Ice Skates

If you’re a pro in the rink then you already know pretty much everything you need to know about ice skates and how to buy them.  But if you’re relatively new to the sport, or if you skate only a few times a year then you may have questions about which ice skate offer you the best value for money.

The bottom line is comfort, the more comfortable the ice skates feels on your feet, the more inclined you’ll be to skate and so the better the skate will be for you.  For beginners and intermediate skaters quality is seldom the issue – most modern ice skates are made with quality components so that doesn’t really enter into the picture.

Snugness counts.  Don’t get a skate that is too big for you.  When the skate is laced up it should feel nice and snug on your foot.  An ice skate that is too long or too wide and allows your foot to slide inside the skate after it is laced is not going to perform well for you on the ice. They won’t be comfortable for too long, either.  It’s better to get ice skates that are slightly too snug (without causing pain!) than a pair that are too loose.

Keep in mind that ice skate sizes aren’t the same as normal shoe sizes.  When buying ice skates you’re going to want a skate that is 1 ½ sizes smaller than your normal footwear.

Weight can be another issue, most modern ice skates are made of light-weight materials but this is where a slightly more expensive ice skate can take the lead over a bottom of the line range. Skates that feel light on your foot won’t tire you out as quickly. In other words you’ll get more skating enjoyment out of each session on the ice if you can afford an ice skate that is lighter.

Skates that are form fitting are nice, these are generally mid-range skates with a memory foam padding.  The padding conforms itself to the exact shape of your foot and holds your foot firmly, but comfortably, in place.

Check your skate for stiffness, medium-priced skates are generally less stiff than low-priced skates or the professional models.  Unless you ice skate for a living or you’re a member of a hockey team, a soft skate is probably better for you than a stiff skate.  The reason, once again, is comfort; a soft skate just feels more comfortable and therefore encourages you to skate more often and to spend more time on the ice when you do.

The final thing you may wish to look for is a skate that has a micro-fiber lining that absorbs quickly evaporates sweat away.  Ice skates with a micro-fiber lining are generally a few dollars more, but even if you do only a moderate amount of ices skating this feature can add greatly to the feeling of all around comfort.

So what’s the bottom line?  The bottom line is that with today’s high-quality ice skates it’s really hard to make a serious mistake if you’re a casual skater.  The main things you need to consider are comfort and fit.  A snug skate that feels good and isn’t too heavy is really all that you need in order to get out on the ice and have fun.