| The most important pieces of equipment for any | | | | better for outdoor surfaces. The size of the wheel is |
| hockey player are their skates. Hockey players are | | | | also extremely important. You must look up your |
| notoriously picky when it comes to skates, whether | | | | skate brand's wheel set-up in order to select the |
| they are for inline or ice hockey. The most important | | | | correct size wheel. For example, "Hi-Lo" setups are |
| factor when choosing hockey skates is comfort. | | | | very common among skate manufacturers. This type |
| Hockey skates should be snug without being | | | | of set-up places larger wheels in the heel of the boot |
| uncomfortable. Besides the standard sizing, most | | | | and smaller wheels at the toe. When purchasing new |
| skates come in regular and wide options. It is | | | | wheels it is crucial that you know the correct wheel |
| important that you try on skates before purchasing | | | | sizes to buy. |
| them. If you find a good deal on a pair of skates | | | | Finally, hockey bearings are designed to make the |
| through the internet, it is always a good idea to try | | | | wheel spin freely. Bearings are metal rings that are |
| them on in a store before buying. | | | | placed inside the wheels. Bearings come in a variety |
| Most major skate manufacturers design their skates | | | | of grades, rated based on quality. The ABEC scale, |
| to fit about 1-1.5 sizes below your normal shoe size. | | | | which goes in odd numbers from 1-9, is designed to |
| For example, a size 10 shoe should buy a size 8.5-9 | | | | rate bearing precision. For example, the most |
| hockey skate. This includes Mission skates, which | | | | expensive skates come standard with ABEC 9 |
| recently changed their sizing to align with these | | | | bearings, while cheaper skates have ABEC 3 or 5 |
| standards. | | | | bearings standard. It is commonly believed that |
| An even more customized fit can be attained | | | | better bearings will make the skater go faster, but |
| through a process called skate baking. This process | | | | there is no evidence to suggest that ABEC 9 |
| involves heating your skates to about 180 degrees | | | | bearings are any faster than lower grades. |
| for a few minutes, then wearing them until they cool. | | | | This article has provided a general overview of what |
| Skate baking softens the skate and allows the | | | | to look for when purchasing new inline skates, |
| padding to mold around your foot. Skate baking can | | | | wheels, and bearings. There hundreds of skate |
| shorten the breaking-in process. | | | | models on the market, all with subtle differences. If |
| The other factor to consider when buying inline | | | | possible take each skate model for a test-skate |
| hockey skates are the wheels and bearings. Let us | | | | before purchase. Every skater prefers their own fit |
| first discuss wheels. Inline hockey wheels come in a | | | | and feel. Finding yours will ultimately help you become |
| variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Softer wheels | | | | a better skater. |
| are designed for indoor use, while harder wheels are | | | | |