When it comes time to turn the clocks back an hour, most people begin to shudder at the reality of winter closing in around them. Winter is typically a time of extreme cold, snow, ice, and discomfort. Even though, every now and then, a snow day can be fun, for most people, inclement weather is just another thing they hate about the cold season. Among making most aspects of your life more complicated, winter can make staying in great shape a real challenge. In addition to frosty mornings that make staying in bed seem like a better option than going to the gym, the winter holidays are often fraught with overindulgence. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, you’re likely to be eating a wide variety of rich and fatty foods, and probably drinking a lot more, too! In fact, you’re probably among the countless people who have tried all the hot new diets in January, hoping for a quick return to your pre-holiday body. What if you suddenly found out about a way to stay in shape all winter? You probably wouldn’t believe it, or you’d guess that it involved arduous snow-shoveling and frequent gym trips. Fortunately on both counts, you’d be wrong! While it sounds innocuous, ice-skating is actually the perfect solution to staying fit in the winter and having fun. You may have done it as a kid on a frozen pond or lake, but as an adult, ice-skating is a great exercise. And if you live near a place with an ice rink, you can skate all year long! Ice-skating is a great way to stay in shape, as it uses muscles that you don’t normally use while walking or running. You’ll definitely be sore after your first couple of skating sessions! But don’t let that stop you; the best way to stay in shape with skating (and to reduce muscle fatigue) is to keep at it!
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You Should Purchase Your Own Instead Of Renting
Even if you’ve skated previously, if you’re going to start seriously this winter, you’ll definitely need your own pair of ice skates. Ice rinks have rental skates, but they’re usually so bad that they ruin the fun experience of skating. Ice skates that don’t fit properly will do nothing but introduce lots of bad ideas about skating into your head, as well as teach you bad technique. While that sounds ridiculous, it’s true; skates that don’t fit well likely don’t have the necessary padding, so you’ll be angling your body in a different way to compensate for lack of stability on your feet. Think about all the times you roller-skated as a kid, with your hands splayed out in front of you, waiting to catch a fall. Well, ice-skating is very similar, and you don’t want to learn bad form! The more bad habits you learn with cheap rental skates, the more work you’ll need to do in order to become a competent and awesome figure skater! Rental skates, while cheap initially, will also add up over time. Imagine three trips to the ice rink over a week, with each rental costing $10. In less than a month, you’ll be spending a hundred on rentals! Figure skates aren’t the cheapest pieces of sports equipment, but they are much cheaper than paying for bad rental skates every time you feel like skating.
This article is going to tell you all about the best ice skates, and how to shop for the perfect pair. Even though shopping for skates doesn’t sound all that complicated, there’s definitely a lot that you’re going to learn from reading. First, we’ll talk about everything you should be looking for in a new pair of ice skates, even if you’re just a beginner. By the time you finish reading, you’ll be a pro at knowing what to look for! In the next part of the article, we’ll look at individual reviews of ice skates. And don’t worry; this article isn’t trying to sell you anything. This article was just written to inform you, not make a profit; and to show that, we’ll look at actual user reviews of the individual skate pairs. You’ll find out what real users love and hate about each pair of ice skates, and by the end of the review, you’ll know exactly the perfect skate for you. So read on!
Now, we’re going to talk about all of the things you should keep in mind while shopping for ice skates. First of all, think about whether you want to skate casually, or if you’re thinking about competing. Knowing how much use you’ll get out of your skates is a big factor when you’re spending money on them, for someone who only plans to skate once or twice a month, you’ll definitely not be spending as much money as someone who’s thinking about taking lessons. There’s a big difference between figure skates and hockey ice skates, too. So this is definitely something you want to consider, because it takes more factors into account. For instance, if you’re looking at figure ice skates, you’ll be looking for warm padding around the ankle that provides a stable support to the leg, and also keeps the foot secure within the boot. But in an ice hockey skate, you’ll be looking at the other components of the skate just as much, including the runner and the piece of the boot that holds the runner in place. Ice hockey skates are also sized differently than figure skates, and since you’ll need to be extra active in them, it’s super important that you pay attention to the measurements before you buy. Additionally, ice hockey skate brands are most oftentimes sized by foot shape, as opposed to size, so it’s a good idea to measure the different parts of your foot and then see what shape you have before starting to shop.
What About The Price?
