Getting Your Skates Right
Before You Hit the Ice
The single biggest thing you can do to help your skater succeed is make sure their skates fit properly. Here's what you need to know.
Ill-fitting skates are the #1 barrier to learning
Every season, coaches spend the first several weeks working against equipment rather than with it. Skaters who are fighting their skates — working to stay upright because their boots are too loose, or trying to push through boots with no ankle support — are not developing skating skills. They are developing compensations.
The good news is that this is completely avoidable. Proper skates don't need to be expensive. They just need to fit.
Skates that are too big stall development
It's natural to want to buy skates with room to grow — but buying skates that are too large is the most common mistake parents make, and it has real consequences on the ice.
Thick socks are not a solution either. They take up some space but don't give the foot the snug, structured support the boot is designed to provide — and they cause the leather to stretch faster.
A good rule of thumb: figure skates run 1 to 1.5 sizes smaller than street shoes. A child who wears a size 4 shoe may need a size 2.5 or 3 in skates. Always check the sizing chart for the specific brand.
Not all skates are created equal
The type of skate matters as much as the size. Here's what to look for — and what to avoid.
Lace-up figure skates or hockey skates
Traditional lace-up boots provide the ankle support and snug, even fit required for skill development. Both figure skates and hockey skates work well for CanSkate. Skaters continuing into StarSkate should transition to figure skates.
Plastic adjustable skates with ratchet or buckle closure
These skates — often sold at department stores and big box retailers — look like ice skates but are built more like inline skates. The hard plastic shell does not conform to the foot, the ratchet closure does not provide even support across the ankle, and the adjustable sizing means the fit is always a compromise. They are not suitable for a learn-to-skate program.
Quality used skates
Good used skates are perfectly fine — especially for young children whose feet grow quickly. A well-made used boot in good condition will outperform a cheap new skate every time. Check that the boot still has firm ankle support (it shouldn't fold easily when you squeeze the sides) and that the blades are not rusted and still have sharpening life left in them.
Skates bought at a discount or department store
Inexpensive skates from general retailers are typically made with soft, unsupportive materials that collapse quickly. The blades are often low quality and difficult to sharpen properly. Spending a little more at a dedicated skate or hockey shop makes a significant difference in how the skate performs and how long it lasts.
Sharp blades are not optional
Dull or rusty blades are dangerous and make skating dramatically harder. A skater on dull blades cannot dig into the ice to push, stop, or turn — they are essentially sliding around on flat steel.
New skates also need to be sharpened before use — they are not sharpened at the factory to a usable edge.
Skate fit checklist
Before your skater's first session, run through this list:
- Lace-up boots (figure skate or hockey skate) — no plastic shells or ratchet buckle closures
- Heel sits snugly in the heel cup with little to no lift when walking
- Toes can wiggle but do not slide side to side
- No more than 5–10mm of length beyond the toe (about a finger's width for young children)
- Ankle support is firm — the boot does not fold easily when squeezed
- Blades are sharp and free of rust
- Thin socks or tights only — not thick socks
- CSA-approved hockey helmet (required for all CanSkate and Advanced CanSkate skaters)
Quick do's and don'ts
- Buy lace-up boots from a skate or hockey shop
- Size down 1–1.5 sizes from street shoes
- Consider good quality used skates
- Sharpen blades before the first session
- Wear thin socks or tights
- Ask your coach if you're unsure
- Buy plastic adjustable skates with ratchet closures
- Buy skates that are too big to grow into
- Use thick socks to compensate for poor fit
- Skate on dull or rusty blades
- Assume new skates are already sharp
- Buy skates at a general department store