vixens vs wickeds.

reidell Vixens vs wickeds...

obviously there appears to be a whole lot of price difference, but i cant see much different in the skates cos im pretty clueless on that sort of thing, can anyone shed any light on the subject so i know how much i should be saving up :)

Wickeds/265s are lace-to-toe so if you've got wide (like me) or narrow feet it's easier to adjust to suit.
I don't think the Vixen's have the lovely counter on the left side of each boot.
But Vixen's have a different plate - fishnetburns says this - "This skate comes built on Riedell's new Triton extra wide plate, which they state will provide a broader base of support for lateral movements."

I'm going to have my 265s (Vandals, with the nylon plate) available in a couple of weeks as soon as my new skates arrive....they're a size 7 if you're in the market!

right size..wrong plate. i want a aluminium plate really....what do you mean counter on each side?

The counter is basically a stiffened piece of material that is there to support continued left hand turns of speed/derby skating - it stretches from the heel to the front of the foot and helps prevent ankle roll and generally supports the left side of the foot which is always leaning into the turn. Poke any of the 265 boots and you'll be able to see what it is! I personally find it invaluable on my right skate, I have really flat feet and as well as my arch supports I find the counter really helps support my feet and stops them rolling over.

Why have you decided on the aluminium plate? My new skates are coming with the SG Probe plate - it's nylon but supposedly indestructible.....but I will try! :D Despite many attempts at figuring it out, I've never really seen why alu is seen as better - although it's a bit stronger it's heavier and (to me anyhow!) it seems the difference is minimal. Wheels is where it's at....! (says the wheel geek!)

wow- i think i neeed new skates. i'm having lots of problems with my left ankle- which my doc suggests i'm 'sleeping funny' - wow moron.

there are various reasons for going for aluminium plates- one suggestion is that they are lighter-but g says her skates are REALLY heavy. another is that they last longer, another is that they are recommended to larger skaters as they provide a sturdier base.

With your left ankle? That's odd! Most people seem to be having trouble with their right ankle. I was just bitching about my ankles just now to Basil, and he's telling me something about taking cod liver oil? To help tendons...

Also, wtf does your doctor think you are doing in your sleep? o.O

I thought the argument was that they were heavier, but didn't flex as much? So that your energy is more efficiently translated into moving the trucks and wheels in the way you want, and less in distorting it in other ways, which leads to it being more controllable. In the extreme, nylon plates are more likely to shear.

As far as I can tell, it's a payoff between weight and cost on one hand, and distortion on the other. You're going to distort your plates more, on average, the more you weigh, and also the more aggressive your skating style (since both of these translate into the amount of sideways force you exert on your skates). I have no idea how much difference this makes in practice though, I've only used nylon ones.

There's some information here that's quite useful: http://viaderby.com/insideline.html

thanks ladies : (angela, did you type this in your sleep using your left foot?)

wanting metal plates due to the 15stone on top of them, haha, but the counter sounds like a grand idea an may even stop my underfoot shredding every two-three weeks due to a push on an unatural angle. i didnt know this design existed...

cheers peeps.

Darmonatrix wrote:thanks ladies : (angela, did you type this in your sleep using your left foot?)

Does it not make any sense? Sorry if not, there's a reason I normally work with numbers rather than words...

no you ninkum poop. thought that might be reason behind the mysterious diagnoses haha

Most of the money is in the different type of plates. When Mollie and i bought ours, both with alu. plate, I'm sure there was less selection to choose from.

I went for the less expensive plate, but really went on what I liked the shape / look of as an object rather than a skate tool (not sure on the spec. but Mollie might remember what hers was). I wouldn't mind putting them next to each other and comparing the features of the plates, because they do look quite different in terms of shape. Couldn't really compare weight though because Mollie's are half the size!

Darmonatrix wrote:but the counter sounds like a grand idea an may even stop my underfoot shredding every two-three weeks due to a push on an unatural angle. i didnt know this design existed...

As they're your size if you want to try my skates to experience the counter, just shout!

I've been having problems with my left ankle too - it's got very "crunchy" of late and is driving me mad. Hoping new skates will help, but if not I might consider some light ankle support for a while.