With the summer skate season right upon us, it’s the perfect time to figure out what’s the smallest hockey skate size. Truth be told, it depends on your personal preference and the style of skating you enjoy most. On that note, here are some helpful tips on how to choose the right equipment for the smallest member of the hockey family.
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Look Into The Brand
Although it is not always the case, smaller sizes are more common for specific brands. For example, there are specific skate size requirements for the adidas brand, and there are even some pairs of skates specifically designed for smaller people. You can also try other manufacturers, like Varien or Rollerblade, that may have skates specifically designed for smaller sizes.
Go For The Right Blade Shape
While it’s good to have long skate blades to maintain your balance while gliding on the ice, they can also become a hazard if you’re not careful. Before you go for the longer version, make sure that you take into consideration the width of your feet and the size of your skate boots. In general, wider blades are better for beginners, as they’re easier to maneuver around. If you have a narrow footbed, however, you’ll probably want to go for a narrower blade to avoid any tripping accidents.
On the subject of boots, check out these skates with gel cushioning, which provides you with better vibration transmission to the blade. On the opposite end of the scale, you have the classic leather boots, which offer better durability but less cushioning. Of course, this is a matter of personal preference and the kind of skating you enjoy most.
Focus On The Materials And Construction
Just like any other piece of athletic equipment, your skate blades will gradually lose their shine after a while, no matter how well you take care of them. This is why it’s important to focus on the materials used for the construction of your skates and the kind of workmanship that went into it. Look for solid wood or metal frames and real carbon fiber plates for the best combination of durability and feel. Solid woods are also ideal for absorbing shock, which in turn makes the skate feel sturdier.
As with any other athletic device, you’ll want to set your standards high and be picky about the materials used. As far as the level of workmanship goes, ideally you want to find a pair that comes with a full metal shin guard as well as plastic elbow and ankle protectors that are fully sculpted and securely fastened to the frame. Solid steel or titanium are the perfect choices for this part of the equation, as they offer the best combination of durability and weight.
Try On The Skate
Another important tip is to try on the skate before you buy it. No, we don’t always mean putting it on your feet and hopping around, although that can be a valuable training tool. Instead, take the time to walk around the store with the salesman, observing how the skate fits you, how it responds to the movements, and whether or not it conforms to your expectations. Of course, you’ll eventually need to purchase the item, but at least you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you tried on the one you were interested in. This is vital, as it prevents you from purchasing a skate that doesn’t fit you perfectly.
Consider Your Needs
As already pointed out several times in this article, it’s important to consider your personal preferences when it comes to purchasing a pair of skates. Some people will argue that all skates are not created equal, and that is true. There are specific needs that you have as a smaller person that will guide your search and help you find the perfect item. These needs are mainly related to balance, maneuverability, and comfort.
On the subject of balance, wider boards are better than narrower ones, as they improve your ability to edge balance. Balance is also determined by the width of your feet and how you position them relative to the board. Narrower boards are therefore better for acrobatic stunts and spins, as they demand more positioning flexibility from the wearer. If you have wide feet and want to improve your balance, go for wider boards. If you have narrow feet and want to do lots of twists and turns, go for a narrower board.
Comfort is also an important factor in determining the overall feel of your skate. This includes the size of the boot, the arch support, and the cushioning inside the boot. Narrower boots are usually more comfortable, as they don’t press against your foot like wider ones do. This makes a difference both in your enjoyment of the sport as well as how well you perform on the ice. Wide boots also provide better insulation and warmth, so you’ll want to avoid those, too.
As for the arch support, the shape of your foot will determine the type of arch support you need. Flat feet require more support than round ones do. If you have a high arch, you’ll want to go for a halo or crescent-type support. The key takeaway here is that your arch support will depend on the shape of your foot, your personal preferences, and the style of skating you enjoy most. Don’t worry too much about which arch support is best; instead, find one that is comfortable for you and that suits your needs as a skater.
Size Matters
Last but not least, we have size matters. As already pointed out previously in this article, smaller sizes are more common for specific brands, and it’s worth considering the size of the company when making your decision. For example, if you’re looking at purchasing a pair of ice hockey skates, Adidas will have smaller sizes available, likely made of synthetic materials, which are less durable and more costly than their counterparts made from real wood or metal. Even a subtle difference in size can make a significant difference in the feel of your skate, so always measure and compare the size of the item you are thinking of purchasing to the nearest whole number. This will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises later, when you try on the gear and realize it’s too small for you.
In closing, we want to reiterate that all skates are not created equal, and you should not compare all models from all brands. It’s always good to have an idea of what’s the smallest size available for a specific brand, to help you figure out what fits you best. Once you identify that pair, check out the rest of the line, as there are usually smaller sizes available for most other brands as well. Smaller sizes are more common for specialized groups of people, like figure skaters, who need to perform on the ice, so if that’s you, go for it! You can also try out inline skates, which are great for exercise and fun, and definitely worth checking out.