If you’re planning on skating this coming winter, you’ll need to consider what type of ice skates to get. There are a variety of styles of skates that you can choose from, but not all of them are suitable for every kind of skating activity. Here are some details on the length of the laces that are required for hockey skates.
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Traditional Hockey Skates
Traditional hockey skates are designed to look like a regular pair of shoes with two extra metal spikes on the bottom. These spikes are used to grip the ice as you skate, preventing you from slipping out on the ice surface. While traditional hockey skates were originally designed for on ice use, they have recently become popular in non-traditional environments as well, including street skating and surfing. As with any type of ice skate, you should be sure to get a size that fits you correctly so that you can have a good overall balance when you’re skating. These types of skates require the use of long laces to prevent the ankle from moving too much when you step on the ice. The height of the spiking also prevents the wearer from wearing high heels, which could cause you to lose balance while walking.
Inline Hockey Skates
Inline hockey skates are designed to be worn inline with your skating stride and are thus closer to the ground when compared to traditional hockey skates. This allows for a better connection with the ice as your feet make contact with it, pushing you forward instead of allowing for more rearwards movement. These types of skates are more popular than traditional ones amongst hockey players, because they require less room for movement in the rear. Another advantage of inline hockey skates is that you don’t need to change the length of your laces as the design of the shoe itself prevents your ankle from rolling too much. You can also choose from a variety of styles of inline hockey skates, including some that have a heel and some that don’t, so you can find one that will suit your needs.
Rocking Horse Hockey Skates
Rocking horse hockey skates are a hybrid of the two types mentioned above. The two extra metal spikes sticking out of the bottom of the boot are replaced by four plastic prongs. The four prongs are used to grip the ice as you skate, just like the two extra spikes on the bottom of a traditional pair of shoes, however they are positioned so that they poke into the ice when you step on it. This is an intermediate style of ice skate that is suitable for almost any type of activity, from traditional hockey to figure skating and even some tricks on the ice. The four prongs on the bottom of the pair of boots allow for more flexibility in the ankle movement than inline ones, while still providing enough friction to keep you on your feet when you’re on the ice.
Surfing Hockey Skates
Surfing hockey skates are very similar to traditional ones, however instead of being designed for skating on ice, they were created with surfing in mind. The two extra metal spikes on the bottom of the boot are replaced with two large plastic or wooden disks that are used to push off the water when you’re surfing. These skates were originally designed for surfing the waves on beaches, however with the use of technology similar to that which is used in snowboarding, surfing on ice is now possible as well. For surfing on ice, you will need a special pair of shoes called ice sledging boots containing two metal plates that form the shape of two half shells when locked together. These shoes and boots are similar to those used for driving an ATV off-road, but with a hockey stick in place of the gas pedal.
Knowing the right length of laces to use for your particular type of skating will help ensure that you have enough friction at all times while you’re skating. If you’re not sure whether or not you’ll need longer laces for your specific type of skating, it’s best to ask the shop that you’re buying the skates from whether or not they have any suggestions. You can also check out ice skating forums for people with firsthand knowledge of what works best for them, as well as for any specific type of skating activity.