How to choose skates for beginners: tips and tricks

One of the favorite entertainment in the winter is skating. Many people spend their evenings on ice rinks. Fans of ice entertainment sooner or later will have to think about buying their own skates. And there are a number of reasons for this. However, beginners are worried about the question: "How to choose skates for beginners?" After all, this is a purchase for several years.

Why should you buy your own skates, and not use rolling

• Hygiene. In the boot, there will be only a foot of a rider, therefore, there is no risk of infection with the fungus.
• Do not have to sweat in plastic bags, which are offered in many rentals instead of hygienic sock.
• Skates will be matched exactly in size and eventually spread to the foot of their owner.
• There will be no binding to the ice arenas with hire. Often, small free areas are equipped in yards and parks. However, without their skates there is nothing to do.
• If you visit the rink often, you can run an impressive amount for using shoes.

The main reasons are clear. The only benefit of renting: here the beginner can decide what he likes (or on his leg). Even a little experience will help to solve the question: "What skates for beginners?"

Types of skates

Probably everyone paid attention to the fact that the shoes of skaters are not the same as those of hockey players. Skates of the latter are very different from skating, etc. For each sport suits its own shoes. Depending on the type of load, different blades are used, the methods of sharpening, even the appearance of the boot is strikingly different.

There are 3 basic types of ice skates: hockey, figure skating and speed skating. Also this list is often supplemented by amateur (or pleasure) and children's. Which skates are better for beginners? To answer this question, you need to consider the characteristics of each type of ice shoes.

Hockey skates

Here everything is aimed at protecting the feet. Everyone knows that hockey is a rather aggressive and traumatic sport. There are frequent blows with a stick or on the board, it happens that the puck hits the leg. Shoes must protect the player from all these troubles. Therefore, comfort is often sacrificed to safety. Hockey skates are quite solid, they are made of synthetic materials and have rigid inserts in the most open places. They always have a strong sock (it is made of plastic). On the other hand, the hard shoe provides good support for the foot and ankle, fixes the leg in the correct position.

Another requirement that the game makes to shoes is speed and maneuverability. Therefore, the blades of the skates have the shape of an arc, and they also have no teeth. This allows you not to cling to the ice, even with very sharp turns. The smaller the area of contact with ice, the more mobile the player is. However, it will be more difficult to keep the balance.

How to choose skates for beginners to play hockey? If you plan to ride on open skating rinks, then do not buy professional shoes. It is designed for temperatures up to -5. In severe frosts, the outer layer can crack. For outdoor games it is better to choose models from semi-professional and amateur collections. These shoes can withstand 20-degree frosts without the slightest damage. In addition, they are insulated, in contrast to professional. They put a warm insole, sewn on the edge, there are tabs that protect feet from frost. You can ask the sellers in the store which skates for beginners will be optimal.

Similar results. This is not the most suitable option for beginners, since it is quite difficult to keep the balance in hockey skates, so first there will be a lot of falls. But if a person is going to run on the ice with a stick, then you need to start in the appropriate shoes. If you already have some experience, you can safely buy hockey skates, because it is in them that you can perform various turns and some tricks, develop a great speed and quickly drop it. In other words, they provide more freedom of action.

Figure skates

Provide greater stability on the ice due to the long straight blade, which protrudes from the heel line by 2-2.5 cm. There are teeth in front, allowing you to stand on tiptoe and perform steps, jumps and complex pirouettes. However, it is this element that causes a lot of inconvenience to beginners. Jags can cling to the rough ice of street rollers, which often leads to falls. But in all other skates figured for beginners - the best option.

Make shoes from leather or substitutes. This provides a rigid fixation of the ankle, which will save you from many injuries. However, skates are thin. As a result, it's cold to ride in the frost. The problem can be solved using warm insulated socks. The boot is tall, with a tight lacing, which facilitates the control of movements.

How to choose skates for beginner skaters? Shoes with a sole made of genuine leather should be preferred. It perfectly absorbs moisture, which is very important for long skating.

Before buying, you should check the blades: they need to be bent slightly and let go. The metal must return to its original position. If there is a bend, then the material is used substandard, it is better to choose another pair.

