Choosing the right skates is crucial as you embark on your skating journey. Discover the essentials of selecting, maintaining, and maximizing the performance of your skates.
Selecting the Right Skates
For beginners, it’s important to select skates that fit well to prevent discomfort and support skill development.
- Ensure your skates are tight enough-laces should not loosen, and your fingers shouldn’t fit between the boot and your ankle.
- If using pads, be fitted with them as they are essential for consistent protection.
- Skates should be sized exactly to the skater’s foot or up to a half size larger, depending on the brand.
Skates should be tied tightly with no gaps, and thin skating socks are preferred to thicker ones for better skate fit and comfort.
There should be minimal space between your foot and the skate without having too much discomfort.
Your toes should just barely brush up against the toe box and the forefoot should be wrapped comfortably inside the skate without a lot of pressure.
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If there is an uncomfortable amount of pressure, the skates are too small.
Skate socks can help improve blood circulation, fit, and even reduce the risk of skate lacerations by using cut-resistant materials.
Footbeds are a great addition for those in need of arch support. They provide a customized fit and can help reduce negative space inside the skate.
Finding Your Skate Size
There are two methods you can use to find your figure skate size at home.
The first method is the quickest; all you need to know is your shoe size but preferably dress shoe size since they tend to be more accurate.
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Generally speaking, youth and junior figure skates fit a half size down from your regular shoe size, while adult skates generally fit 1.0 size down from your regular shoe size.
For example, a woman skater wearing a size 9.0 shoe would select a size 8.0 figure skate.
This is the most advanced and accurate way of finding out your skate size not just in terms of length, but width too.
- Step 1.
- Step 2.
- Step 3.
- Step 4. Now measure, in inches, the distance from the end of the paper to the mark you made for your longest toe.
- Step 5. Repeat Steps 1-4 for your other foot.
Now that we have your length measurement, it is time to find your skate size.
Use the longest length measurement of the two and compare it to the "Foot Length" column in the sizing chart below.
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Loosening and Slipping:
- Step 1. Loosen your skate laces so you can comfortably slip your foot inside the skate.
- Step 2.
- Step 3.
Evaluating the Fit Using the Insole
Hopefully you’ve been putting your skates on every so often to help preserve the fit, but even with having your skates on regularly your feet can change with extended time off the ice.
- Grab Your Insole!”Insole” is the name for the cushiony footprint under your foot at the bottom of your skate.
Unlace your skate and open the throat of the skate by pulling the tongue forward.
Insoles usually come out pretty easily by using your finger to pull them up just behind the arch.
If it gives you trouble, using a capped pen, flat head screwdriver, or other blunt tool can help pry it out.
- Step On It! At this part, do one foot at a time.
With bare feet or your skate socks, align your foot with the insole.
Be sure to get your heel all the way back and nestled just right with the edge of the insole.
It’s helpful to have another person looking at this part because it’s hard to bend and see the back of your foot! Once your heel is in place, align the inside of your big toe with the inside edge of the insole.
Make sure your toes are flat and not curled up! Now, keep your weight at your heels/the back of your arch and look forward at your toes WITHOUT bending at the waist.
When you lean forward and your weight shifts forward you can get a false reading!
- Evaluate the Fit!
Check out how your foot looks on top of the insole.
You should have a little bit of space in front of your toes when they’re relaxed.
It’s normal to have your little toe and the fourth toe close to the edge of the insole or completely off the edge.
- Call Your Friendly Neighborhood Skate Tech For Verification and Adjustments!
If you can’t have help positioning your foot, or if you’re not sure you’re reading your insole right, call us for help!
We want you to be comfortable in your skates so that you enjoy skating!
Also, if your fit doesn’t look so good on the insole, don’t panic just yet.
Call us first and ask about comfort adjustments. If your foot has changed width-wise but not length-wise there may be hope!
Taking the time to self-check the fit of your skates can prevent nasty surprises when you get all excited for the first practice after quarantine only to find that your skates are too small!
Follow these steps and contact us if you need help.
Recommended Skates for Beginners
For beginners transitioning from rental skates, suitable models include Riedell Pearls (Ruby), Riedell Emeralds (Topaz), and Jackson Softec or Excel.
The Jackson Excel, Mystique and Artiste are also viable options that offer a slightly stiffer boot conducive for beginner jumps and spins.
These models come paired with blades, ideal for new skaters.
As skaters advance, they may require stiffer boots, which often do not include blades, necessitating separate purchases.
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Transitioning to New Skates
Transitioning to new skates requires careful adjustment.
- When you receive new skates, walk around your home with hard guards on to get used to them before hitting the ice.
- Initially, leave the top hook around the ankle untied to allow flexibility for knee bends.
As you become more comfortable, you can tighten the top hook for better support.
When to Upgrade Your Skates
Skates are a fundamental part of your skating gear, but they don’t last forever.
Recognizing the right time to upgrade can help prevent injuries and improve your performance on the ice.
- Discomfort and Pain: Persistent pain or discomfort, especially around the toes, might indicate that your skates are too small.
- Visible Wear and Breakdown: Pay attention to visible signs of wear and structural breakdown.
- Insole Check: Remove the insole of the skate to see where the toe markings land.
If you notice any of these signs, consult with your coach or a skate fitting professional.
They can provide a detailed assessment and recommend the best type and fit of new skates based on your current level, frequency of skating, and other factors like your age, height, weight, and foot shape.
Please keep in mind that while a coach may be able to notice break down, they will not be able to tell if a skate is getting too small or causing discomfort unless they are made aware if the skater is performing normally.
Skaters should keep an open line of communication with their parents and their coach about how their skates are feeling.
Proper Skate Maintenance
Proper care and maintenance of your skates extends their lifespan and ensures optimal performance during practices and competitions.
- After Skating: Always unlace your skates fully to make them easier to put on next time.
- Travel Care: Use soft guards (soakers) on the blades to protect them while traveling.
- At Home: Once home, remove your skates from the bag promptly.
Take off the soakers, open up the skates fully, and let them air dry.
For long-term maintenance, ensure your skates are sharpened every 10-20 hours of ice time, depending on your skill level and the amount of time spent on the ice.
Regular sharpening keeps the blades accurate for better performance.