Taking care of your ice skates before and after skating is essential to your performance and safety. Plus, it will lengthen the life of your skates. Below are my tips to properly care for your blades as well as your boots, whatever the type of skates you are using (figure, speed or hockey).
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Parts of the skate to take care of
There are 3 main types of ice skates (even though you can find subtypes under each category with slightly different shapes):
The figure skate
- It has a high boot, toe picks and a blade slightly longer than the boot
- The boot is in leather
- The heel and sole are made by gluing square stacks of leather or water-repellent fiberboard on top of each other
- Blades are normally made of tempered steel and coated with chrome
- Closed with laces
The hockey skate
- The boot is low at the front, higher at the back with a tendon guard. The blade is the same length as the boot, flat in the middle and curved at each end
- The leather boot is reinforced with plastic caps and extra layer of leather or nylon to create a toe box and protect from cuts
- Blades are normally made of tempered steel and coated with chrome
- The holder which houses the blade and attach to the boot is made of plastics or composites
- Closed with laces
The speed skate
- It has a low boot. The blade is flat, thin and longer than the boot
- The boots are made of leather and fiber - different technologies are used depending on your level.
- The blades are made of 2 parts; the runners that touch the ice - they are made of steel - and the tubes that connect to the boot, that are made of aluminium or steel
- Closure system is lace for beginner and zipper for higher level end products.
Essentials tips for ice skate care - each day for all skates
Let's start with habits you must implement at each practice to take care of your blades and boots. This is essential to make your equipment last longer, whatever the brand.
Skates can be an expensive investment (especially as you progress) and good habits must be taken from the beginning.
The following points are applicable to all types of skates.
#1 Wear skate guards when walking with your skates outside the ice
Your blades are the most important part of your skates. Even a small dent can put you off balance.
Therefore anytime you are off the ice, they should be protected. All surfaces made of rocks, metal, wood, cement would be damaging.
Around the rink, the floor is normally made with blade-friendly material. However, it is a good habit to automatically add skate guards (a.k.a. blade protector) as soon as you step off the ice.
There are different shapes of guards and they can be adapted to the size of your blade. They will shield them.
However, don't forget to remove them before getting on the ice. Otherwise they will slide from under you and you will fall. I talk from experience. Once I was excited to show something to my coach, forgot them, crashed and hurt my knee just 2 weeks before the national cup. I could not take part that year...
Check out my article to help you choose the best skate guards for you
#2 Check the status of your blades
Another essential element of performance and safety is the sharpening of the blade. This should be done by someone experienced.
Don't worry it does not have to be done every day. However, I do recommend a visual check of your blade each time before training.
If you start to slip on an edge, it’s time to have your blades sharpened. But I recommend also to visually inspect your blade to make sure there is no dent, and I also use my thumb nail to make sure both edges are still sharp (a slight movement against the blade should slightly shave the nail. (of course, those who can't live without a manicure will not be able to do that...).
Learn more on my article about figure skate sharpening (why, when, how often, how...)
#3 After skating, dry your blade religiously
It is essential to keep your skate dry. Moisture is your worst enemy.
Once you have removed your skate, do NOT leave the guards on. They are great to protect while walking but they can be damaging if left on.
Take time to wipe your blade. Use an absorbent towel or a leather cloth to dry a first time. Then leave them a few minutes to get to room temperature (condensation may form) and dry again.
Check out these ice skate towels to personalize:
#4 Always carry your skates in a bag
Do not carry them over your shoulder you will damage them and the laces (and probably your clothes too).
Always carry your skates in a bag.
You can find my tips for choosing the best ice skating bag for you in this article (for figure skates).
#5 In your skating bag, protect with blade cover
To protect the blades in your bag and to continue absorbing moisture, you should use blade cover a.k.a. skater soakers.
They come in various textiles and colors.
Remember that speed blades are longer, so you need a special version.
#6 Once at home, remove your skates from your bag to let them dry
And last, this is something young kids often forget to do but is essential.
A lot of moisture builds up in the boots during skating. It is important to take your boots out of your bag, open the tongue as much as possible and have them sit outside until the next skating session. They will dry at room temperature.
If you can, take the inside sole out of the boot to dry it separately.
However, do not leave them near a hot radiator or in the sun. Leather is susceptible to heat, and the form can change.
#7 - During Summer
During Summer, most rinks are closed.
If you are not using your skates for a long period of time, make sure that:
- you do not store them in a closed bag or a closed box
- do not leave them in a very hot room
- do store them without touching each other (as the leather contact in the heat can damage it)
- store them on the side so that no weight is left on the blade
Extra tasks to take care of your figure skates
#8 - Figure - Check the status of your laces
I recommend purchasing high quality laces. They can last longer as you will apply a lot of friction on them.
Every couple of months, check that they are not getting thin in places.
And always have a spare pair in your bag as they can break unexpectedly.
#9 - Figure - Check the screws
The blades are attached to the booths with screws. I recommend checking monthly that they are still tightly screwed.
#10 - Figure - Check your heels
First, we checked that the screws were Ok so that the blade does not fall off the boot. But you should also check the status of the heel. It is one of the most fragile part of the skate and it can take a lot of cuts and hits. I once had layers starting to separate. So, a visual check every 3 months should do it.
#11 - Figure - Polish your boots
If you don't wear skate covers, then the white or black of your skate will be damaged by hits and cuts.
Every 6 months, you may want to polish and protect them again and use special products to cover the cuts.
But wearing figure skate boot covers during training is also very effective. Learn more about them.
Care of your hockey skates
#8 - Hockey - Check the status of your laces
I recommend purchasing high quality laces. They can last longer as you will apply a lot of friction on them.
Every couple of months, check that they are not getting thin in places.
And always have a spare pair in your bag as they can break unexpectedly.
Learn more about the best hockey laces.
#9 - Hockey - Check the screws
The blade holders are attached to the boots with screws. I recommend checking monthly that they are still tightly screwed.
#10 - Hockey - Polish your boots
The boots are made of leather. Like for shoes, you want to keep them in good condition.
Polish and protect them with leather preservative once or twice a year.
If they are made of composite materials, oiling is not necessary.
Beware, if you are using your hockey skates on synthetic ice, they may require more frequent sharpening.
Care of Speed Skates
#8 - Speed - Check the status of your laces (if applicable)
If your skates have laces, check every couple of months that they are not getting thin in places.
Always have a spare pair in your bag as they can break unexpectedly.
#9 - Speed - Check the bolts
Monthly, check that your blades are still on tight. Try to move them – if they shift tighten the bolts. Do not over-tighten the bolts or you will strip them.
#10 - Speed - Protect your boots
The boots are made of leather. Like for shoes, you want to keep them in good condition.
Yearly, you should treat with leather preservative. When you are leaning, the side of the boot may be worn out, use a piece of special tape to protect the area.
When to change skates
The first reason to changes skates, especially for kids, is when they become too small.
The second reason can be if your skill level is improving and you need better performing skates.
Otherwise, if you are not changing size or technicity, the signs that you should change your skates are:
- Weak ankle - the boots are not holding much anymore at ankle level
- The inside of the boot is all damaged - there is no more protection
- The blade has been sharpened too many times and there is nothing left
