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What kind of skates to buy? You should choose them according to our skills: for beginners, we recommend hockey skates, for more experienced ones - figure skates. What kind of skates we choose also depends on how often we skate and in what style. It is important not to save on equipment, because poor quality skates wear out quickly, do not protect the leg from injuries and are generally not very comfortable. See what to look for when buying figure and hockey skates.

It is worthbuy skatesif we are sure that we will visit the ice rink every season. Otherwise, it is better to start by renting the skates to see if you like the sport at all. If so, it is not worth wasting time and riding borrowed skates - such equipment is not always in good technical condition, and besides, the leg must adjust to the shoe every time. Own skates are a guarantee of comfort, hygiene and time savings, because you do not have to queue to the rental shop every time.

What kind of skates to buy: figure or hockey ? Which ones will be better for a beginner and which for a fan of roller skating? Read our guide.

Figure skates - ideal for recreational skating

When planning the purchase of skates, first of all, we should decide whether we want to skate in figurines or hockey players. They differ in construction, which affects the comfort of moving in a specific driving style.

Figurines, chosen mainly by women, are actually a universal type of ice skates. In figure skating, they are worn by representatives of both sexes, because, like no other, figure skates allow you to perform acrobatics, dance routines and complex figures. It is all thanks to the construction and the teeth placed in the front, which increase maneuverability and allow you to perform all the elements of the choreography. However, figurines are also great for casual, recreational training at the ice rink. They have a very important advantage - thanks to the skid extended at the rear, they are more stable and easier to keep balance on them. For this reason, many instructors recommend them as the best model for beginners.

Ice hockey skates - for people who like speed

The advantage of hockey balls is greater speed and maneuverability, which is why they are used to playice hockey. They have a plastic armor that is resistant to damage and scratches, which perfectly protects against external injuries (e.g. when someone kicks us in the ankle). A shorter skid allows for a more dynamic, faster ride. When choosing this type, you need to pay particular attention to the fastening - the shoe has a wide uppers, so it must be well fastened so that the foot does not move inside.

Hockey skates are designed for fast, aggressive skating. They should be chosen by people who want to move over ice at higher speed and make sharp turns. The hard shell and soft sock confusingly resemble the construction of skates, so skaters will also find themselves in hockey shoes with ease.

Important

What kind of skates should I start with: figure skates or ice hockey skates?

The prevailing opinion is that hockey skates are better suited for beginners, because they are devoid of teeth, which are easy to hook on while skating. They are also less stiffened and have lower uppers, thanks to which they provide more comfort for the foot.

On the other hand, hockey balls are less stable, which makes them more difficult to balance, and it is maintaining balance on the ice that is the biggest challenge for beginners. In addition, figurines better protect the ankle against twisting, because they are higher and better stiffened.

What to choose? If we have such an opportunity, it is best to test both types of skates and assess which model we feel more confident in, and learning will be easier for us.

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What kind of skates to buy - made of plastic or leather?

In fact, when buying hockey balls or figurines, we also make a decision about the material from which they are made. The hockey skates are always made of plastic and have a soft synthetic lining on the inside. This design ensures comfort and is resistant to damage. In addition, the shoe can be in various colors and have attractive patterns, inscriptions, etc.

Figure skates are made of synthetic or natural leather. This material may seem stiff at first, but it grows over time and adapts perfectly to the shape of your foot. Of course, it is better to choose a shoe made of natural leather, which is more durable and airy, so that the foot does not sweat. The disadvantage of figure skates is the narrow range of colors and patterns - it is very difficult to buy colorful, decorative figurines, most often there are only white, black or nude figures to choose from.

What kind of skates to buy - fastened or laced?

The buckles of hockey skates are a very convenient type of fastening. Just put your foot in the shoe,snap the clips and you can go on the ice. Fastening figurines is more time-consuming - they have long laces with ties running from the tip to the top of the shoe. Before entering the rink, each knot must be tightened, and those around the ankle should be additionally fastened with protruding hooks and tied. Although the whole operation takes some time, the manual tying of the laces allows you to adjust the pressure in individual places, thanks to which the shoe fits better to the leg. In addition, the buckles that the hockey shoes are equipped with may break, which requires repair or complete replacement of the fasteners.

