Eagles Nest Ice Arena provides free skate rental to anyone enrolled in Learn to Skate however you may want to buy or rent your own skates.
Use the following guidelines when looking for figure skates for your child:
Buy your child’s skates at a skate shop that knows figure skating and the different figure skating levels
Purchase your child’s skates from a store that deals exclusively with figure skates and is willing to work with you on finding a satisfactory fit. Find a dealer that has fit other figure skaters as well as mounted and sharpened blades properly. Don’t go to a discount or department store or to a sporting goods store to buy skates for your child. Be prepared to spend at least $150-$250 for new skates.
Is buying used boots and blades okay?
Good used skates can be okay for your child, especially in the beginning stages. If you do buy used, you may have to know a bit about the brand and model of the boot and blade you purchase. Ask your coach about suggestions on what to look for. Sometimes a good used boot and blade set is better than an inexpensive, lower-quality new boot and blade. Make sure the boot has support and the blade has some “sharpening life” left in it. Ask questions about the boot and blade if you buy at a skate swap or from another skating family.
Correct fit
The foot has to fit in the boot so that there is no extra room in the boot, especially in the heel. The lacings should be about half an inch apart from the beginning to the instep and may go wider when you lace the skates to the top. Some boots have a higher arch built in than others. The skater should try on several pairs of boots if possible for a correct fit. Most boots and blades are bought separately, but in the beginning stages of figure skating boot and blade combinations are available and acceptable.
Appropriate quality of the boot/blade to the level of skating and the amount of time on the ice
A boot that is too stiff for the level of skating will not break in, and a child will not want to skate for long if the skates hurt. Explain to your child that a good boot may hurt at first and to expect a “break-in” period.
Many skate companies have a web site that describes an appropriate boot/blade combo for a particular level of skating.
Appropriate quality of the boot/blade combination to the size of the individual
A small skater doing a lot of skating and progressing fast may need a higher quality boot and blade than the same size skater who puts in less ice time and less aggressive practice.
The higher quality blades are sharpened less often and have a nice flow on the ice. Again, companies publish general suggestions. Don’t skimp on your child’s blade. As he or she begins to master spins and jumps, the quality of the blade will affect spins and jump quality.
Use the following guidelines when looking for hockey skates for your child:
The Bottom LineSkates are the most important piece of gear, make sure they fit and they are appropriate for your level.
Selecting Skates That Fit
One of the hardest things to understand for players who are new to the game of hockey is the way that their skates should fit. Unlike shoes, skates should offer a snug fit, tight but not painfully so. The worst thing that a skater can do is purchase skates that are too big. If they are too big, they will only get worse as they stretch. Skates that are a little small can be easily fixed. Most hockey shops employ a couple of fitting techniques to enlarge skates. These include: punching – a quick process in which a small and very specific portion of the boot is stretched out; and power-stretching – an overnight process where the boots can be lengthened sometimes up to a size or more and widened by at least a full width.
Skates that are too big are almost impossible to fix. Most people think a second pair of socks will help here. Contrary to what our mothers taught all of us, wearing an extra pair of socks is one of the worst things you can do in a pair of skates. The more room you have for your foot to move about, the more likely you are to develop blisters and even painful, semi-permanent bone spurs on your feet. Serious figure skaters never wear socks. Most wear thin tights no thicker than heavy panty hose would be
How do you determine proper skate size? The first and most important rule in buying skates is to never buy a pair that you cannot try on first. When sitting with the boots first on and not laced, they might feel uncomfortably short. Don’t panic. First you should kick back into the boot. Kick the heel of the skate on the floor a couple of times to make sure your heel is settled back. Next lace the skates up and make sure they are tight. The forefoot area should be snug, but not crushing. As you get to where the eyelets start to turn towards the vertical portion of the boot, tighten these up a little tighter. This will pull your heel back into the proper position. When laced and still sitting, you might still feel like the skates are too short. Don’t make your judgment yet. With both skates on and laced tight, stand up. You should notice a little less pressure on your toes at this point. Pay close attention though as they should still touch the end of the skate. Now the important part, bend your knees so they are over your toes. You should feel your toes pull off the toecap or still be just lightly brushing against them. This is the perfect length of boot for you.