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