Hockey players know that properly fitting hockey skate is absolutely necessary when on the ice. Therefore, the most common question for hockey skaters is how tight should hockey skates be.
The hockey skates pair should be snug in your feet. Lace them up so that there’s no space for your toes or ankle to move inside the skates. To get to know the perfect hockey skate fitting, stand up after trying a new hockey skate pair and flex your ankles to ensure there’s no heel lifting or shifting.
In this blog, we will cover 4 factors that affect how tight your hockey skates should be. Also, we will give you 5 lacing techniques to make sure you get a perfect fit. So, make sure to read till the end!
4 Key Things to Consider While Tightening the Hockey Skates
When lacing up your ice skates, there are a few key points to keep in mind:
1. Outward Pull Is Better Than Upward Pull
When you pull the laces upward instead of outward while lacing up your ice hockey skates, you are at the risk of a loose-fit pair of skates. Wearing skates that do not fit properly can lead to discomfort, blisters, chafing, and even an ankle twist.
Other than the general discomfort that a loose-fitting hockey skates pair brings, it also hinders your movement on the ice. You will be prone to a fall injury besides a twisted ankle if your laces aren’t tight enough.
2. Be Sure Of Hockey Skates Sizing
Just like buying shoes requires you to show up in-store, not all skates for hockey are the same. Almost all ice hockey skate manufacturers have their own sizing charts and buying guides. So, it is crucial to know a few things before you pick your pair of youth hockey skates:
Measure Your Foot
Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the length of your foot from the heel to the tip of your longest toe. Your foot size will help you locate the shoe size of the skates that will fit your feet. As a rule of thumb, hockey skates that are a half size smaller than your foot size will be a perfect fit.
Besides the foot length, a hockey skate should have 1/4th inch of space between the toe cap and your longest toe. Your foot must be resting straight on the footbed and your heel must not shift in the heel pocket as you walk.
Read more: Why Do My Feet Hurt When I Skate?
Check The Fit
After determining the size of hockey skates, wear them and stand straight while flexing your knees (just as you do while skating). In this posture, your shoes should be snug enough not to slide your feet, and your toes slightly brushing the toe cap without getting curled. On the back side, your heel should be well-rested in the heel pocket.
An important tip is to wear socks when checking the fit of the hockey skates. Too thin socks or too thick socks both can elude your judgement of the correct fit.
Try On Skates
Never make a hasty decision while buying a pair of hockey skates. Try several pairs to have a comparison of the size and fit, and walk in the hockey skates to understand the level of comfort.
Sometimes, properly fitting hockey skates can lack the comfort you require to move in the snow. So, make sure to pick the best out of all the options.
3. Hockey Skates Fit Affects Ankle Strength
The correct sizing of hockey skates can have an impact on ankle strength. If the skates are too loose or too tight, it can compromise the stability and support of the ankle, leading to weaker ankle muscles over time and ankle injuries.
If the skates are too loose, the ankle will not be securely locked in place, causing it to wobble inside the skate. This instability can weaken the ankle muscles over time, making it more difficult to maintain balance and control while skating.
If the hockey skates are too tight, they can constrict the ankle joint, restricting blood flow and impeding ankle flexibility. This can lead to discomfort, pain, and weakness in the ankle muscles.
Properly fitting hockey skates provide support and stability to the ankle, allowing for more precise movements and reducing the risk of injury. It’s important to size ice skates perfectly to ensure the ankle is properly supported and to help maintain ankle strength.
4. Never Compromise The Comfort
Comfort is a crucial factor to consider when choosing hockey skates. Ice skating is a high-impact, high-intensity sport that requires a lot of physical exertion, and inline skates that are uncomfortable can greatly impact a player’s performance on the ice.
When uncomfortable skates can cause blisters, calluses, and other foot injuries, making it difficult to maintain proper skating form and increasing the risk of injury, uncomfortable skates can also cause distraction and discomfort, leading to poor focus and concentration on the game.
5. Consider The Boot Construction
Boot construction refers to the part of the skate that covers the foot and ankle. The boot is typically made of synthetic materials, leather, or a combination of both. The type of boot used can affect the size of the skate and how it fits on the foot.
