Which Ice Hockey Skates Are Best For Toddlers?
When you search for the best hockey skates for kids on the internet, you mostly get results that review and provide details and specifications of the best ‘Youth hockey skates.’
These results may be incredibly helpful to kids who have been skating for some time. However, they rarely serve the purpose of parents looking to buy hockey skates for their kids, who are absolute beginners.
Ice skates for toddlers are very important as they may be one of the first skates your little guy or girl tries on! A toddler’s skate is much more flexible than a Junior or Senior boot. Children don’t need that stiff boot for power transfer but need a bit of a softer fit!
As a parent, you generally want to know how to buy the best hockey skates for your kids and how much they will cost. Our guide will help you find the correct skates for your child and help you decide.
Should You Buy Used or New Skates For Your Toddler?
Buying used skates is often tempting for parents who are hesitant about spending money on brand-new ice skates. Used skates frequently have the following issues:
- Corroded blades,
- Wear-and-tear-related creases at the ankle,
- Outdated padding,
- The boots are flexed to fit the previous wearer’s foot,
- Worn-out, slack laces.
Only recreational skaters who won’t use ice skates more than a few times a year should purchase old skates. You should avoid purchasing used skates for toddlers learning a new skill or planning to enroll in a skating class. Doing so might put your child at risk for injury or the development of improper technique.
Top 5 Ice Hockey Skates For Kids
Regarding fit, comfort, and practicality, children’s ice skates are built similarly to adult ice skates. Still, they also have a few different characteristics. You may wonder if they are a good idea. Below are our top recommendations for the best ice hockey skates for your toddler.
Bauer Lil Champ Ice Hockey Skates
These Bauer models are the top beginning ice skates on the market right now. They provide the ideal support and comfort for a young child starting to walk on the ice and come in the smallest possible sizes. A youngster can wear these skates as young as 18 months.
Not only are they tough-looking, but they also provide exceptional ankle support. These skates are simple to put on and take off since they have buckle closing. These are especially comfy for toddlers’ delicate feet thanks to the cushioned tongue and the bootie inside.
However, due to their intrinsic structural constraints, these skates, like most beginner-level ice skates, are inappropriate for somewhat more experienced skaters.
Pros
- Affordable
- Single-piece design with a fixed blade
- Suitable for extended practice sessions
- These are simple to put on and take off, thanks to the buckle.
- Comes in a variety of sizes
Cons
- The buckle automatically releases
Lake Placid Summit Adjustable Ice Skate
These ice skates are lightweight, with luxurious cushioning and a warm woven inside that make them feel pleasant on foot. Beginners are more likely to wear these skates because of their comfort. These skates fasten snugly around the foot thanks to the clasp they utilize. Additionally, these skates have an appealing appearance.
However, the adjustable aspect of these skates is the main factor in their enormous popularity. The skates are incredibly affordable since they can be expanded to fit four full sizes and last much longer than many other ice skates.
However, the same adjustability characteristic might lead to an incorrect blade-length-to-boot ratio, which may influence performance.
Pros
- Adjustable up to 4 sizes
- Super comfortable
- Quick buckle closure
- Moderately priced
Cons
- Improper blade length to foot ratio
- Features and Review
Jackson Ultima Softec Vibe
The Jackson Ultima series’ Vibe is a standout item. The best ice skates for young children to learn on are these. They allow size adjustments by a simple shift of the lever. These toddler ice skates include a sturdy nylon top and a premium nickel blade to sustain their long-term use.
These ice skates are also comfortable, thanks to their soft boot supported by an exterior skeletal framework. Additionally, they provide good ankle support and adjustable function, making them among the finest ice skates for beginners.
The quality of the lever, which might shatter if not handled properly, is the one aspect that could have been improved.
Pros
- Adjustable
- Affordable
- Durable
- Comfortable
- Provide excellent ankle support
Cons
- Delicate lever
- Features and Review
Riedell Skates – 615 Soar Jr
These are some of the best kids’ ice skates available in terms of construction, design, usability, and convenience of use. These figure skates’ ankle support is ideal for encouraging correct movements.
