Ice skating has been growing in popularity in recent years. There are now indoor and outdoor ice-skating venues across the United States, leading to more people taking up the activity than ever before. But if you want to go ice skating then you will need ice skates. Here’s what you need to know in order to pick the right pair.
Blades and Boots Are Sold Separately
One of the most common mistakes that people make when buying ice skates for the first time is that they assume that they come as single items. However, ice skating boots and blades are sold separately. There are different ice skating boots and blades that are designed for specific purposes; knowing which one you are looking for will make your search considerably easier.
Choosing The Right Boot
Beginners don’t need to invest in a pair of boots that offer additional padding and reinforcements. Some people might find these boots more comfortable, but the extra padding is going to be unnecessary. If you want to ensure that you buy the right boot, then you can have it fitted properly in a sporting goods store.
Whatever boot you go with you want to make sure that it feels snug around your ankle. if it’s too loose then you are going to find it difficult to maintain balance. You also want it to fit well between your heel and toes.
Note that once you have found the right boots, they will still take some time to break in. Until they have been properly broken in, your boots might not be as comfortable as you are hoping for. The solution to this is to break them in slowly, rather than immediately diving into long skating sessions.
Choosing The Blade
Most ice skating blades today are made from chrome-coated carbon steel. This gives the steel extra strength and durability, as well as enabling them to maintain their sharpness for longer. The thickness of blades can vary, with 4 mm being the average size that most beginners will start with. You can always choose a different blade later as your style develops.
What Makes A Good Ice Skate?
As with any other product, there are high-end ice skates on the market and there are lower-end options. You will get what you pay for when it comes to ice skates, the cheaper variants are more likely to fail and will generally offer a less comfortable experience. Of course, all things are relative and the best choice of ice skate for you will largely depend on your available budget.
However, you can spot a good ice skate by looking for a few telltale features. First of all, high-quality ice skates are much easier to break in and will start to feel comfortable ore quickly than lower-quality options. Good quality ice skates are also lightweight despite being stronger and more durable.
There is a lot to learn when you are buying your first pair of ice skates, but the process doesn’t have to be as daunting as it might initially seem. The more research that you do beforehand, the easier it will be to find what you need.