If you've just signed up for ice-skating lessons or just want your own pair of skates to enjoy gliding around the rink with friends and family, a used pair of skates might be the way to go. Because used skates vary widely in their quality, it helps to know what to look for when buying used adult women's figure skates. Doing your research before you shop for used skates can increase your chances of finding the best skates for your feet at a good price.
How to Buy Used Adult Women's Figure Skates
Step 1
Visit a pro shop to have your feet measured and examine the various types of skates available. Figure skates are sized differently than street shoes, so having your feet measured will tell you what size skates you need. Try on several pairs by different manufacturers until you find the make and model of skate you like best. Write down your skate choices. You can also ask the pro shop if it sells used skates or knows where used skates are sold. Often, ice rinks will host swap meets that deal in used skates, and the pro shop might have the dates and times of these events.
Step 2
Examine the pro shop's stock of used skates or the skates at a swap meet to ensure the skate boots are still in good shape for use. If the skate boot is heavily creased around the ankle area, it is probably too broken down to use safely. Test boot creases by grasping the boot firmly at the top and holding the boot to the side, parallel with the floor. If the boot flops downward, it's too weak to support an adult's weight.
Step 3
Check the skate's blades to ensure they are also in good shape. The blades should be free of rust and have no rusted, loose or missing rivets or screws. Also, the last 1/8 inch of the blade on both skates should have a brushed metal look different from the shiny finish of the rest of the blade. This is known as the "grind strip." If the grind strip is missing or considerably smaller than 1/8-inch, the blades are near the end of their useful life and should be avoided.
Step 4
Try on any candidates. Note how the skates feel on your feet. The skates should fit the foot closely, yet be reasonably comfortable. Pressure points on the ankle or the big toes can be protected with foam pads available at any drugstore, but if these are unbearably painful, you should try a different skate. If the blades are attached, cover them with skate guards and try walking in the skates.
Step 5
Take your new skates to the pro shop once you've purchased them. The pro shop can waterproof the boots for you, replace any missing screws or rivets in the blades, and sharpen your skates in most instances. You may also want to purchase new skate laces, as laces wear out over time. If these are your first pair of skates, also purchase a pair of soft "soakers" to absorb any condensation on the blades after you skate and a pair of hard skate guards so you can walk around the rink without damaging the blades.
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