I’m getting old. I’ve been skating since Boxcars with Senate grindplates were awesome, and a small piece of me still thinks they are. I went from original Majestic 12s to RB Dirks to first generation Salomon ST8s and felt like each was an upgrade. Then over the course of quite a few years and some very long breaks I bought some USD UFS Psirus skates and hated them severely, and then some of the newer K2 Nemesis skates and they felt like big cushy bricks strapped to my feet, with souls so wide I kept catching them in turns. I finally came across the last pair of normal sized Salomon skates probably in the country, and that’s what I’m riding now. But parts are getting rare and eventually I’ll have to get some new skates.

That’s a long way to say I need help. I’m basically looking for some skates that are lightweight, non-bulky, fit my foot without any slop, and have moderate ankle support without being so stiff that they are uncomfortable. Big plus if they have a good, stable backslide plate without humongous souls.

I’ve considered Valos, since they’re M12s with better soul/royale plates. But I don’t see the point in the skin, so is there any benefit at all to them over Majestics? If not, seems like a step backwards in comfort from my Salomons.

Also considered USD. They seem to be bringing back some old school skates, even using the old Fila skate, so I feel like maybe they get me. But I hated my Psirus because they were bulky and the plastic was rock hard, so ankle flexing was painful. Is this the case with Thrones and Classic Thrones? And is there an advantage to the Classic Throne over the new Throne?

Finally, I actually thought about Deshi. I keep reading that the new CH1 skate is not bulky and it looks comfy. I like the soul plate options too. But I’m worried about a soft boot after my K2 experience.

Anybody with a wide variety of skate brand experience able to give me some guidance?

I’ve progressed the opposite of you it looks like. My first pair of skates were a pair of slightly too large K2 125CCs, which have almost non-existant soul plates but TONS of flex. Got Salomon Vinny Minton Pro’s for christmas that year, bigger soul plates. Got TRS Downtown IIIs after that, with even bigger soul plates, but the WORST LINERS I’VE EVER HAD.

My most recent skates have been the Deshi CH1s and the Xsjado Basic 08. CH1s are comfortable as hell, and pretty decent flex but with plenty of ankle support. Xsjado’s… Well, they’re the lightest skates I’ve ever strapped to my feet (not counting the K2 125s, those things were feathers, but Pre-UFS ), Insane flex but enough support I don’t feel like my ankles will snap in ’em. Great skates, both the CH1s and the Xsjados, but you want something without boats for soulplates, so probably CH1s would be better, from my experience.

Have you skated K2 Fatty Pros?

"No power in the 'verse can stop me." ~River Tam, Firefly

Light/slim skates: Roces M12/Element 52, Razors SL/Cult, Deshi CH, Salomon, Xsjado, Nimh, Remz OS, USD Realm. Enough choice I think.

Seeing you’re coming from Salomon I would suggest a pair of Razors Cults. They look nice, are solid and lightweight and not too expensive.
If you want to spend a bit more I’d suggest Remz OS.

Check it out; (special setup from Forward Freestyle)

K2 Fatty and Nemesis are mad heavy btw.

Yup, I rode the old Fatty Pros once. Fell over backwards alot, but I really liked the feel once I got used to them. Nicest looking skates ever, too. If they’d bring those back with a slightly wider soul and royale area, and with UFS (like the later models had), we wouldn’t be having this conversation. :)

An old friend has a pair of Razors Cults. My impression was that they were on the heavy side, but his are like size 13, so that’s probably alot of the reason. Just looking at the shape though, they seem like they’re not very anatomically designed. Do you get alot of heel lift in them?

Almost none, I owe a pair of Cult 8’s and besides the lack of a shockabsorber, they skate very well. The bs plate is heaven.
(between the lines; I normally ride a pair of Genesys, I also own a pair of G6, Cult 8 and Salomon Chaz1….to let you know I dont promote for Razors…)

Fatty’s are still made:

Hah, I didn’t realize K2 was still making skates at all. I see them for sale occasionally at online shops, but usually size 6 only and stuff. Maybe I need to look closer.

The idea of Razors is growing on me though, for the readily available, replacable, and interchangable parts. Since you’ve skated Salomons and both styles of Razors, how do they compare? My Salos feel like they were made just for my feet. The shape is perfect and the fit and flex are completely natural. Do you get that kind of fit with your Razors? Are the Genesys ones bulkier than the old style, like the pictures I usually see make them look?

Genesys are bulkier then Cults, thats for sure. They haven’t really changed since the first Genesys model came out, except for the soulplate and some minor changes on the cuff.

Cults and Salo’s are quite comparable, the Cult are a bit tighter, but I really liked the bs plate over the weird groove salomons had. De flexibility is overall the same, Cults are a tad stiff when they’re new, but the Razors cuff is soooo good. Soulspace is also almost the same (if you don’t compare them with widebody’s) and both slide very well. Both are also in eachothers weight range, so I reckon that if you come from Salomons, Cults are quite a logical choice.

Keep in mind that the Salomon liner is unbeatable in comfort. You might want to change the liners of the Cults with your Salomon liners, or some Jugs or Sifika’s. Remember to buy at least one and a half size up in that case.

Ya know, the more I think about the cost of a new pair of skates, the more I think I should just hang on to my Salos for a while longer. So I’m going to flood the forum with a little bit different thread…