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Posts Tagged ‘Skates’

Best Hockey Skates?

Finding the best hockey skates is a hard thing to do.  It is.  That is why I am writing this article regarding my experience in hockey equipment.  I’ve had great experience with Bauer hockey skates and even though they were the cheaper version of hockey skates, they were the absolute best for my money.  CCM is also a good brand, but I had more issues with them than I did with Bauer which tends me to rank Bauer above them.  CCM Vector skates look like an improvement over the old TACKs brand, but I can’t vouch for them as I’ve never owned a pair of those skates before.  I find that Bauer’s brand of skate fit much better and I had better control of movement in them.

Nike Bauer is the brand that I’ve talked about in the first paragraph, even though I’ve owned CCM TACKs for the majority of my hockey playing life.  It’s really just a matter of convenience.  I didn’t really care for them in the beginning, but I got used to the feel of their skate boot.  Did I like them after that?  Not really, it’s just that I had to adjust my playing while wearing this particular pair of hockey skates.  I know that not every player will have this problem.  It’s up to you to decide weather or not you wish to try all pairs of skates or not.  I’d rather not as it’s expensive.

Another company that has gotten into the hockey equipment game is Reebok.  RBK is the short version of the name in which they produce their line of sports products.  Have I ever used their equipment while playing hockey?  No I haven’t, but I can tell you that this brand is sponsored by the NHL.  That’s right, Reebok is the official hockey equipment provider of the NHL.  So they have to have some degree of comfort in the hockey gear area.  Do I think Reebok Hockey Skates are good?  I don’t know.  They might be, but I haven’t had a chance to play a game in them.

Choosing skates can be tough.  You need to know what type of bearings come in the skates.  You should also check out the wheels.  Are they indoor wheels or outdoor wheels?  If your playing outdoor hockey or street hockey, then you want a harder wheel.  Indoor hockey players need softer wheels.  Is the frame plastic or metal?  I always go for aluminum chasis in my hockey skates as I like stiffness and control. 

Well, you won’t find any good sports equipment that works for you without trying it on and playing a game in it.  There are many brands to choose from.  Nike Bauer, CCM, and Reebok are some companies, but that’s just to name a few.  If you want to find out who has the best, do your own research.  I personally think that Bauer has the best hockey skates.

The Mission make of hockey skates has been around for many years. The brand has been held by many companies throughout its history, and as of 2010, it’s owned by Bauer. Not too long ago they decided to dedicate the Mission hockey skates brand to the in-line skating market and discontinued the ice hockey skates brand. This article is composed to assist the consumer make a much better buying decision when purchasing in-line skates in general, and Mission hockey skates particularly.

Inline Mission Hockey Skates Point Number One: the Weekend Warrior

The weekend warrior are those players that want a greater level of play, but do not intend to play in an amateur league. In summary, they are looking for a good, comfy skate that doesn’t cost a king’s ransom. If the knowledgeable consumer knows where to look, there are many very good options to select from. If you reside within a major metropolitan market, you can find numerous quality outlets that stock Mission hockey skates.

Inline Mission Hockey Skates Point Number Two: the Team Players

Players in this class are typically involved in organized sports in some form or another. They typically play more frequently, and play for a longer time, then the weekend warriors. Therefore the team players require a more durable boot and higher quality wheels than will the weekend warriors. There are Mission hockey skates that are created especially for these kinds of players. They tend to be more expensive compared to those for weekend warriors, however, you get what you pay for. The more expensive versions lasts longer and provide better protection compared to cheaper models.

Inline Mission Hockey Skates Point Number Three: Miscellaneous Facts

Even though Bauer has discontinued the ice hockey variation of Mission hockey skates, it’s still possible to find a few knowing where to look. Used equipment shops such as Play It Again Sports will often have Mission hockey skates available. Another place to look could be auction sites such as eBay. Although they are discontinued, the ice hockey variation of Mission hockey skates even now appear to be in demand.

Conclusion:

As any inline hockey player will tell you, there isn’t any more fulfilling game on the planet. But it’s important to use appropriate protective equipment, and that includes the skates. Our advice would be to choose a pair of skates from a producer with a decent reputation. The very best of these producers is Bauer, and the in-line variation of Mission hockey skates.

Do you think that talent is all it requires to be successful at a sport.  Think again, atleast for some sports its not all that is needed.  Take the sport of roller hockey for instance.  Roller hockey, or inline hockey, is a sport that relies heavily on equipment in order for the player to be successful.  If you wish to test this theory, then just head out to your local inline hockey league and watch some games.  In most cases, you will find the best hockey players are wearing the better pair of hockey skates.  Why is that?  Simple answer.  The wheels and bearings in the skates are better.