Hockey skates with a stiffer boot construction generally require a tighter fit than those with a more flexible boot. This is because the stiffness of the boot provides more support for the foot and ankle, which can prevent injury and enhance performance.
However, a stiffer boot may also cause discomfort or pain if it is too tight, making it crucial to ensure the correct sizing and fit. Skates with a more flexible boot construction may provide a more comfortable fit but may not offer the same level of support.
The construction of the boot also affects the width of the skate. Hockey skate with a wider boot is generally more comfortable and provides more room for the foot to move around. However, a hockey skate with a narrower boot can provide better control and stability for the skater, which can improve performance.
These are the factors to consider when purchasing hockey skates.
Read more: Are Skate Shoes Good For Walking?
And now, here are the five hockey skates lacing techniques that will never compromise your comfort while playing:
5 Lacing Techniques to Get Proper Hockey Skate Fit
In addition to the standard lacing technique with waxed laces, here are a few more:
1. Standard Lacing
The standard lacing technique involves starting from the bottom of the skate and lacing upwards, crossing the laces over each other to achieve a criss-cross pattern. Ensure that the laces are snug and not too tight for proper support and flexibility. This type of lacing finishes by tying a knot at the top of the skate.
That’s the same lacing technique that you use in your street shoes.
2. Skip-Lacing
Skip lacing involves skipping alternate eyelets when lacing up adult skates. This technique works well for players with wider feet or those whose feet hurt around the middle during the game.
Starting from the bottom, just like standard lacing, you go up, leaving alternate eyelets at each step. Finish the lacing with a knot at the top.
3. Tightening The Top Eyelet
For players who like a tighter fit around the ankle, this technique is the best. Start at the bottom and lace up as usual, but tie the knot before the top eyelet. Then lace through the top eyelet and tie another knot.
This technique provides extra support for quick maneuvering and turns.
4. Double-Lacing
Double lacing or double cross lacing involves using two sets of laces to provide extra support and adjustability. Start by lacing the inner set of eyelets with one lace and the outer set with another lace. Adjust the tightness of each lace as required to achieve a comfortable and secure fit.
5. Heel-Locking
Heel-locking is the final technique on the list that prevents heel lift during ice hockey. A heel lift can cause blisters and discomfort. The technique involves pulling the lace diagonally from the bottom eyelet on one side to the top eyelet on the opposite side. Then repeat the process on the other side, making a criss-cross pattern, finished with a knot on the top.
Read more: Can You Skate While Pregnant?
How Tight Should Hockey Skates Be: Final Words
How tight should hockey skates be is a common question among skaters? Besides the correct size, a few factors contributing to a well-fitting hockey skates pair are the comfort they provide while moving in ice, the level of ankle support you can have while wearing the hockey skates, and the way you have laced up your skates.
All these factors make a snug hockey skates pair that helps you glide through the snow without twisting the ankle or having blisters and chafing.
Let us know in the comments if you still have any questions left.
Goodbye & Keep Skating Like A Pro With SkatersDen!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you know if your ice skates are too tight?
First, pain and discomfort are common signs that skates are too tight, particularly around the toes, ankles, and heel. Skaters may also experience numbness or tingling sensations in their feet, which can be a result of restricted blood flow caused by the tightness of the skates.
Another sign is a lack of mobility, which can make it difficult to move the toes or flex the foot and ankle. Additionally, blisters and calluses may develop in areas where there is excessive rubbing or pressure on the feet, indicating that the skates are too tight.
Q: Is it better to have tight or loose skates?
When it comes to hockey skates, the fit should be snug and supportive but not too tight or too loose. It’s generally better to have slightly tighter skates than looser ones, as too loose skates can cause instability and increase the risk of injury.
Tighter skates provide better support and control, allowing for greater precision and power in skating movements. However, if the skates are too tight, it can cause pain and discomfort and even restrict blood flow to the feet, which can lead to numbness or tingling sensations.
Q: Are you supposed to tie hockey skates tight?
Yes, it’s important to tie hockey skates tight to ensure a secure and supportive fit. Hockey skates are designed to fit snugly around the foot and ankle, providing stability and control during skating movements. If the skates are too loose, it can cause the foot to move around inside the skate, which can lead to blisters, rubbing, and a lack of control on the ice.