Hockey Goalie Skates Buying & Fitting Guide
There’s no denying that buying and fitting the right goalie skates can make a major impact on performance. Even though hockey skates are fairly easy to size, there are plenty of construction options and high-tech features that complicate the shopping process. Our goalie skate guide simplifies the process.
A Rundown on Goalie Skates
Here’s everything you can expect to learn:
Anatomy of Goalie Skates
Once a player decides to step into the role of goaltender, they’ll need to upgrade to goalie skates. Player and goalie boots feature distinct constructions and thus a different fit. Goalie skates are designed differently than player skates to provide a proper fit with the leg pads. Goalie skates can have a protective cowling or be cowlingless (newer models), but feature a thicker toe cap for more protection at the toe. Here’s a full breakdown of the different parts found on these skates:
Exterior of the Skate- Shell: A goalie skate shell makes up the outer covering of the boot, including the heel, midfoot, and toe guard. Modern skate shells no longer feature a cowling but instead come with a dense toe guard that shields the foot from incoming pucks. The shell’s toe guard is one of the key features that sets it apart from regular player skates.
- Outsole: The outsole of a goalie skate is the bottom of the shell and connects to the blade holder.
- Ankle/Tendon Guard: This part wraps around the back of the player’s ankle but is shorter than you’d find on a traditional player boot. This allows for an exceptional range of motion at the joint.
- Tongue: The tongue lies between the player’s shin and the laces. A goalie skate tongue is shorter than a traditional player tongue for added mobility.
- Eyelet Stay: The eyelet stay flanks the tongue and features holes to weave laces through for a snug fit.
- Laces: Goalie skate laces fasten the boots securely to the player.
- Holder: This portion attaches to the outsole and houses the blade.
- Blade/Runner: Goalie skate blades are longer and thicker than regular player blades to help support the goalie when they aren’t in motion. Runners come in 3mm and 4mm depending on the size and brand and feature varied degrees of rounded hollows and flat bottoms. Skates with a deeper hollow give more bite but make lateral movements harder for the beginning goalie. Skates with a shallow hollow make sliding easier, but they don't provide a lot of bite when pushing laterally. If you prefer the more angular flat bottom blades, we recommend that new goalies start with either a ¾ or â… (90/75 FBV) cut to start, and then go with more or less edge as they get more comfortable with the position. Many advanced-level goaltenders find that a ½ cut offers a good balance of bite and glide.
Interior of the Skate- Quarter Package: The quarter package is the main part of the goalie skate and reaches from the footbed to the collar and the toe box to the tendon guard. Quarter packages come in flexible and stiff materials to suit different skating styles.
- Footbed: The footbed is the inner sole of the boot and offers arch support to the player.
- Toe Box: This portion of the skate surrounds the player’s toes with a hard shell and dense padding.
- Liner: A skate liner features comfortable, moisture-wicking materials. The liner covers the inner foams that shield the goalie’s feet from painful impacts.
How To Choose Goalie Skates
Understanding the different parts of a goalie skate will help you determine which boots are right for you or your child. Considerations like construction, fit preferences, player experience level, and size are all essential when choosing skates. Let’s start with one of the most basic variables: construction.
One-Piece Versus Two-Piece Goalie Skates
Goalie skates come in one or two pieces. Traditional two-piece skates feature the boot and the holder as two separate parts. This setup allows the player to replace the holder and adjust its attachment to the sole. As the name suggests, one-piece boots come as whole units with no separation between the holder and outsole. This construction offers exceptional energy transfer.
Goalie Skate Preferences
Anyone who’s purchased regular player skates can attest to the importance of personal preference in selecting the right boots. While goalie skates don’t offer as much variation between models, there are still differences to note. The most important one to identify is flex. The quarter package and outsole on goalie skates can come in rigid or flexible materials for various skating styles. A firm boot offers more support and unhindered energy transfer from the foot to the ice. A pliable option propels each stride farther with a spring-like effect.
Minor preferences to consider are skate weight and liner style. Goalie skates feature dense padding and a robust shell for ample protection. This can result in heavier boots, depending on the foams and composites used. Some goalies don’t mind the added weight if it means extra coverage, but others will always reach for the lightweight options. The goalie's choice of liner is all about comfort. Certain fabrics wick away moisture or regulate temperature for more comfortable wear.
Something to keep in mind is cost. The more preferences a model accommodates, the higher the price of the skate. So, how do you decide which features to prioritize?
Importance of Experience Level for Goalie Skates
The higher the goalie’s experience level and frequency of play, the more specialized the skates need to be. Beginners or casual goalies don’t require high-tech options and can instead opt for basic boots featuring a soft outsole and quarter package. Performance and pro goalies must wear top-notch gear and should plan to purchase expensive skates. Lightweight boots with a firm construction are standard among elite players, but some still prefer heavy and rigid models.
