There are some things to concider when buying skates in the U.K. since shipping is a Big issue for you girls.
Like Issues said, order Big and in a group. If you all buy the same types of pads and helmets, make sure you order them together, it will save you alot on shipping, and they may even give you a bulk discount.
Beware of "cheap" skates, but also beware of more expensive skates that look like a great deal. Example... The Reidell R3 is a good skate for the money about $100 (american) and has the same plate as some of the more expensive skates up to $249 (american). Take notes and read what you're getting. Ask questions, if you feel you're being "sold" on a pair of skates and dont feel right about it, then keep shopping. I have a great deal of respect for Ivanna at Sin City skates, but they also have "sub standard" skates for sale there too. You dont want some cheap crap that will fall apart on you just before your season finally causing you to not be able to skate. Ask her questions, I think she will be honest. She has a reputation to uphold, especially when 1000 rollergirls from all over the world come to see her once a year at rollercon
I would suggest you stay away from any skate that the plate is "rivited" to the boot. They are usually crap, and I have had to drill, or pound out the rivets and replace them with the proper skate mounting hardware at inconvienient times, usually at practice or just before a bout. If you order skates that are "rivited" then make sure you order mounting hardware to fix them if/when they start to come loose. Rock, and Carrera skates are the most common rivited plate skates Ive seen here.
Dont be affraid to send emails to your roller sisters on different leagues all over the world! Its cheap and easy, and they usually know what works and what doesnt. Get on different forums and read what people have to say about different boots, plates, wheels, and bearings (dont even get me started on the bearing thing) but Do learn to maintain your skates, bearings, wheels and boots so you dont get hurt due to some loose toestop, or a wheel falling off, or like at rollercon when the girl lost her whole truck assembly off of her skate. That could have been a much bigger mess if someone had hit the hardware that was all over the track
Feel free to ask me any questions too, if I know the answer Il tell you. If I dont, Il tell you I dont know
