Figure Skating Blade vs Hockey Blade (Including Differences, Pros & Cons) - Hello Roller Girl

Hi guys, I have a special announcement, drum rolls, please!

Wait for it…

I am currently learning how to use skating blades. I guess you guys were wondering why I’ve been off for a while. Well, since I’m in love with skating now, I thought to myself;

“Why not try other forms of skating other than roller skating and inline skating?”

Currently, I am trying out hockey skating and figure skating. And since I’ve always had tons of requests to compare them both, I can finally do that now I’ve tried the two types of skating.

Sorry for waiting this long.

I’ve always been excited about figure skating truth be told. It’s one of the things I admire from a distance, just like ballet but with skate shoes (the most adorable thing ever, don’t you think?) it gives off these very cool vibes, almost like you’re floating in the air.

I also did myself and you guys the favor of trying out hockey skates which I must confess isn’t bad at all. Although I’m not really a fan of hockey, I think the game is a bit on the intense side and I might injure myself (perhaps one day I’ll give it a try) hockey blade skates are also spot on gorgeous.

Although it can be quite tasking to differentiate the both, they do have some physical differences. The major difference between the Figure skating blade and the hockey blade is that the figure skating blades have toe-picks or preferably a jagged feet design at the tip of the blades. The hockey blades on the other hand don’t come with this feature.

Here’s a funny story; the first time I saw figure skating blades, I was pretty excited because of the toe-picks. I thought they worked just like the toe-stops and that made me happy. I fell the moment I tried to use them as toe-stops.

The toe-picks on figure skating blades are not used as a braking system. Unless you find a way to make that work out well for you, the actual aim is to spin easily and do some turning techniques- shocker right?

As much as it’ll be a nice feature if they considered adding toe-stops to figure skating blades and hockey blades, I’m not sure the actual owners of that spot want that.

In this blog post, we’ll be comparing the figure skating blades and the hockey skating blades. Let’s go!

What Are Figure Skating Blades?

If you just started ice skating, I’m in no shock you’re this curious. Figure skating blades are an important component that makes up one of the best ice skating boots out there. They are mostly used for recreational activities such as dancing, ice ballet, to mention but a few.

Figure skating blades are usually produced with tempered carbon steel. Although over the years aluminum and stainless blades have become a household name among skaters.

They come with visible toe-picks. These toe picks can be chosen based on skill level. In other words, smaller toe picks are used by the beginners and amateurs while bigger toe picks are used by the intermediate and expert levels. You can also pick out toe-picks based on personal preference. Although the toe-picks are necessary, another thing that comes in hand is the front curve which is used for jumping, spinning, and landing successfully.

You can also be an expert-level figure skater and still opt to make use of smaller toe-picks for yourself.

Another area you’ll want to look at is the length and size of the blades. Figure skating blades are relatively longer than the boots. However, because of the type of activity they are used for, the blades are not as long as that of the speed skates; just a tad bit longer than the boots.

If you’re looking to really go into figure skating, you’ll enjoy it more if you invest more in quality blades. These blades by the way are pretty expensive but of course scream quality. If you’re currently at the beginner’s level, you shouldn’t worry yourself spending tons of money on expensive figure skating blades. Especially for the fact that you’re not sure if it is something you’ll like to continue in the long run.

What Are Hockey Blades?

If you’ve always wanted to play in a hockey game, you’ll want to pay close attention. Unlike the figure skating blades, the hockey skates are not used for dancing or twirling, or any sort of ballet activity.

They are used for playing hockey sport. Generally, the game is a fun activity although I’ve tried the not-so-intense one just once. I enjoyed it but I’d rather sit the actual game out. The blades are not as long as the figure skating blades, they are on the short side- usually the same length as the hockey boots.

The hockey skating blades are made from stainless steel, usually about 3mm thick. You can also find low-end carbon blades in the market depending on which one you prefer and which one fits your taste better.

People in this sport prefer to go for aluminum blades because of their strong stance and rigidity. You can also opt for other types of hockey skating blades though. The pick is totally up to you.

Because they are not used for dancing, the hockey skating blades do not come with toe-picks. They are curved at both ends of the blades. They are built this way because of how much speed the sport requires.

Why Should You Buy Figure Skating Blade or Hockey Blade?

I bought the figure skating blade and the hockey skating blade just for personal experience and nothing out of the ordinary.

