| Skates don’t come cheap and they are perhaps | | | | aids easy maneuverability along the ice surface. |
| one of the most important pieces of hockey | | | | To measure blade radius place the ends of the blades |
| equipment to a player. Therefore it becomes quite | | | | together (bottom to bottom). The length where the |
| important to understand how to purchase skates that | | | | edges of the blades make contact is the blade radius. |
| will aid your play and help you enjoy the game better. | | | | 3.) Break-in period |
| If you are a beginner and are planning to buy yourself | | | | Break-in period of a skate is the amount of time it |
| a new pair of skates then here are some basic tips to | | | | takes for the padded lining of the skate to get molded |
| get you started: | | | | and adjusted to the shape of your feet. How soon the |
| 1.) Difference between sizing of hockey skates and | | | | break-in happens depends on a lot of factors like the |
| regular shoes | | | | quality of lining and body-weight of the player among |
| Hockey skates are generally sized an inch or two | | | | others. A heavier person will generally have a faster |
| smaller than your regular shoes. The reason they are | | | | break-in period than a light person. So if you have |
| sized smaller is for ankle support and stability. If you | | | | lighter body mass, try to go for skates with a softer |
| get them bigger you will have no support whatsoever | | | | lining. You can also try the following tips to for a faster |
| and will have a better chance of falling. In addition too | | | | break-in:a.) Blow hot air into your skate with a blow |
| much space for your foot to move about in a loose | | | | dryer keeping the dryer at a safe distance. Put the |
| hockey skate may result in injury such as blisters and | | | | skate on immediately after around 3 minutes of blow |
| sprains. | | | | drying. This will cause the foam to mold to your foot |
| Here are a few points to keep in mind:a.) Hockey | | | | faster.b.) Try coating the inside of your skates with thin |
| skates need to have a tight fitting. Your toes should be | | | | layer of petroleum jelly, it softens them up. This will aid |
| able to feel the front end of the skate while your heel | | | | in a faster break-in as well |
| is backed up into the back part of the skateb.) | | | | 4.) Used or New Skates? |
| Different brands have different sizing guidelines. So | | | | Hockey skates are supposed to be stiff. This is |
| make sure to check them out before you go for the | | | | something that you should be aware of before buying |
| buy.c.) Lace up the hockey skates and try to move | | | | them. Some people might opt to buy the less |
| about by bending your knees to a point where you are | | | | expensive used hockey skates instead of the more |
| almost squatting. In this position, you should feel the toe | | | | expensive brand new ones. Bear in mind that used |
| area loosen up a bit. Considering the fact that your | | | | skates may have lost their stiffness factor which is |
| knees will usually be bent as you skate, a feel of | | | | essential for more powerful skating action and support |
| comfort in this position is important.d.) Never buy | | | | for the legs, feet and ankles. |
| skates to grow into. This will put you in a risk of | | | | 5.) How much to invest? |
| injury.e.) Try to go for boots that come with a multi | | | | You can buy a good pair of skates for anything |
| layered boot construction and reinforced heel. Both | | | | around $100 to $700. It is recommended not to buy |
| these factors aid ankle stability | | | | expensive skates for your first pair. Until you play in a |
| 2.) Blade radius | | | | league you won’t know what position you are |
| Blade radius is the actual amount of blade that is in | | | | playing or what kind of skate with best accommodate |
| contact with the ice at any point of time. For beginner | | | | it. The first pair is more for practice and introduction to |
| skaters a larger blade radius of around five inches is | | | | the sport. |
| recommended. A larger radius increases stability and | | | | Good luck and play hard! |