While it's obvious that figure skates are for figure skaters and hockey skates are for hockey players, those who do not participate in either sport may not be sure which type of skate to purchase. If you're just getting into ice skating, learning the differences between figure skates and hockey skates can help you make the most of your investment. Furthermore, understanding the nuances of figure and hockey skates can help ensure that you'll get maximum enjoyment out of your new skates.
Hockey Skate Boots
Hockey skates feature boots that are made of leather and hard plastic. Hockey skate boots are very thick and heavily padded. This is done mainly to protect players from the puck and the sticks of other players. The padding on the inside of the skate also absorbs the sweat of skaters. Hockey skate boots tend to be tall, usually reaching the bottom of most skaters' calves.
Figure Skate Boots
Figure skate boots are much thinner than hockey skate boots and made of soft leather, which helps figure skaters to exercise maximum control of their movements. The lightweight composition of figure skate boots also helps skaters to jump higher and spin faster. Figure skates tend to have shorter boots than hockey skates; they also have heels that come up about an inch and a half from the blade.
Hockey Skate Blades
Hockey players need to be able to generate speed and start and stop quickly. Hockey skates use blades that are narrow and deep to achieve these goals because they allow players to push through the ice faster. Hockey skate blades are also slightly curved to allow for a "rocker" effect that can help players to be more agile.
Skates that are made for hockey goalies are different than skates for other players. Goalie skates have much wider, flatter blades that allow goalies to pivot from side to side and stand up quickly.
Figure Skate Blades
The main difference between hockey skate blades and figure skate blades is the presence of a toe pick on figure skates. The toe pick is a jagged edge by the front of the blade that enables figure skaters to push off the ice and jump into the air; it also helps figure skaters to spin. Unlike hockey skates, figure skate blades are attached directly to the boot itself, enabling skaters to switch their blades whenever necessary. This is helpful for figure skaters who need different blades for the different types of figure skating, such as dance and freestyle.
Ice Skate Maintenance
Both figure and hockey skate blades require frequent sharpening, which allows skaters to turn sharply and stop. Neither skate should be worn without skate guards while walking on hard surfaces, and both figure skaters and hockey players should wipe their blades down with a cloth after each use for proper maintenance and to prevent rust.
The main difference in caring for figure skates and hockey skates is that figure skaters must be much more diligent in maintaining their boots, and should wipe their boots down and store them at room temperature in order to keep the leather from drying out. The thick padding on hockey skates prevent them from requiring the same level of care as figure skates.
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