Russia is a hockey country. This is evidenced by the many victories at prestigious tournaments and the truly popular love for this courageous sport. It is not surprising that many parents unquestioningly follow the lead of their children when they ask to buy a stick, puck and hockey skates. And the “ancestors” themselves often stand on the ice, remembering their youth. However, hockey is not football, and the issue of choosing ammunition is quite acute here. And if everything is more or less clear with sticks and pucks (although there are some nuances here too), then with the choice of skates for hockey the situation is not so simple.

General issues

First, let’s determine how hockey skates differ from other types of skates. We leave the issue of skating aside; it comes first for any skates. The main conditions for hockey boots are increased security and reliability. Hockey is a tough sport where strong blows hitting the legs with a puck or stick is a common occurrence. And if most of the legs are covered with shin guards, then the protection of the feet and ankles is entrusted to hockey shoes. And if we add to this the enormous mechanical load that this particular part of the hockey equipment experiences, then the requirements for them increase many times over.

Therefore, before choosing hockey skates, you need to at least have a rough idea of ​​what they are. Simple, unpretentious technologies and materials used in the manufacture of skates have become a thing of the distant past. Skates of the 21st century are a complex mixture of nylon, thermoplastic, nubuck and special types of steel.

Increased strength, precise fixation of the leg, and provision of good ventilation require considerable ingenuity and tricks from manufacturers. For example, high-quality hockey skates have a special gel-based filler that allows you to make an individual imprint of the shape of the owner’s foot and fix it. The insoles in the boots are made to be water-repellent and anatomically correct. The boot itself is necessarily reinforced with hard inserts in the most vulnerable places.

And these are just general requirements for the simplest hockey shoes. For more expensive and advanced boots, manufacturers have come up with a lot of small but useful improvements:

Air chambers. Located slightly above the bone with inside and go in a circle, tightly adjacent to the shin. On top of the boot there is a “frog” (micro-pump), which, when pressed, pumps up this internal belt. The result is a more secure hold.

Lacing lock. A specially shaped loop that allows separate lacing of the upper or lower part. What does such a seemingly insignificant nuance give? Much. For example, you can fix the shin more strongly and weaken the instep a little. As a result, the skate fits like a glove without pinching the ankle in the bend area.

Thermoforming. The process of heating skates in a special oven. The skates must have a special thermoforming layer that softens when heated. By putting on such a boot immediately after warming up, you will get shoes that fit your foot tightly in 10 minutes (the foot should be motionless).

Skates consist of two main parts - boots and blades. They are connected to each other by so-called glasses made of high-strength plastic. Most skates have removable blades, but there are some that are permanently attached to the boot.

Do not take skates that have more than 4 glasses. The best option is 2-3 glasses.

Hockey blades are a different story. The main attention should be paid to the design features of attaching the blades to the boot. The steel from all well-known manufacturers is at the proper level, but the fastenings come across different ones. No, we are not talking about poor quality. Just when choosing, you should take into account the difficulty of removing the blades for replacement. Most manufacturers have settled on the simplest and most convenient option - side fastening of the blades with two screws. Removing these blades is an easy operation and does not require special skills or equipment.

On sale you can see skates suitable for use exclusively on artificial ice. The marking of such products is “S.I.” (Synthetic Ice).

Training frequency and player role

Now, after receiving general but necessary information, you can move on to the main issue of the article - the choice of hockey skates. First of all, you need to decide on two questions: how often you or your child will play hockey and who you see yourself or him as on the hockey rink.

A couple of hours a week will be devoted to hockey. In this case, the load on the skates is small and you should think about skates in the mid-price range, without any special tricks. There is only one serious requirement for such skates - to provide reliable protection for the leg.

Training is planned regularly and with a good load. Plus, quite important games will be held periodically. Here you will need skates with much greater capabilities and, naturally, at a higher price. This approach is easy to explain. Even for a beginner who trains hard, cool skates allow him to quickly master hockey skating techniques and become a natural extension of his leg. Here you definitely need pro-level skates.

The next step is to decide what role you need hockey skates for: forward, defenseman, goalie.

Attack. A forward is all about speed. Therefore, as a rule, they have “lightweight” models, i.e., faster ones. Usually these are skates with a high heel.

Defender. First of all, this is a security officer - a fighter who must stand firmly on his feet. For such purposes, heavy skates with low heels, reinforced with side inserts, are sold.

Goalkeeper. Here, too, a stable skate is required, but the main feature of goalie models is enhanced protection. This is not surprising: often the goalkeeper receives more hits on his skates than the entire team combined.

