Buying figure skates for the first time can be a very daunting process.
Sizing and measuring for the figure skate boots, ankle support, toe picks and skill level. It sounds like a lot for a pair of skates, but after this post, you’ll see why it’s necessary.
This is the important information you need before taking the first step in buying your own figure skates.
You see, when buying a pair of skates and especially for your first pair of skates, the most important step is to make sure the boots are a perfect fit.
Due to the number of different manufacturers and their individual sizing, if not sized correctly you may buy a skate that’s far too big (more common), or too small.
Take the ‘Graf Bolero’ skates, for instance. These are an ideal first skate for a beginner and have both the Euro Sizing and UK sizing, but the Euro sizing sometimes doesn’t match up correctly to the Euro size for shoes.
The only time a skate should ever be a little bigger is if you are accounting for growth in a child and usually only at puberty, and even then it should be less than half an inch of lift when walking in the skates.
In reality, measuring your feet is not as daunting as it sounds, and can be done by yourself at home if you have a sheet of paper, a pen and a ruler. Using your shoe size is often a bad mistake when buying new skates.
Measuring Feet
- Stand straight with a sheet of A4 paper under each foot.
- The leg below the knee should be perpendicular to the floor and not at an angle.
- Another person should then trace around your foot with a thin pen that should be kept upright and as close as possible to the foot.
- Once this is completed draw a line on each sheet from the heel to the toes and measure it.
- This is also a good way to see the width.
However, if you’re near to one of our stores we would be happy to see you, come in to be fitted for skates, just to ensure you get the exact fit.
Buying Skates
“Good isn’t cheap, and cheap isn’t good!”
Recreational ice skates may be the only cheap ice skates you should buy.
If you see Figure skates online for any cheaper than the £40-50 mark, avoid them. They’re probably not made correctly or have been made cheaply.
If you’re unsure, ask questions.
“Too good to be true? It often is – you get what you pay for.”
You do not want to be buying the intermediate boots, for example, the ‘Edea Preludio’ or the advanced ‘Jackson Competitor’, if you are only a beginner.
The boot does not make you a better skater.
It will, in fact, worsen your performance if you don’t have a boot suited to your skill level.
If you have any more questions about buying a pair of Figure Skates, leave a comment and we’ll get back to you! Or if it’s urgent, head on over to DemonXtreme.com and one of our great Internet team members will be glad to chat with you