Are used Skates a good idea?

We've had some good luck with used skates. The reality is that some kids grow quickly and they outgrow their skates before they wear them out or even fully break them in. In this case, used skates should work out just fine. However, if skates are too broken in, they won't offer the support that your skater need so be cautious.

You also want to make sure that the blades haven't been sharpened down to nothing.

Some skate shops sell used skates as a service to their customers who buy from them, but they don't always promote them since they don't make as much money on them. You may have to ask if they have used skates.

If you get to know some of the skaters around your club, you may have a chance to get some good used skates at good prices. Your club might have a classifieds section on their Web site or they may have a buy-and-sell bulletin goard.

Comments   

 
# Jennifer 2012-01-24 02:04
If you are going to buy used skates, especially beyond the entry level skate you may want to ask the following questions:

How many skating sharpenings or hours were skated on the blades?
Have the skates ever been "heat molded?" (heated and placed on the skaters foot during cooling to easy breaking and fit)
Have the skates ever been "punched out?" (stretched in places that caused pain)
 
 
# threenorns 2013-03-13 21:17
you know what? bite the bullet and spend the money now. you might as well get used to it, since you'll be doing a lot of it later on, and it would be seriously unfair to your child to get frustrated bec she can't learn to skate when all the time it was her equipment, not lack of ability.

i know - i tried for a long time as a child but could never skate more than 20 - 30 minutes. i was told "weak ankles" and "poor stamina" and my parents were told "not a hope" for me to learn even the basics but all the while, it was my skates: i have very wide "duck" shaped feet and the only skates girls could get 30-odd years ago were those skinny white dominion ones. for some reason, the sight of my drained, white, freezing cold feet with dark blue toes didn't raise any alarms.

now i have skates that fit and i can toddle around the ice for as long as i choose.