What is the Difference between Junior and Youth Ice Hockey Skates?
Ice hockey skate age group ranges into four categories: junior, intermediate, senior, and youth. These size ranges are determined by factors such as height, weight, chest and waist measurements, age, and other pertinent measurements.
Similarities Between Junior And Youth ice Hockey Skate
Junior and youth hockey skates have some size similarities. For instance, they both fit 1.0 sizes down from a boy’s shoe size. Thus, selecting a skate just a smaller half-size is an option for junior or youth players whose feet rapidly develop to provide more room for growth.
Differences Between Junior and Youth Ice Hockey Skate
Youth hockey skates also differ from Junior ice hockey skates. They are skates that fit kids aged nine and under or those who wear shoes in a 1.5 to 13.5 small kids size. Whereas junior skates fit kids aged 7 to 13 or those who wear a 2 to 7 kids-size shoe.
Remember, hockey skate sizes vary between manufacturers. So, checking each product page or a reputable ice hockey review page like cleatshub.com for that specific skate’s sizing information is important.
Youth Hockey Skates
Youth hockey skates are the smallest size category available for hockey skates. They are meant to accommodate toddlers and young kids with a US shoe size of 1.5 or less between the ages of nine and under. They come in sizes ranging from 8 to 13.5 kids.
Youth hockey skaters require a more flexible and relaxed boot that will break in quickly. They will learn their stride and gain ankle strength with softer hockey skates. However, senior and junior players may need a hard boot and firm outsole.
Learning to skate is difficult enough without competing with an elite-level composite boot for considerably more experienced athletes.
How To Size A Youth Hockey Skate
It’s easy to find youth hockey skates that fit properly. Youth skates should be sized down one to two sizes from the child’s regular street shoes. The heel should have little more than a quarter-inch of room, and the toes should barely touch the toe cap.
Skates should feel snug but not too tight when laced. Little feet develop rapidly, so it’s OK to go up approximately a half size. But don’t go any bigger than that since you run the danger of blisters, and the boots will also likely wear out more quickly.
Youth Skates Sizing Information
| Recommended Skate Size | US Shoe Size | EUR Size |
| 8 | 9.5 | 25.5 |
| 8.5 | 10 | 26 |
| 9 | 10.5 | 26.5 |
| 9.5 | 11 | 27 |
| 10 | 11.5 | 27.5 |
| 10.5 | 12 | 28 |
| 11 | 12.5 | 29 |
| 11.5 | 13 | 30 |
| 12 | 13.5 | 30.5 |
| 12.5 | 1 | 31 |
| 13 | 1.5 | 31.5 |
| 13.5 | 2 | 32 |
Junior Hockey Skates
Junior hockey skates are designed to accommodate children between the ages of 7 and 13, with US shoe sizes ranging from 2 to 6.5.
How To Size A Junior Hockey Skate
Selecting junior hockey skates one size smaller than your child’s shoe size is the ideal method for sizing. Ice skates are normally worn on foot; therefore, doing this guarantees a tighter, more stable fit.
Too-loose skates are risky and may result in injuries from a fall or twisted ankle because they are the wrong size. Here is a useful table to help you determine the junior hockey skate size for your child:
Junior Skate Sizing Information
| Recommended Skate Size | US Shoe Size | EUR Size |
| 1 | 2.5 | 32.5 |
| 1.5 | 3 | 33 |
| 2 | 3.5 | 34 |
| 2.5 | 4 | 34.5 |
| 3 | 4.5 | 35 |
| 3.5 | 5 | 36 |
| 4 | 5.5 | 36.5 |
| 4.5 | 6 | 37.5 |
| 5 | 6.5 | 38.5 |
| 5.5 | 7 | 39 |
How To Find Your Ice Hockey Skate Size At Home
There are two ways you may determine your hockey skate size at home. The quickest approach is the first; you need to know your shoe size, preferably your dress shoe size, because those are more precise. Because you must trace and measure your feet, the second approach is a little more complicated. But it offers the most precise measurement.
METHOD 1
Senior hockey skates typically fit 1.5 sizes smaller than a men’s shoe size. In contrast, youth and junior hockey skates fit one size smaller than a boy’s shoe size. For instance, a player wearing a senior size 6.5 hockey skate would wear a men’s shoe size of 8.0. Selecting a skate just a smaller half-size is an option for junior or youth players whose feet rapidly develop to provide more room for growth.
Remember that the sizes of hockey skates differ between manufacturers, so you should always check the product page for the exact skate’s sizing information. Most players should generally be comfortable using a Medium Volume Fitting skate in the Standard D, R, or E width.
METHOD 2
This is the most sophisticated and precise method of determining your skate size in terms of length, breadth, and suitable type. A sturdy place on which to stand, a piece of blank paper, a pen or pencil, and a measuring tape or ruler are all you need to get started.
Step 1. Set the paper down on a sturdy surface.
Step 2. If you use skate socks, put them on now and walk onto the paper with enough room around your full foot for them to fit.
Step 3: Holding the pen or pencil while standing, start tracing. While outlining your foot, maintain a perpendicular line with the pen or pencil to the paper. You can’t measure beneath your foot if you keep it perpendicular; thus, your foot outline will be wrong.
Step 4: Calculate the distance between your toes’ farthest points and the heel’s tip in centimeters. This will be the measurement of your foot length. The breadth of your foot is now measured at the broadest place on your forefoot.
Step 5. Repeat Steps 1-4 for your other foot. This can be done on the backside of the paper, or you can use a new, blank piece.
Step 6: Divide your measured left foot length by your left foot width. Your left foot width ratio is shown below. Repeat this on your right foot to determine your right foot width ratio.
How Tight or Loose Should Hockey Skates Fit?
How tightly should hockey skates fit? One finger should fit between the inside of the boot and the foot heel for juvenile sizes. The purpose of this is simply to make room for seasonal development. Adult skates don’t need this extra room because they are designed to conform to the foot.
Sit down and plant your heel firmly into the back of the boot to put on a skate; your big toe should barely touch the toe cap. Once the skate is snug around the toe, firmly tighten the laces through the first two or three eyelets.
Additionally, tighten the laces along the curve from the foot to the ankle; this will hold your heel firmly in the heel pocket. While lacing the skate, keep your foot firmly planted on the ground.
Final Tips
If you’ve never shopped for a pair, you might wonder, “What size ice skates ought I to buy?” You should typically get a skate one to eleven and a half sizes smaller than your shoe size.
Skates are tight-fitting and run smaller than sneakers. The fact that your skates are a different size than your street shoes shouldn’t worry you. Yes, the fit must be perfect, but you generally won’t achieve this by stepping up a street shoe size.
When buying youth ice hockey skates, what’s most important is fit and feel. Skating should be fun. It should feel good. Therefore, a comfortable pair of youth ice hockey skates is key to developing a positive first experience and a long-lasting love of the game.
