SKATE FITTING GUIDE
Skates are the most important piece of hockey equipment -- and the most commonly fitted wrong. Get the right fit, and your skating improves immediately.
THE FITTING PROCESS
Get measured, don't guess
At a hockey-specific shop, use a Brannock device to measure foot length AND width. Most people don't know their actual size -- and hockey skate sizing varies by brand. Write down both measurements.
Try both skates on -- laced fully
Lace the skates completely, not halfway. The moment you put them on you should feel pressure across the top of the foot and ankle. Walk around for 5 minutes before judging fit. The foot expands during use -- you want tight when new.
Check toe space -- standing
With your skate laced and standing upright (not leaning forward), your toes should barely graze the front of the boot. Press up on your toes -- you should feel no pressure. If your toes press firmly against the front, the skate is too short.
Check flex -- ankle forward
When you bend your ankle forward into a skating crouch, you should feel about 1/4 inch of space between your longest toe and the front of the boot. If your toes press hard against the front in a crouch, the skate is too short even if standing upright feels okay.
Check heel lock
Your heel should not lift inside the boot when you flex. Press down on the front of the boot -- your heel should stay locked in place. If you feel movement, the skate is too wide or the holder/runner is not properly secured.
COMMON FITTING MISTAKES
Buying skates too big "to grow into"
Skates that are too large cause heel lift, poor edge contact, and bad habits that are hard to unlearn. Buy skates that fit NOW. Kids' skates come in half-size increments -- buy the exact fit, not a size up.
Assuming shoe size = skate size
Hockey skate sizes run 1-2 sizes smaller than street shoes. A men's size 9 in shoes is often a size 7.5 or 8 in Bauer. Always measure.
Not considering foot width
Hockey skate makers offer widths: D (regular), EE (wide), and some brands offer B (narrow). Most people are D or EE. A wide foot in a narrow skate = circulation loss, cold feet, early fatigue.
Buying at a general sporting goods store
General sporting goods stores have general staff. Hockey shops have hockey-specific staff who watch players skate and can identify fit problems in real time.
SKATE SIZING BY BRAND
Hockey skate sizing is NOT standardized across brands. A size 8 in Bauer Supreme fits differently than a size 8 in CCM Ribcor. Always try before buying -- or know your exact foot measurements and research the brand\'s fit profile.
Bauer Vapor
Narrow / performance
Low volume, narrow forefoot. Best for players with narrow feet who want a close fit.
Bauer Supreme
Regular / wide
Higher volume, wider fit through the midfoot. Good for average-to-wide feet.
CCM Jetspeed
Narrow-medium
Narrower boot with a more anatomical fit. Good for quick, agile players.
CCM Ribcor
Regular / flex
Softer boot, easier to break in. Good for players who want immediate comfort.
True Hockey
Custom-like
Slightly narrower, anatomical fit. Known for excellent heel lock.
Bauer Nexus
Regular-wider
Wider boot, higher volume. Most comfortable for players with wide feet.
BAKING & BREAKING IN
Modern composite skates are heat-molded. Baking your skates at the right temperature for the right time makes the boot form to your foot shape -- dramatically improving fit on the first wear. Most hockey shops bake skates for free when you buy them.
Temperature
135°C / 275°F for most composite skates. Check manufacturer specs -- baking at too high a temperature voids the warranty.
Time
Bake for 6-8 minutes. Less than 6 minutes doesn't soften the boot enough; more than 10 risks deforming the boot.
After baking
Put the skates on immediately and lace fully. Wear them for 10-15 minutes while walking around. The molds start hardening within minutes.
First skate
On the first on-ice session after baking, skate easy for the first 20 minutes to let the boot settle. Don't do full-speed drills until the boot has fully set.
Ready to find your skates?