How to choose children's hockey skates?

Hockey is a hobby for a huge number of people of all ages. But in order to get an optimal result, one must correctly choose children's hockey skates, and not just coaches, stadiums or a helmet. Confidence in movements largely depends on them ... and much more, which is not at first obvious to most people.

Ice hockey skates are not a standard of convenience. Even after relatively short use, their break in training is perceived with relief. This is characteristic even of professional athletes, so for children, “ice boots” should be chosen more carefully.

Just the size of the skates - the very factor that provokes most of the problems. In terms of size, they do not match the shoes, and often exceed them. To measure it is necessary to go in the very socks in which they are going to go on the ice. The most important criterion is a tight fit. Even a small, barely perceptible gap threatens to cause an ankle injury!

But at the same time, both professional and teenage hockey skates need to be picked up without fanaticism. "Butt" should not enter anything. The best option (or rather, the only correct one) is when the heel rests against the back wall, and the fingers confidently touch the toe, but can move freely. Another point is completeness (as the professionals call the width of the skate).

The movement of the leg sideways with respect to the blade is very bad for those who ride on the ice. The most mass version is marked with the letters D or R. If the marking contains the characters C, N, then it is a narrower model. E, EE, W - all of these symbols refer to the extended version. Both narrowing and expansion are approximately 5 mm. To eliminate errors, you need to take the selection of the "running tool" with all seriousness.

The leading company in the Russian market is occupied by the UK company (the name stands for “Sports Collection”). For nearly two decades, it has been offering a huge range of competitive equipment. For lovers of Swiss quality, it is appropriate to make a choice in favor of Graf. But we must remember that it produces both hockey and figured versions of structures. And to complete a small review is appropriate at the company Bauer: it is the world's favorite in the industry, and some products are sold under the brand Jeckson.

Children just starting out on the ice should wear skates that:

• covered with a nylon layer that carries a variety of mechanical loads;
• hold the foot as clearly as possible (without experience, it is difficult to fix it yourself);
• eliminate slippage of legs in full gear.

In the semi-professional class, those modifications are already in demand that allow you to freely maneuver, while reliably protecting them. Protection against shock and moisture absorption are especially important because the intensity of the workouts and their duration grow. When buying, you should be interested in what readiness this or that option is designed for. Unconditional advantages are hydrophobic linings and the use of stainless steel.

For beginners in hockey, it is better to take models having a caliper and inserts fixing the ankle. The stiffness of the shoes, worn with skates, increases the fixation of the legs. Of course, it is better to choose shoes and skates of the same company, and even better - recommended for a particular model. In advance, before visiting the store, you must choose a method of fastening skates. The lacing is characterized by simplicity and increased reliability, and if dressing time is critical, you need to choose to hold it with rivets.

All shoes for hockey skates must be synthetic, and the sole of them is formed from very hard brands of plastic and rubber. After all, it is not difficult to imagine what will happen if a puck hits a soft material at high speed, and more than once during a match or a training session. When selecting skates for children, preference should be given to options with quick-drying insoles duplicating the configuration of the foot. They allow you to feel more comfortable; even if such products are not included, they should be purchased separately.

The symmetry of shoe soles is critical. Do not buy shoes where there is no dredging under the lace. After all, the tongue without it will not be able to repeat the shape of the leg and quickly rolls down. Even such a tongue should be thoroughly sewn. Important: Only professionals with special equipment should sharpen skates.

For information on how to choose the right hockey skates for your child, see the following video.