How to Buy Skates

If you are considering the purchase of ice skates, either for yourself or a young child, you may be surprised at the wide variety of skates on the market today. While at one time, there was only one basic pair of ice skates; today your purchase decision will be largely affected by the type of activity you intend to pursue with your new purchase.

First, you should understand that there are two basic types of skates on the market. They are figure skates, hockey skates.. These skates are designed explicitly for each individual activity and it’s not recommended to interchange the skates for different activities. So, for example; if you intend to pursue figure skating you need to purchase a good quality pair of figure skates, not hockey skates. This is because there is a strong difference between the two types of skates. A hockey skate is smooth from the front to the rear of the blade, while a figure skate is equipped with the ability to tack to the ice for spins and jumps.

One of the main factors you need to consider, besides purpose, in your skates purchase is the amount of time you plant to spend in your skates. Beginners who only anticipate spending a few hours per month in their skates, won’t need to invest as much as someone who is planning to compete, or play in a league.

For figure skates who plan to spend significant amounts of time in their skates, and/or who are planning to compete will also need to give some thought to the size of the toepick they prefer. Amateurs skaters who only skate for pleasure will find that a smaller toepick suits their needs fine, while skates who compete will most likely need a larger toepick in order to achieve advanced moves on the ice. Individuals with specialized needs, such as unusual size feet, or professional skaters may consider having their skates custom made. In this manner, you can assure that the boot will fit your feet properly and the blade can be placed exactly in the correct position. Be aware; however, as it can take up to 2 months to have custom skates manufactured exactly to specification.

Generally, a good quality beginner’s skate of either variety will run about $75. If you are purchasing a competitive skate, you can expect to pay between $175 and $250 while a top of the line skate can cost more than $350. Custom made skates typically cost up to $1000.

When purchasing skates you will also need to think about whether you want to purchase your boot and blade together or separately. For a beginning skater, in either figure skating or hockey, purchasing the two together will most likely be fine. If you plan to compete; however, it could be worth it to check into purchasing them separately. By purchasing the blade separate from the boot you can have the blade placed on the boot according to your own specifications. This may be necessary if your feet turn in our out too much and you need the blades placed slightly different than the standard setting to compensate.

Beyond these two factors, you should consider the ankle stability and fit of any ice skate that you consider purchasing. Many skates on the market today come with specialized features that are intended to provide additional support for your ankles. This can prove to be especially important for beginners.

The fit of the boot is also extremely important. Top of the line boots will actually mold to the skater’s feet after a few days of wear. Remember when purchasing skates that you should always purchase a pair that is one size smaller than your normal shoe size. This will provide any more stability and support for your feet and ankles while skating.

Jason Petrina is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com

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