The vast majority of professional-level models are suitable for play in mild frosts (down to –5° C). Lower temperatures can cause the ridge to collapse.

Careful selection

A few tips before going to the store.

If you have old skates, you should examine them carefully. The insole will tell you where the wear was most severe, which means your foot was not positioned optimally in the boot. You can also tell by looking at an old shoe whether the size was chosen correctly.

Carefully examine the structure of your foot. Its individual characteristics must be taken into account when choosing new skates.

And finally, the final phase of the operation “choosing skates for hockey” is a trip to the store and direct fitting. The general strategy can be described in a few sentences: “Choose skates and start trying on. Socks should be “playing” socks, i.e. these are the socks that will be worn on boots when playing or training. You can constantly hear advice that supposedly you need to take a size larger in skates. Don't listen to anyone. The foot should feel tight and comfortable in the boot, but it should not press or press anywhere. More or less, it doesn’t matter. You need to try on several sizes, “play” with them…” Well, the selection process itself can be divided into 4 steps.

Trying should begin with the lacing loosened. There should not be any voids around the foot, but, we repeat, a feeling of comfort is a must. The slightest inconvenience should be taken into account immediately.

The next stage is to study the condition of the heel. In an unlaced boot, the heel should be pushed back as far as possible. Lace up. After this, determine the condition of the heel. It should be pressed tightly against the back of the boot, and the foot itself should be secured with a tongue. If this does not happen, the heel is loose, then you need to choose a different size or change the fullness.

Go ahead. We lace up our boots as if for a game. We stand up, squeezing our legs tightly. The front of the skate (toe) barely touches the toes. Shifted the center of gravity forward. The feeling of pressure on your fingers should increase, but not cause discomfort. Squat down with a slight lean forward. The tongue of the boot will rest against your shin. Again, the pressure should not reach the level of discomfort. Finally, move your feet, ankles, and toes inside the shoes. If nothing interferes anywhere, does not rest or press, then this stage has been completed successfully.

The final step. With your skates in full combat readiness, walk around and do squats for a quarter of an hour. Do some light exercises that involve your legs (feet, ankle). You can simulate the tilt of a hockey turn several times, leaning against the wall. During this short warm-up you should never feel any discomfort. If during these 15 minutes you feel that your heel sits firmly and tightly against the heel, your foot does not move from side to side, and your toes do not forcefully press into the toe of the boot, then you can confidently say that the skates are the perfect size.

For a child, the choice of skates should be based on growth, based on the rule that over the course of a season, a young hockey player’s foot increases by an average of 1 size.

Summing up

Let us briefly summarize the main things that a future Kharlamov or just a fan of this game should be guided by when choosing hockey skates:

The price range and, accordingly, the level of sophistication of the skate model. Depends on the tasks assigned.

How to choose professional ice hockey skates, taking into account the design features of the skates, your fullness of feet and size? In the article "" you will find a selection of the most successful models from various manufacturers. Today’s article will be devoted specifically to the competent selection of hockey skates.

Hockey skate design

Hockey skates have three main parts: the boot, the blade holder (hockey cup), and the blade itself. You put boots directly on your feet, and the hockey cup is the part of the skate that allows you to attach the blade to the boot.

Blade holder and blade

In all top models of hockey skates, the blade holder and blade are separate parts. In the case of cheap skates, they most often form a single whole.

Why is it so important that these two parts are not one and the same, especially in the case of professional hockey skates? The fact is that this design allows you to replace individually worn out blades without having to buy a whole new skate.

With active and frequent skating, the blades actually wear out quite quickly and because of this, buying new skates every time is impractical.

There is nothing difficult about replacing blades. Hobbyists replace their blades about once a year, while professionals change them every few weeks, since they ride every day and are very active.

Boot

The boot is that component of hockey skates that world manufacturers regularly work to improve. Over the years of work, they have managed to make them lighter, more comfortable and more sensitive to the movements of hockey players. At the same time, modern skates perfectly protect the foot from lateral and direct impacts and are as safe as possible.

The improvement occurs due to the use of the latest synthetic materials in the manufacture of boots, which retain heat and perfectly wick away moisture. The thermoformable boot perfectly adapts to the foot of a specific person, making the fit as comfortable as possible. Anti-microbial linings are another innovation. But what is really important when choosing hockey skates is their lightness, comfort, reliable protection and durability.

