Tips For Buying Your First Pair of Inline Hockey Skates
If you are new to inline hockey skates there are some important
tips you should know before buying your first pair of inline
skates.
Too often the first time buyer chintzes out and goes cheap. Don’t do
it! A cheap skate will leave you disappointed and giving up the fun
before it begins.
Inline hockey skates aren’t toys so don’t purchase them at a
department store or toy store. Rather head over to your nearest
sports store or shop online at specialized sporting web sites.
The problem with low end skates is they are manufactured poorly
and with poor materials. As a result you get little ankle support if any,
rough bearings, and sore feet. How you can you possible learn to
inline skate under these conditions. Not only that cheap bearings can
lead to breaks which can cause injury.
Rather spend some time looking for a quality skate at a good
price. Online web sites are very competitive and you are sure to save
some money. Follow these tips to save money:
Last Years Model
Skate technology changes very little from one year to the next so look
for last years models. You can save up to 50% off the ticket
price.
Set A Budget
Set a budget but have a little flexibility. Sometimes $20 will make the
difference between a decent skate and a superior skate.
Shop Around
As we previously said check your local sporting stores but also check
online. There are many websites that specialize in sports gear
including inline skates and they often have a lower markup because of
lower overhead.
Of course there’s more to buying your skates than the right price,
you also need to make sure you’ve got the right fit. Follow these tips
to make sure you get a good fitting inline hockey skate.
Children’s Skates
Choose skates that can be adjusted to allow for some growth. There
are several top manufacturers that make this style of skate.
Excellent ankle support
Is important for everyone but especially for beginners or heavier
people. Buy a skate with a high molded cuff and at least one top
buckle. Avoid lace up styles when you begin.
Thick Socks
When you are trying on skates wear a thick sock like you would wear
when skating. Now that said don’t make it to thick. You don’t want it
bunching up in your skate. There are special socks made to absorb
sweat and moisture and keep your feet drive. Definitely a good
investment.
Ladies Skates
The better manufacturers also produce a ladies’ skate which is built for
a women’s lower calf muscle and narrow Achilles tendon. If the
packaging doesn’t say men’s or women’s then it is unisex.
There are also some features you need to know about.
Cuff Brakes
Stopping is one of the most important techniques you need to learn
with inline hockey skates. The cuff activated braking system which
was introduced in 1994 has made stopping a lot easier. These brakes
have an arm mounted on the skate cuff and as you apply pressure it
forces the brake downward until it’s dragging on the surface. It’s a
great help to beginners but also effective even for experienced
skaters.
Soft or Plastic
To keep skates light many materials are offered such as mesh and
suede. Although these boots do have a plastic cuff they do not
provide as much ankle support as a plastic molded skate. If you area
beginner or have weak ankles a molded boot is probably a better
choice.
Breathing
You need to buy a skate that can breath, so watch for vents in the
boot and liner. Vented boots mean your feet will perspire less and
you’ll stay comfortable longer.
Buckles
Inline skates are available with laces, buckles, or a combination of
both. A good buckle system provides excellent ankle support and it’s
also easier to get the skate on and off.
Sizes
Many of the manufactures build unisex boots, although some do build
men’s, women’s and junior sized skates. There’s no need to stick to
your sex, the object is to find a boot that fits right.
The Frame
Frames can hold three, four, or five wheels. The three wheel frame is
designed for smaller feet. The four wheel frame is used mostly in
hockey, artistic skating, and recreational skating. The five wheel
frame is used in speed skating because it is designed for stability and
power.
Inline hockey skates can provide hours of entertainment and
exercise. They are an investment you want to make only once if at all
possible. So choose a skate that’s built well and fits well to keep you
skating into the future.
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