| Mistake #... | | | | buttoning it... both are meant to fit when they are done |
| 1.) Rushing out to buy the manufacturers top model of | | | | up. So...when you put the skate on, be sure to give |
| skate. | | | | your heel a good kick into the back of the boot and |
| Manufacturers make several models of skates to | | | | then lace it up. |
| accommodate different levels of skating, different | | | | 4.) Buying the same make and model of skate that |
| physical sizes of skaters, and to cover all the price | | | | that the pro's (NHL) have. |
| points. So, the 'Top Model' (read most expensive) may | | | | This can be a tough one because the younger skaters |
| not be the best choice of skate for you to buy. The | | | | want what their favorite NHL player is wearing. The |
| higher the model of skate the more expensive it is, and | | | | bottom line with this is that the skates that the general |
| the stiffer it is. If you're not physically heavy enough to | | | | public are able to buy off the shelf are not the same |
| deal with the stiffness of the skate it won't matter | | | | as what an NHL player is wearing. The Vapor XXX or |
| how much money you pay, your skating performance | | | | CCM PRO or what ever the model might be, is not the |
| will suffer. Skates that are too stiff for a skater will | | | | same skate as what you, the general public, are able |
| restrict knee bend. Very often it can also means | | | | to purchase. The pros are wearing custom made |
| long-term discomfort. Be really honest with yourself | | | | boots from the manufacturer. The NHL is a great |
| when it comes to your skating ability and physical size. | | | | marketing vehicle for the skate manufacturers and |
| Purchasing a model of skate that matches those two | | | | consumers need to be aware of this fact. |
| criterions, can dramatically increase your skating | | | | 5.) Buying a larger length to try and accommodate a |
| performance, and save you 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 definitely too big. For example if you | | | | boot. For example; the widest part of the foot comes |
| wear a size 10 running shoe start with trying on a size | | | | back into the narrowest part of the boot. The arch of |
| 8-½ hockey skate. If you generally wear an extra | | | | the foot no longer lines up with the arch of the skate. |
| wide shoe, start with a 'D' width skate. The ideal fit | | | | None of that will bother you in the store, but get out |
| length wise, can only be checked when you are | | | | skating and it will show up. |
| standing in a skate that is laced up. The longest toe of | | | | 6.) Not setting enough time aside to properly fit the |
| the foot should lightly feather the end of the toecap. | | | | skates. |
| When you bend your knees slightly (like when you | | | | It can take time to fit a skate for comfort. Wrapping a |
| skate) the toes must pull completely away from the | | | | very stiff piece of material around the foot can |
| front of the toecap. If they don't pull away, then go up | | | | sometimes be a challenge. How a skate fits in the first |
| half a size, or if you need growing room, then go up | | | | few minutes of putting it on compared to how it fits |
| half a size. | | | | after spending some time to warm the boot up can |
| 3.) Trying on a pair of skates and not lacing them up. | | | | make a dramatic difference. Give yourself at least an |
| This is one of the most common reasons skaters end | | | | hour, so you can walk around the store and get a feel |
| up in skates that are to big. Hockey skates are, by | | | | for the boot as well as warm it up. Also take the time |
| design, meant to fit when they are laced up. As the | | | | to try more than one manufacturers skate and models. |
| boot is laced, the foot will draw into the back of the | | | | Different manufacturers boots have unique feels and |
| skate. A skate that ultimately fits properly will, more | | | | fit different from one another. |
| often then not feel small when the foot is placed in the | | | | As a hockey player your skates are your single most |
| boot prior to lacing it. Trying on a pair of skates without | | | | important piece of equipment. Pay attention and you |
| lacing them up is like trying on a button shirt without | | | | will have more fun. Because it's fun to skate faster! |