Sizing Goalie Skates
The most important factor when choosing goalie skates is size. The way these boots fit can make a significant impact on performance, comfort, and even safety. If the skates are too small or large, the player risks developing blisters, experiencing foot pain, and wearing down the quarter package. Manufacturers develop skates in four size categories to accommodate goalies of all ages. Each category features a range of skate sizes to choose from, including:
How Do I Size Ice Hockey Goalie Skates?A shoe size is all that’s needed to determine skate size. Goalie and player boots are sized in the same way. Typically, you want a skate that is 1 to 1 ½ sizes smaller than your shoe size. For children, it is acceptable to order a half size bigger to accommodate growing feet; however, any larger will cause blisters to form and will break down the sides of the boot. Here’s a chart of goalie skate sizes and corresponding shoe sizes:
Youth Goalie Saktes |
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Skate Size | Shoe Size |
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13 | 1.5 |
13.5 | 2 |
Junior Goalie Saktes |
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Skate Size | Shoe Size |
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1 | 2.5 |
1.5 | 3 |
2 | 3.5 |
2.5 | 4 |
3 | 4.5 |
3.5 | 5 |
Intermediate Goalie Saktes |
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Skate Size | Shoe Size |
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4 | 5.5 |
4.5 | 6 |
5 | 6.5 |
5.5 | 7 |
Senior Goalie Saktes |
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Skate Size | Shoe Size |
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6 | 7.5 |
6.5 | 8 |
7 | 8.5 |
7.5 | 9 |
8 | 9.5 |
9 | 10.5 |
9.5 | 11 |
10 | 11.5 |
10.5 | 12 |
If you aren’t sure which size to order, stop by your local Pure Goalie store. Our team will measure for an accurate shoe size to help you choose the right boots.
How Goalie Skates Should Fit
A properly fitted skate will offer a secure feel with ample support for powerful push-offs. While the skates need to fit snug, they shouldn’t be too tight or too loose. Feeling intense pressure points is a sign that the boots are a bit too small. Another indicator that you’ve got the wrong size is heel movement. The goalie's heels should be stationary, so any wiggling or shifting is a problem.
Trying on skates is the only way to ensure you’ve got the right fit. We always recommend lacing the skates fully for a better idea of how the boots will work for you. Here’s how to lace and fit skates like a pro:
- Wear skate socks or the socks you plan to wear during a game to ensure an accurate fit.
- Next, push the foot as far forward as possible. You should be able to fit your index finger between the goalie's heel and the back of the boot. If you can fit two fingers, the skate is too large. If you can't fit in one finger, the skate is too small.
- Then, kick the heel firmly to the back of the boot and lace it up. When lacing, make sure the foot is flat on the ground. In a properly fitted and laced skate, the eyelets should be parallel from toe to ankle and you should not be able to see the edge of the tongue. If the eyelets bow or you can see the edge of the tongue, or worse—the skater's foot—the skate is too small. When properly laced, the goalie's heel should not lift.
- After snugly lacing the boots, walk around to make sure the fit is comfortable.
Keep in mind that goalie skates require wearing a few times to break in. Professional heat molding will help speed up the process and minimize discomfort when wearing new boots. Various brands also offer skate accessories such as insoles and contoured padding to make skates more comfortable and supportive.
Goalie Skates Care
Goalie skate care is essential for performance. After carving up the ice, the blades naturally dull. In order to keep a player's stride smooth over the ice, skate blades need to be routinely sharpened. Test out the sharpness of your skate using the fingernail technique. Simply hold the skate upside down and lightly run a fingernail along different spots on the blade. If you feel the skate dig into the nail, it’s ready for action. If the blade lacks any bite, it’s time to sharpen. Beginner goalies can expect to sharpen their blades every 7 to 10 hours of play. Advanced goaltenders usually need to sharpen their blades after 5 to 7 hours. If your skates come into contact with the goalpost, you’ll want to sharpen them right away.
How Do I Sharpen Goalie Skates?Goalie and player skates are sharpened the same way: professionally. Blades feature specialized hollows and flat bottoms that can be altered by amateur sharpening. Most rinks employ a pro skate sharpener who hones blades without damaging the construction. You can use a honing stone in a pinch to get a nicked blade ready for a game until you can see a professional.
Always outfit your blade with a cover when you aren’t on the ice. This will protect the runner from damage and premature dulling. Skate blades don't last forever. You’ll know it’s time to replace the blade if it doesn’t feel smooth or reach top speeds, even after sharpening. Every goalie kit should have a spare set of runners for speedy changes at practice or during games.
That’s everything you need to know about goalie skates. If you found this comprehensive look at boots and blades helpful, check out our other equipment guides. When it’s time to stock your kit or your child’s, shop Pure Goalie. We offer the most competitive pricing for quality products from top brands, thanks to our Low-Price Guarantee.