Choosing children's skates: types and sizes

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 22:35

Skating is not only exciting fun for children, but also a useful activity that strengthens the young body, improves motor skills and coordination. It is very important that it is comfortable and safe for the child. This requires special equipment and equipment. And if the choice of a suit and a helmet is a matter of minutes, then the choice of skates sometimes turns into a real torture for parents. How to choose the right skates for children and not make a mistake with the size?

Skates are divided into two groups: roller skates and figure skates.

Roller

Roller skates (children) are great for active walks and training with virtuoso tricks and jumps. Their choice depends on the level of loads. For amateur use standard materials. Sports skates feature increased durability, improved ventilation and tighter fit, including cuff, heel strap and clips.

The wheels are also different. For a walking option, a paired frame (four or five wheels) is usually used, for sports - a line (three or four wheels). The latter helps to develop greater speed.

Skating style should also be considered.

Skates fitness	Soft and ventilated with speed bearings and reinforced frame	For leisurely walks in the park, provide maneuverability
Skates race	Long and low frame, four or five wheels	These are cross-country skates. Allow for high speed
Freeskate skates	With durable plastic boot, cushioned heel pad and replaceable toe guard	For high-speed driving and performing jumps and tricks
Skates urban	Short Chassis	For jumping and walking around the city

Curly

Figure skates (children's) are divided into amateur (recreational), semi-professional and professional. The former are designed for simple skating on ice, the latter can withstand complex rotations and double jumps. Professional skates can be used by figure skaters and amateurs who value quality. They stand up to difficult tricks.

Figure skates (children's) have different designs depending on the style of skating.

• Amateur: padded boots and mounted blades.
• Semi-professional: relatively stiff boots and quality individual blades.
• Professional: maximum boot stiffness, heavy duty metal blades.

When choosing figure skatesattention should be paid to the curvature of the blade. The steeper it is curved, the more maneuverable the skates will be. Children's figure skates also vary in weight. The heavier they are, the warmer they are to ride in.

Universal

Universal children's skates fall into a separate category. Their kit includes two types of removable frames: roller and blades. If a child likes to skate both on ice and on asph alt, then parents do not have to buy a new pair when the season changes. It is enough to replace one frame with another.

Sizes

When choosing skates of any type, there are a few things to consider.

• Children's skates should fit snugly on the leg, while not pressing or causing discomfort. The ideal size is considered when the toes lightly touch the inside of the toe bend, while the heel lies firmly and confidently. You should also pay attention to the width of the child's foot. The leg should not "dangle" inside, otherwise it may cause injury.
• You can not measure children's skates on a thick woolen sock. They should sit well on the leg.
• It is better to choose skates with a child. He should not only try them on, but also get on his feet and walk a little. Then it will be clear whether they are comfortable or not. When choosing the same size of skates without a child, you can use a special ruler. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the presence of the insole and the width of the boot.
• Children's hockey skates are best taken one size larger.
• For figure skates, not only the size of the boot matters, but also the size of the blade. Hemeasured in inches and corresponds to the length of the boot.

There are several firms that have established themselves as reliable manufacturers of figure skates. Among them: Nike, Graf, Bauer, Easton. Since these companies are European, the sizes of children's skates will be radically different from Russian ones. Therefore, it is better to buy them in specialized stores with competent staff

Sliding

Children's feet grow rapidly and change size - this is a known fact. Therefore, there is nothing easier and more convenient than choosing skates (children's) sliding. They are enough, as a rule, for two or three seasons. They are roller and curly.

The secret of the design lies in adjusting the fixation of the boot on the child's foot and shifting the part of the skate: toe or heel. The first case is the most correct. In this case, the weight distribution relative to the frame will remain the same. Models with a heel shift are less secure. The center of gravity is shifted back, and the child may simply not adapt and fall.

Usually (children's) sliding skates cover three to five sizes.

Care Tips

In order for children's skates to serve for a long time, they must be properly looked after. For example, immediately after skating, the blades of figure skates should be wiped dry and cloth (but not plastic!) Covers should be put on. This will keep the blades from rusting. It is also strictly forbidden to dry skates on a radiator or heater. Only at room temperature!

• If the skating boot remains usable for a long time, then the wheels gradually wear out, and the blades grind off. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor and change the roller wheels and sharpen the blades in time.
• You cannot sharpen the blade of skates yourself. It is better to turn to specialists.