What size ice skates do I need? Choosing the right fitting ice skates can be a game-changer. It can also be a hurdle when you aren’t sure what size ice skates you should wear. If you’re confused and not sure what size ice skates will fit you, here’s what to look out for.
A quick rule of thumb is, the right size ice skates should be a snug fit. There should be at least a quarter-inch space between your toes and the shoe walls. Also, your typical ice skates are smaller than your street shoes. So, they should be 1-1.5 size smaller.
But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. In the rest of this guide, I dive deeper into factors that influence the right sizing, like gender and foot anatomy. I also show you how you can take your feet measurements to get the right size.
You don’t want to miss this, so I urge you to keep reading to the end. Let’s get to it!
What Size Ice Skates do I Need?
If you’re a Man/Woman
Like we’ve already seen, the right size ice skate for you should be 1-1.5 size smaller than your street shoes. So, if you’re a man or woman, wearing shoe sizes 8.5 US, 42 EU, and 7.5 UK, the correct ice skate size for you should be 7.0 which is 1.5 size smaller than the street shoes.
If you’re a Child (Boy or Girl)
Perhaps you’re asking, what size ice skates for a 4-year-old? Or what size ice skates for a 5-year-old should I get? The principle for determining the right ice skate size remains the same. The right-fitting ice skates for children should be 1-1.5 size smaller than their street shoes.
However, it’s important to consider that they’re still growing. So, it would help if you went for a half-inch space between their toes, heels, and ice skating shoes’ walls instead of a quarter-inch. That being said, if the shoe sizes are 5.0 US, 37.5 EU, and 4.5 UK, the right skate size for you will be 3.5 which is 1.5 size smaller than the street shoes.
Getting the right skate size goes a long way in many ways. One, tightly fitting ice skates can cause painful blisters in your feet. They can also hurt your ankles because of too much compression from the sides of the ice skates. All these causes discomfort and can ruin the fun when ice skating.
Also, loosely fitting ice skates aren’t cool because they cause your feet to wobble in them. This is the main cause for pronation and supination—a wrong skating habit that can hurt your ice skating skills in the future. In worst cases, they can get you broken ankles.
Related post: Can You Break Your Ankles Ice Skating?
How to Determine the Right Ice Skate Size for you
There are three main ways to know the right ice skate size for you.
- You can use a size chart provided by the ice skate brand.
- You can use a tape measure to find your exact foot size length and width.
- You can visit the store physically to fit ice skate.
The last option is more reliable. However, it can be impractical when shopping online, leaving the first two options as the only feasible options when buying ice skating shoes online. Let’s dive in to see how they work.
Related post: How much are Ice Skating Shoes?
1. Using Manufacturers’ Size Chart
Manufacturers provide size charts for the different ice skates on sale. The size chart is a predetermined chart with ice skate sizes compared with street shoe size. You first need to know your shoe size to use this chart.
Like we saw earlier, your street shoes are normally bigger sized than ice skates, making your ideal ice skating shoes 1-1.5 size smaller.
Also, it’s important to note that ice skate manufacturers use different skate sizes. So, it can be hard to compare one provider to another. It’s, therefore, best to pick your favorite brand and stick with it because the size may vary from one manufacturer to another.
What does this imply, you ask? Using the size from one brand to determine your right size ice skate for another brand may not give you the true picture.
This technique may not give you the accurate results you’re looking for. So, the next technique is much better for getting accurate feet size when buying ice skating shoes.
2. Measuring Your Feet
Measuring your feet’ length and width is the most reliable way to determine the right skate size. So, you need to measure the length from the toes to the heels and the circumference around your toe joints.
First, you need a few materials to measure your feet. These include a tape measure, a ruler, a piece of paper, and a pencil. Here’s the step-by-step guide for how to measure your feet. Your feet will often vary in size, so it’s a good idea to measure the left and the right foot separately.
- Place the piece of paper on a surface, preferably a floor or any hard surface.
- Please put on your ice skating socks to get the right size for your foot when wearing them.
- Grab a chair, sit on it then place your first foot on the piece of paper. You can use some help if you don’t have a chair to sit on.
- Use a pen or pencil to outline your foot on the piece of paper.
- Use a tape measure or ruler to measure the distance between your longest toe and your heel.
- Next, you want to measure the circumference around your toe joints and the widest part of your feet using a tape measure.
- When you’re done with one foot, switch to the other one and repeat the process.
Related post: What to Wear Ice Skating Indoors {10 Essential Wears}
The findings from this exercise should point you in the right direction when buying ice skating shoes. Moreover, this technique works for everyone (male, female, or children) regardless of the ice skating sport discipline you’re into—figure skating, Hockey skating, Speed skating, or recreational skating.
Related post: Is Ice Skating a Sport? Your Burning Questions Answered!
Lastly, use the measurements either in centimeters or inches to place your order. The seller will advise you accordingly based on the measurements you provide.
Please check out these awesome ice skating shoes on Amazon
Jackson Ultima SoftSkate Womens/Girls Figure Skate
Glacier by Jackson Ultima White Figure Ice Skates for Toddler, Girls, and Women
Riedell Skates – Soar Adult Ice Skates- Recreational Soft Beginner Figure Ice Skates
What Size Ice Skates do I Need? Wrapping Up
What size ice skates do I need? The truth is, this depends on your gender, age, and foot size. As a rule of thumb, the right ice skating shoes for you should be between 1-1.5 smaller than your street shoes.
To find the best fitting ice skates, you can measure the length from the longest toe to your heels and the circumference around the widest part of your foot. Lastly, you can also use your favorite ice skates manufacturers’ size chart to find the best fitting ice skates.
Is Ice Skating a Good Workout? Revealed
Does Roller Skating Help with Ice Skating? {7 Unique Ways}
Is Ice Skating Like Roller Skating? | {the Ultimate Comparison}
