Sk8 the State is not an easy roll on
our skates, each year we take it upon ourselves to go big to raise
awareness and funds for MS research. And each year we have Vanilla Skates
backing us 100 percent! We could not be more thankful for them and
what they have done and continue to do for Sk8 the State for MS. Now
lets look at the skates I (Mo Payne) have rolled on and why Vanilla
boots rock. Of course not only do I just wear these skates while
sk8ing but I play roller derby in these suckers as well.
Let me start by saying if I was more
conservative I would get the boot I like most year after year. But
when Vanilla asks us, what boot we want, the grass is always greener,
and every year I get a different style. Which makes for a good
review of their boots and something shiny, new and exciting for me.
{These boots are in no particular
order}
Vanilla Curves:
I believe these are hands down one of my all time favorite boots. (PS I still put them on from
time to time just because I love them so much.) This skate needs a
toe cover on it as soon as you get it. Curves have a nice tight fit
with lots of cushion. This boot allows your ankle to flow freely. The
flap on the boot goes under a strap to keep t it in place because of
this no need for velcro, and the laces are protected. The heel portion
of the skate is my favorite it did not wear out or fall apart even
after two years of wear and tear. The only thing I ever had to
replace on this boot was the insole. If you ask me that is pretty
awesome. (My son also skates in these, they are adorable in a small
size.)
Vanilla Brass Knuckles:
This was my first and only “boot
made for derby.” I liked this boot a lot. Once it was broken in it
was like home. As I broke them in the material stretched out a bit
for sock like comfort. The ankle support in this boot was at a medium
level so the perfect level of support but not so high that your
ankle would be rubbed raw. These boots are still rolling.
Lent them to a new skater (Barbie) and 2 years later
he is still in them and loving them. I often remind him how many miles
I alone put on them before he started putting miles on them. They are
well used and he has had no issue, they are not blown out or ripped
even after 4 years of hard use.
*This is the only boot that PBR has
ever had and I whole heartedly believe she will NEVER skate in
another boot! She swears by them.
Vanilla Straight Jackets:
The straight jackets and my feet
fought for months during the break in period. I loved everything
about them though. Low in the ankle for free movement. It was nice
to be able to adjust the pressure on your foot with all the straps.
You really have a lot of control to adjust everything you need and
want with the rad looking straps. If you are looking for a sexy boot
this is the one. I love the way it looks. At first I felt like this
boot is not for the wide footed skater but after the break in period it opens up nicely for a comfortable fit.
Vanilla Tiffany Diamonds:
This is a sleek and fancy
looking boot. The padding around the ankle is awesome. A midrange
ankle support boot, not too restrictive but not flow free, a nice
happy medium. I never had troubles with rubbing on my ankles at all.
I like the lace cover that just comes across to save you strings and
keep them in place. The velcro stayed firm and in place very well
and did not wear out.
Vanilla Walker Diamond:
I am working on breaking this boot in
as we speak. I asked for a black and white boot. What a sharp looking
boot is, WOW! So far the break in is not too bad at all. Seems to
be a pretty comfortable boot. The ankle is about midrange on this
boot too and is not restrictive. I am doing something a little
different here and this plate has jam plugs in it. I have big plans
of fully breaking this boot in to be used first while skating in a
burlesque show with Danielle Colby from American Pickers...but that
is really a whole other blog post right?
Sincerely,
Mo Payne thankful, humbled, Vanilla
boot lover/hoarder
PS: I have skated in three other
types of boots and Vanilla is the way to go!
