Ice hockey is a very demanding sport. It requires a lot of movement, and to do that you need the best gear possible. Your skates are probably the most important piece of equipment that will keep you stable on the ice. So, choosing the proper pair is crucial. This is not a one-size-fits-all situation. You’ll need to try them on and find the right pair for you and your performance.
What to Consider when Buying?
Fit
When it comes to fit, you shouldn’t compromise. The fit has to be right. As a general rule, there should be a quarter of an inch of space in the heel. In the front, the toes can graze but never be squeezed against the toe cap. Having the proper fit is crucial for your performance no matter what position you’re playing.
If you don’t have the opportunity to try the skates on at the store and you’re buying online, measure your feet in inches. Once you get that number, compare it to the manufacturer or seller’s sizing chart. There are high-quality and comfortable ice hockey skates that come in different widths. They can accommodate different types of feet. So, there’s something for everyone.
Size
Size matters and it’s closely related to fit. There are skates for people of all ages, from young, growing players to older and more experienced players. In general, the skates’ size is 1-1.5 sizes smaller than your regular, everyday shoe. In some cases, women need 2.5-3 sizes smaller skates.
If you’re buying for youngsters, it’s okay to buy one size bigger but don’t go over that. Otherwise, the kid will feel uncomfortable and there’s a possibility for injuries. There are manufacturers that offer custom-made skates. This is a great opportunity to get the size and fit right. They can be a bit more expensive but it’s an investment worth making if you have trouble finding a pair that matches you perfectly.
Materials
Most of the hockey skate models are made of hard plastics and other man-made materials. High-density plastics are usually the first choice and they mostly go on the bottom of the skate. When shopping, you’ll notice that as the price goes up, the materials are getting better and better. They’re made with more advanced technologies and have improved protection, performance and comfort.
Style of Play
Besides getting the right fit and size, another personal thing to think about is the style you play. Every player position requires different movements, so you’ll need skates suitable for that position. Luckily, manufacturers took this into consideration and created different skate styles.
There are skates designed for agility and speed. They’re made mostly for wingers. Others are made for stability and power. These skates are good for physical players and defensemen. There are pairs made for acceleration and agility and ones made for sheer power.
Hockey vs Figure Skates
One of the most common questions when buying skates is if you should buy hockey skates or figure skates. Are they the same thing? What’s the difference? Figure skates and hockey skates have different features specific to their respective sports. In order to perform jumps and pivots as well as trace long, elegant arcs on the ice, figure skaters use longer, heavier blades that have a toe pick at the front.
Unlike the rigid plastic boot on an ice hockey skate, the one on a figure skate is made of flexible leather. Even so, because they have smaller blades than figure skates, hockey skates are often lighter, and their design prioritises acceleration, speed, and rapid direction changes. In any case, if you’re playing hockey, having proper ice hockey skates is the right way to go.
How to Bake Them?
In order to make the skates feel more comfortable and to break them in faster, you should bake, or heat mold them. There are players who do this on their own, in their house in the oven. This is one option, though it might not be the safest one, so if you’re not experienced, don’t try it. There’s a possibility to injure yourself or damage the skates.
The safest way to do it is to leave it to the professionals. Almost every seller offers this service to their customers. They’re the safest option because there are materials that can get damaged in the process. If the store you’re buying from doesn’t offer this option, you can use the hairdryer at home.
When to Sharpen Hockey Skates?
Having sharp blades on your skates is crucial for your performance. If they’re sharp enough you can turn, accelerate, and stop properly on the ice. If you don’t have any experience in sharpening them, you should get help from professionals. There are tools you can use to do it on your own but some of them can dull the blades faster.
When professionals do it, they make a small cut at the centre of the bottom of the blade and this creates equal edges on both sides. How deep the cut is will influence the blade’s performance. A deeper one will give you more control and a shallower one will increase your speed.
The real question is, how often should you sharpen the blades? There’s one general rule that players should sharpen them after every 20 hours spent on the ice. This is usually once or twice a month depending on the time you personally spend. Other factor the influence the sharpening frequency is the quality of the blades and the quality of the ice. So, how many times you sharpen the blades is a personal thing, there are no strict rules.