If the wheels and bearings in the skate are better, it can allow the hockey players to skate faster.  A faster player can get past other players.  A faster player can get breakaways.  A faster player can get to the goal.  A much faster player can score more goals on the net.  Its a very tried and true way of improving your game.  You just have to buy the better pair of roller hockey skates.  Finding the best hockey skates can be easy enough too.  All you have to do is search the online hockey stores.  These stores will allow you to individual go through all the parts of skates.  You’ll be able to select the best hockey wheels as well.  In other words, you can customize.

So, there’s no question that skates can improve your ability to play the sport of hockey.  So why would you waste time playing roller hockey in a pair of recreational roller blades?  Get out there and improve your playing.  There are so many companies that make good hockey skates.  You have Bauer, Reebok, CCM and more to choose from.  Anyone of those companies can have a good pair of skates, you just have to try them on and find the one that fits you best.

Ok, you still need some skills to player roller hockey.  You can’t just buy the best hockey equipment and expect to be the next Gretzky.  If you work hard and practice, you will improve your playing abilities.  Combine that with good hockey gear and you should climb a few notches in the scoring department of the sport.

Remember speed kills and in hockey its invaluable.  Roller hockey skates can either make you the best or be the worst like the rest!

 

Hockey Equipment for ice and inline hockey are two very different things.  Why are they so different in nature you ask?  Well, for one, one sport uses wheels.  The other sport uses a sharp metal blade.  You might find some similar things in both hockey equipment, but you should know what makes each of them.

Like I said, the blade is used for ice hockey.  The blade on an ice hockey skate, helps dig into the ice and then glide along it.  So the hockey player has both speed an control.  They can also stop by tearing into the ice with their feet.  This usually sends up particles of ice and a cool wooshing affect.  It’s also commonly known as the hockey stop.

Can you hockey stop on roller blades.  Let’s say for example you have a pair of inline Reebok Hockey skates.  Can you stop?  Will you need a special pair of roller hockey skates?  Will you need RBK11′s or another special skate.  No, it’s all in the wheels.  It’s probably easier to do a hockey stop on inline hockey skates with a pair of super hard outdoors wheels.  The reasoning for this is that it most likely will slide along the surface.  Soft roller hockey wheels tend to grip the surface and will cause you problems.  Just remember skating on the hard wheels you might not get a chance to hockey stop if you keep sliding while trying to skate.  Remember, it’s all about the surface and the wheels.

Which is faster?  I would say that ice hockey skates are definitely faster, but inline hockey wheels are catching up.  The better the wheel and bearing technology is, the faster hockey players can skate.  There some pretty fast bearings out there.

If there is one similarity that I have to mention, it has to be that both ice hockey and roller hockey skates need to be maintenanced.  You havet to sharpen the ice hockey blades and you have to lubricate your bearings if you want to have fast skates in both sports.  Hockey equipment is a simple thing to understand.

 

If you are a beginner planning to buy yourself a new pair of skates then here are some basic tips to get you started:

1.) Sizing Factor

Hockey skates should be a size or two smaller than your regular shoes. Buying hockey skates that are the same size as your running or athletic shoes may result to injury such as blisters and sprains. Too much space for your foot to move about in a loose hockey skate means that there are more possibilities of a blister forming or inaccurate movements during games or practice sessions. This possibility of inaccurate movement can affect the game and the way that you play.

It is better to have snug fitting ice hockey sticks than loose ones. Bear in mind when fitting hockey skates that your toes need to be able to feel the front end of the skate while you are positive that your heel is backed up into the back part of the skate as well. It is important that you lace up the hockey skates before even trying to move about with them to see how they fit you. You should also try to stand with the hockey skates laced up and then try to bend your knees to a point where you are almost squatting. In this position, you can feel the toe area loosen up a bit. This may be the right skate size for you. The reason for this exercise is due to the fact that when one skates, the knees are usually bent hence the need to concentrate of this particular position to be comfortable.

A few tips to keep in mind:

a.) Never make the mistake of buying skates to grow into. This will put you in a risk of injury.

b.) To test the skates make sure your toes feel the front end of the skate while your heel is backed up into the back part of the skate

c.) Different brands have different sizing guidelines. So make sure to check them out before you go for the buy.