I do not see myself getting into either of the sports; it is just something I decided to try out on my own.

You’re also free to follow in my footsteps, however, if you’re looking to go full time into figure skating or ice hockey skating, buying the figure skating blades and hockey blades will be ideal for you.

Also, I strongly recommend starting with figure skating. It is much easier to learn and transition into hockey skating. The balance fits just right as well. Doing this the other way around might be a little difficult for you.

Figure Skating Blade vs Hockey Blade Differences

While figure skating blades and hockey skating blades are both used on ice, it does have some differences which I will talk about in this section.

As stated above, the major difference between figure skating blades and hockey skating blades is the toe-picks. The toe picks are positioned on the front end of the blade and help the user maintain balance while jumping, landing, and twirling. The hockey skating blades do not come with toe-picks.

Figure skating blades are quite longer than that of the hockey blades. They are longer than the actual skates (not as long as speed skates) for endurance and speed.

Hockey skating blades fit into the boot with the aid of a solid plastic called tuuk. Although hockey skaters wish they were more like that figure skater blades which fit into the boots with the aid of toe and heel plates. They are both metallic (I guess we skaters can’t always get what we want)

When comparing the blades of figure skating blades and the hockey blades, you’ll notice that the blades of the figure skater are wider and heavier than that of the hockey skating blades. The reason for this is because the blades of the hockey skates are much smaller than that of the figure skates. They are narrow and a bit deep to enable the skater easy movement as well as enough speed. You’ll be surprised the by kind of speed ice hockey demands.

Figure Skating Blade vs Hockey Blade Pros

Pros of figure skating blades

They are considered to be an ideal pick for beginners because they have better stability
Because of the long skate blades, you can glide easily along ice drawing perfect arcs and lines
With the toe-pick, gliding, jumping, and landing becomes easier and less dangerous for skaters
Better precision and speed
Flexibility and mobility
comes at relatively affordable prices
heavy and thicker blades, thus more balance

Pros of hockey skating blades

the hockey blades come with lighter blades and are ideal for the ice hockey game
stopping and changing direction is easier
can be worn for a longer period because they are light-weight

Figure Skating Blade vs Hockey Blade Cons

As much as enjoyed using these skates, they did come with their share of things I didn’t like about them.

Cons of figure skating blades

Although the skating blades are great, the boots do not provide much ankle support
If you’re looking for very fast ice skates, they are not an ideal pick for you.
Quality blades are really expensive

Cons of hockey skating blades

Lacks precision
Not an ideal pick for dancers because of its lack of toe-picks
Offers less balance due to its narrow blades
Blades cannot be replaced once they wear out

Top 3 Figure Skate Blades

These are the top three figure skates in a list that I enjoyed using and I will greatly recommend them to both beginners and experts in the game.

These are my top picks for figure skating blades; you can also check out a few more in the market or get recommendations from experts.

Top 3 Hockey Skate Blades

It was quite a hard decision deciding on which blades were my top picks. So I went for the ones I felt gave me more balance and precision whilst providing comfort.

Also since hockey blades are not detachable, I’ll be listing the top skates for you guys.

How to Make Your Decision?

It’s really not that hard to decide on which blades you want for your figure skates or which hockey skates to go for. However, if you’re having a hard time, I’ll help out.

The first thing you want to decide on is what you want to use the skates for. Figure skating blades cannot be used for ice hockey. It lacks the accurate balance and precision as well as speed for ice hockey games
Consider your level of expertise, if you’re still in the beginners’ stage there are a lot of skates out there for you to choose from.
Ensure that you get the correct size and fit for your figure skating blades or your ice hockey skates.
I really don’t like the idea of renting skates, but if you’re starting ice skating, it could be an ideal decision especially because you’re not sure you’ll enjoy skating in the long run.
Research on different brands if you must. Don’t just buy from the first brand you come across. Compare and contrast different blades.
Get recommendations from your coach or expert level ice skaters. Seek their opinion

Conclusion

I do enjoy ice skating a lot, there’s a lot of excitement and joy that comes with it.

You also get to spend time with your family and loved ones during the Christmas season. If you’re still yet to try out figure skating or ice hockey skating, this is definitely a sign for you to shake off whatever is holding you back.

It is indeed a wonderful experience and I’ll be unhappy with myself if I do not urge you guys to try it out.

For my skilled ice skaters, which do you prefer between the figure skating blades and the hockey blades?

Until next time my friends.