How to Select a Roller Hockey Skate

Once you have properly sized your feet and have narrowed down which skate line is best for you, it’s time to choose the proper level of play. If you haven’t sized your feet yet, head over to our How To Size A Hockey Skate first.

Here at IW Hockey, we categorize roller hockey skates into three categories: Recreational, Performance, and Elite. It’s important to choose the right level of play in order to maximize your performance on the rink.

In order to know the differences in each level, we need to know the anatomy of the skate. The quarter package, toe box, skate tongue, tendon guard, outsole, chassis, wheels and bearings.

Recreational skates are built for the new-to-hockey player or casual skaters that are looking for an affordable option. These are great starter skates, especially for youth players.

One thing to keep in mind is the size or weight of the skater. While recreational skates are designed for the beginner, heavier adult skaters can create more force than the skates were designed to handle and results in a premature breakdown. In a scenario such as this, we would advise looking at performance-level skates so you save money in the long run since the skates will last longer and you will not need to replace them as quickly.

• Upper: The recreational-level quarter package or boot is softer than the others, which is much more comfortable and best helps a player to learn the skating stride. In a similar fashion, the outsole or the sole of the boot is softer to provide the appropriate level of flex for the new-to-hockey or casual skater.
• Lower: Two-piece chassis is the standard at this price point and is the part that holds the skate’s wheels. While these are not as durable as a one-piece chassis, they are plenty strong for the casual or new-to-hockey player. These skates usually come with wheels that are designed for rough outdoor surfaces. If the plan is to play indoors, we would suggest picking up a set of indoor wheels here or upgrading to a performance level skate since they will provide much better grip on an indoor surface.

Performance-level skates are a great fit for players who are confident in their skating stride and are ready to take their performance to the next level. These players are on the rink 1-2 times a week playing mid-to-high level hockey.

• Upper: An added benefit to the stiffer boot is increased protection at this price point, which is needed at a higher level of hockey while the thicker internal foams create an even more comfortable out of the box feel. The tongues are usually thicker and are well reinforced, again creating more comfort and better protection for the top of the foot. Much like the stiffer boot, the stiffer outsole creates better torsional stability for better responsiveness and an increase in overall performance.

• Lower: The one-piece chassis that offers better long-term durability than the two-piece chassis found on the recreational-skates. These will hold usually multi-surface wheels that can be used on smooth outdoor surfaces and most indoor surfaces. Inside of the wheels are better-rated bearings that provide better top-end speed and glide too.

Elite-level skates are built for the best performance, protection, durability and comfort. These players are usually on the rink three times or more a week and are playing high-level hockey.

• Upper: Most of the boots at this level are made of composite or other high-end materials; which are the lightest, most responsive, protective and heat moldable. Similarly, these skates come with stiffer outsoles, which improve lateral stability for better responsiveness and overall performance. The top of the feet are well taken care of in terms of protection and comfort with pro-level skate tongues, thicker felt and an abundance of injected foams. High-end fabrics better manage moisture and help to keep feet locked into place during the game. The internal foams are thicker and plusher, which essentially means they are much more comfortable and form better around the foot too.
• Lower: Below the boot, the chassis is lighter, better at transferring energy, and is more structurally sound too. They hold elite-level indoor wheels that provide premium grip for more explosiveness and stopping power. Aiding in top-end speed and glide are the highest rated bearings that will not be found on the performance or recreational skates.