When you search for the best hockey skates for kids or for the on the internet, you are mostly shown search results that review and provide details and specifications of the best ‘Youth hockey skates.’ Now, while those results may be incredibly helpful to kids that have been playing hockey for some time, they rarely serve the purpose of parents looking to buy hockey skates for their kids who are absolute beginners.
Therefore, this article, on the best skates for kids who are just starting with ice hockey, is written with the intent of listing the best hockey skates for -
- Toddlers and kids who are absolute beginners
- Kids who have just started showing some inclination of pursuing ice hockey seriously.
- Beginner players in an ice hockey team.
To complete your introduction, I will also suggest products that must be bought to make the best of use of your hockey ice skates and some best practices to help you take care of your children’s hockey skates.
This article may contain affiliate Links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.
Top picks - Best hockey skates for kids
If you do not have the time to read the entire article, here are my top picks of the best hockey skates for kids - But help for hockey moms or dads to choose the best skates for your kids and review of each suggestions are available in this article.
Best skates for beginners and toddlers:
Bauer Lil Champ Ice Hockey Skates / Lil Angel
Best adjustable skates: Lake Placid Summit Adjustable Ice Skate
Best skates in terms of comfort: Jackson Ultima Softec
Best skates for beginners on a team:
How to choose the best ice hockey skates for toddlers and kids?
Playing ice hockey has a lot of benefits. However it all starts with proper skates.
There are numerous factors that must be taken into consideration when determining which ice hockey skates for kids you should settle for.
Fit
Buying hockey skates that fit perfectly is of utmost importance.
Ill-fitted ice skates can be the numero uno reason why ice skating newbies may lose interest in the sport.
Ill-fitted skates can cause blisters, prevent free movement, affect precision and negatively impact performance.
To find the right fit, you will have to undertake a careful study of the foot type. If you have wide feet, you will need to buy wider hockey skates for wide feet. Similarly, narrow toes need hockey skates with tapering fronts.
The best way to determine if the skates fit correctly is if -
- The skates feel snug on the feet as compared to regular shoes leaving no negative space
- The forefeet, as well as the heels, can breathe with the skates on
- There are no blisters on the feet once the skates have been broken into
- The skates feel secure and allow free movement
- Feet do not cramp after a while
Size
To ensure the perfect fit, you must buy skates of the right size.
It is important to note that hockey skates are sized 1-2 sizes smaller than regular shoes.
The biggest mistake you can make is to order skates the same size as regular shoes as they will most definitely end up being much bigger.
Another reason why parents tend to buy slightly bigger skates is to factor the growing foot-size of kids. However, larger skates will not provide the right amount of stability, and beginners will find it hard to speed in these skates.
Therefore, regardless of the cost involved in having to upgrade to a larger size frequently, it is best to buy the right-sized skates for kids.
Alternatively, if your kid is still very young and just starting ice skating, you can consider purchasing adjustable skates for kids such as Lake Placid Summit Adjustable Ice Skates.
To ensure that you order hockey skates of the right size -
- Wear a pair of socks that you would wear while playing.
- Trace an outline of the foot on a piece of paper. Measure the length and width of the foot.
- Refer to the size chart and order a size suitable to accommodate your foot. (As stated earlier, do not buy skates the same size as your regular shoes)
Stiffness
The boot of a hockey skate is usually stiffer than other types of skates. That is because stiffness ensures adequate ankle support and allows speedier movements and greater control.
Stiffness becomes vital while playing an advanced level of ice hockey as it allows more aggression.
However, as beginners learning to skate, the boot should not be too stiff. Excessive stiffness will prevent the kid from learning to develop ankle support.
On the other hand, skates with low stiffness may cause foot-fatigue on account of lesser ankle support.
To determine if the skates have the perfect stiffness, give your boots a little squeeze. If the boot folds in easily, it is too weak. If it does not bend at all, it is too stiff. But it is perfect for kids if it offers resistance and only bends in slightly.
