Sizing Youth Skates

[skarbro 0]

I just wanted to hear some feedback from others who have sized youth skates. My son wears a size 9 shoe. The best info that I found with Google is from IWH's website:

Junior and youth skaters may allow for growth by sizing up a 1/2 of size. 1/2 size is equivalent to one finger between the heel and the back of the skate. To measure, slide the foot forward in the boot and measure the distance between the heel and the back of the boot.

Do others agree with this? Obviously, I want to make sure the skates last throughout the winter as he is growing faster than the grass on my lawn. I want them to fit correctly too, and with very little reliable feedback from him (he is only 3!), I have to figure this out on my own. Anyone have any advice? I already picked up size 8 skates (Bauer Flexlite 44) which seem to fit okay.

[skibernie 0]

I just wanted to hear some feedback from others who have sized youth skates. My son wears a size 9 shoe. The best info that I found with Google is from IWH's website:

Do others agree with this? Obviously, I want to make sure the skates last throughout the winter as he is growing faster than the grass on my lawn. I want them to fit correctly too, and with very little reliable feedback from him (he is only 3!), I have to figure this out on my own. Anyone have any advice? I already picked up size 8 skates (Bauer Flexlite 44) which seem to fit okay.

Check out the adjustable Reebok skates:

http://www.reebokhockey.com/gear/products/player/skates/product/extendable-skate/

My son has had them for a couple of years and they are working well for him. We got them for around $70 at a LHS. You can sometimes find a a good deal on a group of used youth skates with incremental sizes on ebay as well.

[raganblink 82]

that sizing recommendation for youth skates is correct. He should be in an 8, however an 7.5 or 8.5 may give him a better fit. despite the extra money (usually 20-30 bucks) once he hits size 9-10 in skates I'd highly recommend the series up from the bottom 50 dollar youth skates (one60, eq4, etc). stiffness is significantly greater and will make it more comfortable for him and help your kid a ton.

as for those reebok adjustable skates, if they were the 2009 model, as a dealer who had them in stock, I do not recommend them. We ordered in 15-20 pairs, and had warranty issues with several. You could probably get lucky with them and not have a problem, but, 4 pairs in that little of quantity to have troubles with it is unacceptable imo. If they revised and corrected these for 2010, than by all means it would be a great skate for the $$.

best bet is to go to LHS and try on sizes 7.5 thru 8.5 to see what one feels best.

[skarbro 0]

He had adjustable skates last year and they were horrible. They always would come loose or adjust by themselves.

For his age I wanted to start with a skate that wasn't too stiff. These are stiff enough for good skating support but soft enough to be comfortable.

We're probably going to go with the size 9. Size 8.5 is somewhat elusive! Next year we'll go higher end.

[skarbro 0]

Update: After some consideration, I took back the skates I bought previously and got Vapor X:20's from Hockey Experts. I had the sizing too big. The rep there was very helpful. They should last the season. Hockey Experts has a junior/youth skates return program where you get back half your money for returning them next year if you buy new skates. Not a bad deal.