Skate Sizing

[danc 4]

I've always wondered why skate companies don't have have "sizing skates" for each style and size with the top portion of the toe cap cut away so a perfect fit could always be ensured. Satisfied customers are repeat customers.

This would be especially helpfully for youth and junior sizes as kids don't really understand how a skate should feel. I've coached way too many kids wearing skates that don't fit them.

[Gummer12 134]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Why produce a Fitting Skate for each size, and each model skate, and then for each store that sells your skates, when you can just produce one brannock device? And same goes for the stores selling them, why buy all of that stuff that would take up selling space and $$?

[danc 4]

Those things never seem to be accurate in my experience. You're right about the cost and space though.

[Gummer12 134]

It's not the tool, it's the user of the tool.

[Vet88 674]

I'd just like to see a length guide for each skate. Something simple like heel against the wall, measure to the end of the longest toe and then compare this to a model and size of the skate. eg my foot is 25cm long and is a perfect fit in Graf 35 6.5R, Bauer Supreme one 100 6D, NXG 6D, Rbk 20k 6D etc etc. Instead we get "Fit 1 1/2 sizes down from your shoe size". For goodness sake, that's next to damn useless. Manufacturers won't support this as they want to drive customers into their retail channels for fitting and selling but when the shop has no idea of how to fit you then the whole thing breaks down.

[stljrs 5]

It is an interesting concept this skate size thing. I wonder if the sizes really do match up to normal shoes, it's just that you don't wear normal shoes as snugly as you need skates and so the manufacturers make the recommendation to move down in size. Personally, the length isn't that tough. Open it up, put your foot in and see how much room you have in the back. The tougher thing is volume and width. Since they need to be snug it's difficult to get those dimensions right. You can pencil test the volume and make a guess but you can't visualize width and so you have to go by feel or you will suffer whether too wide or too narrow. That is why you have to try skates on. An 8D in an Easton is going to feel very different than an 8D in a Bauer even if their lengths are identical. That's why you have to try not only different sizes, but different brands. Adding to all this is that many of today's skates aren't going to feel as good out of the box as they are after you bake them since materials today are light and stiff and don't break in. It really isn't a conspiracy to drive you into retail stores.

Regarding kids, as a hockey dad and coach, I generally see way too many kids in skates too big for their feet and these kids really struggle to skate. Worse still, it's usually beginning kids, who haven't strengthened their ankles, and who just don't stand a chance. The worst thing parents can do is buy skates with "plenty of room to grow".

[fearthebeard 2]

When it comes to sizing I think some more standardisation across all manufacturers would be good, but then as an Engineer that's how I think. What really annoys me is that each manufacturer doesn't fit their own skates in the same way. For example I really like the look and tech behind the APX2. I like the look, I like the theory behind the construction, I like the quick change holder etc etc BUT I have not got a hope in Hell's chance of ever fitting in an APX skate. The only Bauer I can get into is the Nexus, But I don't want a nexus so when I replace my current skates I'll probably stick with CCM and go with the RBZ. To me it seems poor business to be denying potential customers due to fitment. Why not make all skate lines in both narrow and wide fittings and differentiate between the lines on technology and visuals only?

[snipez96 4]

It is an interesting concept this skate size thing. I wonder if the sizes really do match up to normal shoes, it's just that you don't wear normal shoes as snugly as you need skates and so the manufacturers make the recommendation to move down in size. Personally, the length isn't that tough. Open it up, put your foot in and see how much room you have in the back. The tougher thing is volume and width. Since they need to be snug it's difficult to get those dimensions right. You can pencil test the volume and make a guess but you can't visualize width and so you have to go by feel or you will suffer whether too wide or too narrow. That is why you have to try skates on. An 8D in an Easton is going to feel very different than an 8D in a Bauer even if their lengths are identical. That's why you have to try not only different sizes, but different brands. Adding to all this is that many of today's skates aren't going to feel as good out of the box as they are after you bake them since materials today are light and stiff and don't break in. It really isn't a conspiracy to drive you into retail stores.

Regarding kids, as a hockey dad and coach, I generally see way too many kids in skates too big for their feet and these kids really struggle to skate. Worse still, it's usually beginning kids, who haven't strengthened their ankles, and who just don't stand a chance. The worst thing parents can do is buy skates with "plenty of room to grow".

I've seen many parents do that buy a skate that has room to grow and then wonder why their child has issues with their skating