Price
Finally, the most crucial factor that must be taken into consideration when choosing the perfect hockey skates is the price. Absolute beginners can opt for cheap hockey skates while those with a little more experience may opt for ones with a heftier price tag.
The frequency of playing will also be important when determining whether you need to stretch your budget or whether basic hockey skates that provide adequate support and protection would suffice.
FAQs about choosing hockey skates for beginners
Can hockey skates be used by a beginner learning how to skate?
Hockey skates are narrower than figure skates, and many beginners often get thrown off when learning to skate in hockey skates.
However, that does not mean that hockey skates cannot be used by an absolute beginner to learn skating.
The use of good skating trainers (details given below) will aid the process of learning and make it much quicker.
Should you buy new skates or used skates?
The decision as to whether you should buy new skates or used skates often depends on your budget.
Used skates are considerably cheaper than new skates and can be bought if they are in good condition and offer a flawless fit.
It is a common practice to buy used skates for kids given the fact that their foot-size keep changing frequently and buying new skates every time may be unaffordable.
However they have already adapted to the feet of the previous kid and will never provide the same fit as new ones.
What is baking?
Baking hockey skates is a practice wherein the skates that you use are baked in a special oven to ensure that they fit you perfectly.
Baking skates requires skill and should only be done by professionals.
Also, not all skates can be baked. Most beginner-level skates are not compatible with baking.
Check if your skates can be baked before getting them baked to avoid any damages to them.
Can you use regular skates or figure skates for ice hockey?
Not really. You can to learn to skate but once you start hockey specific moves, you need hockey skates.
There is a big difference between figure skates and hockey skates.
Figure skates come with a toe pick and a longer blade that does not support the techniques required while playing ice hockey.
Best Hockey Skates for Kids - Reviews
In this section, you will find detailed hockey skates reviews to help you zero down on the best ice skates for kids venturing into hockey.
Bauer Lil Champ Ice Hockey Skates - best hockey skates for toddler
Who are these skates ideal for?
The simplistic structure of these skates makes these the best ice hockey skates for beginners. The comfort that the single-unit design of these skates provides can allow toddlers to spend long hours on the rink.
However, someone more experienced at skating will struggle to upgrade their skills wearing these skates.
Pros
- Affordable
- One-piece structure
- Perfect for absolute beginners
- Comfortable for long practice hours
- Easy to put on and take off
- Size range is ideal for toddlers
Cons
- The buckle is not secure enough
Features and Review
The Bauer Lil Champ skates are perfect for toddlers who need to be introduced to ice hockey. Their solid simplistic structure provides an ideal mix of comfort and protection at a super affordable price range.
These skates come in a single unit. Thus, the blade is non-detachable and fixed to the holder. The skates come with an inner bootie liner.
Also, instead of featuring a fancy lacing system, the buckle used on these Bauer hockey skates cuts down on the effort of putting on skates.
What’s impressive is that these skates are available in a wide range of sizes suitable for kids between 2 to 5 years of age.
Lake Placid Summit Adjustable Ice Skate
Who are these ideal skates for?
These long-lasting skates capable of accommodating the growing foot-size are perfect for ice-hockey beginners and for toddlers who are just beginning their ice-hockey journey.
Pros
- Adjustable up to 4 full sizes
- Comfortable
- Secure with buckle, power strap and laces
- Durable
- Affordable
Cons
- Size adjustability impacts blade length to boot ratio
Features and Review
The Lake Placid Summit Adjustable Ice skates pack several impressive features while still working as great beginner-level kid hockey skates.
These durable skates come with a hybrid-style boot and a waterproof sole. The warm-woven lining adds to the comfort of the skates, and the skates don’t feel stuffy even when worn for an extended period. The skates also employ deluxe padding for extra comfort.
Unlike the Bauer Lil Champ Ice Hockey Skates, the buckle system with a power strap makes these skates feel more secure. The ankle-length shoe-style lacing system ensures that development of ankle support amongst beginners is not compromised.