2.) Length and Width

Both the length and width of the hockey skate can affect its fit. Do not try to compensate the length for the width or vice versa. You should have the right length and the right width to have the right hockey skate size. Some people think that they can compensate a wider skate for feet that actually need a longer length. This will give you an inaccurate skate size and may cause serious injury.

3.) Radius of the Blade

Radius of the blade is the amount of blade that is in direct contact with the ice. If you are a beginner skater it is recommended that you go for a larger blade radius. A radius of 5 inches should be a good choice. A larger radius increases stability and aids easy maneuverability along the ice surface.

4.) Break-in period

Break-in period of a skate is the amount of time it takes for the padded lining of the skate to get molded and adjusted to the shape of your feet. How soon the break-in happens depends on a lot of factors like the quality of lining and body-weight of the player among others. A heavier person will generally have a faster break-in period than a light person. So if you have lighter body mass, try to go for skates with a softer lining.

5.) New or Used Skates?

Hockey skates are supposed to be stiff. This is something that you should be aware of before buying hockey skates. Some people might opt to buy the less expensive used hockey skates instead of the more expensive brand new ones. Bear in mind that used skates may have lost their stiffness factor which is essential for more powerful skating action and support for the legs, feet and ankles.

Some cheap hockey skates may be less stiff than the more expensive ones. Buying cheaper hockey skates is only beneficial for those who have not made up their minds regarding playing hockey or not or for children who outgrow a skate easily within a year.

6.) Your Budget

A good pair of skates would cost you anything around $100 to $650. It is recommended not to buy expensive skates for your first pair. Until you play in a league you won’t know what position you are playing or what kind of skate with best accommodate it. Consider the first pair of skates as skates used for practice and introduction to the sport.

Good luck and play hard!

 

Skates don’t come cheap and they are perhaps one of the most important pieces of hockey equipment to a player. Therefore it becomes quite important to understand how to purchase skates that will aid your play and help you enjoy the game better. If you are a beginner and are planning to buy yourself a new pair of skates then here are some basic tips to get you started:

1.) Difference between sizing of hockey skates and regular shoes

Hockey skates are generally sized an inch or two smaller than your regular shoes. The reason they are sized smaller is for ankle support and stability. If you get them bigger you will have no support whatsoever and will have a better chance of falling. In addition too much space for your foot to move about in a loose hockey skate may result in injury such as blisters and sprains.

Here are a few points to keep in mind:

a.) Hockey skates need to have a tight fitting. Your toes should be able to feel the front end of the skate while your heel is backed up into the back part of the skate

b.) Different brands have different sizing guidelines. So make sure to check them out before you go for the buy.

c.) Lace up the hockey skates and try to move about by bending your knees to a point where you are almost squatting. In this position, you should feel the toe area loosen up a bit. Considering the fact that your knees will usually be bent as you skate, a feel of comfort in this position is important.

d.) Never buy skates to grow into. This will put you in a risk of injury.

e.) Try to go for boots that come with a multi layered boot construction and reinforced heel. Both these factors aid ankle stability

2.) Blade radius

Blade radius is the actual amount of blade that is in contact with the ice at any point of time. For beginner skaters a larger blade radius of around five inches is recommended. A larger radius increases stability and aids easy maneuverability along the ice surface.

To measure blade radius place the ends of the blades together (bottom to bottom). The length where the edges of the blades make contact is the blade radius.

3.) Break-in period

Break-in period of a skate is the amount of time it takes for the padded lining of the skate to get molded and adjusted to the shape of your feet. How soon the break-in happens depends on a lot of factors like the quality of lining and body-weight of the player among others. A heavier person will generally have a faster break-in period than a light person. So if you have lighter body mass, try to go for skates with a softer lining. You can also try the following tips to for a faster break-in:

a.) Blow hot air into your skate with a blow dryer keeping the dryer at a safe distance. Put the skate on immediately after around 3 minutes of blow drying. This will cause the foam to mold to your foot faster.

b.) Try coating the inside of your skates with thin layer of petroleum jelly, it softens them up. This will aid in a faster break-in as well

4.) Used or New Skates?

Hockey skates are supposed to be stiff. This is something that you should be aware of before buying them. Some people might opt to buy the less expensive used hockey skates instead of the more expensive brand new ones. Bear in mind that used skates may have lost their stiffness factor which is essential for more powerful skating action and support for the legs, feet and ankles.

5.) How much to invest?

You can buy a good pair of skates for anything around $100 to $700. It is recommended not to buy expensive skates for your first pair. Until you play in a league you won’t know what position you are playing or what kind of skate with best accommodate it. The first pair is more for practice and introduction to the sport.

Good luck and play hard!