What ice skates are best for kids?

"Best" . . . it all depends. If anything, the "best" are well fitting skates for your kid's foot . . . snug and comfortable.





First, it depends on the sport . . . figure skating, hockey, or speed skates. There are kids size skates for all of these . . . so it depends on what their interests are. If it's just to skate around a rink for fun - figure skates will be easier/safer to skate in.





If they are skating only occasionally (a few times or less a year), it's best to just rent skates from the rink. No need to invest in skates - they would probably outgrow them by the next time they skated! If they will be taking lessons, rentals may be suitable for the first beginning classes as well.





If you wanted to invest in figure skates, there are "recreational" skates for kids. Buy the ones with the single blade - not the double blades or double runners (looks like mini sleds). If they will be taking lessons, a better quality beginning skate set would be good . . . like from Riedell http://www.rainbosports.com/shop/site/de... or Jackson http://www.rainbosports.com/shop/site/de...





Or you can look into used skates. Typically children's skates are not too runned down (they grow out of them before it gets too beat up!).





In any case, you should get the skates (new or used) fitted by an expert skate fitter (at the pro shop at the rink) . . . make sure they ARE a qualified skate fitter. Even though they say skates generally run a 1/2 or whole size smaller than street shoe sizes, different brands fit differently . . . so it's best to go try them on in person than to buy them online.





Hope that helps!

What ice skates are best for kids?
I would suggest Jacksons because they are inexpensive and kids will grow out of them too fast. Do not buy a size bigger so they last longer. That is the worst you can do for your child because if the skate doesn't fit properly they will have more injuries than you can imagine. Jacksons are available in most pro shops at your local rink. The pro shop can also properly fit your child as well. Do not go online to buy skates as you will not be able to try on and return. They will charge a 15 % restocking charge so you lose money as well.
Reply:I would suggest a pair of Riedell Red Ribbon or Blue Ribbon skates for a child or a pair of Jackson Artiste skates. Don't go with the double runner blade skates because kids often times will have problems adapting to single blade "normal" skates because they are so used to balancing on two blades.
Reply:I definitely don't recommend the double blade skates. Obviously, at some point, they are going to grow out of that size and have to go to the single blades anyway. I would just start them out on them. Then it depends on what kind of skating they are going to be doing. If it is for one time a year skating with the family, I'd say if the rink has rental skates -- go with that. If buying recreational skates, Lake Placids, a rummage sale find or anything similar to that in the vinyl boots is fine. If you buy new ones, make sure to have them sharpened -- new ones don't always come pre-sharpened and parents can't figure out why their kid is sliding around like Bambi in their new skates! If they are taking lessons, they should start in the appropriate skate for what their goals are -- if they want to play hockey, start them in hockey skates....if they want to go the figure direction, start them in figure...speed skating, I'd check with a coach. Even if they are taking lessons, I wouldn't run out and buy the top of the line skate. I would get them properly fitted at a pro shop and then, if possible, find used skates. Kid's feet grow quickly, their skills improve quickly and they quickly decide whether or not they want to keep up with skating. Then you're not out a ton of money on a pair of skates that they used only a few times.
Reply:theres double-bladed skates and also ones that you can add onto shoes for young children and beginngers.


depending on the level they're at you can get the cheaper ones like $20-30 just so they can learn to skate and have fun. or if they're at a higher level, you can think about getting them skates with more ankle support and stuff.


remember that kids' feet grow fast so make sure you can afford them down the line if they were to continue skating
Reply:well are they doing recreational only? figure skating? hockey?


im not sure abut hockey bout for figure skates the jackson glacier... or Softec would be good to start with, or the riedell blue ribbon...



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