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Ice skates: pick figure or hockey, get the fit right, then stay safe on the ice

By the Life in Good Form editors. Updated 2026-10-17.

We research products from makers' specs and health sources; we do not run hands-on tests. Links to Amazon may earn us a commission at no cost to you. How this works.

Figure, hockey and adjustable skates from three makers

From the exact maker pages cited below, checked October 2026. The Jackson page gives separate ranges for the 1291 and 1294 children's versions; the adult pick here is JS1290. Bauer Junior, Intermediate and Senior are separate variants. Do not transfer Cascade shoe-size advice to Jackson or Bauer.

Figure or hockey: which style fits how you skate

• Figure: Cascade Women's has a synthetic upper, warm poly fur lining and firm ankle support. Jackson Excel JS1290 instead lists a Mark II blade and support rating 5 in Jackson's own system. That rating is not a cross-brand score. For figure lessons, ask the instructor whether this boot and blade suit the planned skills.
• Hockey: Bauer describes X-LP 2.0 as a skate for learning the game, with a 3D POLYCARB quarter, felt tongue, sublimated liner, LIGHTSPEED PRO III holder and stainless runner. It is the hockey choice here, rather than a figure boot with a toe pick.
• Growing kids: Summit uses buckles, a power strap and laces with adjustable sizing. Lake Placid describes toe picks on both skates and recreational indoor and outdoor use.

Figure lessons, casual rink laps and learning hockey are different needs. Select that use first, then have the fit checked; a longer list of features cannot fix a boot that does not fit.

Getting the size and fit right

The Injury Prevention Center says skates should fit comfortably and provide ankle support. Poor fit can cause blisters, and a lack of ankle support can make ankles wobbly and lead to injuries.

• Cascade: Lake Placid gives women's shoe-size guidance for the selected women's model.
• Jackson: use its Excel size chart for JS1290, not a generic shoe-size assumption. The maker lists women's sizes 4 to 10 in width C.
• Bauer: check its Senior fit and size guides. The cited page lists 7 to 12 and width R; it does not say to buy your everyday shoe size.
• Blade preparation: ask the skate shop to confirm blade sharpening and setup for the exact pair before the first session. The previous Tour-specific sharpening statement does not apply automatically to these different models.

Try the skates with the socks you plan to wear and ask the fitter about comfort and ankle support. If you cannot confirm fit before ordering, check the selected seller's return conditions first. A different size or width may be a better answer than a different brand.

Adjustable skates for growing kids

Lake Placid pitches adjustable skates for kids with growing feet. Its Summit uses EZ Push Button adjustable sizing in Small (10 to 13), Medium (1 to 4) and Large (5 to 8), with deluxe comfort padding and a locking buckle, power strap and laces for a secure fit. It is sold in girls' and boys' versions.

Adjustable sizing is the reason to choose Summit over the fixed-size figure and hockey picks. Select the range that includes the child's current size; do not assume an adult skate bought large serves the same purpose. Recheck comfortable fit and ankle support at every size setting, following the injury center's general fit advice.

Helmets and skating basics

The Injury Prevention Center cites American Academy of Pediatrics data that approximately 10,000 children are treated in emergency departments each year for ice skating related injuries. It notes studies in the journal Pediatrics found head injuries and concussions are more common among ice skaters than among in-line and roller skaters.

• Wear a helmet, especially young children and beginner skaters.
• Consider knee pads and wrist guards for young children and inexperienced skaters.
• Learn the basics first, including how to stop and fall safely.
• Always look where you are going, even skating backward, and follow rink rules such as skating in the same direction as others.
• Do not wear earphones or talk on a phone while skating, and rest when you get tired or cold, because more accidents happen when skaters are tired.

Outdoor ponds and lakes

Outdoor ice carries extra risks, including hypothermia and drowning on unsafe lakes and ponds. The Injury Prevention Center's rules for natural ice:

• Never skate on an untested lake or pond. The center says ice should be a minimum of six inches thick to be safe.
• Never skate alone, and children should always be supervised by an adult.
• Only skate during the day or where the area is lit, and have a phone available to call for help.
• Never cross a frozen pond as a shortcut or go out on the ice after an animal.

The National Weather Service advises dressing in layers and covering exposed skin, and notes that mittens are better than gloves. Change into dry clothing right away if you get wet.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

Should ice skates be the same size as shoes?

Use the exact maker's chart. Cascade Women's follows women's shoe sizing; do not transfer that instruction to Jackson Excel JS1290 or Bauer X-LP 2.0 Senior.

Are figure skates or hockey skates better for beginners?

Choose by the activity: a figure boot and blade for figure lessons, or a hockey skate for learning hockey. Ask the instructor or fitter about the exact model and fit.

Do kids need a helmet for ice skating?

The Injury Prevention Center at Rhode Island Hospital says to wear a helmet, especially young children and beginner skaters.

Do new ice skates need sharpening?

Have a skate shop check blade preparation for the exact pair before use. A sharpening instruction for one model is not evidence that another arrives ready to skate.

How thick should pond ice be for skating?

The Injury Prevention Center says ice should be a minimum of six inches thick, and never skate on an untested pond.

Sources

• Cascade Women's Figure Ice Skates (rollerderby.com), Lake Placid (Roller Derby Skate Corp.)
• Excel 1290 (jacksonultima.com), Jackson Ultima
• Lake Placid Summit Girl's Adjustable Ice Skates (rollerderby.com), Lake Placid (Roller Derby Skate Corp.)
• X-LP 2.0 Skate Senior (ca.bauer.com), Bauer
• Ice Safety (brownhealth.org), Injury Prevention Center, Rhode Island Hospital (Brown University Health)
• During Extremely Cold Weather (weather.gov), National Weather Service

Sources checked 2026-10-17.