In terms of the blades for hockey skates used, the Lake Placid Summit features a decent-quality stainless steel blade.
However, the unique feature of these skates is that they are adjustable up to four full sizes.
Thus parents who worry about having to regularly spend on new skates for the growing feet of their kids could happily invest in these skates.
That said, the downside of this feature is that on account of the adjustability of these skates, the improper blade length to boot ratio may affect performance.
Jackson Ultima Softec
Who are these skates ideal for?
These skates are ideal for those looking for lightweight skates that deliver absolute comfort and come with a decent blade to meet the needs of entry-level kids.
Pros
- Extremely comfortable
- Ultralightweight
- Durable
- Easy to wear
- Attractive
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Only suitable for beginners and recreational ice hockey players
Features and Review
In terms of comfort, Jackson is one of the best brands of hockey skates. That is precisely why the Jackson Ultima Softec features on this list.
Recreational ice hockey players or beginners getting into their first hockey skates often complain about how tight and stiff hockey skates feel. This discomfort is one of the prime reasons why many kids seem to give up on ice hockey without investing much time learning it.
However, the Jackson Ultima Softec can offer a great solution to this problem.
It is made using a nylon upper and a foam-padded tongue. The nylon upper and synthetic outsole ensures endurance, and the foam-padded tongue offers excellent comfort and protection. The color-coordinated trim also makes these skates attractive and modern-looking.
The highlight of these skates, however, is the innovative use of Thinsulate insulation. The skates employ a Thinsulate liner which helps retain warmth inside the boot without making them bulky.
The use of Thinsulate is what makes these skates the lightest hockey skates available in the market. Plus the impressive retention of warmth also makes them feel gentle and comfortable on the feet.
In addition to this, the velcro ankle strap and lace loops also make these skates relatively easy to put on and take off.
The skates use a stainless steel blade adequate for the needs of kids learning to skate.
Botas Draft 281
Who are these skates ideal for?
These skates are perfect for beginner-level player in ice hockey teams.
Pros
- Ergonomic design
- Extremely comfortable
- Made using high-quality material
- Comes with a toe protector
- Ideal for active athletes and team players
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Suitable for slightly experienced players
Features and Review
Botas is one of the top hockey skates brands that is known for producing reliable hockey skates. Accordingly, the Botas Draft 281 is also made keeping the needs of an active ice-hockey player in mind.
These attractive skates are made using a PA fabric combined with a synthetic material that provides the right amount of stiffness. Its high-quality anatomical tongue makes the overall feel of the skates comfortable and secure.
The heel area of these skates is wide-enough to lock the heel securely.
However, hockey being a contact-sport, the reason why these skates impress active athletes is for the protection that they offer. These skates come with a unique plastic toe to specifically protect toes in case of collisions.
The Botas-special DDP padding of ankles in two different stiffness variants and the synthetic velour padded lining ensure that the boot provides enough stiffness to allow maximum ankle support.
The blade used by these skates is the Botas Icehawk Carbon Ultra Steel which makes speedy strides and skilled manoeuvring possible.
What’s also impressive about Botas is that it has released this variant of skates in a wide range of sizes, making them an ideal choice for little kids growing into serious hockey players.
Bauer Supreme S27
Who are these skates ideal for?
Ice-hockey newbies that play and practise regularly and continuously put in the work required to get better at the sport must invest in these skates. The Bauer Supreme S27 are perfect beginner hockey skates to support and accommodate the growing skills of young players.
Pros
- Feature high-quality Tuuk Lightspeed Pro II blade holder and Tuuk stainless steel blade
- Can be baked
- Highly comfortable
- Out of the box fit, requiring minimal break-in time
- Provide all-round protection
- Durable
- Affordable
- Suitable for evolving young players
Cons
- A bit too sophisticated for toddlers and absolute beginners
Features and Review
Beginner-level skates rarely need the features that come in men’s hockey skates.
However, in an attempt to make solid simplistic skates, many skates seem inadequate to cope with the developing hockey skills.
