A quick post, today!
After skating, it’s time to dry off your skates with chamois leather or microfibre towel or similar fabric that won’t scratch your blades, but will also dry quickly. Make sure to wipe moisture from the boots, and don’t forget around the screws and base of the blades. Then, it’s time to put on your terry cloth soakers, and put the skates in the bag. Once you get home, allow the skates to air dry, and make sure to open the tongue of the boot to dry the inside of the skates, and take out any insoles to allow them to dry as well.
Skate Soakers – recommended for all skates!
Soakers can be custom made with animals or initials. Some also have a reinforced based, which means they are less likely to wear out quickly because of contact with the sharp blades, which may rip a hole through a cheap fabric soaker!
Hard plastic skate guards are also important, and must be worn when walking off the ice. The walking mats around ice rinks harbour dirt and grit that can get on your skates. This collection of debris will dull and damage the blades, shortening their lifespan, but also give cause for more frequent sharpenings! You will actually save money, time, and frustration by investing in even the most basic of blade guards. Your blade will stay sharp for longer, needing fewer sharpens.
Basic Style – Single Piece/Sling-Back/Centipede [£ Price of fish & chips] Hockey guards have a thick loop; Figure guards have a smaller, narrower loops to fit the tail end of the skates better
Simple plastic skate guards that don’t need to be trimmed due to the plastic loop, and while they can be worn on figure skates, you’ll find a better fit with…
Basic U-Shape Style – Two Piece/Combo [£ Cinema ticket]
These require you to trim and assemble the skates to your blade size. Remember to occasionally tighten the screws. Can also be worn on hockey skates. These can actually be heat molded in a pre-heated oven at 100*C, then putting them on your blades, and allowing it to cool down. You can also create a curve with using your fingers, to help you mimic walking naturally, a bit like…
Rockerz [£32]
Custom fit for figure skates, these are cut using instructions that cater to a blade’s specific size and model. Furthermore, they can fit non-standard blades, such as Revolution, Paramount and Matrix. Their wider base and curved design allows for a more natural motion of walking off-ice. They can be customised with up to four different colours, and even a gold or silver spring.
Kootsu [$40CAN, Canada only] Figure Skates Only
Doesn’t look like these took off since they’re only available in Canada. Wide base for easy walking, and are easy to adjust for different blades. They compete against the Rockerz, which are easier to cut, but these Kootsu’s require a hacksaw!
CCM Easy Step [£19] Hockey Skates Only
Like the above, but this time for hockey skates. Wide base, and easy to adjust for different sizes. Unlike the Kootsu’s, however, these have better availability.
Skaboots [£36]
Just what the hell is this contraption? While they were made for hockey skates, they can also be used for figure skates because of the Velcro attachment.
RollerGuards [£65] Hockey Skates Only
Transform your hockey skates (not figure skates, boo) into roller skates!
Scarlet Skater 