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