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Ice Skates for Beginners and Intermediates: Purchasing Advice
Your selection of ice skates will significantly influence your enjoyment on the ice. Considerations such as skating discipline, proper fit, and ankle support are crucial, whether you’re just starting out or you're an intermediate skater aiming to enhance your skills.
In this guide, we aim to equip you with the knowledge needed to make the best choice. Below are some vital points to keep in mind before delving deeper:
- Diverse skate types: Should you select leisure skates, figure skates, or hockey skates?
- Proper fit: Should be snug for control but also comfortable enough for prolonged use.
- Balance of comfort and performance: Is comfort your priority, or are you seeking top-tier performance?
- Blade type: Are you opting for flat blades with toe picks for steadiness, or curved blades for speed and manoeuvrability?
- Sharpening of skate blades: Initial sharpening is essential for new skates.
Diverse Types of Ice Skates
This section presents a summary of the various types of ice skates available. Identifying the category that suits your expertise and interest will help streamline your choices and make the selection process easier.
Each skate type offers a distinct balance point and a different feel on the ice. To discover the most suitable one for you, consider reading about the various types below or testing different rental skates. Experiencing them directly can elucidate which style aligns with your natural comfort and preference.
Leisure Ice Skates
For newcomers and those who skate infrequently, leisure ice skates are an ideal choice. They offer an excellent combination of comfort, support, and performance, acting as a median between figure skates and hockey skates.
If ever you choose to focus more specifically on a discipline, you will eventually need skates tailored to your specialised area.
- Warm, insulated liners for dry, comfortable feet.
- Simplicity in lacing and buckling mechanisms.
- Well-suited for recreational skating and general movements.
- Ankle support for stability.
- Slightly curved blades for seamless turns (although some leisure skates have flat, stable figure skate blades with toe picks).
With their soft, comfortable boots and ankle support, leisure ice skates bear a resemblance to fitness inline skates. Familiarity with inline skating might mean a good pair of leisure skates would be thoroughly enjoyable.
Figure Skates
Figure skates are an excellent selection for adults who are intrigued by artistic skating or prioritise stability. Noted for their flat, stable blades and signature toe picks, they’re sometimes suggested as a suitable first pair for absolute beginners. If figure skating is your ultimate aim, these are certainly the skates to commence your learning.
- Flat blades with toe picks for improved control and stability.
- Softer boots allow ankle flexibility, though they provide less support.
- Ideal for practising jumps, spins, and figure skating techniques.
Given that figure skates provide limited ankle support, many newcomers gravitate towards leisure skates for confidence. While some beginners find toe picks a hindrance, others find them beneficial for added traction during initial steps on ice.
Hockey Skates
Engineered for speed and agility, hockey skates are suitable for adults engaging in ice hockey or those seeking a lively skating experience, with emphasis on speed and manoeuvrability.
- Curved blades tailored for swift movements and acceleration.
- Rigid, supportive boots offering protection and ankle support.
- Perfect for brisk skating and hockey-related actions.
For beginners, hockey skates can be an advantageous option. Introductory hockey skates are generally budget-friendly and designed specifically for novice skaters. They often have cushioned interiors and more flexible boots to facilitate learning basic skills.
Appropriate Ice Skate Sizing
The correct size is vital for both comfort and performance. When purchasing online, follow these tips to secure the right fit:
- Foot measurement: Align your foot against a wall and measure the space from the wall to the tip of your largest toe.
- Consult size guides: Refer to the size guide supplied for each item to align your foot measurements with the corresponding skate size.
- Account for width: Various brands offer multiple width fittings, so consider this for a more precise fit.
For skates oriented towards performance, beginners might be advised to opt for a size larger than the chart recommendation, enhancing comfort—a priority over performance when mastering initial skating skills. Review the product description and sizing guide for details on the specific ice skates.
Breaking In New Ice Skates
The time required to break-in new skates can vary, though certain strategies can help avert blisters during the early stages.
- Shorter sessions: Engage in brief skating periods with rests in between, loosening your skates and relieving your feet.
- Lacing technique: Properly lace your skates, possibly a bit looser than usual.
- Focus on basics: Concentrate on foundational motions instead of complex manoeuvres or intense hockey sessions.
- Wear them indoors: On days off the ice, continue to break in your skates at home. Using solid guards, walking around safely helps feet acclimatise to the skates.
These recommendations are intended to support a steady break-in process. In essence, our advice boils down to one principle: exercise patience. New skates require time to mould to your foot shape, and you will also need time to grow accustomed to the feel of the skates. Patience is essential for achieving a snug and comfortable fit.
Heat Mouldable Ice Skate Boots
Most new ice skates feature a general anatomical form that might not perfectly suit your feet. For those serious about progressing in either figure skating or hockey, heat moulded boots can offer a bespoke fit enhancing comfort and performance.
Professional moulding is strongly advised to avoid damaging your skates. Attempting to bake these at home may jeopardise them, as the heat can weaken glue joints and stitching, affecting both longevity and function.
Typically, heat mouldable skates are on the premium end of the price spectrum and should only be heat moulded if the product details specify that they are crafted for this process.
Understanding Ice Skate Blades
The material and design of your ice skate blades are fundamental to their performance. While often containing carbon, the metals used in blade construction vary in quality and application. New skates are often not sharp straight from the box.
The first sharpening sets the blade’s hollow — a groove that enhances grip on the ice for control essential at any skill level.
Having new blades sharpened professionally is recommended for optimal outcomes. At SkatePro, professional sharpening services are offered to ensure your blades are ready for excellent performance out of the box. Proper sharpening facilitates much smoother skating.
For upkeep between outings, portable skate sharpeners are an option. Although they lack professional precision, they assist in maintaining blade sharpness for consistent performance.
Understanding Ice Skate Blade Types
Ice skate blades are typically split into two categories: figure skate blades and hockey skate blades, each tailored to their specific demands.
Hockey skate blades: Curved and with a smaller contact surface, these are designed for increased agility, enabling sharp turns and rapid accelerations vital in hockey.
Figure skate blades: Known for stability, these flatter blades support the fluid moves of figure skating. The toe pick provides an anchor for powerful jumps and spins, enabling complex footwork and controlled stops.
Ensure Your Safety!
Don’t let the dread of falling impede you, or risk injuries that are easily avoidable. Protective accessories can enhance confidence and help you progress. Choose discreet gear to wear beneath your clothes if style is a concern.
Already own protective gear for inline skating? It’s equally useful on ice. If not, we offer an extensive selection, including helmets, knee pads, wrist guards, and impact shorts for protecting the tailbone and hips. Stay protected and enjoy your passion!
