What could be better than gliding over ice like a bird on the breeze? It can be a nice family activity, part of your weekly exercise, or playing some casual ice hockey with friends. But what makes a great pair of skates? What features are right for your game, your build, your skill level? There's plenty to consider when choosing the right ice skates.
The basic idea of using blades to propel oneself over ice remains the same even today. Early skates dating back to 3000 B.C. were made of animal bones. Modern ice skates have evolved to feature a metal blade and stiff boot, instead of bone and leather.
Types of Ice Skates
While they may all seem to look the same and have a similar general construction (blade, boot, laces, etc.), there are distinct types of ice skates designed for different purposes.
The two most popular types of skates available for men are ice hockey skates and figure skates. There are also recreational skates and speed skates.
Figure Skates
Figure skates start to become more apparent with the presence of toe picks. Some models do come with toe picks at the front of the blades. This is helpful for a beginner to grip the ice when taking their initial steps to get moving. Toe picks are located at the front of the blade and serve as take off or landing points for jumps.
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Hockey Skates
Hockey skates are designed for maneuverability and agility when skating backwards or forwards. Hockey skate blades can range between 180-220cm.
Speed Skates
Speed ice skates are another type of skates that are designed to go fast while gliding across the ice. They have long blades that are perfect for generating high speeds and remaining stable. The boots normally have a low cuff that is made from stiff materials such as leather or carbon fiber. The low cuff is to maximize the skaters' ankle movement to increase the speed.
Recreational Skates
Men’s ice skates and women's ice skates will often have comfortable, soft boot shells and good ankle support.
Choosing the Right Skates
"Good" skate is relative to your budget and skill level. This is a weighted question, and will depend on a lot of factors. What is your skill level? What type of skating will you be doing? Most ice skates are broken down by skill level.
Regular wear of your pair of skates will improve the comfort of your feet. Each session you have on ice will help the boot liner shape in all the right places and so it becomes more customized to your feet. Regularly renting ice skates can quickly add up in costs, so if you plan to visit the ice rink frequently, then buying them can be much more cost-effective. As well as saving money, you can save on time.
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It's important to fit yourself for the perfectly sized ice skates. Skates should fit comfortably for a proper fit.
Here's a table summarizing the different types of ice skates and their key features:
| Type of Skate | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Figure Skates | Toe picks, longer blade | Figure skating, jumps, spins |
| Hockey Skates | Shorter blade, more ankle support | Ice hockey, agility, speed |
| Recreational Skates | Comfortable boot, good ankle support | Recreational skating |
| Speed Skates | Long blade, low cuff | Speed skating, racing |
Choose Wisely: The Ultimate Figure Skates Guide
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