Now a little about the device of the boot itself:

1. Quarter Package Design- This is the shell of the shoe. This shell must be flexible, but at the same time provide reliable support and protection. This shell contains the inner padding and all the support elements inside the boot. The Quarter Package construction can be made from a wide variety of materials: Nylon Tech Mesh, Aluminum Composite, Titanium Composite, D Curv Composite, etc. The most expensive models are equipped with a Quarter Package construction made from titanium and aluminum composite materials, while the cheaper professional models have from nylon materials.

2. Ankle protection. Typically, ankle protection is provided by lightweight, anatomically shaped pads on the ankles.

3.Heel fixation and support system. Having this system in your boots improves safety and control.

4. Language design. The tongue is a very important part of the hockey boot. Professional models can be equipped with an anatomical tongue with pads, metatarsal protection, metatarsal protection, etc. The tongue can consist of two or three parts. As a rule, in top models it is made of felt.

5. Insole. The insole in skates removes moisture and absorbs shock loads. Today, thermoformable insoles made from a variety of materials are actively used.

How to choose professional hockey skates?

Start selection professional skates For ice hockey you should start by determining your size. It would seem that we all know our shoe size, and there is nothing complicated about it, but the mistake in choosing the size of skates is very common.

Hockey skate size

Various models of professional skates are produced not only different sizes, but also designed for different leg sizes. After all, we are all different! First you need to figure out the fullness of your legs, and then start choosing the size.

The leg can be long and narrow, short and wide, etc. The following designations can be found from the manufacturer:

• C/N = Narrow Fit
• D/ R = Regular Fit (standard foot)
• E/W = Wide Fit
• EE = Extra Wide Fit

If the manufacturer writes that these skates are designed for foot sizes D and EE. This means you can choose standard or extra skates wide leg. If he writes - width C, D, EE, then these skates are designed for narrow, standard or very wide feet. All you have to do is choose your completeness.

You can figure out exactly how thick your feet are by looking at your favorite sneakers. If you feel most comfortable in Nike sneakers, you probably have a D or R foot size. If you prefer the fit of Adidas shoes, then you probably have an E/W foot size.

Most hockey skates run about a size and a half too small when compared to standard sneakers. That is why in each individual case you should use the manufacturer’s table and measure your foot length before purchasing. Above is the size chart for professional skates from Bauer.

Trying on skates

It is always best to choose skates from a physical store rather than ordering them online, because in this case you have the opportunity to try on different models and choose the one that suits you best.

You should try on skates immediately wearing high hockey socks, this is necessary to get the most objective picture.

Put on your boot, press your heel into the heel and lace your skates tightly.

After you have laced your skates, stand up. Your heel should be firmly planted and your toes should just lightly touch the toe.

Stand up straight, then tilt your skates inward. If you can keep your torso straight, then you have chosen the right size. Skates should not be too tight or too big. You should also never take skates one size larger.

Which skates are better?

Today I will explain what equipment is useful for playing hockey, and what equipment is useful for a simple trip to the skating rink.

You will meet:

• hockey;
• walking;
• figure skates.

Choosing the best ice skates for figure skating for adults and children

These models are designed for dancing and tricks on ice, but in this segment there are also universal models that are used for simple amateur skating.

There are several key features here:

• thin and high boots with heels and laces;
• lack of fleece or fur insulation;
• the presence of anatomical foam inserts or thermoforming padding. All this ensures reliable fixation and a tight fit to the leg.

If you plan to skate on an indoor skating rink, you can safely take copies without insulation. But in a good minus on the street, your feet can freeze, and putting on a warm sock is not an option. If you do this, your foot will dangle. In this case, it is better to stick to recreational skates.

Pay attention to the stiffness. If top part The boot does not lose its shape when pressed; the product is rigid; if it yields under pressure, it is soft. High rigidity is necessary for skating with jumps, which will prevent injuries and damage to the foot. Fans should opt for the soft version, it will be more comfortable.

The blade should be long and straight. Stability depends on the radius of curvature (degree of bending). The larger it is, the higher the stability. But the smaller one is more convenient for rotations and turns. The front part should have sharp teeth; they are necessary for stopping and performing complex figures.

The material is high-carbon steel or alloy, low-carbon steel. In the first case, the blade is lighter, does not rust for a long time, and does not become dull for a long time. In the second, careful care is required and, of course, they are heavier.

Walking skates

Another popular name for this type is fitness skates.

A number of features:

• low, soft boot;
• there is an internal insulated boot (easy to remove and dry);
• the model is equipped with either lacing or Velcro, clips;
• There are examples with anatomical foam inserts, which is a plus in terms of comfort and fixation.

