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