Ice hockey skates don’t come cheap and they are perhaps the most important piece of equipment for a hockey player. Therefore, it becomes quite important to understand how to purchase skates that will aid your play and help you enjoy the game better. If you are a beginner and are planning to buy yourself a new pair of skates, then here are some basic tips to get you started:
1. Difference between sizing of hockey skates and regular shoes.
Hockey skates are generally sized an inch or two smaller than your regular shoes. The reason they are sized smaller is for ankle support and stability. If you get them bigger, you will have no support whatsoever and will have a better chance of falling. In addition, too much space for your foot to move about in a loose hockey skate may result in injury such as blisters and sprains.
Here are a few points to keep in mind:
- Hockey skates need to have a tight fitting. Your toes should be able to feel the front end of the skate while your heel is backed up into the back part of the skate.
- Different brands have different sizing guidelines. So make sure to check them out before you go for the buy.
- Lace up the hockey skates and try to move about by bending your knees to a point where you are almost squatting. In this position, you should feel the toe area loosen up a bit. Considering the fact that your knees will usually be bent as you skate, a feel of comfort in this position is important.
- Never buy skates to grow into. This will put you in a risk of injury.
- Try to go for boots that come with a multi layered boot construction and reinforced heel. Both these factors aid ankle stability.
2. Blade radius.
Blade radius is the actual amount of blade that is in contact with the ice at any point of time. For beginner skaters, a larger blade radius of around five inches is recommended. A larger radius increases stability and aids easy maneuverability along the ice surface.
