Aura Figure Skate Sizing Guide: Choosing the Right Model, Size and Blade

Choosing the right figure skate is about much more than simply finding your shoe size.

With Aura figure skates, getting the correct combination of model, length, width and blade is particularly important because of the way the skate is constructed and designed to fit.

One of the biggest mistakes when selecting Aura is assuming that a brand-new skate should feel comfortable straight out of the box.

It shouldn't necessarily.

Aura uses high-density materials and a close structural wrap, meaning the initial fit can feel considerably tighter than many skaters are accustomed to. Understanding this is essential to avoiding an oversized skate.

At Willies, we want customers to understand what they're buying and why correct sizing matters. Here's our guide to choosing the right Aura figure skate.

Step 1: Choose the correct Aura model

Aura has three models:

• Sky 50

• Sky 100

• Sky 200

Each offers a different combination of static support and resistance through movement.

The model recommendation chart uses three main factors:

Foot length

The length of the foot influences the dimensions of the athlete's kinetic triangle – toe, heel and knee. A longer foot creates a different lever and changes the forces placed on the skate.

Weight

A heavier athlete can generate greater loads through the boot, which is an important consideration when selecting the appropriate support characteristics.

Jump level

Jump level provides a practical indication of the amount of airtime and the landing environment the athlete is generating.

These three measurements provide a recommended starting model.

However, the chart is a recommendation rather than an automatic decision. Current equipment, preferred feel, skating development and how aggressively the athlete uses their skates should also be considered.

Understanding the differences between the models

Model	Collar	Shell	Characteristics
Sky 50	55 HT	Cut-down	Lowest static support and lowest resistance through movement
Sky 100	65 HT	Full height	Higher static support and medium resistance through movement
Sky 200	75 HT	Full height	Higher resistance through movement

It's worth noting that the HT figures refer to collar material specifications, not a percentage-based stiffness rating.

The Sky 100 and Sky 200 share the same primary shell architecture. Their main difference is the collar, with the Sky 200 providing greater resistance through movement.

Step 2: Get your foot measured correctly

Aura sizing begins with the actual length of the athlete's foot.

A Brannock measurement provides an objective starting point for selecting the appropriate skate size and width.

However, foot length and skate size are not the same measurement.

Figure skates have a naturally pointed toe shape, meaning the foot cannot occupy the entire length of the skate's internal geometry.

The difference between the measured foot length and the skate size is known as variance.

For example:

A foot measuring 240mm with 10mm of variance would have a starting skate size of 250mm.

However, 10mm is a starting point, not an absolute rule.

Why foot shape matters

Different foot shapes occupy the pointed toe area differently.

For example, a more projecting second toe may sit further into the pointed toe shape, potentially requiring less variance.

A squarer toe profile may not occupy as much of that space, potentially requiring more variance.

This is why measuring the foot and understanding its shape are both important.

The Brannock provides the starting direction, but the final recommendation should also take the athlete's foot shape and previous equipment into account.

Step 3: Don't oversize your Aura

This is one of the most important things to understand about Aura.

A brand-new Aura will often feel extremely tight before heat moulding.

That does not automatically mean it is too small.

There are two main reasons.

1. High-density foam

Aura uses very high-density foams, up to approximately 10mm thick in key areas.

Unlike lower-density foams that compress immediately when a foot is inserted, Aura's foams retain their structure and gradually conform through heat moulding and use.

They support the negative space around the foot and are designed to provide a close, supportive fit.

2. Structural wrap

Aura doesn't rely primarily on the laces to pull an open boot inward around the foot.

The structure itself already wraps closely around the foot, creating a deliberately tight initial fit.

This is why a cold Aura can feel as though it is squeezing the foot.

The important distinction is between pressure caused by an unmoulded skate and incorrect underlying dimensions.

Aura uses the same metric length system as other metric-sized figure skates. It is the interaction between the shell and internal materials that makes the initial fit feel different.

Our advice: don't automatically size up because Aura feels tight.

Measure first, follow the sizing recommendation and complete the initial fit before deciding that the skate is too small.

Step 4: Understand shared shell sizes

Aura uses shared physical shell sizes, with different internal fit sizes available within the same shell.

For example, the presentation identifies shared shell combinations including:

• 270 / 265

• 260 / 255

• 250 / 245

• 240 / 235

The additional high-density internal material reduces the usable interior length by 5mm while retaining the same external sole and heel dimensions.

This is important because blade selection is based on the physical sole dimensions, not simply the internal fit size.

Two skaters wearing different internal fit sizes may therefore share the same physical shell and have the same blade-sizing considerations.

Step 5: Choosing the correct blade size

Aura boot sizes are measured in millimetres, while figure-skating blades are sized in inches.

Once the correct boot size has been established, the Aura blade-sizing chart provides the recommended blade lengths.

Some boot sizes have two acceptable blade options.

So which should you choose?

If you want end-to-end blade placement:

Choose the larger recommended blade.

When might the smaller blade be appropriate?

• The athlete is already using that blade size and doesn't want to change.

• The athlete is growing and moving to the larger blade would create an unnecessarily large jump in blade size.

The smaller option is particularly relevant to the half-size internal fit within a shared shell.

Because the athlete's forefoot sits slightly further back from the end of the shell, the blade can also be positioned slightly further back. This helps maintain the athlete's position over the rocker.

A larger blade is also perfectly acceptable on the half size. Some coaches and dealers simply prefer the blade to run end-to-end.

The important thing is to consider the physical sole, the recommended blade options and the athlete's existing setup.

Step 6: Consider the skater's current equipment

Measurements and recommendation charts are essential, but previous equipment provides valuable context.

Before making a final decision, consider:

• What size and fit is the athlete accustomed to?

• What level of support are they used to?

• How well has their current skate held up?

• How significant is the proposed change in fit, support or blade geometry?

• Are they actively acquiring new skills?

• How aggressively do they use their equipment?

• How frequently do they skate and fall?

Previous equipment should inform the recommendation, but it shouldn't automatically determine the next size or model.

The objective is to make the right decision for the athlete, rather than simply replicate their previous setup.

Step 7: The initial fit – the most important checkpoint

Because Aura feels so different before moulding, you should not make the final sizing decision using a completely cold skate.

Aura has a specific initial-fit procedure.

This is different from a full heat mould.

The initial fit is designed to relax the materials enough to assess whether the selected model, length and width are correct.

The manufacturer's dealer training specifies:

• Oven temperature: 180°F.

• Preheated oven: 4 minutes.

• Oven not preheated: 5 minutes.

Lacing isn't required for this assessment. If the skate is laced, it should only be laced lightly.

The objective is to confirm the underlying dimensions, not to make the skate feel like a broken-in pair.

The target feeling is described as a very firm handshake around the foot: very snug, close to the foot and supported everywhere, without negative space.

Once the model, length and width are confirmed, the skate can proceed to the full heat-moulding process.

Important: These are specialist fitting procedures. Have your Aura fitted by a trained retailer or fitter and follow the current manufacturer's instructions rather than attempting to heat or modify the skate yourself.

Get help choosing your Aura skates at Willies

Selecting the right Aura involves more than choosing a model and ordering a size.

Foot measurement, foot shape, weight, jump level, previous equipment and blade selection all contribute to getting the right result.

At Willies, we're proud to stock Aura figure skates and help customers understand the differences between the models and the importance of correct fitting.

If you're considering an Aura upgrade or are unsure which model is right for you, get in touch with us.

EXPLORE AURA FIGURE SKATES AT WILLIES

Choosing the right skate is the first step towards getting the most out of the Aura system.