How to Buy Figure Skates that Fit Your Feet . . . and Your Budget

Figure skates are expensive. What are the best ice skates for kids and adults who are just learning? Read these tips from a "skate mom" on how to get the right skate at the right price for beginning and recreational figure skaters.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
   Rent skates at the rink before you buy.

   Do not buy until you try. Rent first. Be prepared to spend $150-$250 for a entry-level set of boots and blades.

2. 
   You get expertise at a real skate shop.

   Sporting goods stores and department stores sell figure skates, but the best place to buy is a shop that specializes in figure skates.
   
   You will find: more choices, better skates, and a knowledgeable salesperson.
   
   A good fitter will: ask about the skater’s weight and height; observe how she stands; measure length, width and ankles carefully; and ask about skating level.

3. 

   Know your level of skating. A more expensive skate is not better for beginners! Entry-level and recreational skaters need a boot that is comfortable and more flexible than the stiff skates made for jumpers. Beginning skates also have smaller toe picks.

4. Beginning skates come as a set with a blade already mounted (but not sharpened). As you advance you buy the boot separate from the blade so you can customize what you need.

5. 

   Shoe sizes and skate sizes are not the same thing! Each company has its own sizing system. A reputable skate shop will have rulers from all the brands they sell. For example, if you buy Riedell boots, you will be measured on a Riedell ruler. If you buy Jackson boots, you will be measured on a Jackson ruler.

6. To learn more about skate sizing and skates from different companies, visit their websites. You will fit great information to help you make your choice of skates.

7. Most coaches recommend wearing thin socks or skate tights, not bulky socks. Regular cotton socks absorb sweat and may make feet cold. They also bunch up. You will never see them on serious skaters.

8. 
   Properly laced skates look like this.

   Once your foot is in the boot, kick the heel back firmly several times to make sure your heel is snugly against the back of the boot. Make sure you lace up correctly. Start from the bottom and pull laces firmly before each crisscross. The laces should be roughly half inch apart at first but may go a bit wider and looser at top.

9. Test properly. Stand and lean forward. For a child, you want to be able to wiggle a finger into the back of the boot when the skater is leaning forward. For an adult they should fit snug but not feel tight.

10. Many better boots can be “heat fit.” The shop will heat them in a special oven. You then try on the warm skates let them cool. The skates mold to your feet.

11. 
    New skates just waterproofed.

    Consider waterproofing. Water is a pair of skates' biggest enemy. Better skates have leather soles. You can protect your investment if you have the shop waterproof the soles. They will charge you and it will take a couple days.

12. You should also periodically put Sno-Seal or similar beeswax waterproofing product on your skates.

13. 

    When you buy skates, the blades are not sharpened. Make sure you like the fit of the boot before you have the blades sharpened. Once the blades are sharpened, the return policy is usually voided.

14. Get figure skate blades sharpened by someone who knows how to sharpen for figure skating (not hockey). Ask experienced skaters at your rink who sharpens their blades.

15. 
    Break your skates in slowly.

    You can break your ice skates in by wearing them around the house with the blade guards on and by skating for short sessions. If they still hurt after a few weeks, take them to the shop for free readjustments. You can also buy special blister pads or gel ankle wraps. Skate shops sell these.

16. 
    Never use hard blade guards for storage.

    Every skater needs two kinds of blade protectors: hard and soft. Only put on the hard ones on while walking in the skates. (And never walk on skates without them.) After each use, wipe the blades off and put on soft terry cloth covers called "soakers."

17. 
    over-the-boot tights or skate covers protect skates.

    Take care of skates. Let skates air out to dry. Scratches on the leather are inevitable . . . you can buy over-the-boot tights or nylon skate covers that go over the boot for protection. They come in a variety of colors. (You can even put black boot covers over girls white skates to hand them down to a brother.)

18. You may wonder why the shop at the rink charges more than the same skate online. Good skate shops work with you to fit the boot at no added cost. This may mean providing a sole liner, or “punching out” the leather near the ankle, or stretching the boot or heat fitting. Skate shops have special tools to fit skates. Buying skates at a shop also includes the first blade sharpening. No matter where you buy, do research online first.

Tips & Warnings

• If you buy skates online, and then take them into the shop for work, you will pay ($10-$20 each time) for each of these services. That adds up.
• You can buy online if you are careful about communication and return policy. You want to buy from an online shop that converses with you by email or phone.
• The salesperson should ask your shoe size and have you trace around both feet on paper and then measure the drawing both in length and width. (Be sure to do both feet as one is often larger.)
• Give the skater’s age, skating level, height and weight. Be sure to say if feet are narrow or wide, if the arches are high or low, etc.
• If you buy online, be sure they do allow returns. You may have to pay shipping on returns.
• Hope these tips help! Good luck!

Resources

• More in-depth tips and my experience buying skates

[tachic]

on 2/26/2009 This was a great read, thanks!

[NightowlMama]

on 2/22/2009 thanks my daughter wanted me to look into these

[lastgunslinger]

on 2/12/2009 Skating is pretty expensive! Thanks for the advice. 5*

[emuman1]

on 2/12/2009 Great article. Well written 5*

[FrazzledNanny]

on 2/8/2009 Thanks for the great tips on buying figure skates that fit your feet and budget. My daughter wants to learn to figure skate but we never thought we could afford it. 5*