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Goalie Skates Buying Guide

Whether you're switching positions on the team or just starting out on your hockey  career, a pair of good goalie skates will help you perform at your best every time.  Check out this guide to learn some of the basics on skate  anatomy and size, and you'll be shopping  armed with some valuable sporting knowledge in no time.

The Boot

You want your boot to be comfortable while still offering your foot the support it needs.  Durability and performance during each rough game is also important.  For a skate with these characteristics, look for materials like:

You can also opt for some combination of all three, depending upon your budget.  And remember, goalie skates, while similar to regular hockey skates,  should have a slightly wider blade and a lower boot for offer more ankle and foot protection; a puck to that area could do some serious damage.

The Blade

Most hockey skate blades are made of steel and have a relatively concave shape.  Goalie skates are less concave or hollow than regular skates, and they have a larger radius, which affects how much of the skate blade actually comes in contact with the ice.

  • To determine the radius: Measure by placing the blades together, bottom to bottom. The length where the edges of the blades meet will give you a rough estimate of the radius.
  • The radius is the amount of the blade that comes in contact with the ice, which differs from skate to skate depending on their intended use.

The Size

Buying a pair of goalie skates isn't like buying a pair of sneakers. 

  • Your skates should be tighter than normal shoes, to offer you more stability on the ice. Make sure, however, that they don't rub your skin anywhere. Abrasive skates can cause painful blisters while you're on the ice.
  • When you go to try on skates, don't forget to wear the thick socks  you'll be wearing during play.
  • Don't buy skates big because you think you or your child will grow into them. Skates that are too big can cause instability and injury.
  • If you know your athletic shoe  size, you may be able to determine yor skate size by subtracting one to one and a half shoe sizes, depending on the brand.

Major manufacturers

Part of searching for a quality skate means searching for the popular brands.  They're often household names for a reason.

Related Guides

Goalie Masks

Goalie Leg Pads

Ice Skates

Inline Skates

External Links

  • FogDog.com:  A guide to buying all sorts of hockey equipment.