I've gone ice skating once already and I like it a lot except the rental skates sucked! I want to spend $50-100 dollars on a nice pair of skates and I want to know what kind of things to look for when I go to sports authority tomorrow. Please give me information about this subject, I have no idea what I need.
learning to ice skate, but need to buy some skates, help me
- Thread starter JohnGalt
- Start date
I started skating last may and now I'm not *that* bad. But for a person who could never skate worth a cent when I was a kid I think that's pretty good. (21 now) I took hockey lessons last summer, playing intramurals out at school, and I'm going to do a league or two this summer. Should be fun. Anyways, I might suggest going to a real hockey shop instead of the sports authority. They will help you out better and obviously know more. Everybody carries the same brands so if ya find a brand/model you like remember the number and find it cheaper online. Sports Authority has something like a 110% online price-matching gaurantee. That said, you'll probably be looking for a size smaller than your normal shoe (I wear a 13 sneaker and 12 skate, even could fit well in an 11.75). Look for good strength in the heel area. You'll probably want to decide between a stainless or steel blade. Stainless don't rust, but the regular steel holds its sharpening longer. I have a pair of Nike Ignite 6's and I like them a lot. I tried on a pair of ignite 2's or something a while back at a used skate store and the 2's were just a lot sturdier generally. The ignite's also have a nice graphite toe which is good. I'd just skip up the quality level from the really bad $50 pair of skates you find in the sports authority places. They won't last you that long and when they break you have to buy whole new skates.
Actually just to add, dsports.com has the nike ignite 6's on sale at $60 bucks, which is a great deal. I got mine on sale for $80.
Regarding your search for ice skates, there is an excellent article about buying skates at this site:
Choosing Ice Skates
At one time I loved figure skating, and had the usual girlish dreams about being Sonja Henie (an Olympian from years past, and a redhead, like me.) I was never any good at hockey because my legs are too runty, but I enjoyed playing, until I was felled by illness. Ice skating is one of the best full-body exercises in the world, and is also exhilarating in a special way. People who love it love it a lot, and tend to become evangelical in their attempts to convert the uninitiated!
Most beginners think that hockey skates will be easier for learning, but I feel otherwise. I once taught a class of youngsters, about half of whom had figure skates, and the other half hockey skates. The figure skate-wearing kids fell down less often and seemed to develop confidence faster. Just a personal observation.
I strongly advise against buying your boots over the Internet. You've got to try them on and poke and prod and flex, all of which is somewhat difficult in cyberspace. You can buy your blades without trying them out, but your boots should be hands-on (or, more accurately, feet-on) equipment. Buying boots you haven't worn is a bit like these Internet marriages you hear about; it might work out fine, but you're getting a mystery box (so to speak.)
Please don't be too hasty in choosing your skates. The well-being of your ankles is at stake, and I hear that new ankles are very expensive these days.
Choosing Ice Skates
At one time I loved figure skating, and had the usual girlish dreams about being Sonja Henie (an Olympian from years past, and a redhead, like me.) I was never any good at hockey because my legs are too runty, but I enjoyed playing, until I was felled by illness. Ice skating is one of the best full-body exercises in the world, and is also exhilarating in a special way. People who love it love it a lot, and tend to become evangelical in their attempts to convert the uninitiated!
Most beginners think that hockey skates will be easier for learning, but I feel otherwise. I once taught a class of youngsters, about half of whom had figure skates, and the other half hockey skates. The figure skate-wearing kids fell down less often and seemed to develop confidence faster. Just a personal observation.
I strongly advise against buying your boots over the Internet. You've got to try them on and poke and prod and flex, all of which is somewhat difficult in cyberspace. You can buy your blades without trying them out, but your boots should be hands-on (or, more accurately, feet-on) equipment. Buying boots you haven't worn is a bit like these Internet marriages you hear about; it might work out fine, but you're getting a mystery box (so to speak.)
Please don't be too hasty in choosing your skates. The well-being of your ankles is at stake, and I hear that new ankles are very expensive these days.
Well if your near albany NY go to the city of Troy and stop by downtown at a store called Cahill's. The guy supplies the RPI hockey team (go engineers here's to the Harvard/Brown sweep) and he does a lot with the albany river rats. How far is that from rhode island? 
But really, there should be some place around ya there. There are three just in my town in NY, and one in the next town over from my parents place in MA. If you're just looking for skating and not hockey, there's some K2 skates that always looked intruiging, look more like roller blades but with metal blades. That might be more comfortable than your standard hockey skate. I've never tried figure skates but i think hockey blades are better for weak ankles but that's just a guess.
