Choosing skates for boys

Ice skating is an active and fun pastime that will appeal to every child, both boy and girl. Some people see ice skating as a way to have a good weekend, while others go in for ice skating at a professional level, attending hockey or figure skating classes.

The first thing that your child needs to get for any of these activities is high-quality skates. Many people think that all children's models are produced unisex, but this is not so. Skates for boys differ from models for girls in terms of color palette, external design and even features of their construction. In this article we will talk about how to choose skates for boys.

First of all, you need to figure out what types of skates for boys are. There are three main types of skates.

• Figure skating - designed for figure skating. The rigid construction of the boot fixes it firmly on the foot, so that when performing complex tricks, jumps and pirouettes, stretching or dislocation is excluded. The special shape of the serrated blade is necessary for performing a variety of elements on ice, it is longer and wider than on other types of skates. The construction of the boot assumes the presence of a heel for proper weight distribution.

• Hockey - sports modelsintended for hockey. The construction of the boot is made of dense material with special protection and reinforced toe and heel. Wide blades are cast and removable.

• Amateur (walking) - a model specially designed for amateur ice skating. The boot is made of soft to medium hardness material, which makes riding as comfortable as possible.

The separation of ice skates occurs in connection with the different scope of their application. For a different riding style, different requirements are imposed on sports equipment - the shape of the blade, the level of sharpening, the presence of a heel, external protection, and more.

It is generally accepted that children's skates are produced for children aged 5 and older. This is not entirely correct. Children's models are produced even for the smallest; you can find skates on the shelves of sports shops for children aged 3-4 years.

Depending on the age of the child, skates are:

• for children (for children 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 years old);

• teenage (for children 11, 12, 13 and 14 years old).

Recently, children's sliding skates have become popular, in which, if necessary, the size of the boot can be increased. This option is suitable for those who are going to purchase a walking option for a boy. Such models are not suitable for professional ice training.

Among the wide selection of manufacturers of children's skates for boys, models of several brands are in great demand.

• Walking skates TechTeam Rich Boy. Sliding model of a Russian brand made of imitation leather with fur and foam inner insulation. The blade is made of stainless steel. The sliding mechanism makes the purchase durable. Fixed on the leg with lacing and buckle.

• Children's sliding skates Action Boy. A walking model with an improved last is ideal for recreational ice skating. The blade is made of carbon steel. The outer casing is made of durable two-component plastic, the inside is insulated with foam rubber.

• Children's figure skates Graf Etude Jr. Made of genuine leather with a medium-hard boot. The interior is made of special breathable fabric. Comfort last and lightweight outsole provide maximum comfort during your workouts. Ideal for beginners.

• MaxCity Ottawa ice hockey skates. Men's model made of mixed synthetics with a plastic sole. The blade is made of stainless steel. Attached to the leg with lacing.

When choosing skates for boys, you must follow the same principles as when buying a model for an adult. First, you need to decide which model your child needs - hockey, figure skating or walking version. And you also need to know what level of training your child has.

Whichever ice skates you choose, there are a few things to look out for when choosing your boy's equipment.

1. If you choose a model for playing hockey, the main thing is that the skates are equipped with good protection for the legs - a reinforced boot, a strong blade. For novice children, it makes no sense to purchase the most expensive models, it is enough to choose a high-quality pair of shoes with good technical indicators.

2. For a boy who is engaged in figure skating, it is necessary to choose skates with a long wide blade, stable and maneuverable enough to perform tricks. Not only the presence of teeth is checked, but also the ability to stand on tiptoe in them.

3. Those who want to buy walking skates for boys need to choose models that are comfortable to wear with a warm boot. The boot should be non-rigid, made of durable material, insulated with an inner boot. The blade is better to choose from carbon steel.

4. Children's models are mainly produced in the following sizes: for the smallest - 24-27, 28, 29; for children 6-10 years old - 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36; for teenagers - 37, 38, 39. It is important to make a fitting before buying skates. After the child puts them on, let them walk around in them for a couple of minutes to make sure they are not crushing. You should buy skates in size and size. If the model is not insulated, immediately measure it on a warm sock.In no case should you take skates for growth, since it is traumatic for the child.

5. Check out the method of fixing the leg in the boot. The best option is lacing with additional fixation with Velcro or buckle.

6. Consider the child's wishes when choosing a design. Models with bright and interesting designs are available for boys.