Source
r/hockeyplayers•
mpf138

Help with first pair of skates

Hi, I haven’t played hockey since I was a kid 20 years ago, or even skated much. Thought I would start making use of afternoon skates at the local rink and eventually try some pick up hockey if it’s not a disaster.

I need pointers in finding a good pair of skates. I’ll rent at the rink for now but know I’ll need my own really soon. Even when I was younger I used fairly poor quality skates and am sure they were never fitted properly. My memories of playing hockey include badly pronated ankles and sore feet.

I’m 6,4” with pretty skinny calves and ankles, and they still pronate. I wear orthotics which sit under my heel and (lack of) arches. A big part of the reason I stopped playing and skating was because I figured I was a lost cause. My feet are the worst.

Would I benefit from very stiff skates? I tend to wear high tops for shoes and tie them pretty tight. Without loads of ankle support I feel like I walk on the sides of my feet. No amount of squats have helped my lower legs.

Any brands I should pay attention to? I’m in the U.K. so don’t think any shop I can physically get to will have a great selection, but I’ll have to see. I’m prepared for lots of ordering and returning. Also is it normal to skate with orthotics in if necessary? My old hockey coach told me they aren’t necessary since your weight will always be on the heels or ball of foot. I’m not sure how reasonable that sounds, in retrospect.

Totally lost. Any tips would be awesome. Thanks

Posted Jan 7, 2019, 12:06 PM UTC

714
IvanDrag0•

It's totally normal to use sole inserts. A ton of people replace the inserts that come with skates with better ones so you could easily just place an orthopedic insert.

Any decent skate you buy nowadays is going to be stiff. They have never been better at making lighter skates with more support and the technology has come a long way in the last 10 years for skates.

Top brands are Bauer, CCM and Graf. There are some decent offerings from other brands like True and VH but 99% of all pros are wearing the Bauer or CCM.

It is totally worth finding a shop within 2-3 hour drive just to be fitted because those companies usually have 2 to 3 lines meant for different foot shapes.

Example Bauer Nexus is for a wider foot while the supreme or vapor are meant for smaller foot shapes. Even if you dont buy your skates on that fitting trip just being able to see what foot shape boot fits best is huge.

6
thesalty3yrold•

What is Graf

2
soap_dispencer•

A Swiss company that makes skates and other hockey gear, not very common outside of Europe anymore, but you still see them once in a while.

1
pushinair247•

I heard Graf restructured recently. Might have been purchased by someone. I forget all the details. Something to Google if you're interested.

1
pushinair247•

I think the guy I was talking to said the old-school Grafs were awesome and the new ones maybe weren't as awesome?

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

-1
IvanDrag0•

Really? I live in NJ hardly the hockey mecca of NA and I have seen these skates all over my entire life. They are at pure hockey in south jersey(maybe not at pure hockey just checked website) and hockey monkey in North Jersey. Never had pair myself but I have heard good things. They are supposedly one of the most comfortable skates out there.

https://www.hockeymonkey.com/equipment/hockey-skates/ice-hockey-skates-senior/brand/graf.html

5
soap_dispencer•

To append to this, pulled from their website.

In August 2016, Vaughn Custom Sports was granted the manufacturing and distribution rights for GRAF hockey products in United States and Canada. Currently a new factory for the manufacturing of GRAF skates is being established in London Ontario and will be operational in the summer of 2017. GRAF skates are legendary for their comfort, performance, and quality. It is with great pride we continue with the GRAF tradition of high quality products and innovation that only the expertise and craftsmanship that is designed in each GRAF skate can provide.

The GRAF and Vaughn brands are the only major privately owned brands left in hockey, family run, with a lifelong dedication to the sport. We are committed to bring only the finest quality product to the market to provide the ultimate performance and value to each product.

1
pilch981-3 Years•

Where are you based? if youre within two hours of Nottingham/Sheffield its more than worth the trip to either Ice locker or puck stop- Im sure there are other shops around that have equally good selection but those are the two I know of that carry virtually every price point in every line in store.

2
mpf138OP•

I’ll check out their websites at least, thanks. I’m up in Scotland.

2
im-mundt•

I have the same issue and the CCM “Custom Insoles” are enough support for me.

And for the most part, most mid-level skates will be stiff enough...unless your a heavier guy, perhaps.

2
Pookie616•

Skatestation is a good website to order from if you’re not near any shops where you can try on skates as they offer free returns over a certain price point and I returned 3 pairs to them before I found the right ones for my feet.

2
L0g4in•

You already got some good pointers on skates but I just want to chip in. You wrote that no ammount of squats have helped your lower legs. I just wantes to say that squatting is not a good way to train your ankles, because you have 0 movement in them while doing said exercise. Try doing one legged toe raises instead. So that you raise your heel from the floor as to stand only on your toes and slowly back down again. These are easy to do and activate alot of lower leg muscles.

1