All about children's ice hockey skates

Full-fledged hockey lessons are impossible without proper equipment. Skates become an important part of the equipment of future athletes, which differ from curly or walking skates. Therefore, it is worth considering what to consider when choosing this inventory, including an overview of products from leading manufacturers.

Children's ice hockey skates are different:

• hard boot;

• the presence of leg protection from blows with a puck or a club;

• stability and good glide on ice;

• a curved blade that allows you to quickly pick up speed while moving;

• lacing ending above the ankle.

Another feature of ice hockey skates is the glass structure. In more expensive and high-quality shoes, it is designed for replaceable blades that are held in place by special retainers. In this case, the player can select the shape of the blade sharpening based on the ice cover and the type of training.

When choosing hockey skates, you need to take into account that these shoes differ in several ways. So, from the standpoint of the quality of the materials and structure used, a number of types are distinguished.

• Amateur models. They are made from faux leather, composite-coated nylon, plastic and a stainless steel blade. Such skates are often equipped with a lightweight monolithic glass. The advantage of this option will be the low price (up to 4000 rubles) and the relative ease of riding, which is beneficial for the smallest athletes and for novice players. They are bought for children at the age of 3.However, it should be borne in mind that such models do not provide side impact protection. Therefore, the risk of injury is higher.

• Semi-professional models are designed for intermediate players. The price for them is in the range of 4-12 thousand rubles. Such models can already be taken by young athletes at the age of 5, 10, 11, as well as professionals for training. They are distinguished from the amateur version by the use of more expensive materials, as well as by the presence of protection from all sides. At the same time, their price remains acceptable.

• Professional skates are made from materials that combine maximum strength with minimum weight. This provides comfort and protection while riding, the ability to use for long workouts, and durability. The only drawback is the high price (from 14,000 rubles).

Some models are designed for thermoforming. They are heated in molding ovens before first use.

Depending on the position of the player, another classification of equipment is also distinguished.

1. Goalkeeper skates. They are expected to be highly durable where impacts are more frequent. The goalkeeper is required to move quickly along the goal. Therefore, his skates are equipped with a long, wide blade with a short heel and minimal curvature.

2. Defender's skates. They do not require much maneuverability, but they do need sufficient protection against impacts.

3. Skates for the striker. They are made lightweight, which adds to the player's agility. But the degree of protection against impact is lower here than in other models.

The size of the skates becomes an important issue in the choice. They are selected based on the width and length of the foot. With a standard foot, you need to focus on sizes D or R. For a full foot, choose E / EE or W, and for a narrow one - C or N.

The best options for children's ice hockey skates are considered products of several brands.

• Bauer Vapor X2.9. It is a lightweight model that provides stability, support and quick acceleration. Skates reliably protect your feet from friction, impact and getting wet.

• CCM JetSpeed ​​FT470 Plus Junior. This model features removable glasses that extend the life of the product in case of damage, ventilation holes that ensure dry feet. And the tabs made of two-component injection felt protect from blows with a puck or a club without losing maneuverability. The use of thermoforming is acceptable.

• Bauer Supreme S29 have been included in the ranking of the best models for several years. In addition to an excellent anatomical fit, the skates are attractive by their stability, protection from mechanical stress, the appearance of sweat odor, and ease of blade replacement.

• CCM Tacks 9060 are popular due to the optimal ratio of price, quality and performance. They have all the properties necessary for the effective play of juniors.

• CCM RibCor 80K Belongs to the elite skate category offering thermoforming, custom fit, agility and lateral stability.

Choosing reliable, durable ice hockey skates, you should not ignore the quality of the laces, on which the keeping of the foot in its place and the comfort of skating depend. Products of several brands are popular.

• Elite Prolace Waxed belong to the category of waxed laces.They are distinguished by a combination of strength and reliability with an affordable price. However, their properties are lost as the wax wears off.

• A & r sports attracted by the price and a variety of colors. The downside is the length and fast abrasion of the wax.

• Proguard manufactures classic laces using wax-free carbon materials. As a result, they are strong, durable, flexible and soft.

• Silfrae Waxed Skate belongs to the category of multisport impregnated laces.

When buying laces, you need to pay attention to their length. It should be sufficient for full lacing of the skates. However, ends that are too long can create inconvenience when riding. To find the best option, you need to focus on the size chart.

When choosing hockey skates for a boy or a girl (and they also play hockey), first of all, you need to focus on size. Shoes should not be overly tight or loose, which will create discomfort when riding, as well as slow down the development of technique... Manufacturers of branded skates use their own dimensional grid, which is different from the designations used for marking regular shoes.

Knowing that in childhood and adolescence, the leg grows quickly, parents try to pick up skates with a margin. However, the difference should not be more than half the size.... Otherwise, the length of the product will not match the foot, which will affect maneuverability. And wearing several pairs of socks will increase the sweating of the legs, reduce their sensitivity, which in the future can cause injuries.

In the process of trying on, you need to make sure of several points.

1. Skates fit well on your feet. In this case, you should wear socks that will be used in training.

2. Between the foot and the insole no empty spaces.

3. The heel is in a stable position. To do this, the foot is pushed back with force until the lacing. When you find free space, it is worth asking for an option that is smaller or designed for a different foot width.

4. Toes in a free position should slightly touch the toe, and when moving forward, maintain a comfortable position.

5. Convenience must be maintained while driving... A feeling of squeezing or excessive freedom in a boot after 5-10 minutes of walking is an excuse to try on skates of a different size.

Since your skates need to fit correctly, you can't buy them without trying them on. Even if the model fits another player with the same foot size, it is not a fact that it will be comfortable for a child. In addition, the preferences of the young hockey player should not be ignored. He can be allowed to choose the design and color of the model.

After choosing skates and accessories, it is important to teach your child how to tie the laces correctly. This is done according to the following scheme:

• the lacing is loosened up to the eyelet, third from the bottom;

• the tongue is pulled out;

• the leg is placed in the skate so that the heel is at the maximum back;

• the laces are tightly tightened from the toe to the bend of the foot;

• above the lacing should be slightly loosened.

Skates are an important part of a hockey player's equipment, the quality of which determines safety, comfort and speed of mastering skating techniques. They differ from walking models in a more rigid boot that provides protection from mechanical injury. Buying hockey skates is impossible without trying on, during which you need to make sure that the shoe matches the parameters of the foot, as well as the comfort and reliability of the product.