Pleasure skates

One of the most diverse types of shoes for skiing. Models can be similar in appearance to hockey, figure or roller. However, they differ from everyone by a softer and warmer boot. Blades can repeat the form of hockey, but in this case the arc will not be steep. Or figured, then the teeth are either very short, or they are not at all. These skates are designed for those who plan to just skate and enjoy a leisurely walk on the ice, rather than chasing the puck or learning complex pirouettes. In general, an option for most visitors to open skating rinks.

Walking skates are designed for skating with comfort, so they have a softer shoe. Lacing can be classic, and can be used bakli, like the rollers. Then the soft boot will be combined with the plastic one. However, the fasteners can break, and you can replace them only with the ridge. Walking shoes originally designed for great frosts, so you can ride in any weather.

However, increased comfort leads to the fact that the ankle is not so rigidly fixed, and this increases the risk of injury. Also, a soft shoe imposes serious restrictions on the ability to perform pirouettes, jumps and other complex elements. All these features you need to know in order to decide which skates to choose. For beginners, walking is quite suitable.

Children's skates

Babies are offered shoes with a wider and more stable blade. Double skids can also be used. This is the best skate for beginners to ride in the age of 4-5 years. When the child learns a little with a new way of movement, you can buy shoes with a normal narrow blade. In this case, you can use children's sliding skates. Appearance of them reminds amateur. They are suitable for easy skating on the ice. The stock for sliding models is usually 3-5 sizes.

If the child plans to ride more thoroughly, it is better to immediately pick up his figured or hockey skates. Depending on the chosen sport. Allowable stock - no more than 2 sizes. Otherwise, the shoe will hang on the foot, which will result in injury.

Lacing

It is necessary for fixing the foot in the boot. Reliable lacing features skates for beginners. Children may be interested in bright colored shoelaces. After all, they are so nice and interesting to tie! But the optimal solution is the usual cotton laces. Synthetic will be untied, especially in the cold. Fasteners can not always be fitted, and they are rarely located. It's good if the lace holes are located often. This will ensure reliable fixation and protect you from injuries. Not a bad option - a combination: the tank is located at the very top, and the rest is controlled by a string. The boot should sit tight, but do not squeeze the leg. Checking the quality of the lacing is easy: in shoes you can sit down and do not fall back. That, in fact, and all that you need to know about how to choose skates for beginners.

Sharpening

New skates are usually stupid. Before you start skating, take them to sharpening. Do not try to do it yourself, because the procedure is performed on a special machine.

There are 2 ways of sharpening: under the groove and flat stone. In the first case, maneuverability is ensured, the skate can go on the edge, on corners it "bites" into the ice. In the second case - more contact surface with ice, better stability. This is suitable for beginners. Then you can retouch under the groove.

Tips for choosing

There are several recommendations how to choose skates for beginners:

• In the store you need to go with a warm toe and try on shoes with it. Only in this way can you choose the ideal size.
• Children should not buy too large skates. Stock - a maximum of 1-2 sizes. If there is no desire to change them often, then you can purchase sliding ones.
• To understand if skates are suitable, you must always tie them up completely.
• It is desirable to try several pairs. Then it will be clear which shoe fits the foot.
• To understand if it's comfortable in skates, you need to be like them, to squat.

Which skates are better for beginners or where to stop

In this variety it is easy to get confused. Therefore, before choosing skates for beginners, you should determine which type of skating is closer. And from this to start from. So, if ice battles are planned with sticks and washers, then it is hockey skates that should be bought, since no others are able to protect the leg well from injuries and bumps. To perform pirouettes, jumps, writing out complex figures only curly figures are used. The rest will not be able to provide proper stability and fixation of the ankle. However, if there are no special plans, then there will be enough walking.

There is no point in buying expensive skates for beginners. Children will not be stopped by any price tag: the foot will quickly grow. And the amateur is unlikely to visit the ice so often. For beginners to ride on a smooth and level arena the best choice will be figure skates. For street ice hockey or walking with harsh fixation of the ankle. This will avoid injuries and will teach the leg to hold properly.