Buying an ice skating boot is NOT the same as going into a store and purchasing shoes based on the size you are wearing. While most shoe manufacturers sizing falls within the same size range, skate manufacturer’s sizing may not be the same as your street shoe or even between the different skate brands. That is, in skating, a size may be the same as your street shoe, one or two sizes smaller or one or two sizes larger, depending on the manufacturer. If you buy online and are not sure what manufacturer, what model and what size you need, be sure you can return the boots if they do not fit.
Some brands are built more narrowly at the toe box and some are wider. Some brands incorporate plastic as the main component, some are comprised of only leather and some are a mix of the two. There are many brands of boots so be sure to know which will work best for you. Look for sizing charts, return availability and requirements and fit guarantees. A boot that is too big and already has a blade attached may slow progress in learning how to skate. If the boot is too large, the blade will be too long and the balance too far forward to control. (See “All About Blades“) In addition, blades that are already attached may not be set correctly for your foot and will need to be moved. If the blades have been riveted onto the boot, the blade cannot be moved so you will be stuck with a boot that doesn’t want to go where your foot wants it to. Machine manufactured skates, even with blades attached with screws may not be set correctly for your foot but, at least, you’re able to have the blade reset.
Why Buy Instead of Renting Skates
Renting skates is great if you’re going to skate only once or twice a year – but never as great as having your own. If you do skate 3 or 4 times a year and are an adult, purchasing a reasonably priced pair of skates is to your benefit.
However, if you or your child is in a skating school session and think you want to continue after the first 4 to 6 weeks, purchasing skates is better than renting. Good, adequate boots can be purchased anywhere from $60 to $250. Most rinks have a Pro Shop that offers beginner skates but many have only one brand and not every foot fits every boot comfortably. And not every boot is appropriate for every foot.
If you begin skating regularly, proper fitting skates are required for safe and fun skating so you will need to buy a pair of skates that fit well and provide good support. . Ill-fitting skates can contribute to pain, wounds, falls and make it impossible to learn and execute various skills properly. Ill fitting skates can also leave the skater feeling that skating is not the sport for them and parents often blame their child for being unable to skate well. Seldom is the boot blamed, yet it may be the entire reason. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the various options and pricing so that you can differentiate what suits you, what works best and what it will cost.
Do the math: Ice skate once per week for 40 weeks @ $5 per week rental cost. That’s $200 per year. Boots, if fitted well, will last a year for a child, so if you spend less than $200 on a good pair of new skates or previously owned skates, you will be further ahead money wise and your child will be further ahead in learning how to skate.
As a beginner, it is recommended that you not over spend but it’s also important not to under spend as well. There are a variety of children’s beginner skates that range from $100 and up, including blades. Fit and having the correct level of support is also very important. Teen and adult skaters can expect to pay at least a few hundred dollars for well fitting and supportive skates including blades. Be sure to buy figure skates from a retailer or dealer that specializes in figure skates, allows returns and is concerned about a correct fit vs the sale.
Buying previously owned skating equipment is a great way to try different boots, blades, clothing before investing in more expensive new ones. Not all boots will fit your foot well, not all blades will be correct for the level you are at. Buying previously owned skating equipment instead of new, as long as the fit is correct, as long as the boot is not broken down, as long as the blade is still in good shape, is much less costly than new when you are a beginner. When you know you want to continue then it’s time to look at new boots and blades.
But My Child’s Foot Grows So Fast –
Every parent faces this dilemma. But the truth is – if an ice skate is fitted correctly it should last at least no less than 10 months and after that time it can be stretched so the boot lasts a full year. Growth inner soles can be inserted at the beginning so that it can be removed when the foot grows. But the most important part is that the boot is fitted correctly at the beginning. Too large (more than 3/8” – the average a child’s foot grows per year and usually the equivalent of one full size) the boot will break down before the foot grows out of it. Adding an second pair of sox when the boot is being fitted will allow the outer sock to adhere to the inside of the boot so that the foot slides around and the skater has no control over what they are doing. But a slightly thicker sock for the ‘beginning’ beginner will take up a small amount of room at the start and by substituting thinner sox as the foot grows may allow for the boot to be worn longer. If the skater is approaching jumps and spins in their learning, a proper fitting boot over tights or thinner skating sox is important.
Avanta
Jackson
Riedell
SP-Teri
Lake Placid
Edea
Roces
Harlick
