Do my skates fit? When to use rentals or buy my own? Where to buy figure skates?
I often tell skaters that skating in rentals oppose to purchasing your own “fitted” pair of skates is like going hiking in bowling shoes. You can do it, but your feet will probably hurt, you will not have as much support as a hiking boot, and getting to point A to B will be much longer (which relates to mastering skating skills).
Regardless if you use a pair or rental skates or purchase your own, there are 3 things that are needed to provide a great skating experience:
Fit - do the boots fit you well?
Support - is there enough support to keep your ankles from dropping in or out?
Sharpening - are your edges square and sharp enough to hold an edge? Most rentals are not sharpened often so you cannot guarantee you are skating on square edges - let alone a hollow of your choosing.
Even rentals wear out. Ask to try another pair if your ankles drop in this badly.
For your first time to decide if you like skating, I would recommend rentals. I also recommend learning in figure skates first (the ones with toe picks) compared to hockey. No matter how good the rentals, they will not be as nice as your own pair of skates that you can customize to your foot with orthotics and frequent sharpenings.
As soon as you know that you enjoy ice skating and plan to continue, buy your own skates. When you start learning spins and jumps it is imperative to buy your own skates that have decent support and a good sharpening. Not only is it safer for your body, but these harder elements require a good fitting boot and a decent blade to execute.
BEWARE of box stores selling skates and online stores.
These are most likely purchased online or from a box/chain store. These skates will provide a terrible skating experience and will most likely damage your ankle.
If you can crease the sides/ankles of the boots with your hands while holding them like the pair shown above, they do not have enough support. While standing in them, if they show a noticiable crease by simply bending your knees and ankle, they do not have enough ankle support. However, be careful not to buy a “top of the line” pair that has too much support that is counter to your weight and jumping ability since those can damage your ankles.
To purchase a good fitting pair of skates you need to find a good skate shop with a proficient salesperson/skate technician who can fit your foot to the right brand and size of skate.
If you are at the Cabin John area (where I teach) head over to the pro shop to see if they have your size. Two other options in the area are:
1) The Ice Gardens at Laurel. You would ask for an appointment with the owner, MIKE,
https://echockeyandskating.com
13800 Old Gunpowder Road
Laurel, Maryland 20707
Phone (301) 604-8200
2) Fairfax Ice Arena
Here you will want an appointment with Marlon.
https://www.fairfaxicearena.com/pro-shop.html
3779 Pickett Rd., Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 323-1132
My advice - move into your own pair as soon as you are able and your budget allows.
For more information please contact Dan today!