But, these Bauer Supreme hockey skates are an exception to that rule. These skates feature many remarkable features for their affordable pricing.
Firstly, these skates employ the Tuuk Lightspeed Pro II blade holder and the Tuuk stainless steel blade. Both these elements together make these skates dependable for the long-run. The blade grips well while also allowing enough agility.
The TPU outsole of these skates is perfect for young players working on their stride and balance.
Even in terms of comfort, these skates shine. The quarter package allows instant out of the box comfort that can only be improved if baked.
The large heel goes a bit further in offering breathability without introducing unwanted negative spaces. The comfort is further enhanced by memory foam ankle padding and the dry-fit served by the HD microfiber liner.
Moreover, the flexible tendon guard, metatarsal guard insert, and the foam-padded tongue work well together towards offering optimal protection.
Bauer Supreme S37
Who are these skates ideal for?
Serious newbies who are dedicated and want to evolve in those skates.
Pros
- Feature high-quality Tuuk Lightspeed blade holder and Tuuk stainless steel blade
- Flex rating of 65
- Can be baked
- Highly comfortable
- Out of the box fit, requiring minimal break-in time
- Provide all-round protection
- Durable
- Suitable for evolving young players
Cons
- Too sophisticated for toddlers and absolute beginners that are only recreational
- More expensive
Features and Review
Beginner-level skates are often basics. They can limit the progress of a seriously dedicated child.
The S27 are sufficient for young players, especially considering the growth of the feet at this age.
However, if he/she is really dedicated and you want somethign a little bit more advance that can be fit for intermediate level, this is a great product.
Necessary ice skating equipment for kids
In addition to a good pair of skates, toddlers and kids may need the following skating equipment.
Skateez Skate Trainers
These are a must for kids who need some confidence to step on the rink with their skates on.
- These skate trainers are like the training wheels for a bike.
- They attach to the bottom of the skate.
- They are durable and long-lasting.
- They are lightweight.
- They make it easier for the kid to confidently step on the ice with his skates on.
- They make the task of teaching how to skate far less cumbersome.
Franklin Sports Ice Skating Steel Trainer
This trainer is a must for kids learning to skate who don't have much balance at firsr- However if you kid has balance right away, there is no need for this.
- Kids learning to skate can hold on to the trainer for support and balance.
- It comes with a leash can also be used by parents to drag their child around.
- It is lightweight.
- Its adjustable height is ideal for kids of all ages.
Warm House Kids Protective Gear
- This set includes a helmet, knee pads, wrist pads and elbow pads.
- The protective gear is specifically made for kids and is an absolute must while skating.
Best practices to make the most of your ice hockey skates
Blade care
- Sharpening: Sharpening of blades is critical for safety and performance. Most blades need to be sharpened before their first use and then regularly after that.
- Blade guard: In order to protect the blade from dents, blades must be covered with a blade guard immediately upon stepping off the ice t. Wipe the blade guards completely after use. This is an essential item to purchase with your skates!
- Drying blades: It is essential to let your blades dry out completely after skating - you need an absorbent towel - see my article with the best ones
- Blade cover: After drying, the blades must be wrapped in a towel or a blade cover to absorb and draw off any remaining moisture on the blade. This practice helps keep the blade rust-free.
Boot maintenance
- Drying boots: Let the boots dry out thoroughly after every use to let go off any accumulated moisture
- Polish boots: If the boots are made of leather, polish them regularly to keep them in top condition.
Overall maintenance
- Laces: Replace laces that may be thinning out with new laces - see the best options for laces
- Blade holders: Check if the blade holders are tightly fastened to the boots. This would not be required in case of one-piece skates such as the Bauer Lil Champs Ice Hockey Skates.
Complete your kid's hockey equipment set!
- Best hockey gloves for players - read article
- Best youth hockey sticks - read article
- Best hockey helmets - read article
- Best hockey laces - read article
- Best hockey mouthguard - read article
- And check out my 30+ tips for hockey moms - read article