The blade should be straight, with a large radius of curvature. This gives stability, but less maneuverability, however, this is not so important in terms of mass skating. Please note that there are models with and without teeth. In the first case, they are higher and smaller than their figured counterparts and cannot accidentally catch on the ice. Good size skates fit snugly around your feet, but don’t put pressure on your toes.

How to choose hockey skates

These models are designed for riding in a special technique, running, not sliding, and are intended for play. By design, they consist of several parts. This is a shoe, a plastic cup, a blade. For beginners, non-separable skates will do. Professional options allow you to replace the blade, as it wears out quickly, unlike a glass and a shoe.

A number of features:

• long and hard boot;
• long lacing for fixation on the leg;
• Synthetic foam inner padding + soft lining for comfortable running.

Hockey skates are divided into classes: professional, semi-professional, amateur. IN the latter case the boots are quite soft, there may be protection for the toes in the form of a plastic toe, but, as a rule, there is no other protection. This is the best option for beginners.

Semi-professionals are better protected. The rigid tongue protects the foot from the pressure of the laces and protects against impacts. The sides are reinforced with stiffening ribs.

Inside there may be:

• thermoformable inner boot;
• air chambers with pumping.

The blade has a smaller radius of curvature, which is optimal for running on ice. The material is alloyed carbon steel with additives for maximum rigidity. Check that the blade is smooth along its entire length and that there are no dents or damage. I note that the height of the blade affects its durability. Taller examples will survive more sharpening and last longer.

• SK (Sports Collection)– positions itself as a Russian manufacturer of sports accessories, in fact – it is a subsidiary of the Korean company MX. It produces fairly high-quality skates in the budget and mid-price segment - up to $200;
• MaxCity is a Russian brand, but production facilities are located in China. Focused on the budget price segment, but the product quality is acceptable;
• Bauer is a Canadian corporation that produces sports equipment. Mainly focuses on hockey accessories. At the moment it is a division of Nike, so their products are quite expensive, but the quality is high.

Children's skates

Children's double skates Magic size 28 – 31

One of the simplest recreational skates for children. Aimed at inexperienced children just starting to learn ice skating. For better stability, each boot is equipped with 2 cast alloy blades.

Sizes - 28 - 31, recently the line includes a teenage version - up to 34. Unisex, available in 3 color variations: white, black, pink. Material: faux leather, faux fur inside. Tightened with laces (hooks at the top). The sole is soft polyvinyl chloride. One of the main advantages of the model is no need to sharpen blades, but at the same time the grip on ice is quite rigid.

They are a good option for children, as they improve foot stability, but they are definitely not suitable for any tricks, let alone professional activities. But the price is attractive - about 1600 rubles.

Pros:

• cheap skates;
• 2 blades for each shoe;
• convenient form.

Minuses:

• low cost of materials used;
• grip on ice is too tight;
• the sole is too soft.

Hockey skates Bauer Supreme S140 width R 26 – 32

Children's hockey skates for boys, width R (size 26 – 32). It can be conditionally considered a semi-professional model, since there are replaceable TUUK Super blades(TUUK LIGHTSPEED Pro glass), there are ankle inserts, an anatomical design is used. But the manufacturer positions the skates as amateur ones.

The sole is made of thick plastic, the boot material is nylon, the inside is synthetic without insulation, the lining is microfiber. Complete stainless steel blades. In total, it turned out to be a pretty good model for training sessions, but from cheap materials.

I advise you to buy a pair of these skates for the season, then buy a new one. They are ideal for these purposes. It is worth noting that the manufacturer provides only 1 month warranty for this model. The average price is from 3 to 3.5 thousand rubles.

Pros:

• good design;
• replaceable blades;
• There are ankle inserts to prevent injury.

Minuses:

• cheap materials;
• not the best foot fixation;
• complete blades are short-lived;
• too hard, so the child “grows out” of them quite quickly.

MaxCity Desire Girl sliding skates for girls

Amateur Sliding Winter Skates for Girls with an adjustable size from 30 to 33. By the way, there is a similar model for teenagers and even adults with a similar design (color only pink).

The position of the foot is fixed with laces and Velcro. Material: nylon, synthetic interior. The sole is plastic, the blades are not replaceable, made of carbon steel, they can only be replaced together with the entire roller frame.

In fact, this is the simplest budget model for girls, but with an adjustable size. They are not at all suitable for serious activities, but they can be recommended as recreational activities. The average price in stores is from 2.5 to 3 thousand rubles.

Pros:

• adjustable size;
• Attractive design created especially for girls.