Now, let’s talk about price. For any beginner or intermediate skater, you’ll probably be spending around $150 or less. Even though that sounds like a lot of money to drop at once, just remember the prices of the rental skates again and know that you could pay for a pair of your own skates in less than two months! Plus, many outdoor rinks are free, so once you buy your skates, you’re pretty much good to go! Keep in mind that after you buy your skates, you may need to pay to have them sharpened, but that’s generally not needed very often. If you skate a few times a week, you’ll probably need your blades sharpened every 1-2 months.
For skaters who are more advanced, or if you’re looking at ice hockey skates, you may wind up spending more money, somewhere along the lines of between $200-$300. Even though this sounds a bit steep, it’s really not considering that skates are likely to last you for at least a year or two, even playing ice hockey in tough conditions. Either way, you’ll want to know that the ice-skates you’re buying are quality. Since ice-skating is technically a sport, you’ll want to be safe, and know that you’re not getting a crappy pair of skates.
The last thing to look for when shopping for skates is a brand with a solid warranty or customer service. Since you are spending a fair bit of money on skates, it’s definitely a good idea to find a brand that wants to stand behind their product at all times. You’ll definitely want to make sure that if someone happens to your new skates, you’ll be able to either get a replacement or your money refunded.
Now, we’re going to look at some individual pairs of ice skates. If you’re still intimidated by everything you just read, don’t worry; you’re sure to find the best ice skates for you by the time we’re done!
The Best List Of Ice Skate Reviews – Out Top Choices
Women’s Tricot Lined Ice Skates by American Athletic
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These skates from American Athletic are perfect for the entry-level or intermediate skater! You’re going to find tons of layered support in the ankle, a hollow ground, and a nickel-plated steel blade. These skates are heavily padded for comfort and stability, and users say that they’re comfortable right out of the box, no dreaded “break in” period. Plus, these skates come pre-sharpened, so you won’t need to take care of that on your own! For anyone who’s just starting out, these are some of the best figure skates available! Check them out today, and you won’t be disappointed. And to cap it off? These skates, in most sizes, are under $50! That’s an incredible steal, especially considering that it’s likely you’ll get a few years’ use out of these skates. For those on a budget, you can’t really do any better than these American Athletic ice skates.
Senior Supreme 140 Skate by Bauer
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For those of you who are thinking about trying ice hockey instead of figure skating, the Senior Supreme 140 ice skates by Bauer would be a perfect fit. Users report that they’re great for the occasional skater, someone who practices a few times a month, and they’re unisex so women can also purchase them for ice hockey. They’re $70, which is an incredible steal considering their popularity. While these wouldn’t be ideal for the athlete who’s hoping to turn pro, they’re a great bargain for someone who’s looking to start out playing hockey, or just get more durable skates than figure skates. Check these out today; you’re sure to love them!
Supra 535S Ice Skates by Graf
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For those of you looking to go pro, or at least spend a heavy amount of time on the rink, these Supra skates by Graf are some of the best ice skates you can buy. They feature heat moldable padding that conforms to your foot every time you have the skates on, ensuring the snuggest and most comfortable fit possible. Plus, there’s an extra-wide toecap, offering you an insane amount of protection from other players during a rough match. These skates will set you back between $149-$250, and they’re worth every penny. For those intense athletes out there, check out these Graf skates today!
Ready To Hit The Rink?
We thought so! But before you do, there are just a few more things we should cover. First of all, even though it’s incredibly exercise and lots of fun, ice-skating is still a sport. And just like all sports, ice-skating can lead to the occasional injury. When you first start skating, it’s going to be a really different feeling than what you’re used to with walking, or even rollerblading. You’re definitely going to fall at least once, and since ice is an incredibly hard surface, falls can be dangerous; they can even lead to broken bones! When you first start skating, it would be worthwhile to take a short class or instruction, where the instructor will show you the best posture to use at all times. They may even teach you how to fall in the right way, so you’re less likely to cause further injury to yourself. Most people don’t wear padding or helmets to ice-skate, so you won’t have any of the usual precautions that you’d have with other sporting equipment. Stay safe, and always watch your surroundings. If you’re going to be skating on a frozen lake or pond, check with safety personnel before skating. You don’t want to fall through the ice, and even risking it would be an incredibly bad judgment call. It’s easy to stay safe if you pay attention to your surroundings, so just use caution and you’ll be more than fine.
Learning to ice-skate with the best ice skates will make this winter so much more fun for you! You won’t ever be able to look back and remember the years you spent cooped up indoors during the cold. Winter sports completely change the doldrums of the season into a much more fun and exciting time, so you’re definitely missing out! Now get out there and hit the rink!
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