You have just bought your new skates what is the next step?

Published 16 February 2024

Skate enthusiasts know that rising prices have turned buying skates into a long-term investment.

As the cost of quality skates increases, maximizing their longevity and performance is crucial. Whether you're an experienced skater or new to the sport, optimizing your investment is essential.

At MonkeySports, we understand this and aim to provide you with the best value for your purchase. Our comprehensive guide offers expert advice on maintaining, fitting, and breaking in your new skates to ensure comfort and durability. By following our tips, you can extend your skates' lifespan and enhance your skating experience. Invest wisely, skate confidently, and trust MonkeySports to support your journey. Explore our guide today and unlock the full potential of your skates!

1. Heat Molding Your New Hockey Skates

When you buy new hockey skates, heat molding, or baking, is a crucial step to ensure the perfect fit. However, not all skates benefit equally from this process. Mid to high-end skates with superior inner liners and materials see the most significant improvements from baking, offering a snug fit and faster break-in period. Conversely, lower-end skates might suffer from accelerated wear and reduced support due to their less durable materials.

Heat molding your skates accelerates the break-in period, reducing initial stiffness and creating a custom fit by shaping the inner liner to your foot's contours. This eliminates gaps within the boot, maximizing energy transfer with each stride and enhancing on-ice performance.

Afterward, stand and walk around to allow the skates to adjust further. For the best results, avoid skating for 24 hours post-molding to let the materials settle properly.

If discomfort persists after heat molding, it may indicate a mismatch between the skate's fit and your foot shape.

2. Sharpening Your New Hockey Skates

After heat molding your skates, the next crucial step is to ensure your blades are properly sharpened for optimal performance.

How Sharp Should My Hockey Skates Be?

When you visit a blade sharpening station at your local MonkeySports store, you’ll often be asked, "What radius do you prefer?" This question refers to the depth of the hollow cut into the bottom of the blade, shaping the edges. Common options range from a 1-inch to a 3/8-inch radius. A 1-inch radius (flatter hollow) enhances top-end speed and glide, reducing fatigue but may compromise agility. Conversely, a 3/8-inch radius offers quicker turns and faster acceleration but may reduce speed and glide due to deeper edge penetration into the ice. The choice depends on your playstyle and preferences.

How Often Should You Sharpen Your Skates?

The frequency of sharpening your hockey skates depends on player preference and ice time. While some players prefer sharpening after each game, a general recommendation is every 10-15 hours of use. Factors such as skating on abrasive surfaces like concrete or encountering metal drains in locker rooms may require more frequent sharpening to prevent nicks and maintain a smooth skating surface. High-quality blades like BladeTech or Step Steel, known for their durability and coatings, may need less frequent sharpening.

How to Tell If Your Skates Need Sharpening

Without a regular sharpening schedule, you can use the "fingernail test" to check your blades. Lightly run your fingernail across the blade edge. If it glides smoothly without catching, it’s likely time for sharpening. Running your finger along the blade’s top edge can also reveal any nicks or rounded areas, indicating the need for sharpening. Always handle the steel runners with care to avoid injury.

3. Lacing Hockey Skates

Skate Lace Types

After sharpening your skates, it's essential to choose the right laces to ensure a secure fit. You have two main options: waxed laces and non-waxed laces.

Waxed Skate Lace

Waxed laces offer superior durability and grip, providing better control on the ice. With fused tips, they resist fraying and threading through eyelets effortlessly. However, they can be challenging to untie and may stiffen in colder temperatures, increasing the risk of snapping.

Unwaxed Skate Lace

Non-waxed laces are affordable and have a soft texture, making them a budget-friendly choice. However, they are less durable, prone to fraying, and may absorb water, affecting performance.

Skate Lace Methods

Once you've chosen your lace type, it's time to lace up your skates. Two common methods are:

Inside Criss Cross

This simple method involves threading the lace through the inside of each eyelet, alternating each lace until you reach the top. It's quick and easy.

Outside Criss Cross

Similar to the inside criss cross, but the lace is threaded through the outside of the eyelets. This method provides a tighter hold and is also quick to complete.

4. Hockey Skate Care Guide for Longevity and Performance

Properly caring for your hockey skates is essential for maintaining their performance and extending their lifespan. Here's a comprehensive guide to ensure your skates stay in top condition:

Air Dry After Use

Remove your skates from the bag and let them air dry to prevent moisture buildup. Use CaptOdor spray to combat odors and keep them fresh

Remove Footbeds

Take out the footbeds to allow for proper drying and prevent rust formation on the rivets. A light spray of CaptOdor on the footbeds helps maintain freshness

Control Drying Environment

Ensure the drying area is neither too hot nor humid to expedite the drying process. Consider using a blow dryer on a cool setting if necessary

Blade Care

Use blade soakers to wipe off ice residue after use to prevent rust formation. Allow blades to air dry by placing skates on top of the soakers while removing other gear from your bag

Replacing Steel

If you need to replace your steel, follow the manufacturer's instructions. For Bauer LightSpeed EDGE holders, use the grey trigger to release the blade. Insert the new blade securely, ensuring it clicks into place. Similar steps apply to CCM XS holders

Determining When to Replace Hockey Skates: A Comprehensive Guide

Knowing when it's time to replace your hockey skates is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and safety on the ice. While there's no set timeframe for replacing skates, certain unmistakable signs indicate the need for a new pair.

Despite the comfort and familiarity of your current skates, prolonged use can lead to decreased performance and compromised protection. Ignoring these signs may hinder your skating abilities and increase the risk of injury.

Investing in new hockey skates can be daunting, regardless of your level of experience. From customizing fit through baking to choosing the right sharpening preferences and laces, there are several considerations to keep in mind. Our comprehensive guide offers valuable insights to simplify the skate buying process, ensuring you're equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions.