There comes a time when beginner figure skaters decide to upgrade their skates.

Having the right pair is essential for a successful skating experience.  

It's even more vital if you're competing at a high level.   

At that point, upgrading or having multiple pairs of figure skates tailored to your needs is a no-brainer. 

Different brands are on the market, but two always rise to the top: Jackson and Edea. 

The best figure skaters (male or female) in the world use these brands.

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SEE WHY THE ORIGINAL POLYGLIDE SYNTHETIC ICE TILE IS GREAT FOR ANY SKATE

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Choosing Jackson vs. Edea skates is often a challenge. 

While both brands dominate the skating world, they provide different features and attributes.  

And as the brands have different models, it can be daunting to get a pair you will love for years.   

So we can tell you a thing or two about choosing the best for your needs.

If you're looking for an upgrade, read on for tips on choosing between Jackson vs Edea skates.  

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Why Would You Upgrade Your Ice Skates? 

Skaters upgrade their skates for a few reasons: 

1. Age: If you're a tween or teen, you've got to grow up sometime! Your feet get larger and wider. If you're changing out your sneakers, it's probably time to get larger ice skates. This is often an excellent opportunity to upgrade to higher-quality skates. 
2. Skill Progression: As you improve, you'll need more support and performance features from your skates. Beginner skates might lack the necessary stiffness for jumps and spins, while advanced skaters may need even more specialized boots for complex maneuvers. 
3. Boot and Blade Breakdown: Like any shoe for any sport, wear and tear occurs, and your boot deteriorates. The supportive structure weakens, impacting ankle stability and overall performance. Upgrading becomes necessary when the boot no longer offers the support needed. 
4. A Performance Edge: The more you skate, the more exposed you are to the best skaters in your class. At that point, you need any competitive edge you can get. Skates like Jackson or Edea can be a difference-maker in performance.  
5. Personal Preference: Good ol' marketing or peer pressure got to you. Now, you've got your eye on a pair of Jackson or Edea skates. It's time to save those coins! 

It's not uncommon for skaters to upgrade or change their ice skates multiple times in their careers. 

Make sure you're doing it for the right reasons.   

What are Jackson Ice Skates? 

Jackson Skates has been around since the 1960s. 

It was founded by Don Jackson, the 1962 World Figure Skating Champion, and his brother Bill Jackson. 

The Canadian skater loved figure skating and product design, combining those to create the first Jackson ice skate.  

Since then, the figure skating company has created the Ultima line and merged with the hockey skating company CCM. 

Jackson Ultima provides boots, blades, complete skates, and competition-grade products for all performance levels. 

Jackson Skates is renowned for its advanced technologies that enhance performance and comfort.  

Most models have a Flex Notch for more effortless ankle movement, enabling smoother transitions and deeper knee bends during skating.

Jackson is also an innovator of the Fusion Sole, which integrates the sole and blade mounting system, enhancing energy transfer and overall stability on the ice. 

The brand offers a range of skates at all levels and strives to follow skaters at every stage of their skating journey.  

Popular Jackson models include: 

• Jackson Ultima Freestyle Fusion 
• Jackson Ultima Artiste 
• Jackson Classic 200 and 500 
• Jackson EVO 

About Edea Skates 

Edea is an Italian-based line known for its high-end inline, roller, and figure skating products. 

The brand has existed for over 20 years, stemming from past generations of boot and skate makers.  

Thanks to the innovative work of its founder and designer, Sabrina Merlo, Edea quickly gained popularity among artistic and competitive skaters. 

Edea is also known for its high-quality materials, innovative yet beautiful design, and hand-made products, which focus on comfort, quality, and performance.  

Like Jackson, Edea offers a comprehensive range of models. Each model is recommended for a specific type of ice sport, such as freestyle, dance, or pairs. 

Some examples include: 

• Edea Ice Fly 
• Edea Piano 
• Edea Concerto 
• Edea Wave 

When choosing between Jackson and Edea skates, there are several factors to consider. 

Let's Look at Fit and Comfort  

Both brands boast comfort due to their durable but breathable materials, high ankle support, and specialized padding.  

Edea skates tend to have a more tapered toe box than Jackson skates, which are rounder. 

The pointier design may not be ideal for skaters with wider feet. 

Jackson skates have wider toe boxes, catering to skaters with broader feet.  

Edea boots often require heat molding for an optimal fit. 

When this is achieved, the boot fits almost perfectly, like a glove. 

Jackson boots are often made to fit various sizes. 

However, the heat-molding technology in models like Elle, Freestyle, and Debut allows skaters to get their skates baked for a more custom fit.   

Both brands excel in providing comfort, but Edea's lightweight design and specialized padding might appeal more to skaters looking for a plush feel. 

Jackson Skates offers a balance of support and comfort for various skating levels. 

For the best results, visit a knowledgeable fitter or skate shop to help mold your skates to your needs. 

With Jackson vs. Edea Skates, Performance Matters 

Both brands have qualities that stand out in terms of their performance. You need the right skates to keep up with your needs as you mature in the sport.  

Jackson Skates are known for their excellent ankle support. 

Features like the Flex-Notch allow for a better range of motion without sacrificing stability. 

This translates to better speed, control, and improved landings on jumps.  

Edea skates also excel at ankle support. 

All models use a more anatomically designed ankle padding, which provides a snug fit.  

Jackson Ultima skates vary in performance, but their advanced models are more responsive. 

Thanks to their Fusion Sole technology, there is more efficient energy transfer.  

For advanced skaters pushing the boundaries of jumps and intricate spins, Edea skates truly shine.  

They are often the skate of choice for high-performance figure skating athletes. 

The boot can endure the forces of advanced jumps like triple axels, while the blades efficiently distribute energy for safer, cleaner jumps.

The exceptional ankle support prioritizes comfort with their anatomically designed ankle padding, which provides a snug fit. 

Durability and Maintenance 

Upgrading skates is an investment.  

One you hope will last for years. 

Jackson skates have earned a reputation for being long-lasting, offering a cost-effective option in the long run.  

Their durability is more compatible with training and frequent use.  

Edea skates are lightweight but still quite durable.  

Edea employs innovative materials like microfiber to achieve this balance.  

However, these skates are more suited for competitive use and will hold up at the highest level.  

If you use high-end Edea skates daily, expect them to break down faster than Jackson. 

Both brands require regular maintenance to prolong the life of the boot and blade.   

This includes drying the boot and blade, storing them effectively, and sharpening the blades regularly. 

Is Price a Factor? 

The cost of your upgrade plays a major role in choosing Jackson vs Edea Skates. 

On average, Jackson Ultima skates range from $69 - $375.  

The higher-end options, such as the Elle, Evo, and Freestyle, appeal to advanced skaters or those looking to enter competitive skating and need a cost-effective pair.  

You can also swap the blades for a longer or more durable pair for advanced jumps.   

Edea skates, on the other hand, are considered high-end skates.

Some models start at $200, while others can be as much as $1000+.  

Most stores or online sell the boot only, so you'll need to get an accompanying pair of blades from Edea or other brands like John Wilson, MK, Riedell, and, yes, Jackson Ultima.   

While more expensive, Edea performs well for advanced skaters who execute complicated routines or compete at high levels throughout the year.

 

Conclusion 

There's no right or wrong answer for Jackson vs Edea skates.  

Both possess excellent features and will be more advantageous in certain situations.   

Jackson may be best for beginner skaters looking to upgrade for the first time. 

It's a relatively small investment to test whether the brand or a particular model, like the Freestyle or EVO, is right for you.  

Jackson also offers a wide range of mid-level skates suitable for those now taking their skating to the next level or exploring different skating styles. 

Intermediate and advanced skaters would benefit from Edea skates. 

If you want to advance your technique, you'll feel the difference when you choose Edea.  

Edea also has specialized features tailored to specific skating disciplines.  

Cost also plays a factor.  

If you can invest in a higher-end skate, then you'll get the quality and performance of Edea.

However, you can still get a fantastic performance from a Jackson Ultima for less than $400.   

It all depends on personal preference, skating level, and budget. We recommend visiting a skate shop to try on models from both brands.   

Sometimes, choosing the right boot and blade is all about feel. 

When you find the perfect pair of Jackson or Edea Skates, there's no turning back. 

We hope this guide helps you to decide on the right pair so you can skate on natural or synthetic ice tiles with ease.