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Which skates to buy: choose the size precisely

This is the basis that will ensure driving comfort and safety. Skates that are too small will make the ride difficult, and too large ones will definitely reduce stability and cause falls. Remember that the leg should not move towards the inside of the skate. If we have used a skate rental before, we know more or less what size will be right for us.

When buying skates in an online store, check the foot length to be sure, because the sizes of different manufacturers do not have to be the same. How to accurately determine its length? The easiest way to do this is to use a sheet of paper and a pen to trace the contour of the foot. The length between the heel and the big toe will show us the value that we will follow when shopping.

Choose the quality of the skates

The most important factor is how comfortable the skates are. When buying ice skates, pay attention to their general design and the quality of individual elements. Remember that good quality equipment cannot cost too little. Watch out for promotions and discounts in supermarkets - skates from such stores are generally not well-made and will not last long. Good skates cost around PLN 200-300.

In figure skates:

  • skids should be screwed on with screws;
  • the upper should be well stiffened at the ankle;
  • the laces must be strong to survive repeated tying and tightening.

In ice hockey skates:

  • latches must run smoothly;
  • the armor should be made of good quality, durable plastic and have additional reinforcements on the noses;
  • an additional plus is the lining of thermal fibers that wick away sweat or a gel insert that provides optimal comfort and prevents chafing and corns.
Important

How to take care of your skates?

The basis for the maintenance of skates is the proper care of the blade. They need to be sharpened regularly, even 1-2 times a month. They must be thoroughly cleaned after each ride anddrained. It also doesn't hurt to rub them with wax or anti-rust oil from time to time. They should not be walked on, because we risk not only blunting but also chipping the skid. If we have to go skating on our feet, we use skates specially designed for that purpose.

Before storing, allow the shoes and blades to dry thoroughly. It is worth remembering that during storage, we do not use overlays - it is best to leave your shoes in airy bags. Storage without moisture and proper maintenance of the blade will allow us to enjoy one pair for several seasons, until it "comes off".

Adjustable skates for kids - to buy or not?

There are adjustable skates on the market, the size of which can be increased as the child grows up, as well as skates with a detachable skid that can be changed into wheels for roller skates. Although this solution seems very convenient, specialists advise against buying this type of skates. Their main drawback is the lack of adjustment of the skid's length - it is the same all the time, even if we enlarge the shoe by 3 numbers. As a result, the child may have problems with the correct center of gravity, the skate may be unstable and increase the risk of falling.

Additional skate accessories - what to buy?

  • Helmet- beginners should equip themselves with an appropriate helmet that will protect their head from injury in the event of an accident. It is worth noting that ice is practically as hard as concrete, so any dump truck can end up with a very dangerous impact. The helmet should also be worn by children.
  • Gloves- it is also an indispensable piece of equipment for every beginner skater. Forward falls most often end with braking on the hands and a painful rubbing of the skin. To prevent this from happening, it is worth wearing gloves before entering the ice rink. However, these should not be gloves made of thin yarn, because these will not protect against injuries. It is better to choose the ones made of leather - in addition to being durable, they also have anti-slip properties.
  • Protectors- knee and elbow pads, although they are not essential, significantly increase driving safety. Importantly, the skates' protectors should not be worn on the rink because they are made of plastic. Rigid plastic glides over ice and, instead of protecting against injury, can contribute to increased injury. You should equip yourself with anti-skid shoes that will adequately cushion the fall.

Watch the video of Kevin Lapierre testing the skates

Do you know that…
  • The oldest skates found have as many as 5,000. years! They were made of bones of domestic cattle, horses,elk or reindeer - depending on the region - and tied to the feet with straps. They were used not so much for fun as to cover distances.
  • The oldest bone skates found in Poland come from Biskupin and date back to the 6th century BC
  • Later, around the 14th century, ice skates with an iron skid placed inside a wooden case began to appear. These skates were a bit different than the ones we know and use today: they were much longer, the skates were not rounded on the front and back and were fully flush with the ground.
  • American, ballet master Jackson Haines made a revolution in figure skating in the second half of the nineteenth century, introducing fluid dance movements and music to the previously rigid discipline. Thanks to him, the skids were shortened and rounded and, above all, he popularized the previously invented screwing of the skids to shoes permanently.
  • Pancakes, or speed skates, were constructed by the Dutch.
  • In the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Finland, skating has long been … a means of transport.

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Winter sports