There is much controversy surrounding the size of hockey skates. Many people believe that the current size is way too big, especially for little kids. They also claim that it’s hard for little ones to learn how to skate if their feet aren’t adapted to the proper size. Because of all the confusion surrounding the issue, we decided to put together a guide to help you understand what exactly is the proper size of a child’s hockey skate.
Table of Contents
Overall Size
The first and most important thing to consider when sizing up child’s hockey skates is the overall length. The best guideline is to make sure that the skate is long enough so that when you put your foot down, your heel clears the front of the skate. If your kid wears a size 8 shoe, for example, they will need an 8.5-inch skate to accommodate the height of the shoe. This measurement also makes sure that the skate is long enough to cover most of the front of the child’s foot, including the toes. If the skate is too short, you will be forcing your kid to kick and push off with their toes, which can lead to injuries. Also, make sure that the skate is wide enough so that when the blade hits the ice, it makes a nice smooth sound. This is called the ‘ping’ sound and it means that your kid is using the correct technique. When you hear this sound while you’re watching your kid play hockey, you’ll know that they are doing everything correctly (assuming of course, that the puck doesn’t hit them in the face!).
Front To Back
When you’re looking at the front to back measurements of a hockey skate, you’ll notice that they are significantly longer than the rear. The front of the skate should extend down to your kid’s knee when they stand in front of a mirror and check it against a wall. This is so that when they are ‘twisting’ or turning, the front of the skate doesn’t catch on the wall and hurt them. The longer the front of the skate is, the more stability it will provide. This measurement should be around the same length as the rear of the skate so that when your kid stands with their feet in front of a mirror, their knees are at the same level as their hips. This way they will be able to maintain their balance while skating.
Rear To Front
When you’re looking at the rear to front measurements of a hockey skate, you’ll notice that they are significantly longer than the front. This is because the rear of the skate acts as a counter weight to the front and helps maintain balance while your kid is skating. As a result of this, the rear of the skate should reach at least as far as your kid’s waist when they stand in front of a mirror and check it against a wall. When you’re buying ice-skates for your kids, this measurement is critical because it will help determine how stable they will be while skating. The shorter the rear of the skate, the more unstable your kid will be while skating. This is because the front of the skate will be pushing off from the back, causing over-stability.
Now that you have the general measurements of a child’s hockey skate in mind, let’s discuss the different types of skates and which sizes work best for your kid.
Beginner
If your kid is just beginning their hockey journey and will be participating in recreational skating only, then they will probably need a medium or large size skate. If they are already walking and don’t need any assistance to stand up, then the medium size should be sufficient. A larger size would be overkill and could lead to problems with balance and falling. The larger the skate, the longer it will take your kid to master the art of skating. This is because larger diameter wheels provide greater stability while skating. Consequently, it will take your kid longer to be able to keep their balance as they turn and tilt their body while skating. If you are purchasing this type of skate, make sure that the size is indicated by the age group of your kid. You don’t want to purchase a large skate for a toddler who is just beginning to walk because it will be difficult for them to balance on these large wheels while negotiating the bumps and curbs in the road. In this case, it would be better to opt for a medium size, as it will take your kid a while to get used to the feel of a large skate.
Intermediate
If your kid is already a few years into their skating journey and will be participating in recreational skating as well as minor hockey, then they will probably need a large or extra-large size of skate. The larger the size, the greater the stability while skating. A medium size will be sufficient for beginners who are just beginning to explore the recreational side of skating, while an extra-large will be best for intermediate and experienced skaters who are participating in minor hockey. The extra-large will also be best for older kids who are growing out of their toddler years. Like with the beginner’s skate, make sure that the size is indicated by the age group of your kid.
This is because larger wheels provide greater stability and control and allow for advanced techniques. While it’s important to purchase the proper fitting size as per your kid’s requirements, it is also essential to purchase the right type of skate. In this case, a larger size will be best because they will have more stability and power when gliding over the ice. In addition, larger wheels will make it easier for your kid to spin faster and more efficiently while keeping their balance.
Advanced
If your kid is already a few years into their skating journey and will be participating in competitive hockey as well as recreational skating, then they will probably need an extra-large or large size of skate. The larger the size, the greater the stability while skating. A medium size will be sufficient for intermediate and advanced skaters who are participating in competitive hockey while an extra-large will be best for older kids who are growing out of their toddler years. Like with the beginner’s and intermediate skates, make sure that the size is indicated by the age group of your kid.
This is because larger wheels provide greater stability and control and allow for advanced techniques. While it’s important to purchase the proper fitting size as per your kid’s requirements, it is also essential to purchase the right type of skate. In this case, a larger size will be best because they will be able to handle higher speeds and power while skating. In addition, larger wheels will make it easier for your kid to spin faster and more efficiently while keeping their balance.
Right For Proper Age
As discussed earlier, the different types of skates have a right size for their age. The best way to determine which type of skate is right for your kid is by looking at their feet. If your kid’s feet are small for their age, then they will likely benefit from a beginner’s skate. If their feet are average sized for their age, then they will likely benefit from an intermediate or advanced skate. If their feet are large for their age, then they will likely benefit from an advanced or extra-large skate.
This is because smaller feet mean that they will be lighter and will have greater speed and agility as they learn to skate. In addition, smaller feet will make it easier for your kid to move around while learning to skate. On the other hand, larger feet will cause your kid to be heavier and have more difficulty keeping their balance while turning and spinning.
Overall
In conclusion, proper fitting but appropriate-sized child’s ice skates will provide your kid with the best experience. As a parent, you should feel confident that you made the right choice by looking at the factors discussed in this article. In addition to being the safest option for your kid, purchasing a properly fitting pair of ice skates will also allow them to have fun while developing their skills.