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Guide to Buying Ice Skates for Kids
Top-notch children’s ice skates are reliable, cosy, and enjoyable. When picking ice skates for your youngster, it’s vital to consider elements such as balance, comfortable linings, and robust ankle reinforcement.
Whether it’s their initial encounter with the ice or they have prior experience, the right skates can significantly enhance their pleasure and enthusiasm. This guide delves into the essential features of choosing ice skates for children:
- Varieties of ice skates: Hockey, figure, or leisure hybrid ice skates?
- Boot design: Hard or soft boots
- Blade design: Hockey or figure skate blades
- Fastening mechanisms: Lacing and buckle systems
Children's Ice Skates Varieties
Here’s a succinct overview of the diverse kinds of ice skates available for children. By pinpointing the type your child is keen on, you can expedite your decision, simplifying the selection task.
Children's Figure Skates
In this scenario, ‘figure skates’ are those with a toe pick at the blade's front coupled with a soft boot. The presence of a toe pick aids youngsters in achieving better control while acclimatising to the ice gliding experience. Generally, figure skates for newcomers are designed more for stability than the art of dancing on ice.
- Stability: The flat blades offer more stability for novices while compromising on agility.
- Style: If there’s a budding interest in artistic skating, figure skates are the straightforward option.
- Toe pick: Toe picks assist in propelling forward but can become an obstacle, causing potential falls.
Children's Hockey Skates
Hockey skates possess a curved blade, providing higher manoeuvrability at the cost of stability compared to figure skates. For children aiming to play hockey with some prior ice skating experience, hockey skates are ideal. One of their benefits is a hard, supportive boot.
- Agility: Curved blades offer enhanced maneuverability along with easy backward skating.
- Speed: They offer quicker acceleration.
- Hard boots: These boots ensure foot protection and adequate ankle support.
- Level: Beginners might find hockey skates suitable, particularly those eager to play hockey.
Note that recreational skates tend to be more comfortable and simpler for novices compared to hockey skates.
Kids' Recreational Ice Skates for Beginners
These skates serve as a blend of hockey and figure skates, proving a great choice for novice children. They provide a balanced alternative, boasting simple lacing and buckle systems, alongside straightforward blades. Availability of toe picks may vary.
Focused on comfort and enjoyment, these skates cater to kids aiming for a fun experience without performance pressure. They epitomise soft boot shells similar to what’s found in typical fitness inline skates.
- Comfort: The liners offer thermal and breathable features for dry, warm feet.
- Style: Some variants allow for casual dance movements or casual hockey games.
- Level: Perfect for those who are only starting to get acquainted with the ice.
Adjustable Ice Skates for Young Starters
Your child’s growing feet are accommodated with many models that are size adjustable, extending their usability. Despite potential weak points due to adjustability, a quality pair is typically ideal for young recreational skaters.
- Accommodating growth: Ranging 3 to 4 sizes, allowing an extended use period, which ensures proper fit while saving you money.
- Fit: Providing a customisable fit to circumvent blisters or issues linked with improper sizing.
Toddler Ice Skates – Easy Step-In with Dual Blades
For young enthusiasts, especially toddlers, specific dual-blade skates are available, offering added security. These can be strapped onto regular shoes and are adjustable by size to ensure comfort and enjoyment while on the ice.
Checklist for Picking Ice Skates for Children
Use this checklist to streamline the search for the ideal pair of ice skates for your child. It simplifies the choice process once these four main aspects are addressed.
Correct Sizing for Children’s Ice Skates
Ensure you select the precise size for your child’s skate. Though trying skates isn’t possible online, our size guides facilitate easy selection. Simply measure your child’s foot and match it with the size chart for the perfect fit.
- Foot measurement: Position the foot against the wall and gauge the distance from it to the big toe’s tip. Using paper to mark helps.
- Select “Show size chart”: Align the measured foot length with the pertinent chart to determine the accurate skate size.
- Size flexibility: The size adjustability in many skates is convenient, only requiring a proper range that includes your child’s foot length.
Kids’ Ice Skates Blade Variety
Inspect the blade types to see if they are curved or flat and check if toe picks exist at the blade's front.
- Figure skate blades: These are flat with toe picks at the front, giving extra stability, suitable for novices.
- Hockey blades: More agile with a curved design, they’re ideal for budding hockey players or those reticent with some skating background.
Both blade types offer benefits. Children accustomed to toe picks might grow fond of them, while those used to hockey blades might find toe pick blades cumbersome over time.
Skill Level Consideration
Your child's expertise level is paramount as it dictates their skate requirements and inclinations.
- Beginners: Focus on comfort, strong ankle support, and ease of learning, seeking cushioned liners and stable ankle support.
- Intermediate: With advancing skills, personal preference can guide skate choices, ranging from rapid agile hockey blades to graceful dancing-centric figure blades.
Desired Skating Style
Reflect on your child’s skating ambitions, whether for a recreational goal or specific pursuit, and select among these main skate types:
- Recreational skates for kids: With straightforward buckles and laces along with cushioned liners, recreational skates are ideal for beginners who relish fun. They bear a close resemblance to inline skates.
- Hockey skates: For children interested in hockey, choose hockey skates.
- Figure skates: Tailor-made for those eager to dive into artistic skating.
In summary: Once you have identified the right skate size and type, proceed to find the ideal pair for your child’s needs.
Ice Skating Safety Gear
Proper safety gear is non-negotiable when kids are on ice. Falls are unavoidable, making protective measures a must.
The same safety gear used for inline or roller skating applies here. If you’re yet to own any, feel free to check out our selection of helmets and protective gear:
