What are sliding skates and how to choose them?

Adults and children are very fond of ice skating. This is not only fun and exciting, but also this activity allows you to develop the vestibular apparatus, strengthen the immune system and get the necessary physical activity.

Recently, modern sliding skates have appeared on the sporting goods market. Active use began around 2000. It is these models of transformer skates that have recently become increasingly popular among a significant number of consumers. This is primarily due to the fact that skates like these have the ability to change their size by increasing in length. Since the ability to change the size of the skate boot seems to be very convenient, the demand for sliding skates is quite easy to explain.

The size of a child's foot changes very quickly, parents constantly have to update their shoes and purchase products of more and more sizes. The same goes for ice skating. Since even children's skates are not very cheap, not every family can buy new equipment all the time.

Sometimes parents choose to buy skates that are several sizes larger than the child's foot at a given moment. They want to provide the child with sports equipment for several years at once, but this is strongly discouraged.... This is due to the peculiarities of placing the foot inside the boot.

Advantages of sliding skates.

• Saving the family budget. The purchase of sliding skates is an excellent opportunity to provide a child with sports equipment for a long time immediately, increasing the boots by 2-4 sizes as needed. When buying classic models, a maximum of 2 seasons can be used. And then they become just cramped, and it is not possible to ride in them.
• Comfort and convenience. The inside of the boots is quite soft thanks to the use of textiles. As a result, during the ride there is no pain, the leg is comfortable and comfortable from the very first day. Professional skates are much more rigid, you have to wear out your boots and get used to them.
• Low weight... Sliding models are lighter than other ice shoes. The heaviest are curly skates (their weight is several kilograms), slightly lighter are hockey skates, while the weight of sliding skates starts from a kilogram. Therefore, it is much easier to ride in them, a person feels less tired, more time can be spent on the rink.
• Simple mechanism... Changing the boot size is not at all as difficult as it might seem at first glance. It is quite possible to cope with this task on your own, and there is no need to contact a professional master. It is enough to loosen the retainer, which is located on the sole, and choose the appropriate size. Next, you need to turn the mechanism to ensure reliable fixation of the new size.
• Reliable blades. For the manufacture of blades, stainless or carbon steel is used, they do not require sharpening too often. The design allows you to skate not only on a completely smooth surface of an artificial ice rink, skates show themselves perfectly on the courtyard ice flooring. Whereas ice hockey skates or figured models from such exploitation will quickly become unsuitable for training.
• Comfortable fixation... Different types of fasteners can be used to secure the skates to the foot. Most often, these are Velcro or clips, which are much more comfortable than the usual lacing. They are so easy to use that a child can easily handle them. Thanks to a special retainer, it is possible to adjust the degree of tightness of the boot and securely fix the ankle. This avoids possible injury. Some models, along with Velcro or clips, are additionally equipped with lacing so that the reliability of fixing the leg does not cause any doubts.
• Robust construction and materials used... The heel and toe of the ice boot are thickened for maximum rigidity. The shoe itself is made from modern synthetic materials. This raw material has the ability to tolerate temperature extremes without problems and have increased moisture resistance. The side parts are equipped with plastic pads, which, forming a rigid frame, serve as additional protection against injuries and impacts.

But, despite all the above advantages, sliding skate models have certain disadvantages.

• Not a very good product design. This is due to the location of the skate blade. In front of the product, the blade is bent upward, while backward it does not protrude (like in curly models). Thanks to the protruding part of the figure skate blade, it is much easier for even an inexperienced child to maintain balance on the ice and not fall on the ice. As for the hockey models, there are also no protruding runners, but there is good balance and the center of gravity does not shift.In some sliding models, the boot transforms, in which case the center of gravity shifts towards the heel. And this can lead to an unpleasant fall on your back, which in turn can cause quite serious injury.
• Inconvenient insole. The point is that the skate insole consists of two separate parts. When the lock is at the minimum size, it has no effect on riding comfort. However, when it is necessary to increase the size and the shoe moves apart, a gap forms between the two parts of the insole. It is he who can cause discomfort. To remedy this situation, some manufacturers offer to purchase additional removable insoles that fit the new boot size. But this requires separate financial costs. If a fairly cheap model is purchased, then you need to be prepared that during operation it is quite possible that bumps and folds on the insoles may appear.
• Plastic clasps. In inexpensive models, the fasteners may not be reliable enough. Since they are made of plastic, they can break from time to time.
• Not intended for professional sports. Sliding ice skates are a great option for recreational skating on a walk, but they are completely unsuitable for very active workouts and professional sports activities. It is impossible to perform figure skating elements and jumps in them or use them as running skates.

