One you have selected a brand, a proper size must be selected and
a proper fitting made.
SIZING AND FITTING
Please do not buy skates that a larger than the child's foot, so the
child can grow into them. To size the skate properly, use a foot measuring
device to determine length and width of the foot. For skate brands
Bauer, CCM, Nike-Bauer, Reebok, and skate sizes are usually one size
to a size and a half lower than shoe sizes (Shoe Size 3 = Skate Size
2 or 1.5). Easton is a half size down. Mission and Torpso skates sizes
are the same as shoe sizes. Fitting the skates will determine what
is best.
When the skates are tried on, please use socks that will be used
all the time so that the fit will always be the same. Buying several
pairs of the same sock is advised.
To fit the skates, have the skater place the feet in untied skates,
and push foot forward so that the toes touch the front of the skate.
This is best done by kicking the toe of the boot on the ground.
There should be no more than a one forefinger width space between
the heel and the back of the boot. This method helps to overcome
size discrepancies found when using shoe or skate measuring devices
or guessing at shoe or foot size.
The feet in the skates should feel comfortable. While in the store,
have the skater walk around in tied up skates to make sure there
are no pressure points being pressed on the sides, front and top
of toes, ankles and heel.
Additional details on proper sizing and fitting and putting on
hockey skates can be found below:
WHERE TO BUY SKATES AND SKATE SHARPENING
It is important to buy skates where they will sharpen them before
you leave the store. All new hockey skates have flat blades and cannot
be used until a hollow with edges is made by grinding. If you buy
at store that does not sharpen, you will have to trek to a store location
that does so.
Here are links to an informative article and a video on skate sharpening.
PLACES WHERE YOU CAN BUY AND SHARPEN SKATES IN NYC
Below are stores where you can buy hockey skates and have them sharpened.
Westside Skate & Stick
New York City
174 Fifth Avenue, Suite 504
(btw 22nd & 23rd St.)
New York, NY 10010-5930
Phone: 212-228-8400
Fax: 212-675-2147 http://www.westsideskate.com
This is a high end skate shop. They are the best in NYC for skate
sharpening. They sell pricey, high end skates and hockey goods. Mention
you were sent from Riverbank Hockey and they will give a $5 discount
on their excellent sharpening when you bring skates there. You can
also purchase the high end Maximum Edge Profiling Service.
Store Hours:
10a.m. to 8p.m.
Sunday 11:00a.m. to 7:00p.m.
Sharpening Cost: $10.
Paragon is pricey but usually has a sale on high quality youth
skates at the beginning of the season in September. Skates purchased
at Paragon may come with life-time free skate sharpening. Please
ask sales personnel. Sharpening as a craft is not paramount here.
The sharpening done is enough to get an two edges to go on the ice.
Sharpening Cost:
New Hockey Skates - $15
Previously Sharpened Hockey Skates - $8
Pricey pro shop. Other stores have lower prices for the same items.
Sharpening depends on who does it. A few questions to the person
on duty about sharpening (using the info in the articles about profiles,
edges, rockers and so on) will give you an idea of what quality
sharpening will be provided.
Store Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 9:00am - 9:30pm
Sunday: 10:00am - 8:00pm
Holiday hours may vary.
Sharpening Cost: $3:00
High to moderate prices. Sharpening quality is unknown and at three
dollars the most one can expect is that there are two edges. Manhattan
stores may have sharpening. Please call Manhattan stores to check
if they have a sharpening machine and if it is working.
Modells
Modells sells hockey skates but they do not sharpen. If you have one
close to you and do not mind going elsewhere to have the skates sharpened,
Modells is an option.
Riverbank State Park
The park will lend skates for free at each practice for that session
only. It is a hassle to do so on a congested Saturday morning. Please
know that these rental skates have little or no ankle support for
hockey skating. It simply more convenient and cheaper in the long
run if one attends public session skating to buy tie up hockey skates
Non-rental hockey skates can be sharpened at Riverbank. There is
no charge for hockey participants. However, seasonal park staff
will sharpen them on one assigned day and time only as determined
by the Rink Director, Darcel Michel, and only during the season
and not before. Last season, that day was Wednesday between 4:30
to 7:00 PM. This season, that day and time has not been determined.
To be used for general sharpening only and is similar to Paragon,
and Sports Authority.
