Skating has always been a winter tradition and is widely recognized to be a competitive sport, recreational activity as well as a form of exercise. As a recreational activity, ice skating typically involves gliding across an ice surface using skates while ice hockey is a team sport that includes skating on an ice surface. Recreational ice skating has further risen to encompass two variants – figure skating and speed skating.
So, winter is here and you need a pair of skates to hit your local rink with. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, a hockey player or figure skater, nothing compares to using the best type of skates for your activity. Perhaps you are due to get your first pair of skates but do not know what to look out for in a skate. The type of skates you get generally depends on your needs, your skate spot, and some other factors. Here are some tips to guide you in choosing your skates and in knowing how recreational ice skates compare to hockey skates.
What are the Features of a Good Ice Skate?
For beginners, these features may seem inconsequential. Getting ice skates based on these features should also depend on your skill level and budget. Most modern and high-end skates sport the following features:
- Moisture linings
- Lightweight and strong blades
- Heel counters to provide support
- Hinged ankles to provide greater flexibility
Similarities between Recreational Ice Skates and Hockey Skates
The world of ice skating consists mainly of two types of skates; ice hockey skates and figure skates. These skates have several differences ranging from use and design to the material used. Both skate types are used for the purpose of skating, although the hockey skates are lighter in weight and specially designed to allow the skater to wear them for longer durations, whereas recreational ice skates are heavier and allow the skater to make perfect lines and graceful arcs.
What are the Differences Between Recreational Skates and Hockey Skates?
Skates have evolved significantly over the years with less and less difference between recreational skating and hockey skating. Let us look at the characteristics of the boots and blades of both figure and hockey skates.
- Boots – Recreational figure skating boots are short, light, and thin compared to hockey skate boots. They have a small outer heel with a shape specifically designed to aid in performing precision moves. Hockey skate boots, on the other hand, are made specifically to provide better comfort for the feet so that it is easier to stand erect. Hockey skate boots are taller and thicker with heavy padding that offers protection from hits and collisions.
- Blades – Figure skates have blades with serrated edges, called toe picks, that allow the skater to perform a series of moves like spinning and jumping. The blades are longer, wider, and heavier than the ones on hockey skate boots. The blades on hockey skates are narrow, slightly curved, and deep to enable the skater with easy movements at high speeds. Having a smaller size, they also have lightweights when compared with recreational figure skates. The blades of hockey skates are attached to the boots by tuuk, a solid plastic holder.
The differences between hockey skates and recreational ice skates make them well suited for their particular sport. Knowing and understanding these differences can help skaters decide which is the right option for them.
- Features – The design of hockey and figure skates differ in terms of the boots and blades. The blades on the figure skates are attached to the boot by toe and heel plates. The blade is also curved from the front to the rear. The curve, also known as the ‘rocker’ is strongest just at the base of the ball of the foot and allows the skater to make long curves and spin while skating on the ice. Hockey skate blades are attached to the boot by tuuk and are more rounded than those on the figure skates. In hockey skates, the rocker is located close to the middle of the foot, making it difficult to spin but easier to make quick reflex movements.
- Function – Hockey skates have a short, steeply curved blade and thick boots made from synthetic materials. This makes it easy for hockey skaters to achieve high speed on the ice and start, stop or turn quickly. The recreational figure skates have longer, gently curved blades with toe picks and leather boots that aid the skater to make jumps, spins, and the other graceful movements associated with figure skating. The boots provide the needed support the skater needs while skating.
- Size – The sizes of both skates range from young to adult and are available in men’s and women’s styles. Hockey skates for women are sized differently from that of men and are usually narrower to fit the shape of the average woman’s foot. Although male and female figure skates are sized differently as in hockey skates, they both come in the same standard widths.
- Types – Hockey skates and figure skates both come in different types. Hockey skates are built and designed to allow for fast movements as in the forwards who wear lighter skates and stiffer in the defensemen to block off the puck. The goalies wear skates having lower boots and wider blades so that they can move from side to side easily when blocking shots. The figure skates are made for freestyling and synchronized skating. For freestyle skaters, the blade is longer than in those worn for ice skating or synchronized skating. The blade tail is also shorter to prevent skaters from accidentally stepping on other skaters’ blades.