Minuses:

• low quality materials and plastic;
• the foot is not firmly fixed;
• The blades are replaced only with the frame and are not so easy to find on sale.

Hockey skates

MaxCity Detroit Hockey Skates with Stainless Steel Blades

Hockey skates for men, model - for beginners. Size – 39 – 47. Sole – plastic, material – combined synthetics(fabric and artificial leather). Fastening with laces, no hooks.

Stainless steel blades, replaceable with plastic frame. The lining is made of ordinary felt. Has an ankle strap, but quite soft, but does not rub even during long sessions. The main disadvantage of the model is that the toe and artificial leather get scratched very quickly, so the skates lose their original appearance quite quickly.

The blade is of fairly high quality, but is difficult to sharpen. Not hot, feet don't sweat. Average price – 2.5 thousand rubles, but quite often they are sold at a promotion of 1.5 – 2 thousand rubles (in the manufacturer’s partner stores).

Pros:

• inexpensive skates;
• durable blade;
• My feet don't sweat at all in skates.

Minuses:

• the frame looks unreliable.

Skates for adults SK (Sports Collection) Profy Next Z

Men's hockey skates, professional model. Suitable for both regular ice skating and training sessions. Size – 39 – 47. Material – artificial leather, inside – synthetics, sole – heavy-duty plastic.

Blades are made of nickel-plated steel, hardness 420J. They are easy to sharpen and hold an edge well. There is a rigid ankle support, an EVA insole, with an anatomical shape to support the heel. The first thing you notice when you put on these skates is that they are very comfortable, soft, but firmly fix the foot.

The leather is well stitched, the sock is lined with felt. The only negative is that it gets too hot when riding for a long time. We can recommend this model as a higher quality and more convenient variation of the MaxCity Detroit skates. But also the price is higher - 4.6 thousand rubles.

Pros:

• reliable, albeit artificial leather;
• durable blade, sharpens well;
• anatomical shape of the sole and insole;
• replaceable blades (for MAXTech frame)

Minuses:

• When riding for a long time, your feet sweat.

Hockey skates SK Profy Z 5000 for beginners

Men's hockey skates for beginners. Size – 39 – 47. In all respects they are similar to the SK Profy Next Z, but the quality of the leather used is lower. Inside - faux fur, sole - plastic, insole - EVA with anatomical Comfort Insole shape.

The blades are made of simple stainless steel, they sharpen easily, but they don’t hold an edge for long. Fixation with laces, no additional hooks. There are ankle inserts, but they are quite solid. On the one hand, the likelihood of getting injured is minimal, but When riding for a long time, your ankles begin to hurt.

The toe is covered with thickened leather and felt. Blades are replaceable for the MAXTech frame. These skates are suitable not only for hockey, but also for regular ice skating. Not massive, not rigid, but you shouldn’t expect super strength from them. The average price is 2.5 – 3 thousand rubles.

Pros:

• inexpensive model;
• attractive design.

Minuses:

• leather is not of the best quality;
• The blades don't hold an edge well.

Women's figure skates

Skates SK Princess Lux 100% Leather for figure skating

Figure skates for women are positioned as semi-professional. Size – 37 – 42. Material – genuine leather, inside – the same finishing, including the insole. The sole is impact-resistant plastic.

Blades are replaceable CK Classieal Steel made of stainless steel with added carbon. Fixation - laces, there are also hooks. The skates are quite hard (class 5), and it is almost impossible to damage your foot in them. Judging by the reviews - this model is often recommended to buy a trainer for training sessions. The skates are inexpensive, with a simple design, but reliable and durable.

The only caveat is that the fastening of the blades is not the strongest, which is why an unnoticeable play appears over time, but in this condition it is no longer advisable to use skates. But this is true for almost all models with a CK Classieal Steel mounting cup. But are inexpensive - only 3.5 thousand rubles, which is very democratic for skates made of genuine leather.

Pros:

• genuine leather is used;
• replaceable blades;
• low cost.

Minuses:

• CK Classieal Steel blades are not the most reliable;
• Many people will find skates too hard and not suitable for long-term training.

Figure skates SK Ladies Velvet Classic made of artificial leather

Figure skates for women, amateur. Size – 38 – 43. They are similar to Princess Lux 100%, but made of artificial leather, and the blades are not replaceable and the coverage height is lower.

Hardness – medium (class 3). Interior lining – synthetic fabric, insole – thickened soft felt. Fixation with laces and hooks. The sole is polyvinyl chloride. The blades are made of stainless steel, can be sharpened, but the hardness is quite low(manufacturer does not indicate specifications).

