6 Best Competitive Figure Skates For Teens That Support Advancing Skills

Your teen comes off the ice, flushed with excitement after landing a new jump. Their coach pulls you aside and says the words you knew were coming: "It’s time for new skates." The worn-out recreational pair that got them through their first few years just can’t provide the support they need anymore. This moment marks a real transition, moving from a casual hobby to a competitive passion that requires a more serious investment in their safety and skill development.

Supporting Your Teen’s Competitive Skating Goals

When a coach recommends upgrading to competitive-level skates, it’s not about getting a fancier look. It’s a critical step for safety and progress. As teens start learning powerful jumps like an Axel or their first doubles, the force on their ankles upon landing is immense. Recreational or beginner boots are too soft to absorb that impact, risking injury and hindering proper technique.

Think of it like this: you wouldn’t send a high school soccer player to tryouts in flimsy sneakers. The right equipment provides the necessary structure to perform the skill correctly and safely. A stiffer, well-fitted figure skate supports the ankle, allowing your skater to generate more power and land with stability. This purchase is a direct investment in their ability to advance while protecting their body.

Choosing the right skate is about finding the sweet spot. A boot that is too stiff for a skater’s level can actually prevent them from learning, as they won’t have the ankle flexion needed to bend and push. Conversely, a boot that’s too soft is a safety hazard. The goal is to match the boot’s support level, or "stiffness rating," directly to your teen’s current skills and physical development.

Jackson Elle: Perfect for Single Jumps and Axels

Has your skater mastered all their single jumps and is now taking on the challenge of the Axel? This is often the first major milestone where a significant boot upgrade becomes necessary. The Jackson Elle is an excellent and widely recommended entry point into the world of competitive skates for this exact stage.

The Elle provides a notable increase in ankle support compared to learn-to-skate models, which is crucial for the repetitive impact of jump practice. Yet, it isn’t overwhelmingly stiff. This allows a developing skater to still feel the ice and achieve the deep knee bend essential for proper technique. It’s the perfect bridge, offering the structure they need without restricting their movement.

This skate package often comes with a quality blade already mounted, making it a straightforward and cost-effective choice for families. It’s built for the skater who is training consistently a few times a week and is serious about moving through the foundational freestyle levels. It supports their ambition without over-investing before they begin landing double jumps.

Riedell Motion: A Supportive Intermediate Skate

If your teen has a consistent Axel and is starting to train the first set of double jumps, like the Salchow and toe loop, the Riedell Motion is a fantastic next step. This skate is designed specifically for the intermediate skater who needs more lateral support to keep their ankles aligned during the more complex rotational movements of doubles.

The Motion offers a significant jump in stiffness from a beginner boot, providing the confidence and stability needed to attempt new elements. Riedell is known for its durable construction and comfortable fit, and this model includes features like extra ankle padding and a flexible tongue that helps with shock absorption. It’s a workhorse boot designed to withstand the demands of daily practice.

This is the kind of skate that signals a real commitment to the sport. It’s an investment in a piece of equipment that won’t break down halfway through a competitive season. For the teen who is spending more time on the ice and whose goals are getting bigger, the Motion provides a solid and reliable foundation for their skills to grow.

Edea Overture: The Classic Boot for Early Doubles

You’ll see the Edea brand on skaters at every level, from local rinks to the Olympics. The Edea Overture is often the first boot skaters transition to within this popular line, and for good reason. It’s engineered for skaters who are working on single jumps, Axels, and beginning their first double jumps.

Edea boots are known for their lightweight construction and unique design, which offers a different feel on the ice that many skaters love. The Overture provides excellent support but is designed to break in more quickly than many other models, which is a huge plus for busy teens. It gives them the rigidity needed for landing jumps without feeling like their foot is locked in a cast.

This boot is a fantastic choice for a skater who is serious about their training and is on the cusp of landing those first few doubles. It’s a signal that they are moving into a more advanced phase of their development. Because Edea boots must be paired with a separately purchased blade, this step also introduces the concept of customizing equipment to a skater’s specific needs.

Jackson Competitor: For Advancing Freestyle Moves

Once your teen is consistently landing their Axel and a couple of double jumps, their power and speed increase dramatically. The Jackson Competitor is built for exactly this skater. It provides the firm support required for the higher-impact forces of jumps like the double loop and double flip.

This boot features a higher stiffness rating, which is essential for preventing the boot from breaking down under the stress of advanced training. The design focuses on providing a secure heel lock and strong ankle support, giving skaters the stability they need to execute clean rotations and landings. It’s a boot that says, "I’m here to work."

The Competitor is an excellent value for the level of support it offers. It’s a durable, reliable choice for the dedicated freestyle skater who is training multiple days a week and actively competing. This is the skate that can carry them through multiple levels of the competitive pipeline as they master their full set of double jumps.

Risport RF3 Pro: A Top Choice for Serious Skaters

When your teen’s training schedule starts to look more like a part-time job and they are consistently landing most of their double jumps, it’s time to consider a boot like the Risport RF3 Pro. This is a significant step up in terms of both performance and investment, designed for skaters with serious competitive aspirations.

The RF3 Pro offers a very firm level of support, engineered to handle the torque and impact of advanced double jumps and even the initial training of triples. Risport is an Italian brand known for its craftsmanship and focus on anatomical design, creating a boot that provides incredible control and responsiveness. This is not a boot for a casual skater; it demands a strong, well-trained athlete to handle its rigidity.

Choosing a boot at this level is a collaborative decision between you, your skater, and their coach. It’s for the teen who has demonstrated long-term commitment and has reached a skill level where their current boots are actively holding them back. The RF3 Pro is a tool for athletes who are pushing the boundaries of their abilities.

Edea Chorus: For Skaters Landing Consistent Doubles

For the skater who has progressed beyond the Overture and is now landing a variety of clean double jumps, the Edea Chorus is the logical next step in their journey. This boot is a favorite among competitive skaters for its perfect balance of support and flexibility, making it ideal for mastering the full arsenal of doubles.

The Chorus increases the stiffness rating from the Overture, providing the enhanced support needed for more powerful jumps and combination spins. However, it maintains Edea’s signature lightweight feel and quick break-in period. This allows skaters to transition into a stronger boot without a long and painful adjustment phase, which is critical during a busy competition season.

This is the boot for the skater who is fully immersed in the competitive track. They are likely working with their coach on intricate choreography and advanced elements that require a boot that can respond to subtle movements while providing rock-solid support on landings. The Chorus empowers them to take their performance to the next level with confidence.

Proper Boot Fitting: The Most Critical Final Step

You can read a dozen articles and compare every boot on the market, but here is the most important piece of advice: none of it matters without a professional fitting from an experienced skate technician. This is not a purchase to be made online or at a general sporting goods store. A poor fit is not only a waste of money but can lead to chronic pain, bad habits, and serious injury.

An expert fitter will measure your teen’s feet in multiple ways, considering not just length but width, arch type, and ankle shape. They will have your teen try on several brands, as a Jackson will fit very differently from an Edea or a Risport. They will watch how your teen stands and bends in the boots to ensure the support is hitting the right places.

The process doesn’t end there. A professional will also help you select the appropriate blade for your teen’s skill level, mount it correctly, and often heat-mold the boots for a custom fit. This final step is non-negotiable. Finding a reputable skate shop with a knowledgeable fitter is the single best thing you can do to ensure your investment pays off in your child’s comfort, safety, and progress.

Choosing the right skates is a milestone that reflects your teen’s hard work and dedication. By matching the boot to their current skill level—not where you hope they’ll be in a year—you provide the exact support they need to thrive. This thoughtful investment protects them, empowers them, and honors the passion they pour onto the ice every single day.