Proper Fitting Skates

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Proper Fitting Skates
Whether you’re playing hockey or figure skating, proper fitting skates are...

Whether you’re playing hockey or figure skating, proper fitting skates are the key to your success. Skates should fit very snug and should not allow any room for your foot to move inside the boot. You should think of your skates as an extension of your body. Every move you make on the ice comes down to how well you control a 1/8” thick piece of steel. If your foot can move inside your skate, then you may experience a loss of control. In hockey, a quarter of a second may make the difference between getting to the puck and scoring a goal. The energy transfer lost from your foot slipping inside your boot can make that difference. In figure skating, the slightest change in body position makes the difference between sticking a landing or missing that edge. Imagine what can happen if your foot is slipping inside the boot.

The biggest challenge we encounter is finding the delicate balance between pleasing parents by providing some growing room for young skaters and providing the skaters with equipment that will assist them in accomplishing their goals. The acceptable range of growing room is ¼”- ½” of space. The key factor is that the skater’s heel and mid-foot is extremely secure in the boot and does not slip at all. The growing room should be in the toes only. The amount of room we can allow depends on a few factors. The more advanced the skater, the less growing room we can allow. More advanced technical skills require a more precise fit. Recreational skaters who are not taking lessons can afford more room. Most of the children we fit use their skates for approximately one year. Keep in mind that this depends on your child’s rate of growth. Unfortunately, this is not something we can predict.

Remember that proper fitting skates can make the difference between a great skating experience and frustration on the ice. Visit us today and we’ll see how well your skates fit.