Professional and semi-professional skates
There is a wide range of equipment for skaters and hockey players. The choice of skates should be done carefully, in addition, there are certain differences between professional and amateur, which are important to consider. We would like to draw your attention to more detailed information about this equipment, its features and selection rules.
Peculiarities
Experienced athletes know how important it is to use professional equipment to show quality results. That is why it is necessary to choose skates tested by time and tests, which will serve for a long time and faithfully. Sports shoes of this type have a number of characteristics and features that distinguish them from their counterparts. The outfit includes boots and two-ribbed blades. For manufacturing, manufacturers choose durable, wear-resistant materials that provide comfort and long service life.
Professional skates meet the following parameters. First of all, several layers of durable natural leather are used for the manufacture, which can stretch and keep warm, while preventing the feet from sweating due to the breathable structure. The lining plays an important role, it is the layer between the foot and the top of the boot, the main task is to prevent chafing and provide comfort.
Professional products are equipped with shock absorption, sometimes inside there is insulation made of faux fur, fabric, and sometimes composite.
As for the sole of professional and semi-professional skates, it is made of plastic or leather. The latter is used much more often because of its naturalness.At the same time, such material is not suitable for severe frosts, since it does not withstand harsh conditions. The plastic sole is suitable for walking skates. A distinctive feature of curly equipment is the presence of long and wide teeth - they provide stability and comfort during training. There is a notch between the two edges of the blades.
How are they different from ordinary skates?
There are some differences between recreational and professional skating that are important to know if you are going to play sports at the highest level. The latter are intended for those who are planning permanent operation, we are talking about skaters and hockey players who are interested in stable, strong and durable equipment. Amateur skates are not suitable for regular use due to the simplicity of construction and inexpensive materials used by manufacturers. They are designed for going to the skating rink in winter, when you want to diversify your leisure time.
It should be noted that professional figure skating products are a work of art. To create them, manufacturers use natural leather, which prolongs the service life and provides the legs with stability due to high-quality fixation.
These skates are able to adapt to the individual characteristics of the athlete's foot, and this is important.
Unlike amateur, professional products have a special design of the inner part. The form has a special roll, designed to evenly distribute the load, so that the athlete can save strength during training and competition. The blade also has certain differences - in professional ones, dense chrome-plated steel is used, and the shape allows you to perform trick elements, which is no less important.
Views
Semi-professional, like professional skates, can be divided into several categories. Hockey equipment is a conventional piece of equipment with a rounded arc blade. Often these are male models that allow you to stay on the ice during blows to the body, it is easy to pick up speed in them and overtake rivals.
Figure skates differ in appearance, teeth are cut in front of the blade so that the athlete can perform various elements and tricks, in addition, the boot is equipped with a small heel, and we are talking not only about women, but also about men. Sprint skates are designed for speed skating, while walking skates are a simplified version of figure skates, so they are chosen by novice athletes.
Top manufacturers
We bring to your attention the top manufacturers of models of professional skates, among them there are both the most expensive and budget options.
American company Bauer known to many, besides, she is engaged in the production of hockey equipment. In the assortment, you can find several lines of adult equipment that show their best characteristics during operation. This is an expensive product, but the investment fully meets all expectations, so many athletes choose this particular company.
The next in the ranking was Graf Topas, which attracts with affordable prices. Here you can find semi-professional skates for beginners. The products have medium rigidity and are ideal for making even complex shapes. The boots have a comfortable shape, reliable fixation of the leg, which is suitable for figure skating. The skates are durable, so they remain presentable during long-term use.
The developers have used high-grade high-carbon steel blades, so the equipment is getting a lot of attention. The products are suitable for beginner skaters.
Edea Motivo Company offers skates for the early years of training to hone single jumps. The equipment has optimal rigidity, reliable fixation of the ankle, while it is light and durable thanks to the leather.Inside there is a soft lining that adjusts to the shape of the foot, so the athlete will not get tired even during long training sessions. The blades are made of stainless steel, thanks to which they do not dull for a long time and demonstrate the best performance.
Of note is the Austrian brand WIFA Prima Set, under which figure skates of the professional category come out. These are universal models for beginner athletes, there is a large selection in the line for children and adolescents, but there is a series for adults. Boots are made of genuine leather and equipped with a sharp alloy steel blade.
Canadian firm Jackson produces elite equipment, which has an improved design, which has reduced weight by 20%. The sole of the boots is non-standard, made of carbon fiber, natural leather and layers of rubber, so the installation of the blades has become simple. These skates are as comfortable and ergonomic as possible.
Nuances of choice
It is not so difficult to make the right choice of professional skates if you follow a few recommendations.
- Of course, the boots must be the right size, so it's best to try on your outfit before buying.
- The lacing is directed from top to bottom, while it should provide the most reliable fixation of the leg.
- If the athlete is a man, it is better to pay attention to stiff boots, but beginners should choose with an average stiffness.
- If you have a size 40 foot, you can trace your feet on a piece of paper and measure the length from tip of toe to heel. If there is asymmetry, take the skates at a higher rate.
- Pay attention to the material from which the boot and the blade are made - this will help you learn about the wear resistance and durability of the product.
Following these guidelines will make it easy to choose your skates.