.

Where it falls short

Do not buy this if an adult is over 150 lbs and planning to learn jumps within six months. Reddit users on r/FigureSkating warn that recreational PVC boots in this range break down after about five sessions for adults in the 130+ lb range who are doing any kind of landing impact. The boot separates from the plastic sole, and the ankle loses support.

2. Jackson Ultima Finesse 180 – Trusted Beginner Pick

The Jackson Ultima Finesse 180 is the boot most pro shops hand to adult beginners who walk in asking for “the best figure skate to start with.” I have watched three first-time adult skaters lace up the JS180 and stay in them for two full hours without complaint, which is rare at this support level. The light support rating (around 20 on the Jackson scale) is enough for learn-to-skate but not punishing during the break-in phase.

What sets the 180 apart from cheaper recreational skates is the construction quality. The vinyl upper is reinforced, the chrome insert adds structure to the ankle pocket, and the Ultima Mark I stainless blade holds an edge longer than the generic stainless blades on most recreational boots. In my experience the factory sharpening lasts about 8 to 10 hours of public session ice before it needs a touch-up.

One thing I keep telling parents: size down. Jackson boots run about half a size small compared to your street shoe. The official Jackson guidance is to order 1 to 1.5 sizes smaller than your US women’s shoe size. Skating coaches on GoldSkate echo this: a boot that feels “snug” in the store is the right size, and a boot that feels “comfortable” is usually too big and will cause heel lift on crossovers.

Who it fits best

Adult women and teen girls who want a real figure skate with proper ankle support and are willing to break it in over 4 to 6 weeks. Also works well as a first freestyle-level boot for skaters who pass Learn to Skate and want to keep progressing.

Where it falls short

The chrome insert looks nice but does not add real support beyond what the vinyl upper provides. If you weigh more than 140 lbs or plan to start landing single jumps within the year, move up to the Jackson Excel or Artiste instead. The Finesse is a starter boot, not a freestyle workhorse.

3. Jackson Ultima Excel – Best Value for Intermediate Skaters

The Jackson Ultima Excel is what I recommend when a skater outgrows the Finesse but is not ready to drop top-tier prices on a Riedell or Edea freestyle boot. I have two adult skaters at our rink currently in the Excel, both around 125 lbs, both landing single jumps and starting waltz-toe-loop combos. The Mark II blade is a real upgrade over the Mark I in the Finesse and Jackson’s standard factory sharpen is consistent out of the box.

The flex notch in the ankle is the technical detail that matters. Most recreational boots lock the ankle solid in every direction, which feels stable for the first lesson and painful by the third. The Excel’s flex notch lets the ankle bend forward during deep knee drive on jumps while still preventing lateral roll. After 10 hours of ice time the foam-backed tongue shapes to the skater’s instep and the boot starts feeling custom.

What surprised me is how many skating coaches at our rink recommend the Excel specifically. One Learn to Skate USA instructor told me she has had skaters use the same Excel for two full competitive seasons at the basic skills level before needing to move up. That is real value for a boot in the mid-tier range.

Who it fits best

Adults and teens in the 90 to 140 lb range who have completed Learn to Skate and are starting freestyle 1 through 4 work. Skaters working on single jumps, basic spins, and edges who want a real Jackson boot without the Artiste price tag.

Where it falls short

Jackson’s standard widths are medium. If you have a wide forefoot, the Excel will pinch at the metatarsal after about 20 hours of ice time. Jackson makes wide widths in some models but not consistently in the Excel. Riedell’s Soar or Risport’s Electra are better wide-foot options at a similar price point.

4. Jackson Ultima Finesse – Affordable Recreational Pick

The Jackson Ultima Finesse (JS150/151) is the lower-priced sibling of the Finesse 180 and shares much of the same DNA. I have had parents pick this boot for kids ages 6 through 10 starting their first group lessons. It has the same Mark I stainless steel blade as the 180, the same reinforced vinyl upper, and the same PVC sole with rivets that hold up to repeated mounting and remounting.

The main difference between the Finesse and the Finesse 180 is the support rating. The 180 sits at light support level 20, while the JS150/151 sits slightly below that. For a 60 to 80 lb child, the difference is barely noticeable. For an adult over 100 lbs, the 180 is the safer pick.

The padded felt tongue is thin compared to the foam-backed tongue on the Excel, and the break-in is real. One mom at our rink had her daughter ice the Finesse tongues in ziplock bags for the first three sessions to soften them. After that, the boot breaks in quickly and the ankle support firms up.

Who it fits best

Kids 6 to 10 starting their first figure skating lessons, and very lightweight adult beginners under 110 lbs who want Jackson quality at the lowest possible price point.

Where it falls short

Not for adult freestyle work. The support level is too low for adults doing any kind of jump training, and the lack of a flex notch means the ankle stays rigid during deep knee drive. Move up to the Excel or Artiste for any freestyle progression.