I can recommend this model to those who are just starting to learn figure skating. They are sewn quite well, the blades are securely fixed and can easily withstand even aggressive skating. The main advantage of this model is its price, which is only 2 - 2.5 thousand rubles.

Pros:

• low cost;
• reliable, although artificial leather is used;
• The skates are warm, but the feet practically do not sweat.

Minuses:

• non-removable blades;
• PVC sole, which is not resistant to mechanical damage;
• There is no tight fixation of the ankle.

Figure skates SK Fashion Jeans for beginners

Figure skates for teenagers. Positioned as a model for beginners. Size – 32 – 36, in fact, it will be comfortable for children from about 8 to 13 years old. Material – faux leather, inside – faux fur, sole – PVC.

The blades are non-removable, made of stainless steel. Fixation - laces, there are additional hooks. Available in two color variations - dark gray and blue, with imitation denim. Hardness – above average (class 4). Even though this is A budget model, but quite reliable, well-stitched.

The sock is not covered with an additional layer of leather, so it gets scratched quite quickly. Their main advantage is their cool “youth” design. The rest is nothing special. For entry level suitable, but not for professional use. The average price is from 1.8 to 2.5 thousand rubles.

Pros:

• modern design with imitation denim;
• reliable firmware.

Minuses:

• skates quickly lose their original appearance;
• the sock is not reinforced with an additional layer of leather;
• fixed blades;
• Blade play appears quite quickly.

Men's skates

SK Freestyle skates with artificial fabric trim

Entry-level men's recreational skates. Size – 39 – 46. Material – combined artificial fabric with synthetic leather inserts. Interior finishing is synthetic. Fixation - clips and Velcro.

The blades are alloy steel, removed together with the plastic frame, the hardness is not declared by the manufacturer. The main advantage of these skates is their comfort - the foot fits tightly in them, and the strength of fixation can be adjusted with Velcro. Disadvantage - short-lived, which primarily concerns the plastic frame with blade.

Among the reviews it is often mentioned that synthetics literally begin to delaminate after 5–10 trips to the ice. Manufacturer's warranty is only 30 days. These skates can be recommended to those who buy them for the first time “just for skating.” Price – 2.2 thousand rubles.

Pros:

• comfortable, fits the foot well;
• fixation with Velcro and clips, which is an ideal option for recreational skates.

Minuses:

• short-lived blade frame;
• low quality of synthetics used.

Bauer Flow walking skates with removable blades

Pleasure skates, there is a version for both men and women. Size – 38.5 – 47. Material – combined synthetics with artificial leather inserts. Fixation - laces and Velcro.

Removable blades with Tuuk glass, made of high carbon steel. The stiffness is medium, there is ankle support. Although they are positioned as skates for beginners, they are also suitable for active skating and performing simple tricks.

Considered by many to be the best recreational skates in its price range for infrequent use. But I can assure you that they are not suitable for long riding sessions, since the protruding ankle supports are very rigid and made of steel covered with loose artificial leather. Accordingly, they begin to rub and even thick high socks cannot help. The average price is 4.7 thousand rubles.

Pros:

• reliable materials, although synthetic, which is the norm for Bauer;
• convenient fixation and lacing adjustment;
• durable removable blades that do not lose their sharpness even after 6 months.

Minuses:

• a rigid ankle support (support), which causes the ankle to rub;
• high cost for its characteristics.

Tips for choosing the best skates for you and their overview are shown in the video:

The performance of any sport largely depends not only on the efforts of the athlete himself, but also on the quality of his equipment. Even the most professional clothes and shoes, if the wrong size is chosen, can cause maximum discomfort, which will certainly affect a decrease in productivity. To prevent this from happening, you should choose equipment according to all the rules. Today we will look at the features of skate size correspondence tables, and how to choose shoes for a particular athlete based on them.

Features of choice

We all know that a coward does not play hockey, and if a child has decided to devote his life to this cold sport, then parents need to protect him as much as possible by making skating comfortable. First of all, you should understand that each manufacturer offers its own size charts. EASTON, CCM, GRAF and REEBOK are the most popular and in demand. The general recommendations for choosing skates from any brand would be to try them on, since even with a complete match in length, each athlete’s foot has a different fullness, and the skates will not necessarily fit comfortably and securely on the foot.