Manufacturers currently offer a wide range of skates. They differ in form, type, purpose and capabilities.

By design, the following types of skates are distinguished:

• curly;
• cross-country;
• hockey;
• walking (amateur).

Depending on the manufacturer, the minimum size for sliding skates is 15-16 centimeters, while the maximum is 26-27 centimeters. But this does not mean that one pair can be increased from the minimum size to the maximum.

Each manufacturer has its own gradation, but usually the entire range of sizes is subdivided into several categories:

• baby (25-29 size, 26-29 size, 27-30 size);
• teenage (Size 30-33, size 32-35, size 34-37);
• female (35-38 size, 36-40 size);
• male (Size 38-41, size 39-42 and up).

Adults love ice skating as much as children. The time spent with the whole family at the rink is a great outdoor activity.

Adult skates are categorized into three main types based on size and appearance:

• male (dark shades: black, gray, blue, brown);
• female (light or bright colors: white, beige, red, blue, pink and others);
• teenage (any shades depending on the preferences of the teenager).

For children, especially those who are completely unable to skate, two-skate skates are a good choice. Their main advantage and advantage is that two blades are located in parallel on the product. They are very comfortable, put on over children's shoes. To adjust the size of the product, a movable design of the heel of the ridge is used. In a growing child, the foot grows quickly, so retractable systems are in great demand.

Children's skates of this type are very stable. Falling while riding such models is almost impossible. They are safe enough, because you cannot develop too much speed on two blades. Ice skates with a sliding structure are often purchased for children. They are very similar to rollers. If the child already knows how to roller skate well, then there should be no problems with skates.

The most famous manufacturers of sliding skates are Rollerblade, Fila, K2, Bladerunner and many others.

Among the most demanded global companies, companies such as WIFA, Mission, Graf, Bauer, Jackson, Risport and others.

• According to consumer reviews, the children's model FILA J-One Ice HR perfectly combines an affordable price and high quality (colors for boys and girls, reliable sliding mechanism, frost resistance up to -25 degrees).

• Another popular model of sliding skates is HUDORA Comfort... The manufacturer provides for the possibility of adjusting not only the size, but also the width of the boot. There is also a three-step fastening system that provides a secure fit. In addition, the model has very high quality 3M-Thinsulate thermal insulation.

• Inexpensive model of sliding skates Explore deluxe provides the ability to adjust the size using a push-button system. The blade is made of carbon steel. Suitable for children from 3 years of age.

In order for sliding skates to please more than one year, it is necessary to seriously approach their choice. When purchasing this sports equipment, you should pay attention to several aspects:

• materials;
• price;
• the size;
• appearance;
• manufacturing company;
• fastening system;
• sliding mechanism;
• moisture resistance;
• frost resistance;
• shape and length of the blades.

To avoid possible injuries while riding, you must adhere to a few simple rules.

First of all, the leg should fit comfortably inside the boot of the ice shoe... If we are talking about children's models, then you need to monitor the growth of the child's foot. And if necessary, before a sports activity, push the product one size up. But we must not forget that the boot should tightly fit the child's foot.

It is necessary to monitor the blades of the product. Depending on the manufacturer, the cost, the specific model and the degree of activity of the classes, sharpening must be done at different intervals. In some cases, new skates need to be sharpened.

The skating rink allows the whole family to receive a charge of positive energy and joyful emotions. And sliding modern skates are very practical and comfortable when it comes to recreational skating for your own pleasure.