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The Ultimate Skate Buying Guide

The Ultimate Skate Buying Guide

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Finding the perfect skate is critical to your on-ice success. But doing so isn’t as simple as taking your shoe size and looking at a conversion chart — it requires a more in-depth analysis of your foot dimensions and skating style. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to find the skate that’s right for you. 

Getting Sized Up 

The first step to finding your perfect skate is knowing your size and fit. It’s important to note that your skate will not be the same as your shoe size. Skate sizes are determined based on the length of your foot and are typically smaller than your shoe size. Fit is based on your foot’s width and volume to help ensure proper support through the entire boot. To accommodate as many skaters as possible, we offer five different fit options: 

  • D – Standard fit 
  • EE – Wide fit 
  • FIT 1 – Narrow width and low volume 
  • FIT 2 – Medium width and medium volume 
  • FIT 3 – Wide width and high volume 

The best way to find your optimal size and fit is by visiting an authorized BAUER FitLab retailer. This experience uses a 3D scan of your foot to recommend specific specs while also giving you suggestions on things like skate orthotics and blade profiles. 

Choosing the Right Skate Family 

Next is finding the right skate family for your style of play. There are three main families in the BAUER lineup, each with their own unique strengths: 

VAPOR

VAPOR skates are built with responsive and flexible materials in the lower portion of the boot to help make you more agile on the ice. 

SHOP VAPOR SKATES

SUPREME 

SUPREME skates are designed with stiff materials in the lower part of the boot to help give you a more powerful stride. 

SHOP SUPREME SKATES

BAUER X 

BAUER X skates feature comfortable designs and flexible constructions for players who are new to the game. 

SHOP BAUER X SKATES

Customizing Your Skate 

If you want the best experience possible, custom skates are the way to go. We offer two levels of customization: 

MyBAUER Custom 

Custom gives you the power to personalize your skates with your choice of name, number, color, and tongue. It also allows you to have a half-size difference between your left and right foot if needed.  

CUSTOMIZE WITH MYBAUER CUSTOM

MyBAUER Pro Custom 

Pro Custom gives you everything Custom offers and more — allowing for ¼ sizes and the ability to mix and match everything from holders to toe caps to eyelets. This level of customization is only available in-person at an authorized BAUER FitLab retailer. 

FIND A FITLAB RETAILER

Building Your Performance 

Once you’ve chosen your skate, it’s time to enhance it with what we call pieces of performance. These features and accessories can positively impact how your skate performs so you can get the most out of every stride. 

Skate Socks 

Designed specifically to wear with skates, skate socks can help improve grip, feel, comfort, and circulation while skating. 

Orthotics 

Orthotics help give your arches proper support while reducing the negative space inside your boot. 

Sharpening 

Choosing a deeper cut when sharpening can help your steel dig into the ice, while a shallow one can help enhance your glide. We recommend starting with somewhere around 5/8” for older or heavier players, or ¾” for younger or lighter players. 

Profiling 

Profiling adjusts the shape of your steel to improve qualities like acceleration, agility, and power. 

Making Your Choice 

Now, you have all the information you need to pick out your perfect skate. Visit our skate page to shop our entire collection and dig deeper into our products. And if you have any questions, a skate expert at a BAUER authorized retailer will be more than happy to help. 

We look forward to seeing you on the ice.