Fitting rules

The BAUER (and other manufacturers) table provides in the form of foot length, without taking into account any “reserves”. That is, it is necessary to try on skates in the same socks in which you plan to skate in the future, and they must also be special. The fit should be firm so that the boot can hold the ankle in one position even on steep turns. To achieve this effect, you should put on your skates, moving your heel as far back as possible so that it touches the heel. In this case, your toes should only slightly touch the toe of the inner boot. If your toes feel pinched as soon as your foot begins to dangle loosely in the shoe, and after a tight fit, your toes don’t even feel the walls of the shoe, you should take skates one size smaller. Shoes that are too large can change the way the equipment responds to the athlete's movements, which will negatively affect his performance and overall comfort while riding.

Fullness of the foot

For professional hockey players, it is very important that the size chart skates BAUER provides the same shoe length for several different leg sizes, which is represented by different lines with specific markings. Manufacturers offer their customers a choice of standard fullness options that suit almost everyone, narrow and wide. The sizes themselves, depending on the brand, are unchanged here, only the designations may differ. So:

• standard skates are identified by the letters R or D;
• models 0.25 inches narrower - C or N;
• boots 0.25 inches wider than normal are designated W, E or EE.

Choice for a child

We all know how quickly children grow, and when purchasing expensive equipment for their hobbies, almost every parent tries to save money. In this case, buying skates “for growth” can lead to injuries, because a novice athlete will not be able to intuitively control his coordination in them, as a result of which he will constantly be distracted. The BAUER skate size chart for children does not include purchases “for the future,” so ideally you should choose boots in the same way as for an adult. Of course, if the child is just beginning to learn the sport, and at his age, according to this principle, shoes will have to be changed every season, parents have the opportunity to buy skates a maximum of 0.5 sizes larger, which will correspond to the thickness of one finger. To do this, when trying on, you need to insert it between the heel and the back of the skate, while the child’s toes should touch the inner toe of the shoe. Taking larger sizes is prohibited; this can harm the baby’s health and lead to serious injuries at such a young age.

Selection of figure skates

The popular brand BAUER also has a table of skate sizes for athletes in figure skating. The company offers its products for adults and children and also has specific recommendations for choosing the perfect pair of shoes. In order to choose the options for yourself from the options available on the shelves in advance, you should take into account that almost always the actual size of everyday shoes is 0.5 sizes larger than skates. In centimeters BAUER table The size will help you choose more accurately, but this rule will help you immediately weed out those models that definitely will not fit a specific leg. Also, when trying on, you need to pay attention to your own comfort, and not just the size, because all kinds of rubbing and squeezing will not bring any pleasure from the sport, especially to a child.

The fitting process itself is similar to the previous one. First, the skates must be completely unlaced and put on your feet. At the same time, they may squeeze the toes a little due to the incorrect fit of the heel, which should be pressed as much as possible against the heel. After this, the toes should only slightly touch the wall of the boot, and the athlete can begin to fix part of his equipment on his foot.

Correct lacing

To ensure that even perfectly fitted skates according to the size chart from BAUER or any other brand do not put pressure on your foot while skating, you need to learn some rules for lacing them.

At first, the laces should be tightened lightly until the athlete approaches the instep area. At this point you should start lacing tighter, since it is this binding that will further fix the heel and prevent it from moving inside the boot while skating. After lifting to the upper hooks, the force must be loosened again so as not to further provoke compression of the shin, which leads to numbness in the leg.

With all this, the leg should be fixed in the skates as straight as possible.

Conclusion

Experienced athletes no longer wonder how to choose the right one for themselves. perfect equipment or put it on yourself, but beginners are interested in such questions very often. A coach may not always be nearby and suggest what exactly is best to choose, and consultants at sports stores may know even less than the buyer himself. To choose the most comfortable skates for yourself or your child, take into account the manufacturers' size tables, which are necessarily available at points of sale and are presented in the article for your reference.

The very first skates in the world appeared about five thousand years ago, and were ordinary sharpened animal bones tied to the legs with leather straps. And the first hockey skates were metal blades that were tied to regular shoes. Today, hockey skates are a special kind sports equipment, designed specifically to protect the athlete's foot and ankle from any type of injury.

Hockey skates - they are distinguished by a more rigid fixation of the foot and allow you to easily develop greater speed and maneuver without problems. Experts recommend choosing hockey skates half a size larger - this will allow you to not restrict your foot when maneuvering when accelerating or braking.

If we compare hockey skates with - the latter are distinguished in their design by greater flexibility of the ankle and even a beginner can stand on their toes without any problems. Also, in the latter, acceleration can be developed exclusively in one, strictly chosen direction, moving in a straight line or along a large radius, and the size fits close to the leg.

