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