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How to buy Ice Skates
Finding the right figure skate for you is essential to your performance on the ice. A skate must fit properly and be the right skate for your level of ability. If the skates are for a child, it may be worth looking at the adjustable skates.
Consult this guide to help you with your figure skate choice so you get the pair you need.
Selecting Skates by Ability Level
Intermediate and advanced figure skates often have boots and blades sold separately for a more tailored fit and look. The stiffness of boots and the length of blades vary depending on your skills.
For beginners, look for these features:
§ Pre-assembled sets are a good start to learning skating skills and techniques.
§ A moderately stiff boot gives your feet and ankles good support, while being flexible enough to break in and feel comfortable to new skaters.
§ It takes time to break in skates and feel comfortable in them.
§ Also be sure to look at the boot's tongue for stiffness and padding to protect your legs and feet from injury.
A Guide to the Different Types of Ice Skate
Figure skates consist of boots with a small heel and steel, hollow-ground blades that extend an inch or so past the back of the boot. Their curved fronts are serrated with toe picks that enable the skater to perform certain moves. Beginner figure skaters may choose a cheaper skate with a vinyl boot, but the pros have leather boots, often custom fitted, with custom blades as well.
Recreational ice skates look like figure skates but are not as well constructed plus they lack much of the padding or support that a professional skater would need. These ice skates are the choice of people who simply skate for pleasure in rinks or outside.
Click here to see a range of Mens & Womens Ice Skates
Children's recreational ice skates are similar to adult skates. Some have hard plastic boots that help support the child's ankle and some even have double blades for extra balance.
Click here to see a range of Childrens Ice Skates
Speed skates are completely different from figure or recreational ice skates. They are designed to optimise fast, forward movement, rather than the multi-directional movement that figure skates provide. Speed Skate blades are much longer than the boot, usually about 16 or 17 inches. They are also flat, which aids in forward skating. A new innovation in speed ice skates is the "slap blade," a skate blade that detaches from the heel while the skater is racing, supposedly aiding in forward momentum. Boots may be made of lightweight leather or another durable, yet flexible material that allows the foot to move in a natural running position.
Regardless of which skate you go for, they should always be fitted properly or they will cause more injuries than they prevent.
Sizing and Fit
Today, many skate manufacturers offer figure skates that size the same as regular shoes do. There are also several other tips to consider:
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ADDITIONAL TIPS TO GET THE CORRECT SIZE: |
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It is never a good idea to buy shoes based solely on conversions because there are many discrepancies between sizing systems and manufacturers. |
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Measure both feet. Some people have one foot slightly larger than the other. Choose the size that fits the larger of the two. |
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Consider the socks or tights you’ll wear most often with your shoes. For thicker socks or tights, you may want to order shoes 1/2 size larger than you normally wear. |
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Measure your feet in the afternoon, when feet tend to be their largest. |
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If you require a wide width and no wide width sizes are available, try ordering a ½ size larger in the regular width. |
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When measuring for width, both feet should be measured while you are in the sitting position |
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When trying them on, lace both boots up firmly with most of the lace presure at the top 4 eyelets. A secure fit is important when ice skating. |
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If you buy a pair of figure skates, try them on before you get the blades sharpened. |
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PLEASE NOTE |
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The measurements listed below are APPROXIMATE measurements and relate to the OVERALL size of the INSOLE (i.e. the inside of the shoe heel to toe) only. Buyers are advised to compare these measurements to their own shoes. |
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SKATE MEASUREMENTS |
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(GUIDELINES ONLY) |
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UK Size / |
EU Measurements |
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EU SIZE |
(Heel to Toe) |
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UK 2 / EU 34 |
21.5cm |
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UK 3 / EU 35 |
22cm |
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UK 4 / EU 36.5 |
23cm |
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UK 5 / EU 38 |
24cm |
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UK 6 / EU 39 |
25cm |
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UK 7 / EU 40.5 |
26cm |
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UK 8 / EU 42 |
27cm |
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UK 9 / EU 43 |
28cm |
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UK 10 / EU 44.5 |
29cm |
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UK 11 / EU 45.5 |
30cm |
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UK 12 / EU 47 |
31cm |
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UK 13 / EU 48 |
32cm |
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UK 14 / EU 49 |
33cm |
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