- Considerations – Figure skates are shaped to evenly distribute the skater’s weight over the foot, thus encouraging proper balance while on the ice. First-time skaters are usually advised to avoid using toe picks to push or stop themselves while skating. Since hockey skates have more steeply curved blades, they are not recommended for novices and first-time skaters. Unless the skater is comfortable on inline roller skates, which have similar weight distribution to hockey skates, it may be difficult to adapt and balance on hockey skates. Skaters who use or have used inline roller skates will also understand the reason they need to push and stop with the blade length while skating.
Should I Get Recreational Ice Skates or Hockey Skates?
Although there are some other factors to consider when getting your skates, the type of skates you get is largely dependent on the type of skating you want to engage in. A beginner would have to learn basic skills such as posture, balance, stroking, and stopping, all of which can be learned using any of hockey skates or recreational ice skates.
If you want to learn several fundamentals of skating, you can do this using figure skates. You should know that the toe picks of your figure skates would need some getting used to. This is because they are more suited to execute jumps and spins. You also cannot use figure skates to play hockey, because the protruded blades may cause bodily injury to the other players. Hockey skates, on the other hand, can be used for figure skating although there would not be rapid progress and you may find the gracefulness associated with figure skating to be lacking.
Another thing to think of when getting your skates is the cost. Figure skates are generally more expensive than hockey skates. Recreational ice skates like figure skates have heels measuring up to one and a half inches. Also, these recreational ice skates usually have leather as the boot material and this requires a high level of maintenance, unlike the hockey skates which are made from synthetic materials like plastic.
Which Ice Skates Are Best for Beginners?
The process of selecting the right skates is an integral part of the skating learning process. Novice skaters usually have trouble skating due to inexperience and sometimes, wearing the wrong sizes of ice skates. This prevents them from being able to make jumps, spins, and other techniques. So, how do you know which skates are perfect for beginners? Here are some categories to know which skates will serve your purposes well.
- Weight: Hockey skates are good choices for beginners because they are light in weight, fast and maneuverable while providing good support for the feet.
- Cost: Based on the cost, hockey skates are good for beginners, being that they cost less than figure skates. You should however be aware that the more expensive ice skates are more comfortable with better ankle support.
- Speed: As a beginner, or someone with the need for speed, ice hockey skates provide the needed acceleration and maximum speed. Its short, curved blade makes it easily maneuverable and convenient for long rides. However, it may take a while to get the balance.
- Comfort and protection: Ice hockey skates provide comfort and better protection. Protection is possible due to the stiff outer covering on the skates. The interior of the skates is also padded properly so that your feet and ankles are comfortable.
- Tricks and figures: Perhaps you are a beginner looking to make figures and tricks on the ice. Figure skates are your best bet at achieving these figures. The toe picks on the skates allow you to make several techniques, these toe picks may number up to four on the blades of the figure skates.
- Safety: Figure skates have longer blades as well as toe picks, making it easier for beginners to find balance with them. This makes them feel safe and progresses faster.
Beginners often consider figure skates to be a better option than hockey skates because they feel more stable in them. Figure skates have longer blades with toe picks and tails that guide the skater. These skates can be used to carry out precision and acrobatic moves.
For a beginner, you should not rule out the option of hockey skates, especially if you are looking for speed. Also with hockey skates, there is no risk of using toe picks for propulsion. Hockey skates are lighter in weight, so you can practice for longer durations. Hockey skates are designed and shaped to perform quick reflex movements like stopping or starting fast as well as changing directions fast.
However, you should know that there is no perfect skate. If you are still not sure about the type of ice skates to buy as a beginner, you may want to consider renting a pair of skates at your local rink store to know which will suit your taste more.
Taking Care of Your Ice Skates
Regardless of your choice of ice skates, skates are an essential part of your skating activity and as such require to be taken care of promptly and regularly serviced. Skates do not require much and are easy to look after.
- Ensure that you sharpen your blades regularly as dull blades do not work well on ice. You can choose to sharpen them after every five outdoor sessions. For indoor sessions, they do not need to be sharpened as often as when they are used outdoors.
- Make sure to thoroughly dry your blades after practice and before putting on the blade guards.
- Make sure to wear your skate guards when you are walking off the ice.
- Carry your skates in a bag to prolong their use and protect them.
- Protect your blades with soakers when placed in a bag.
Conclusion
Now you are a step closer to getting the ice skates that are more suited to your preferences. We hope that this has helped you make more sense of both types of ice skates. Choose the right skate for the sport you intend to use it for. Whether you decide to get recreational ice skates or hockey skates, make sure that you take care of them and clean them regularly to keep them in good shape.