The padding on the boot and the foam-backed lining keep the feet warm, dry, and pleasant, providing ankle support. The PVC boot doesn’t need any upkeep. The sturdy tongue construction maintains the feet’s tight fit.
What’s amazing is that the toddler sizes (junior sizes) come with Velcro straps rather than conventional laces. So, donning and removing these skates is hassle-free. The offered blade is a flexible blade that is perfect for young children attempting to improve their figure skating.
Pros
- Exceptional ankle support
- Comfortable
- A speedy Velcro closure (in toddler sizes)
- Durable
- Reasonably priced
- Colorful design
- Brand: Riedell (one of the top figure skating brands)
Cons
- None
Jackson Ultima Finesse Skate Toddler Figure Skates
These are some of the best kids’ ice skates available in terms of construction, design, usability, and convenience of use. These figure skates’ ankle support is ideal for encouraging correct movements.
The padding on the boot and the foam-backed lining keep the feet warm, dry, and pleasant, providing ankle support. The PVC boot doesn’t need any upkeep. The sturdy tongue construction maintains the feet’s tight fit.
What’s amazing is that the toddler sizes (junior sizes) come with Velcro straps rather than conventional laces. So, donning and removing these skates is hassle-free. The offered blade is a flexible blade that is perfect for young children attempting to improve their figure skating.
Pros
- Great ankle support
- Great quality blade
- Moderately priced
- Stylish
- Durable
Cons
- Weak lacing hooks
- Features and Review
Difference Between Hockey Skates and Figure Skates For Toddlers
Hockey skates and figure skates are the two main categories of ice skates. What kind of ice skates you choose for a young child just starting to skate makes no difference. However, the following recommendations:
Balance
Because of the thicker blade and toe pick on a figure skate, it is simpler. Hockey skates’ shorter blades and rockers may make balance more difficult.
Protection and Comfort
Although heavier, ice hockey boots are stronger and offer superior protection from falls and collisions. The wooden heel of the figure skating boot makes them lighter and more comfortable.
Type of Movement
Hockey skates are made for rapid movement, sharp turns, and quick stops, but figure skates are made for spins and leaps.
Are Double-Blade Ice Skates For Toddlers a Good Idea?
It’s a great idea to introduce your kid to skating by using double-blade ice skates for toddlers. How two-bladed ice skates operate is similar to how safety wheels on a bike operate.
The broader surface area of toddler ice skates with twin blades
- It makes balancing much easier.
- Ensures the development of proper skating technique
- Builds confidence
- It makes skating fun for toddlers
So, during their first encounter, some kids could be less frightened. They do, however, postpone learning appropriate methods.
Should You Choose Adjustable Ice Skates?
Parents frequently fear that they will need to purchase new children’s ice skates regularly due to the toddlers’ ever-growing feet. This problem may be resolved by using adjustable ice skates since they offer the following advantages:
- They last longer,
- They tend to be more cost-effective,
- They can be altered to fit a toddler’s developing feet.
However, ensure the adjustable ice skates you intend to buy do not suffer from:
- Improper blade-to-foot ratio,
- Lack of enough ankle support.
Final Tips To Remember When Buying Kids’ Hockey Skates
Going high-end is unnecessary if your child is just starting out. Players who have perfected every step benefit from elite skates’ use of lightweight, rigid materials, which enhance energy transmission while skating.
The benefits of stiffer skates would be minimal, and they would also be more unpleasant for novices who are still learning the fundamentals. Plus, beginner skates are far less expensive without all the precision materials and design of the higher-end models.
Don’t worry: when kids become such good skaters that their entry-level equipment starts to hold them back, upgrading to a more advanced pair of skates is easy. The typical price range for a pair of youth hockey skates is $50 to $200. However, you may frequently discover a pair on sale or in clearance.
Purchasing skates in a larger size than your child needs to “grow into” them results in a loose fit that can obstruct skating and result in blisters or other problems. Additionally, if your youngster wears uncomfortable skates, they might not enjoy the game as much as they could.
