6 best hockey skates

When you watch ice hockey players dissecting ice, you catch yourself thinking that high-speed attacks and powerful jerks ensure the effectiveness of the game. All this gives not only an excellent physical training of an athlete, but also the right equipment, where the most important element is skating. The design of hockey skates should provide predictability in any situation on the field.

Despite the fact that hockey skates look the same at first sight, except for differences in colors, the difference still exists. Among the models there are similar in design hockey skates, but absolutely unsuitable for a serious game. Models are made of artificial leather or synthetic, and all protection is reduced to the presence of a hard toe. Such shoes will not prevent injury and will not protect against a puck hit.

To help readers with the choice, our experts talked with experts and players, having learned what requirements ice hockey skates should meet. Based on the information received, a rating was compiled, including the 6 best models of skates for hockey players.

How to choose hockey skates

1. Skill level Proceed from the tasks. Being a beginner, it is better to buy skates for beginners. Perfect initial models, for example, the company Graf. Those who want to actively ride or play hockey at the amateur level should look at inexpensive semi-professional hockey skates, which are made of durable materials and protect feet from pucks, blades of other people’s skates, and cold. Professionals will not fit models for beginners and amateurs, because, due to insufficient rigidity, they will quickly become unusable and will not provide the necessary level of protection during active / aggressive skating. Choose these athletes need advanced hockey skates from a completely different price categories.
2. Rigidity. This parameter is responsible for ensuring reliable fixation of the ankle joint, which, in turn, minimizes the risk of injury. Pay attention to the materials manufacturing shoes. They must be of high quality and durability. Even the tongue in skates for hockey will be much harder than that of walking models. It is worth remembering that the more professional hockey skates, so they are tougher, but lighter in weight.
3. The presence of thermoforming. These shoes have special foam or plastic inserts that remember the shape of the athlete's ankle due to heating, softening and subsequent hardening. With thermoforming, the process of habituation proceeds faster without the appearance of calluses and grated grains. After warming up the skates in a special oven, the owner puts them on for 10-15 minutes to remember all the contours. Shoes with thermoplastic material should not be stored near heating / heating devices, and it is not recommended that the ambient temperature be above 45 degrees.
4. Airbags with booster. They are located inside the skate and surround the ankle joint. Outside each shoe is a pear for pumping air. If you press on it, then air will flow into the chamber, which will provide a more reliable and strong lower leg fixation.
5. Lacing with clips. A special loop is fixed between the rise and the upper part of the boot. Such a system makes it possible to separately lace the lower and upper parts, choosing the necessary level of tightness for each. Need a similar design only in semi-professional and professional hockey skates.
6. Glass. Must be frost-resistant, if you plan to ski on open ice arenas at temperatures below 10 degrees. It is then that any plastic that is usually made of a skate glass becomes fragile and can easily crack. Ordinary glasses are suitable for indoor rinks.
7. Blades Can be replaceable or installed once and for all. For starter models, the blade is relatively soft and consists of a strip of stainless or carbon steel. Sharpen such skates will often have to, if a day or two is actively rolling, and if measured, it should be enough for at least a week. For semi-professional and professional, steel blades are also used, but much more rigid with perforations in order to reduce the weight of the product, and less often need to be sharpened even after many hours of riding.
8. Mount the blades in the glass. Screws on the side allow you to change the blade without removing the boot. It is also possible to adjust the heel height with a screw, fixing the depth in one of three positions. The disadvantages of such fastening include the arbitrary unscrewing of the screws during sliding. Screw deviation to the heel, used by some manufacturers, facilitates access and eliminates the need to remove the skate.
9. Slip Dear professional models have a minimum of steel. Usually this is only the lower part, which is in direct contact with ice. All other elements are made of durable plastic and aluminum. The T-Blade system with a hexagonal steel edge allows you to increase the sliding speed, as the temperature rises during friction, which leads to the melting of ice. There is also a non-standard Thermablade system with batteries in the cups for heating the blades. At one time, such hockey skates were practiced by NHL players, but due to ambiguous reviews, it was decided to refuse, although they are still on sale.

Top Hockey Skates Rating

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best hockey skates for beginners	1	Fischer CT250 (adults)	5 360 ₽
	2	Bauer Supreme 140 (adults)	3 460 ₽
The best semi-professional hockey skates	1	Bauer Vapor X600 S17 (adults)	16 299 ₽
	2	GRAF Supra 451 Cobra NT 3000 (adults)	8 990 ₽
Top professional hockey skates	1	Bauer Nexus 7000 (adults)	-
	2	SK (Sports collection) Senator Grand GT (adults)	4 550 ₽

The best hockey skates for beginners

Fischer CT250 (adults)

Rating: 4.9

In the first place in the rating category are hockey skates with a comfortable wide EE pad. The low profile sole is made of nylon, and the blades are stainless steel HRC50. Anatomical insole with perforations for better ventilation. The model has a microfiber liner and a reinforced EVA tongue. The glass is frost-resistant, so skates can be used in open ice arenas.

Bauer Supreme 140 (adults)

Rating: 4.8

The second line goes to hockey skates from the famous company Bauer. The model is characterized by maneuverability, high dynamic performance and a good degree of protection. The glass at the boot is lightweight, but despite this it can withstand increased loads. It is frost-resistant, suitable for riding in open areas. Improves leg support with integrated calf support. The boot sits on the foot tightly, thanks to the anatomical heel support.The blade is non-removable, made of stainless steel with a water-repellent additive.

The best semi-professional hockey skates

Bauer Vapor X600 S17 (adults)

Rating: 4.9

The first are hockey skates with individual adaptation. The sides of the boot are made of a thermoformed composite, which guarantees the maximum exact repetition of the shape of the athlete's foot. Anatomical insole FORM-FIT + provides stabilization of the foot. Dense felt tongue has reinforced foam lining. Anatomical support (anatomical heel support) ensures a reliable fit of the boot. Effective ankle support improves stability, facilitating rapid acceleration.

GRAF Supra 451 Cobra NT 3000 (adults)

Rating: 4.8

In the second position are hockey skates with reinforced sidewalls for better protection. There is the possibility of partial thermoforming of the boot. The semi-professional model provides an excellent fit, as claimed by users. Blades made of high quality carbon steel.

Top professional hockey skates

Bauer Nexus 7000 (adults)

Rating: 4.9

In the first place in the category of hockey skates with a non-standard wide block. The model is perfect for people with high lifting legs and wide foot. Thermoforming allows you to perfectly fit the shoes to the individual form. Glass with the ability to quickly change blades.

SK (Sports collection) Senator Grand GT (adults)

Rating: 4.8

The second place is given to hockey skates, produced by the unique technology of Anthropometric Shoe, which takes into account the anthropometry of the feet, as a result of which the comfort and stability of the legs is increased. The boot completely envelops the leg, which guarantees reliable fixation. The blades are made of alloy steel, which keeps the blade well, even at low temperatures.

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.