| Mistake #... | | | | it. Trying on a pair of skates without |
| 1.) Rushing out to buy the top | | | | lacing them up is like trying on a |
| manufacturers model of skate. | | | | button shirt without buttoning it... |
| Manufacturers make several models of | | | | both are meant to fit when they are done |
| skates to accommodate different levels | | | | up. So...when you put the skate on, be |
| of skating and the different physical | | | | sure to give your heel a good kick into |
| sizes of skaters, as well as to cover | | | | the back of the boot and then lace it |
| several price points. So the 'Top Model' | | | | up. |
| (read most expensice) may not be the | | | | 4.) Buying the same make and model of |
| best choice of skate to buy, for you. | | | | skate that that the pro's (NHL) have. |
| The higher the model of skate the more | | | | This can be a tough one because the |
| expensive it is, and, the stiffer it is. | | | | younger skaters want what their favorite |
| If you're not physically heavy enough to | | | | player is wearing. The bottom line with |
| deal with the stiffness of the skate it | | | | this is that the skates that the general |
| won't matter how much money you pay, | | | | public is able to buy off the shelf are |
| your skating performance will suffer. | | | | not the same as what an NHL player is |
| Skates that are too stiff for a skater | | | | wearing. The Vapor XX or CCM PRO or what |
| means no knee bend. Very often it also | | | | ever the model might be, is not the same |
| means long-term discomfort. Be honest | | | | skate as what the general public are |
| with yourself when it comes to your | | | | able to purchase. The pros are wearing |
| skating ability and physical size. | | | | custom made boots from the manufacturer. |
| Purchasing a model of skate that matches | | | | The NHL is a great marketing vehicle for |
| those two criterions, can dramatically | | | | the skate manufacturers and consumers |
| increase your skating performance, and | | | | need to be aware of this fact. |
| save you money. | | | | 5.) Buying a larger a length to try and |
| 2.) Fitting hockey skates like shoes. | | | | accommodate a wider foot. |
| Skates and shoes do not fit the same. A | | | | If your foot is wide and the skate is |
| safe rule of thumb to use is that a | | | | tight then buy a wider skate not a |
| skate will always fit a size, to a size | | | | bigger length. The really big skate that |
| and a half, smaller than your shoe size. | | | | feels good in the store, will come back |
| Depending on how you fit your running | | | | to haunt you almost every time. A skate |
| shoes, a skate may even occasionally be | | | | has a very specific shape that is |
| as much as two sizes smaller. If your | | | | relative to the length of the foot going |
| skates are currently the same size as | | | | into it. If you purchase a skate that is |
| your running shoe... they are too big. | | | | the wrong length, nothing about the |
| For example if you wear a size 10 | | | | shape of the foot will line up with the |
| running shoe start with trying on a size | | | | boot. For example; the widest part of |
| 8-½ hockey skate. If you generally wear | | | | the foot comes back into the narrowest |
| an extra wide shoe, start with a 'D' | | | | part of the boot. The arch of the foot |
| width skate. The ideal fit, length wise, | | | | no longer lines up with the arch of the |
| has been achieved when you are standing | | | | skate. None of that will bother you in |
| in a skate that is laced up. The longest | | | | the store, but get out skating and it |
| toe of the foot should, in fact, feather | | | | will show up. |
| the end of the toecap. When you bend | | | | 6.) Not setting enough time aside to |
| your knees slightly (like when you | | | | properly fit the skates. |
| skate) the toes will pull completely | | | | It can take time to fit a skate for |
| away from the front of the toecap. If | | | | comfort. Wrapping a very stiff piece of |
| they don't pull away, then go up half a | | | | material around the foot can sometimes |
| size, or if you need growing room, then | | | | be a challenge. How a skate fits in the |
| go up half a size. | | | | first few minutes of putting it on |
| 3.) Trying on a pair of skates and not | | | | compared to how it fits after spending |
| lacing them up. | | | | some time to warm the boot up can make a |
| This is one of the most common reasons | | | | dramatic difference. Give yourself at |
| skaters end up in skates to big. Hockey | | | | least an hour, so you can walk around |
| skates are, by design, meant to fit when | | | | the store and get a feel for the boot as |
| they are laced up. As the boot is | | | | well as warm it up. Also you may want to |
| laced up, the foot will draw into the | | | | take the time to try more than one |
| back of the skate. A skate that | | | | manufacturers skate and model. |
| ultimately fits properly will, more | | | | For more expert information come in to |
| often then not, feel small when the foot | | | | either of our two Edmonton locations. |
| is placed in the boot prior to lacing | | | | |