Hockey Skate Sizing Guide & Chart - How to Fit Hockey Skates

Published 27th February 2024

Hockey skates stand as perhaps the most crucial gear for any hockey player. Optimal size, style, and fit of your skates directly influence your speed, accuracy, and shots. Mastering skating lays the foundation for becoming a dominant force on the ice. Embark on your path to becoming an exceptional skater and highly-skilled hockey player with the right skates and perfect fit. Our guide is tailored to aid you in finding those ideal skates that will elevate your skating prowess. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about:

* Hockey Skate Sizing

* Hockey Skate Toe Space

* Properly Fitted Skates

* Finding Your Fit

* Anatomy of a Hockey Skate

* Hockey Skate Insoles

* Hockey Skate FAQ's

Hockey Skate Sizing

We frequently encounter a common issue: players donning ill-fitting skates. Especially for novice skaters entering the game, improperly sized skates can lead to nerve-wracking and discouraging experiences, fostering feelings of inadequacy or a lack of progress. The challenge often boils down to the size of their skates, with oversized skates being a prevalent culprit. Getting the right size is pivotal for an enjoyable and successful skating experience.

Skate Sizing Charts

A properly-fitted skate will actually be about 1 to 1.5 sizes smaller than your shoe size. Most manufacturers use this sizing formula. Yet, while this is the general rule, it’s important to keep in mind that not all skates are sized the same. Typically, if you wear a men’s shoe size: 11, you should try skates in a size: 10 or 9.5

Hockey Skate Sizing Chart

If this is the first time you’re buying skates, or if you not sure what size you are in a particular brand, referencing a sizing chart is a good place to start. Note: If you’re sizing for a child, it’s common to get a larger pair of skates for them to grow into. However, if you plan on going larger, it’s recommended you only go a half size bigger for that extra room – going any bigger will be very uncomfortable and can cause blistering and a premature breakdown of the skate boot.

Hockey Skate Toe Space

When you put your foot inside the skate, your toes should barely touch the toe cap without the skates being laced up. At first, this may seem like the skate is too small, but remember that when you fully lace up your skates and stand up, your heel will sit further back in the heel pocket, which will move your toes back just enough so they’ll no longer be brushing the inside of the toe cap. The result? A perfect fit!

Properly Fitted Skates

Beyond brand, style, or look, the single most important part in choosing skates – is THE FIT! Your skates need to fit properly in order for you to skate at your full potential. But what exactly makes a skate fit well? There are two things you need to look at in terms of skate fit: size and boot construction.

Size

Skaters frequently end up with ill-fitting skates because they typically need to purchase a size smaller than their regular shoe size, which may seem counterintuitive. However, it's essential to note that the correctly sized skate ensures comfort and safety on the ice, ultimately boosting skating performance. Stay with us as we make the case for purchasing a smaller skate than your regular shoe size and explore why it's beneficial for your skating experience.

TOO BIG: If your skates are too big, your foot will move inside and you won’t be able to skate as fast. You’ll also likely be in a skate that’s not very comfortable, and the chance of blistering and potential for injury are both greatly increased with skates that are too big.

TOO SMALL: If your skates are too small, your feet will cramp and the skate will be very tight uncomfortable, affecting your ability to skate fast and precisely.

Boot Construction

Boot construction is important when choosing your skates for a number of reasons. Skate manufacturers offer many different styles of skates that cater to virtually all foot shapes. These days, brands make skates that are deep and wide in one style, with a variation that’s narrow, with less volume in another. Some brands even carry variations in between those – so with a little bit of time (and perhaps trying on a few different brands and models), you can find the best skate, with the perfect fit, for your foot.

Pro Tip: if your foot is wide, you want to find a skate model that’s specifically for wide feet. And try to resist the urge to just wear what your favorite player wears or endorses, unless that happens to be the right style for your foot!

Finding Your Fit

Finding a skate that will accommodate your foot in three different areas is key. You want to look at:

* the width of the forefoot

* the depth of the heel

* the volume of your overall foot – note: volume isn’t the size of the skate, but more about the dimensions of the boot. Manufacturers offer so many different styles, it’s generally best to figure out what type of foot you have, and then look at skates that will accommodate your foot profile.

Hockey Skate Width

Once you’ve determined what sized skate you need, you also need to know what your width ratio is. Width ratio tells you how wide and what the depth of your foot is. You find your width ratio by dividing the length of your foot by the width. This gives you a good idea of how wide your foot is in comparison to how long it actually is.

A general idea of how width ratio relates to skate size follows:

TRADITIONAL – WIDTH RATIO OF LESS THAN 2.5

* FOREFOOT: WIDE

* HEEL: DEEP

* VOLUME: HIGH

CONTURED – WIDTH RATIO BETWEEN 2.5 – 3.0

* FOREFOOT: STANDARD

* HEEL: STANDARD

* VOLUME: MEDIUM

TAPERED – WIDTH RATIO GREATER THAN 3.0

* FOREFOOT: NARROW OR SLIGHTLY NARROW

* HEEL: SHALLOW/NARROW

* VOLUME: LOW

Forefoot

Ensuring your skate matches the width of your forefoot is crucial for comfort. It should fit snugly without being overly tight. If you have naturally wide feet, opting for a traditional skate with a wider forefoot is advisable. Additionally, consider your width ratio: the smaller the ratio, the wider forefoot you'll require. This guide will help you make an informed decision for a comfortable and well-fitted skate.

Heel

The heel of a hockey skate corresponds to the depth of the skate boot, offering options like deep, standard, and narrow heels. It plays a critical role in securing the back of your foot within the boot, ensuring a snug fit. Your heel should feel firmly "locked" into the boot, with no slipping. It's essential to try on models designed for your specific heel type to achieve optimal fit and performance.

