Most bad days on the ice have nothing to do with talent. They come from skates that are too big, laced wrong or dull. Here is how to choose a pair, make sure it fits and keep the blades in shape, whether you skate once a month or three times a week.

Rent or buy?

Renting makes sense for a first try or an occasional outing. But rental skates are often worn, and not every arena rents them. If you skate more than a handful of times a season, your own pair will be more comfortable and will make learning easier. Second-hand skates are a good, inexpensive option, especially for children who change size every year, as long as the boot is still stiff around the ankle and the blade has plenty of steel left.

Hockey skates or figure skates?

  • Hockey skates have a shorter, more curved blade and a stiff, protective boot. They turn quickly and are the norm for shinny and stick and puck. Many recreational skaters use them for public skating too.
  • Figure skates have a longer, flatter blade with a toe pick at the front. They feel more stable for some beginners because more of the blade touches the ice, but the toe pick can catch if you lean forward.
  • Recreational skates (soft boots, often with buckles) are comfortable but give less ankle support.

For drop-in hockey and stick and puck, choose hockey skates. For public skating, pick whichever feels more natural to you.

How a skate should fit

Skates are usually not sized like shoes. Hockey skates in particular often run one to one and a half sizes smaller than street shoes, though it varies by brand. Always try them on, with the socks you will skate in.

  • Length: with the skate unlaced, slide your foot forward until your toes touch the front. You should be able to fit roughly one finger, not more, behind your heel. Once laced, your toes should just brush the front of the boot when you stand, and pull back slightly when you bend your knees.
  • Heel: the heel should stay locked in the pocket when you bend your knees and rise on your toes. A heel that lifts means blisters and wobbly ankles.
  • Width: snug but not painful. Your foot should not slide side to side, and you should not feel sharp pressure points.
  • For children: resist buying more than half a size to grow into. A skate that is too big is harder to skate in than a skate that is a little tight.

Lacing

  • Leave the bottom eyelets, over the toes, fairly loose so blood can circulate.
  • Pull firmly across the middle of the foot and the ankle, where support matters most.
  • Snug the top eyelets enough that you can still bend your knees forward. Some skaters leave the very top eyelet open for more flex.
  • Do not wrap the laces around the ankle. It cuts off circulation and reduces support.

If your feet go numb or cramp after a few minutes, loosen the laces over the toes and the top of the foot before blaming the skates.

Sharpening

Skate blades are not flat: they are ground with a shallow hollow along the bottom, which creates two edges. Those edges are what let you grip the ice, push and stop. When they are dull, your skates slide out sideways and stopping becomes hard.

  • New skates usually need a first sharpening before you use them; ask the store.
  • How often: it depends on how much you skate and on the ice. A common rule of thumb for recreational skaters is every 10 to 20 hours of ice time. If you feel your skates slipping when you push or stop, it is time.
  • Hollow depth: a deeper hollow bites more (better for quick turns, harder to glide); a shallower hollow glides more. Most sporting goods stores use a middle setting for recreational skaters. Tell the person sharpening your skates how you skate and let them recommend one.
  • Check the edges: run a fingernail lightly across the edge (not along it). A sharp edge shaves a little off; a dull one slides.

Figure skates need a sharpener who knows how to work around the toe pick. Not every store offers it.

Care

  • Wear hard guards when you walk off the ice. Concrete, tiles and grit damage edges in seconds.
  • Dry the blades with a cloth as soon as you are off the ice.
  • At home, take the skates out of the bag and leave them to air dry, with soft blade covers (soakers) or no covers at all. Hard guards trap water and cause rust.
  • Check the rivets and the blade holders now and then; a loose blade is dangerous.

Rules, fees and equipment requirements vary from one arena to another. Before you go, check the session details on the arena's official page, linked from every arena on this site.