How to Size Youth Hockey Skates

Choosing the incorrect size of hockey skates for a youth can lead to blisters, poor skating habits and increase risk of injury. A skate needs to support a youth's foot and ankle while on the ice, which means there should be very little room for foot movement. Youth skates are difficult to select because a young person's foot is still growing and you may be inclined to buy a skate they can grow into. Resist this urge. You can't allow so much room for growth that the skate does not do its job.

Instructions

    • 1

      Look at manufacturer's label on the inside tongue of your child's shoe to determine its size.

    • 2

      Choose skates that are a half size smaller than your child's shoe.

    • 3

      Place one of your child's feet into the skates with her hockey socks on. Lace up both skates. Instruct your child to stand up and push her foot to the front of the skate. Put a finger inside the skate behind your child's heel. If there is room for more than one finger, the skate is too large lengthwise. Conversely, if you can't fit one finger behind her heel, the skate is likely too small lengthwise.

    • 4

      Instruct your child to move her foot side-to-side. Her foot should feel restricted in the skate, but not so much that she can't move her foot at all. It's difficult to gauge the correct width of a hockey skate. However, the skate is likely too large if your child can move her foot side-to-side more than a bit.