Volume

When discussing hockey skates, volume refers to the dimensions of the boot rather than its size. Wider feet typically require high-volume skates, while narrower feet are better suited to low-volume skates. Understanding volume is essential for finding the right fit and ensuring comfort and performance on the ice.

If you have a naturally-wide foot, you should try on a skate with a traditional fit. You don’t want to try on a boot built for a thin, tapered foot if you have larger and wider feet.

Anatomy of a Hockey Skate

Now that you've determined the size and fit suitable for your feet, it's time to select a skate from the lineup based on stiffness, key features, and cost. With a wide array of skate options varying in fit and material, understanding the anatomy of a hockey skate is crucial. This knowledge enables you to distinguish and identify each specification among skate models. Even if you're considering purchasing the latest top-of-the-line skate available, it may not necessarily be the ideal choice for you. Let's delve into the components that comprise a skate.

Hockey Skate Components

A hockey skate is built with 3 main pieces:

* a plastic holder

* a steel runner

* a skate boot

The style and construction of holders and runners will vary depending on the manufacturer and brand, but they all serve the same purpose: to provide free movement on the rink.

Holder

The holder constitutes one of the fundamental components in the trio that makes up the skate. It's a molded plastic piece securely riveted to the bottom of the skate boot. Typically, steel runners are affixed to the holders using screws or other fastening mechanisms. This pivotal part directly influences stability and maneuverability on the ice, making it essential to understand its role in skate construction.

Runner

The second of the two basic components. The runner is what you may think of as the “blade” on the skate. It’s the steel strip that actually makes contact with the surface of the ice. Runners are securely inserted into the molded plastic holder that’s affixed to the boot.

Boot

The skate boot, as the name suggests, is the part of the skate that resembles a shoe. These boots are technologically advanced, crafted with intricate design and manufacturing techniques. Comprising multiple pieces, they're constructed from various materials, each impacting quality and pricing differently. Understanding the composition of the skate boot is crucial for selecting a pair that meets your performance and budgetary requirements.

Pay close attention to the materials used when deciding on which skate you’ll buy. Key features of a skate boot are:

* the quarter package

* ankle padding

* heel support

* tongue

* outsole

* footbed

* the liner (inside the boot)

As you play more hockey, you’ll become more familiar with skates. Ultimately, you’ll get to know what set of features are most beneficial to your skating style, and you’ll learn what to look for when purchasing your next set of skates.

Get Comfortable with Your Insole

If you’re not sure what type of arch you have, determining this is relatively simple with an easy test. All you need is a glass of water, a pan, and a piece of cardboard.

1. Place the cardboard and pan on a flat surface on the ground.

2. Pour the water inside the pan, remove your shoes/socks, and place your foot inside of the pan.

3. Lift your foot out of the pan and make sure water isn’t dripping everywhere – you want just enough so the bottom of your foot is wet.

4. Step on the piece of cardboard as if you were standing normally.

5. Step off the cardboard and inspect the wet imprint. What does your footprint look like?

Use the image below as an easy guide to determine if you have a low, normal, or high arch.

Knowing your arch type means you can have better support inside your skates. Buying an after-market foot bed designed specifically for your arch type will enhance the overall feel and fit of your skate. It adds more points of contact between the bottom of your foot and the insole/outsole of the skate, which will give you superior, more efficient energy transfer. It will also feel more comfortable and should help prevent the arch of your foot from cramping up when skating.

Hockey Skate FAQs

How do you fit kids for youth hockey skates?

Fitting youth hockey skates is straightforward. They should typically be 1 to 1.5 sizes smaller than the child’s regular street shoes. The toes should lightly touch the toe cap, leaving no more than a quarter-inch of space in the heel area. When laced up, the skates should feel comfortably snug without being overly tight. Considering the rapid growth of children's feet, it's acceptable to opt for a half size larger, but avoid going any bigger to prevent blisters and premature wear of the boots.

Are ice skates the same size as shoes?

Ice skates are not the same size as street shoes. You should wear skates that are about 1 – 1.5 sizes smaller than the normal-size shoe you wear.

Do hockey skates run big?

Hockey skates do run big in comparison to street shoes. You want to find a pair that’s about 1 – 1.5 sizes smaller than your normal shoe size.

What is the width of a hockey skate blade?

The width of a regular hockey player’s skate blade (or runner) is about ⅛" wide. Note that goalie blades are generally wider than this.

How tight should hockey skates fit?

Hockey skates should offer a snug fit without causing discomfort. When unlaced, your toes should lightly touch the toe cap. Once fully laced and standing in your skates, your heel should feel snug in the heel pocket while leaving a bit of space at the end for your toes. This balance ensures both comfort and optimal performance on the ice.

What are the different fit types in hockey skates?

Hockey skates come in three basic fit types: tapered/narrow, contoured/anatomical, classic/comfort. There are benefits to each that relate to your foot’s instep, heel, toe, and volume.

What is the difference between lace styles?

Skate laces come in two different styles: waxed and non-waxed. Waxed laces can help you get your skates tighter.

What can I do about lace bite?

Even experienced players can end up with lace bite when breaking in a new pair of skates. Lace bite can happen when skates are tied too tightly, causing hot spots or blisters. Changing how you tie your skates or placing a gel pad over the issue are simple ways to fix lace bite.

Should I use soft or hard blade covers?

Blade covers are available in both hard and soft styles. Hard covers are suitable for younger players as they provide protection for their skates when walking across parking lots and rink lobbies. On the other hand, soft covers offer superior benefits. The inner terrycloth liner in soft covers absorbs moisture and water from melting ice, effectively preventing rusting and prolonging the lifespan of the blades.