Toddler's skates

[houk 0]

This is a question for all of you parents out there. My daughter is 3 years old and I would like to take her skating this winter. Did you buy those "Bob" skates which have two blades and strap onto shoes or did you buy actual skates? My only concern is finding sizes small enough for her feet in real skates

[AlphaSierra 1]

I just bought some used Bauer Vapor 8s for my 2 year old. I was also looking at some Reeboks that you could expand by 2 sizes or so, those also came small enough for him. I used to hear the skating instructors saying the bob skates were not good for them, not sure why.

[jsykes 35]

You should start with real skates.

What size does she wear? You can get real skates down to a youth size 6 in almost any brand.

[applesauce9 0]

After coaching kids under the age of 5 for four years now, it is very difficult for the kids to learn twice. They develop bad habits and really use the "bob" skates as a crutch. The kids also get very frustrated when they learn how to skate then have to struggle again since it is much more difficult to only skate on one blade.

[Monty22 833]

You should start with real skates.

What size does she wear? You can get real skates down to a youth size 6 in almost any brand.

This- no good reason to get bob skates.

[Law Goalie 147]

Echo answers. Bob skates are a way for parents to get kids who can't skate on the ice with them, not a way to learn skating. The false analogy I hear frequently is tricycle/bicycle, but the mechanics aren't comparable.

[Jordan 13]

_Agreed.

_{Both of my kids were in regular skates at age 2. By three, kids can learn to walk on the ice, then shuffle, then actually glide a bit on the regular blades...as long as they are in to it.}

[natbat 0]

Actual skates. I started my daughter off with a soft boot skate (fit won't be such a issue, and as soon as they start to skate well move them to a traditional skate). After she got comfortable being on the ice, I moved her to a traditional hockey skate. You want a comfortable skate so the kids don't get discouraged. After the soft boot, I moved her to and inexpensive Easton skate... and now she is in a high-end Vapor skate and loving it. My daughters biggest issue was boot stiffness. look online for clearance skates after you know what fits their foot. As far as Skate size... I was told you should never go larger than a half size. My daughter is a size 4 and wears a 4.5. One lesson I learned was to get the skates baked. When I purchased the Vapors, I didn't get them baked and my daughter was miserable....hope this info helps....