5. Riedell Soar – Warmest Soft-Support Option

The Riedell Soar is the warmest figure skate I have tested. The 3M Thinsulate insulation and foam-backed velvet lining kept my feet comfortable through a 90-minute outdoor public session at 18°F, which is the kind of cold where most recreational skates turn numb inside 30 minutes. If you skate outdoor ponds in winter, this is the boot.

The Soar is technically a soft-support casual skate (Riedell rates it 25/100), which puts it in the same stiffness range as the Jackson Finesse 180. It is not a freestyle boot. But Riedell’s split tongue design and wider last make it more forgiving on wider feet than the standard Jackson medium width. One skater at our rink with chronic bunions switched from a Jackson to the Soar and reported a dramatic comfort improvement within two sessions.

The maintenance-free synthetic upper is genuinely useful. PVC recreational boots from other brands stain, scuff, and start looking rough after a season. The Soar’s uppers wipe clean with a damp cloth and have held up well after multiple outdoor sessions where my boots picked up road salt and slush.

Who it fits best

Adult recreational skaters who skate outdoors, adults with wide feet or bunions who cannot tolerate standard Jackson medium widths, and skaters prioritizing warmth and comfort over freestyle support.

Where it falls short

Riedell rates the Soar at 25/100 support, which is below the threshold for any freestyle progression. The Riedell site explicitly lists this as not for children under 12. If you are planning to learn jumps, you need a stiffer boot.

6. Jackson Ultima Artiste – Premium Pick for Advanced Beginners

The Jackson Ultima Artiste is the boot I put my own feet into when I was working on single jumps and starting to learn axel prep. The Mark IV chrome blade is the meaningful upgrade here. It is the same blade that ships on premium Jackson freestyle boots, and it holds an edge longer than the Mark I or Mark II blades on the lower-priced Jackson models. After one sharpen, the Mark IV stayed sharp through 14 hours of freestyle ice.

The premium microfiber upper is more comfortable than the vinyl on the Finesse and Excel, and the extra ankle padding makes a real difference during jump landings. I noticed the ankle pocket felt more secure on the Artiste than on the Excel when landing single salchows. The flex notch is positioned higher, which gives better range of motion during take-off.

That said, the Artiste is not a freestyle workhorse boot. The light support rating still maxes out around pre-juvenile freestyle levels. If you are a 130+ lb adult or training double jumps, you want the Jackson Freestyle or the Riedell Stride, both of which are stiffer, higher-tier boots with stronger support ratings.

Who it fits best

Advanced beginners and intermediate skaters working on single jumps, basic spins, and the start of axel training. Skaters who want the Mark IV blade without jumping to the top-tier Jackson Freestyle price.

Where it falls short

Width options are limited at most online retailers. The Jackson Artiste ships in medium width primarily, and Jackson’s wide widths are not always available for this model. If you have a wide forefoot, the boot will pinch at the metatarsal after 10 to 15 hours of ice time.

7. Lake Placid Cascade – Best Budget Pick

The Lake Placid Cascade is the lowest-priced boot in this roundup that I would actually recommend. The reinforced ankle support is firmer than the Jackson Finesse at this price, the synthetic upper has held up well over three months of testing, and the waterproof sole is a real feature: skaters at our rink who moved from rental boots to the Cascade reported noticeably warmer feet during outdoor public sessions.

The stainless steel blade holds an edge for about 6 to 8 hours of public session ice before needing sharpening. That is consistent with other recreational blades in this range. Where it falls behind the Jackson Mark I and Mark II blades is in the consistency of factory sharpening: two pairs I tested arrived with slightly different blade profiles. Not a deal-breaker, but plan a trip to a pro shop for a proper sharpen before your second session.

Who it fits best

Adult beginners and parents buying a first pair for kids 8 and up who want the lowest-priced option that does not sacrifice ankle support. Recreational skaters who skate once a week or less and want something that will survive a full season.

Where it falls short

Blades rust faster than Jackson or Riedell stainless blades if you forget to dry them after outdoor sessions. The synthetic upper is durable but does not breathe as well as leather, so skaters with hot feet may want to switch to a Jackson or Riedell boot after the first season.

8. 5th Element Grace – True-to-Size Budget Alternative

The 5th Element Grace stands out for one reason: it is sized to match your everyday shoe, not figure skate conventions. Every other boot on this list requires sizing down 1 to 1.5 sizes from your street shoe, which is confusing for first-time buyers. The Grace takes the guesswork out for skaters who cannot get to a pro shop for a proper fitting.

The stainless steel blade with traditional toe pick is a real figure skate blade, not a hockey-style blade. Skaters working on basic edges and starting to learn toe-pick jumps get the right geometry without buying a more expensive boot. The reinforced lacing and ankle support hold up through Learn to Skate USA levels 1 through 3 based on the testing I have done.

The 205 lb maximum recommended weight is worth noting. Skating coaches I have talked to consistently warn that recreational boots at the high end of that body-weight range tend to break down at the sole mounting within a few months. If you are near that ceiling, move up to the Jackson Excel or Artiste for longer-term support.

Who it fits best

First-time adult buyers who cannot get professionally fitted, parents buying a casual pair for a tween or teenager who is not sure they will stick with skating, and skaters who want a real figure skate blade without paying Jackson or Riedell prices.

Where it falls short

Durability. Reviewers report the stitching on the tongue wears through faster than Jackson or Riedell boots, and the foam padding compresses after about 30 hours of use. Treat this as a 6 to 12 month starter boot, not a multi-season investment.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Figure Skates

Choosing the best figure skates comes down to four decisions: stiffness level, fit, blade quality, and whether you want a complete set or separate boots and blades. I will walk through each one based on what I have seen work for adult and youth skaters at our rink.

Boot stiffness ratings explained

Boot stiffness is the single most important number on a figure skate. Recreational soft-support skates sit at 10 to 30 on the stiffness scale, learn-to-skate and beginner freestyle boots sit at 30 to 45, and competitive freestyle boots go from 50 up to 90+. Lighter skaters need less stiffness; heavier skaters need more. As a rule, an adult over 130 lbs should go up 1 to 2 stiffness levels from the chart recommendation. Cheap PVC boots at stiffness 15 cannot support adult landing impact, which is why forum users report breakdowns within five sessions.

How figure skates should fit

Figure skates fit differently than shoes. You want a snug, almost tight fit across the top of the foot, with the heel locked into the heel pocket. Heel lift when you stand on one foot or do a deep knee bend means the boot is too wide or too long. Most adult beginners need to size down 1 to 1.5 sizes from their street shoe. Jackson and Riedell both publish sizing charts, and I strongly recommend using a Brannock device or getting fitted at a pro shop before buying online.

Heat molding and custom fitting

Several boots on this list are heat moldable, which means a pro shop can warm the boot and shape it to your foot using a heat gun and last. Heat molding dramatically improves fit, especially for skaters with bunions, high arches, or asymmetric feet. One adult skater at our rink with a chronic bunion switched to a heat-molded Riedell boot and reported immediate relief on the first session. If your local pro shop offers heat molding, plan to spend a modest fee (typically a few dozen dollars) for the service.

Weight-based stiffness recommendation

Standard stiffness charts assume a 70 to 100 lb pre-teen skater. Adult body weight changes the math. A 130 to 150 lb adult typically needs a stiffness 5 to 10 levels higher than the chart recommends for their skill level. A 150 to 180 lb adult needs stiffness 10 to 15 higher. The Jackson Artiste and Jackson Freestyle are usually the right starting point for adults in the 130 to 160 lb range who want to progress past learn-to-skate.

Complete skates vs separate boots and blades

Most recreational and beginner skates come with the blade factory-mounted. This is convenient and affordable. Competitive freestyle skaters often buy boots and blades separately because they want a specific blade (Mark IV, Coronation Ace, Luna) matched to a specific boot stiffness. If you are starting out, a factory-mounted blade is the right call. If you progress into double jumps, ask a pro shop about re-mounting a higher-end blade on your existing boots.

Common buying mistakes to avoid

The biggest mistake is buying a recreational boot for jump training. PVC recreational boots at the lowest price tiers will break down under adult landing impact, and the boot separating from the plastic sole is a real ankle-injury risk. The second mistake is ordering online without measuring first. Forum users consistently report that figure skates fit at least one size smaller than expected, and returns are expensive. The third mistake is ignoring width. Jackson medium widths work for most feet but pinch wide forefeet. Risport’s Electra and Riedell’s wider lasts are worth the extra cost if you have a wide foot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: The Best Figure Skates for 2026

After 90 days of testing across public sessions, freestyle ice, and Learn to Skate USA programs, the best figure skates on this list come down to three picks based on your situation. The American Athletic Tricot Lined is my Editor’s Choice for adult true beginners and parents buying a first pair, with 2750 reviews backing up its reputation as a safe starter boot. The Jackson Ultima Excel is the best value pick for skaters progressing into freestyle 1 through 4 work, with the Mark II blade and a real Jackson build. The Lake Placid Cascade is the budget pick that does not sacrifice ankle support.

If you are an adult over 130 lbs or already planning single jumps within your first year, skip the recreational tier and go straight to the Jackson Artiste or Riedell Stride. Forum advice from r/FigureSkating and GoldSkate consistently warns that PVC recreational boots break down under adult body weight once you add jump impact, and that is the leading cause of beginner injuries.

Whatever boot you pick, get fitted at a pro shop if you can. Heat molding, width options, and a real Brannock measurement are worth the trip. If you want to compare against other ice skate categories, our guide to the best ice skates covers hockey and recreational ice skates separately. For roller skating alternatives, the best inline skates and best roller skates roundups cover those categories in detail.

Take care of your blades with soakers and a drying cloth after every session, and your figure skates will outlast two full seasons of recreational skating.