How to Choose Ice Skates

Good ice skates have to provide good ankle support, be comfortable at the tip, and give full stabilization. The style is a matter of taste, but it’s also important. When you are buying a pair of skates, make sure they are right for your foot. If you choose the wrong pair, you will feel pain and discomfort when skating.

5-Minute Crafts found out what kinds of skates there are and how to choose the right size.

Figure skates for jumps and ice dancing

The boot is flexible enough for you to make maneuvers and tricks on the ice. The long blade gives good stabilization when moving in different directions. It also helps you keep a better balance.

Figure skates make it easier to jump and push away thanks to the serrated front of the blade. It also gives more control. High heels also give you better balance that makes positioning yourself easier when ice dancing.

The boots might be made of natural or faux leather. The former will cost more and are believed to provide better ankle support. But modern manufacturers offer good alternatives made of synthetic materials.

Hockey skates for speed and maneuverability

Despite the name, such skates are good not only for hockey players but also for regular skating. They are comfortable for professionals and beginners.

Hockey skates allow you to skate at a high speed and do different maneuvers. The hard boot that locks the heel in place plays a big part in it. Thanks to the shape, it’s easy for an athlete to get into the position for the most efficient movement. Additionally, hockey boots protect your legs from injuries.

💡 Hockey skates are like roller skates for freestyling in terms of heel construction, so they are perfect for rollers that like to stay in shape in winter.

Hybrid skates perfect for recreational skating

Hybrid skates give good balance and control. They are good for kids, beginners, and average figure skaters.

The soft boot keeps the legs warm and comfortable. There’s no pain in the legs. The hard outer shell allows the skater to stand correctly and move efficiently.

The blade might be smooth or serrated. The former is good for speed and movement but is still stable, while the latter is better for tricks and jumps. Figure skates are less comfortable but they allow the skater to be more precise while performing tricks, and hybrid skates are more user-friendly.

How to choose the right size

• Wear the socks you are going to use when skating. Don’t wear socks that are too warm, it’s better to use slightly warm ones.
• Make sure your feet are positioned correctly. The toes should be fixed well inside the skates. If you feel the feet lifting, you need a smaller size. Pay attention to the heel holder. It keeps the heel in place, so the skates move together with the leg.

⚠️ Skates should be comfortable and quite tight.

• The materials skate manufacturers use won’t increase in size. So the feeling you have while trying them on will remain the same.
• You should feel that figure and hockey skates wrap around your entire foot. They might be 1-2 sizes smaller than your regular shoes.

How to check the size of skates for a child: Ask them to push the toes as close as possible to the front of the skate. You shouldn’t be able to fit more than 1 finger behind the heel. There will be some room for the feet to grow, but there will still be enough stability.

💡 Advice: Don’t forget to sharpen the blades. Check them every third time you skate. But if you are skating on a lake where the ice is harder, you should sharpen the blades more often.