But really, there should be some place around ya there. There are three just in my town in NY, and one in the next town over from my parents place in MA. If you're just looking for skating and not hockey, there's some K2 skates that always looked intruiging, look more like roller blades but with metal blades. That might be more comfortable than your standard hockey skate. I've never tried figure skates but i think hockey blades are better for weak ankles but that's just a guess.heh rpi, i already got scholarship thing from them, but probably won't go there though.... well maybe i will visit it, thanks for the tip.
Bennett Sports
Is 924 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920 in your neck of the woods, JG? Their online selection ranges from cheap to pricey, and they carry both figure and hockey skates.
I cannot overemphasize how important it is to try on the boots before buying, and preferably with the assistance of a knowledgeable fitter.
Yeah, I know, we Mothers are all alike. Nag, nag, nag.
Please don't choose your skates according to what looks cool or what has a certain brand name. Ill-fitting skates of any brand, snazzy though they may be, are worse than unsuitable. They are dangerous.
Is 924 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920 in your neck of the woods, JG? Their online selection ranges from cheap to pricey, and they carry both figure and hockey skates.
I cannot overemphasize how important it is to try on the boots before buying, and preferably with the assistance of a knowledgeable fitter.
Yeah, I know, we Mothers are all alike. Nag, nag, nag.
Please don't choose your skates according to what looks cool or what has a certain brand name. Ill-fitting skates of any brand, snazzy though they may be, are worse than unsuitable. They are dangerous.
Well, I play Ice Hockey and if your thinking about those Nike's think again... although they are basically the same as Bauer they are very uncomfortable and do not form (mold) with your foot very well. First you have to decide whether you want hockey or figure skates... I would go hockey if you are male I prefer Bauer, Mission, and CCM. You should try looking for a "Play it again Sam's" store to pick up a good pair of skates for cheap. As with anything you start in life never buy the best when you begin, example: buying the best golf clubs and only go golfing once a year.
I prefer Bauer, Mission, and CCM. You should try looking for a "Play it again Sam's" store to pick up a good pair of skates for cheap. As with anything you start in life never buy the best when you begin, example: buying the best golf clubs and only go golfing once a year.Also as mentioned above try a small hockey store, a lot of them will have a used bin from players that sell their old equipment, and yes always try it on. You will hate yourself if you buy a pair of skates that doesn't mold your feet overtime. I have had tons of friends with Nike skates and they all sold them as fast as they could due to the uncomfortable mold. I've only been playing for 6 years though ( I'm 16) and play varsity ice hockey , but I have no idea about figure skates.
Shuxclams
Diamond Member
- Oct 10, 1999
- 9,286
- 15
- 81
<< I just don't know of any specialized stores around Rhode Island. >>
well the sports authority isnt gonna have a great selection. There is a Play it again in warwick if I rember correctly and I did see a actual hockey shop in providence, actually it was probably cranston, but whatever, I have always liked Baeur, I still have a pair of 2000's and a set of 3000's. The 3000 pair are prolly the most comfor5table "shoe" I have ever worn, then again it took a while tp mold them. I found that the CCM's were really flat and the ankle area was rigid, but thats just my foot. Try a bunch on and see which feel best on your foot.
SHUX
JG, if you are still interested in online sites, I found a terrific bargain here:
Easton AIR with Zytel parabolic Razor Bladz
This is a helluva skate at a helluva price (less than half the usual retail.) At $139.99, the Easton AIR is not cheap, but sometimes that old adage 'You Get What You Pay For' is quite true.
I still recommend figure skates for a beginner, however. There is nothing intrinsically wussy about figure skates. You don't have to get the kind with the pink pompoms and the glitter laces.
Easton AIR with Zytel parabolic Razor Bladz
This is a helluva skate at a helluva price (less than half the usual retail.) At $139.99, the Easton AIR is not cheap, but sometimes that old adage 'You Get What You Pay For' is quite true.
I still recommend figure skates for a beginner, however. There is nothing intrinsically wussy about figure skates. You don't have to get the kind with the pink pompoms and the glitter laces.
I can contest to hockey monkey being a great place, ordered from there 3 times and it all turned out like gravy.
my skates were 500 for the boots and 200 for the blades.
they are rose and custom made, they dont mke them anymore.
im sad.
*kat. <-- this has nothing to do with your post but wants new skatees even though she doesnt skate anymore.
they are rose and custom made, they dont mke them anymore.
im sad.
*kat. <-- this has nothing to do with your post but wants new skatees even though she doesnt skate anymore.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 24K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 20K
-
-
-
Facebook
Twitter