How To Buy Ice Skates

So you're looking to step on the ice, but you're missing one key thing: ice skates!  Where do you go?  What should you look for?  First things first, find a good sporting good store or better yet a pro shop at a local ice rink.  Sporting good stores are good for a nice basic set of beginner or hobby skates, but if you're looking for something a little more advanced then go with an ice rink pro shop to buy your ice skates. An ice rink pro shop will typically have a staff well-educated on the subject of not only the different brands of skates, but sizing as well (which is imperative to finding the right pair).

Getting fitted when you buy ice skates isn't always as simple as telling the sales associate your shoe size.  Some brands of boots will fit a wider ball of the foot while some fit narrower.  Some boots can fit tighter around the toe than others as well.  And some boots have better arch support than others.  You can also purchase custom arch support for your skate boots.

The next thing to consider when buying ice skates is the strength of your ice skate boot.  The leather for ice skate boots is much stiffer than that of shoes, especially the more advanced a jumper you are.  If a hobby skater purchases skates built for a professional skater they will find themselves in a lot of unnecessary pain and out many more dollars.

If you shop at your local sporting goods store, you will most likely find a skate that comes with boots blades together.  At an ice rink pro shop you will most likely buy boots and blades separately and the staff will mount the blades after purchase for you.  It may seem complicated, but it really isn't and it will help your skating experience by finding the perfect blade for you.  Different blades have different size of toe picks.  A more advanced jumper would want a larger toe pick, while a beginner skater or an ice dancer would want a smaller toe pick as not to trip. There are also traditional blades and parabolic blades.  Traditional blades are fine for the hobby skater and many serious skaters, but some serious find the tapering of the parabolic blade helpful on edging and spins.

So after picking your boots and mounting your blades you will be ready to step on the ice!