8 TIPS ON HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOCKEY SKATES

Time for new hockey skates? Then there are a few things you should think about!

1. How heavy are you?

Different skate models have different stiffness. A general rule is that the lighter you are, the softer skates you should have. The skates shell provides stability and protection while the inside is padded, malleable and provides comfort.

2. What playing style, strength and technique do you have?

The hardness affects how you can bend the leg and move the foot, which then affects your balance and your technique. If you buy skates that are too stiff, you will find it harder to skate and it will increase your chance to develop and become a better skater. The same applies if you buy too soft skates. If you are a heavier player or if you are on the ice more than four days a week, you should have an extra pair of skates. The material in the skates needs to rest and dry and they have a hard time lasting a whole season if they don't get a break a couple of days a week. A tip might be to use last season's skates during two practices per week.

3. What size are you?

The skate should fit tight and have good contact with the foot but with some room for movement in the toes. Always stand up when you try and bend your legs, so it feels like you're on the ice and your foot lands in the right position in the skates. Our experts in the store use advanced 3D foot scanners from BAUER and CCM and ask questions about your old skates and your skate technique and playing style. We then recommend the models and sizes that suit you best. Finally, you get to try and feel which ones fit best, that's always the most important thing.

4. How do you get a skate to sit best on the foot?

All hockey skates have different levels of moldability. Often it is related to the price range where you get more and better moldable material in a skate that costs more. When you have tried out the model and size that fits best, it is time to "bake" the skates. In our hockey shop, we have a special oven that heats the skates for the right number of minutes and at the right temperature. This is not something you should do in an oven at home in the kitchen, it can become much expensive if it goes wrong. When the skates are at the right temperature, our experts tie them to your feet. It is important to pull the laces correctly because the entire skate is soft after warming up, so nothing breaks. After that, you should sit down with your legs at the right angle so that the skates cool down and form in the right position. It takes about 10–15 minutes for everything to cool down. Ideally, the skates should rest from any activity for about 12 hours after warming up and shaping

5. Do you have problems with bumps or chafing on your feet?

Our experts in the store are trained and have the knowledge to find the right skates and size for you so that you avoid new problems with your feet. If you already have calluses, growths and nodules, we will help you by "pushing out" the skates on the areas needed and massaging the skates when they are warm and moldable so that there is as little space between the skate and foot as possible. This may need to be done several times during the season as the foot and skates can change shape over time as they wear. If we judge that the best option for your feet is a fully formed skate (custom), shaped in the factory to your feet, we will help you with this. Delivery time for these skates is between 6 - 10 weeks, depending on which part of the season it is.

6. Which laces suit you best?

All skates come with unwaxed laces, but many like to switch to waxed laces which are often perceived to be easier to tie tightly and stay in place better. Unwaxed laces make the shoe a little more elastic and soft and are gentler on the hands when tying. We offer different colors of laces and they come in different lengths - 244 cm or 274 cm are most common on younger players and 304 cm are for those with larger feet. Be sure to check the laces after training and matches as it can be very stressful to have to change the laces just before the next ice occasion if they happen to break. Feel free to have an extra pair lying around in your bag/back.

7. 7. Which sharpening should I choose?

New skates from the factory usually lack a sharpened edge. A dull edge causes you to lose the cutting edge, and when you lose the cutting edge, it's easy to fall. To maintain the edge's sharpness or sharpen a new edge, you must sharpen the rails on a real skate sharpener. There are different types of steel, generally the more expensive steel you buy, the finer the steel, which makes it easier to get a good sharpness that also lasts longer. When you have bought new blades or skates, you should have them profile sharpened first before sharpening them normally. This means that you get more and better contact with the ice, which then makes you skating better, faster and you can develop your skating in the best way. Talk to our experts in our store, they are educated professionals and will help you with what is best for you.

8. Make sure to always have freshly sharpened skates.

The more you ride, the faster the edge on your blades wear of and they become dull.