In this matter, experts identify the following criteria:

1. Design- they can be professional or semi-professional, intended for amateur riding. At the same time, professional models are conventionally divided into those intended for goalkeepers, defenders, and forwards. For example, attacking hockey players prefer lightweight models, while defenders prefer reinforced models with inserts on the sides.

2. Hockey glass- the blade and its holder must be a single unit in the skates, since this design does not allow the blade to wear out quickly. It is worth noting that professional players change the blade once every 2–3 weeks, amateurs - once every six months to a year.

3. Blade- here the main selection criterion is its hardness. For example, the stainless steel composition of “Stainless” blades requires drying and wiping dry, and during active skating they wear down within 6–8 hours of active skating on ice. Stainless steel, carbon-reinforced blades Carbon Steel, or Synthetic Ice - are harder than the option described above and do not require sharpening or replacement for a longer period of time.

4. Boot. It should be light and securely fix the ankle, without hindering the movement of the leg. Modern boots are made of synthetic materials that perfectly retain heat and do not allow moisture to pass through. A modern innovation in hockey boots is anti-microbial impregnation, but the main thing is to focus on the lightness and durability of the boots.

5. Trying on. Try on a boot with a thin sock in which you will ride, lace up and walk around in the boots, assessing how well they secure the ankle and whether they will restrict the leg where it is not necessary. The lacing itself should not be rigid, or choose models with a tongue. As experts note, hockey boots do not have lace-ups and the inclination of the ankle is due to the flexibility of the shoe, limited by its height and how tightly it is laced.

Top 5 Best Hockey Skate Brands

Mission

The company, created in 1995 and at the very beginning, focused on the production of equipment for roller hockey, quickly developed and became a leader in the specialized market. High-quality hockey equipment and affordable prices make its products in demand among beginners and professional players.

KOHO

Finnish company for the production of equipment for playing hockey, the main competitor of Mission and it was this company that was the first to supply the corresponding equipment to the USSR market sports equipment. Gradually, KOHO and Jofa were united under one leadership as part of CSM, and then Reebok.

Bauer

This is a pure American brand that supplies sports equipment for playing hockey to the Russian market. In particular, hockey skates are presented in several lines, are of high quality and are deservedly popular among beginners and professional players.

CCM

A brand represented by Canada, producing high-quality equipment, modern hockey skates for professionals and beginners. It is enough to note that since 2015 this particular brand and company has been acting official partner Russian national hockey team. CCM skates are presented in several lines, which allows you to choose skates for playing hockey for a professional and a beginner.

GRAF

The company is a native of Canada that develops and produces premium hockey skates and corresponding hockey equipment. It was created in 1921 and today its products occupy leading positions in sports and hockey, among others. The company produces hockey equipment and ice skates for both professional athletes and beginners.

Hockey skates Count

Cost of skates

The cost of hockey skates for an entry-level adult and child will vary in price within $25–33- this is the most affordable model from SSM, in particular V01 SR. It is the presented models that are so-called junior group, are similar in structure to walking boots, but differ in design with a more rigid lateral fixation of the boots for leg stability. The boots have a durable nylon layer and inserts made of plastic and foam, although the tongue of the budget group is not thick enough.

In an affordable price category there are very attractive models - for example, teenage BAUER Supreme One.4 JR. Their cost varies within 25–30 dollars, although many cannot call them a budget option. The thing is that their quality is much higher - this includes high-quality lateral ankle support, high-quality nylon in the boot, a reliable protection system and an EVA foam sole and a Tuuk Lightspeed PRO glass, complemented by a blade made of stainless, hardened steel.

So for 300 dollars and above you can purchase high-quality, professional level hockey boot, but with an entry-level blade. In this category, according to experts and manufacturers - the cost will directly depend on the quality of the blade. For the most part, boots from different manufacturers are almost the same in terms of quality, complemented by certain technical advantages, such as protective guards and thermoforming on the foot. And the materials themselves will be of high quality - they dry quickly and retain heat for a long time, repel moisture and provide good ventilation to the foot.

Regarding the cost of top models, their cost is unlimited. Thus, on the hockey equipment market there are models costing from 500 dollars and above. For example, models are very popular among professionals EASTON Mako II SR- their cost starts from 320 dollars. For this amount of money, the hockey player receives a model of skates with an asymmetrical boot shape for sharp turn and start, cups that support CXN, plus the model's proprietary Extendon technology for powerful running power.

Watch also the video on how to choose the right hockey skates:

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