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A Guide to Buying Ice Skates for Children
The finest children's ice skates should offer stability, comfort, and enjoyment. When selecting skates for your child, consider balance, comfortable liners, and robust ankle support.
Be it their first time on the ice or not, choosing the correct skates for your child can significantly enhance their experience and enthusiasm. In this guide, we explore the crucial factors to consider when buying children's ice skates:
- Ice Skate Varieties: Hockey, figure, or recreational hybrid ice skates?
- Boot Styles: Hard vs. soft boots
- Blade Types: Hockey vs. figure skate blades
- Fastening Systems: Lace-ups and buckles
Children's Ice Skate Options
Below is a brief overview of the various types of ice skates for children. Identifying the skate type your child is interested in will simplify the selection process.
Figure Skates for Children
'Figure skates' here refers to skates featuring a toe pick at the blade's front and a soft boot. This design can help children gain control while they adapt to gliding on ice. For novice children, figure skates often offer more stability than inspiring dancing skills.
- Stability: Figure skates have flat blades offering greater stability, although they are less agile, ideal for beginners.
- Preference: If artistic skating is appealing, figure skates are a fitting choice.
- Toe pick: Toe picks can aid in pushing off and gaining speed but may also cause falls if they become a hindrance.
Hockey Skates for Children
With their curved blade, hockey skates are more agile, although less stable when compared to figure skates. If your child is inclined towards playing hockey and has some ice skating experience, hockey skates are a natural fit. Their hard, supportive boots provide an additional advantage.
- Agility: These blades are crafted for quick manoeuvres, including skating backwards.
- Speed: Hockey skates allow easier acceleration.
- Protective boots: These boots offer substantial ankle support and foot protection.
- Skill level: Suitable for beginners, especially those keen on hockey.
Recreational skates often offer more comfort and are usually easier for novices compared to hockey skates.
Beginner Children's Recreational Ice Skates
These skates, which blend elements of hockey and figure skates, are excellent for beginners, providing a balanced alternative to more specialised options. With user-friendly lacing and buckling systems, and straightforward blade designs, these skates promise comfort and simple usage. They feature a soft boot, akin to those found in fitness inline skates.
- Comfort: Liners are both insulating and breathable, keeping feet warm and dry.
- Preference: Some models accommodate casual dance steps (with toe picks), while others suit mock hockey matches (without toe picks).
- Level: Perfect for fledgling skaters keen on exploring the ice.
Adjustable Ice Skates for Young Beginners
Several children's skates are adjustable for growing feet, allowing longer usage and ensuring a sustained snug fit. While their design may yield more potential weak points, a high-quality adjustable skate is often ideal for recreational skating.
- Accommodating growth: Covering 3-4 sizes, these skates allow longer use and adjust to growing feet.
- Fit: Customisable fit prevents blisters and fit-related issues.
Toddler Ice Skates – Dual Blade Step-In Skates
If you are eager to introduce your toddler to ice skating, certain skates are specifically made for them. Featuring double blades for added balance, these are easily adjustable in size and strap over regular boots or shoes, providing a safe and enjoyable introduction to ice skating.
Checklist for Purchasing Children's Ice Skates
Utilise this checklist to efficiently find the ideal ice skates for your child. By addressing these four points, selecting the right skates becomes straightforward.
Ensuring Correct Size for Children's Ice Skates
Make sure to pick the correct size when shopping online, as trying on the skates is not possible. We simplify the process by offering size guides for each skate pair. Measure your child's foot length and refer to the size chart.
- Measure feet: Place the foot against a wall and measure from the wall to the big toe's tip. Using paper for marking helps.
- Open "Show size chart": Use the provided size chart to match the foot's length with the correct skate size.
- Adjustability: Size adjustable skates offer a great advantage by covering a size range that fits as your child grows.
Blade Designs in Children's Ice Skates
Check if blades are curved or flat, and look for the presence of toe picks.
- Figure skate blades: Flat with toe picks, they provide additional stability, suitable for beginners.
- Hockey blades: Curved for agility, ideal for those interested in hockey or with some skating experience.
Both blade types have benefits. Children who start with toe picks often prefer them later, while those used to hockey blades may find toe-pick blades cumbersome if they switch.
Assessing Skill Level
The choice of skates should reflect your child's skill level and progress.
- Beginners: Focus on comfort and strong ankle support. Look for cushioned liners and sturdy support.
- Intermediate: As skills improve, personal preferences in style and discipline become important. Opt for hockey blades for speed or figure blades for graceful moves.
Determining Use/Skating Style
Understand your child's skating aims. Whether pursuing a career or simply for leisure, the right skate type matters:
- Recreational skates: Featuring simple buckles and lacing, recreational skates are ideal for leisure skating, akin to inline skates.
- Hockey skates: A dedicated choice for ice hockey enthusiasts.
- Figure skates: Perfect if artistic skating is the goal.
To conclude: Once you know the required size and type, selecting your child’s perfect ice skates becomes a breeze.
Essential Protective Gear for Ice Skating
Ensure your children have suitable protective gear before venturing onto the ice. Falls are unavoidable, necessitating comprehensive protection.
The safety equipment used for inline or roller skating suits ice skating as well. If you haven't purchased any yet, explore our range of helmets and protective gear:
