Finding the right ice skates can be a tricky process. What type of skates do you want -- figure skates or ice hockey skates? What size do you need? Ice skates usually do not correspond to shoe size, being 1.5 to 2.5 sizes smaller than U.S. shoe measurements. As with running shoes, there are quite a few brands of ice skates to choose from, with different model levels of each brand. By breaking down the process, you can find an ice skate that is best for you.
Pros and Cons of Figure Skates
Figure skates are the skates you have seen on Nancy Kerrigan and Kristi Yamaguchi. Figure skates tend to be lighter and fit more snugly than hockey skates. They feel more akin to wearing a boot, making them more comfortable. The downside is that the boot is more flexible, putting more strain on a beginning skater's ankles. Also, figure skates are equipped with a toe pick at the tip of each blade. This allows figure skaters to turn and jump on the ice. Novice skaters, however, may find the toe pick more of a nuisance, causing them to trip and fall on the ice.
Pros and Cons of Hockey Skates
If you want to be the next Wayne Gretzky, ice hockey skates might be best for you. Hockey skates tend to be a bit heavier and more stiff than figures skates. This means they take longer to break in but the stiffness also means they provide more support. The blades on hockey skates are rounded at each end, without the figure skate's toe pick, ensuring a smoother ride for the beginning skater.
Sizing Your Skate
Once you've decided on the type of skate you want, your next step is to find the right size. Skates do not correspond to typical shoe sizes. For example, someone who wears a size 6.5 shoe might be a size 4 skate. In the age of the Internet, this makes online shopping for skates a risky proposition. Your best bet is to go to a sporting goods store and try the skates in person. When you put the skate on, look for it to fit snugly around your heel and just shy of touching your big toe. Especially with the stiffer hockey skates, it is important that you tie the skates as tight as comfortably possible to get a true gauge of size. As with trying on shoes, walk around with the skates on to see how they feel. If your heel slides or you can't feel the front of the boot with your big toe, the skates are too big.
The Right Skate
Sporting goods stores carry many brands and models of skates. Look for a pair that best suits your needs. If you plan on hitting the local rink a few times a season, the lower cost model is all you need. As your amount of usage increases, so too will your level of skate. Someone who plans on playing hockey three nights a week for seven months needs a more selective skate than the recreational user. If you are new to skating and want to give it a whirl or for children who will grow out of skates in six months, look for used skates at your local sporting goods store. They will be less expensive and already broken in.
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