First Pair of Skates for a Newbie

[EinsamWulf 3]

I finished my bachelor's degree this year just in time to leave the service. Needless to say taking college courses while serving has made the last few years difficult to have hobbies. Now that I do have time I've decided that I'd really like to pick up Ice Hockey. I've got a few Ice Arena's near my house and they all have skating programs. I've gone to the rink and done public skate a few times but the loaners leave something to be desired. I've been reading everything I can on buying your first pair of hockey skates but I like talking with people and getting as many different opinions. I'm probably gonna start skating lessons after the new year when the new classes start but I'd like to get a pair of skates now and get some time in them beforehand.

If anyone has any recommendations/advice that would be great. There is a Hockey shop (HockeyTron) near my house so I intend to go there and look for the skates I will buy.

Thanks in advance!

[JoshV 20]

As a general rule of thumb, the roughly $199 price point skates are usually best for beginners. Not too much of a skate, not something you'll need to replace any time soon

Try on a couple different pairs and brands. Your skate size is usually 1.5 size below your shoe size. Finding the proper fitting skate is the most important thing to do. It can make or break your experience playing hockey

If you can find a pair on clearance that fits you well, and feels comfortable, go for it!

[shoot_the_goalie 281]

The most important thing with skates is getting the proper fit. There are tons of threads about proper skate sizing, but the general rule is that they should feel snug. With your heels locked in the back of the skate, your front toes should be "feathering" the toe cap when standing up straight, and when bending your knees, your toes should come off the toe cap. Can't stress this enough, but if you don't get a proper fitting skate, you won't get good heel lock, which will in turn make your skating life miserable. Put it this way, a pair of $100 skates that fit properly are probably better than a pair of $700 skates that don't. Also, don't get caught up with wanting a certain brand (like you have to skate in a Bauer or CCM, etc.). Get the brand that fits best.

I may differ from some, but even as a beginner, get the most high quality skate you can afford. Sure, some skates are super stiff and aren't ideal for a beginner with poor technique, but I find people who are just learning, but have natural aptitude to progress, will benefit from a higher quality skate than a poorly built one.

So with this said, I would try to find skates on clearance or barely used resale. You can get great deals on top end models for much lower prices than current lines.

However, always try skates on before you buy. Don't commit to the 1-1.5 sizes down charts (those are just general guides to get started), and I would never recommend you buy skates online if you don't know your size in that particular skate.

Good luck!

[EinsamWulf 3]

Thanks for the advice!

[jonesy9020 77]

The 1.5 shoe size to skate size drop doesn't really work for a number of reasons. First of all, shoe sizes are all over the map from athletic shoes to dress shoes and between brands. I'm a 12 running shoe, 11-11.5 dress shoe, and I wear a 9 Bauer skate.

I agree with emphasizing fit over style, and I also agree that the 199 price point (for new models) is probably where you want to be at to give you enough support and enough flexibility without breaking down.

Skates to look at:

Bauer

Supreme 160

Supreme One.6 (Old)

Vapor X4.0 (Old)

Vapor X5.0 (Old)

Vapor X60

Nexus 400 (Old)

Nexus 5000

CCM:

Tacks 3052

RBZ 70

Easton:

Stealth 75S/65S

Reebok:

12K (Old)

14K (Old)

Ribcor 26K