Figure skates

Who figure skates are for

Choose figure skates for relaxed skating at the rink, learning edges and skating backwards, and for your first figure skating lessons. The longer blade extends behind the heel, so it’s harder to lose balance backwards, and the heel of the boot tilts the body slightly forwards.

The toe picks at the front of the blade are for take-offs and spins, not for braking. At the start you may catch them now and then. It helps to skate with slightly bent knees and push off with the edge of the blade, not the toe.

Boot stiffness

Recreational models have a softer cuff: they’re comfortable from day one but don’t give support for jumps. If you plan to train at a club, ask the coach what boot stiffness is required before you buy — a skate for jumping is noticeably stiffer than a recreational one.

Size and lacing

Choose the size by the foot length in centimetres given for the model. The boot should fit snugly, with no room for thick socks. Lace more loosely over the toes, tightest across the bend of the foot and securely on the hooks, so you can still bend your knee.

Before the first skate, the skates need sharpening. We compare skate types in the guide how to choose ice skates.