Readers ask: How Should Ice Hockey Skates Fit?

Should ice skates be tight or loose?

The skate should fit very snug for proper support to enable a good push-off without any movement of your foot inside the skate. And finally, it takes a few wears to break in a new pair of skates. Baking your skates is another option that helps expedite the break-in process to get a more custom fit.

Are hockey skates supposed to be sharp?

Your hockey skates should be sharp enough to ensure the blades have bite and allow you to turn and stop with confidence. Sharp edges mean that the inside and outside edges of your skate blade are razor-thin, clean and without burrs or nicks.

Should hockey skates be uncomfortable?

It is entirely normal for new hockey skates to be uncomfortable when they are new; breaking the skates in is necessary to reduce pain. Hockey skates may also be uncomfortable because they are not the correct fit. Skates fit much differently than regular shoes, but this is often overlooked.

Are ice skates the same size as shoes?

A proper fit for hockey skates should fit 1-1.5 sizes smaller than your street shoes. Your toes should barely touch the toe cap, while having no more than 1/4 inch of space in the heel. Most skates use this formula (1 to 1.5 sizes down from shoe size), except Pre-2010 Mission skates which run true to shoe size.

Do you wear socks with ice skates?

It’s important to wear the same type of socks to your fitting that you plan to wear when you skate. Also, if you have your skates thermoformed, wear your game and practice socks when your skates are baked. Choosing your >skate socks is personal: Try a few options and wear what makes your feet happy.

Can hockey skates be too stiff?

Trust the material of hockey skates these days to provide you with all the ankle support you will need. High end (read: expensive) skates are built for performance and may be too stiff for kids or smaller players to use.

Can skates be too sharp?

While your skates can never be too sharp, they can certainly be too dull and that can take a whole lot of fun out of the game. For those skaters who do feel their skates are too sharp at times, we recommend reviewing our post on selecting an ROH. You should experiment with a slightly shallower radius.

Can you skate with unsharpened skates?

No one should ever skate on dull or unsharpened blades. Your skating edge will help you turn and maneuver, as well as keep your balance. The second is that people with weak ankles cannot skate. Keep them sharp — but not too sharp: A sharp blade grabs the ice better than a dull one.

How often do professional hockey players sharpen their skates?

A rule of thumb is for every 15 to 20 hours of ice time, but let’s go beyond the basics. The biggest factor is how often you skate, hence the rule of thumb based on ice time. It’s not unheard of for some players to sharpen their blades before every game, and others once or twice a year.

Why do my hockey skates hurt?

When you first skate in your new skates, yes, it is normal for there to be a little discomfort. It is normal to get the odd blister, or a bit of a pain. This is the normal process of breaking in a new pair of skates. After your skates are broken in you should be able to skate in them without any pain or blisters.

How long does it take to break in hockey skates?

How long does it take to break in ice skates? The amount of time it takes to break in ice skates can vary, but it’s usually between 6-10 hours of ice time. Heat moulding or baking your skates often helps to shorten this break-in period.

Should my toes touch the end of my skates?

Almost all skaters worry about their toes touching the end when they first put on skates. This is perfectly normal.