Buying hockey skates is not as simple as it first seems, especially if you're a beginner. Whether you're looking to play hockey or just go slide around on a frozen pond or the ice rink, choosing your skates is the most important part of the skating or hockey experience.

Think of your skates as the foundation of a brand new building. The building can be as sleek and chic as you want, but if you don't have a proper foundation for the building, that brilliant piece of architecture will crumble to the ground. Your skates are the foundation of you when you're skating or playing hockey. If you purchase a pair of skates that have bad ankle support or are too big or small, you will already be three steps behind the curve.

When skating you have enough on your mind thinking about balance and weight distribution. If you're playing hockey you're watching the puck, the opposing players, or trying to make sure you don't go off-side. You shouldn't be worried about your skates, which is the primary vehicle to getting you where you want to go.

All that being said, though, buying the proper hockey skates for you isn't too difficult if you do a little research on the topic, first.

And by reading an article such as the one you're reading now, you will glean a few tips so when you go to your local sporting goods store, you will already have a basic idea of what you're looking for. Of course, like anything you wear, sports related or not, there is no one size fits all answer to buying your hockey skates. This is a personal decision that you must make. Wayne Gretzky, for example, probably the best hockey player to ever lace on a pair of hockey skates, reportedly liked his skates to be two sizes too small. That was his personal choice, though that's not a recommended action for your average skater.

There are a few universal truths about purchasing your skates, though. Two important and commonly held beliefs, are these: 1. Comfort 2. Durability http://www.hockeyplayer.com/?q=content/how-buy-hockey-skates

There are a few more tricks of the trade which we will tackle in the up-coming steps that will help you determine the right pair of hockey skates to buy.

We're going to assume you're a beginner, here, as if you're experienced, you probably already have your favorite place to go buy your skates.

For your second step (your first one being reading articles such as this one for tips on buying skates) is going to the store to try on skates.

It is highly recommended by experts to do this even if you're going to purchase your skates online. No matter how good that deal is that you found on the internet, you really should go and try different skates and models on before you buy them online. http://proicehockey.about.com/od/learnthegame/a/buy-hockeyskate.htm On top of that, skate sizes are generally 1 1/2 to 2 sizes smaller than your actual shoe size. For example, it's not uncommon for someone to have a size ten shoe and a size eight skate. http://www.prohockeystuff.com/hockey-skates/sizing.aspx

Which store to go to depends on how experienced a skater you are. If you've skated for years, which would mean you've gone through the experience of buying a few pairs of skates, you will probably be able to go into a big box or discount store and find what you're looking for by yourself. For beginners, though, most experts will recommend you go to an actual sporting goods store, where there will be a more knowledgeable staff who will be able to assist you in your search for the right pair of skates. (On top of that, good pro shops will probably have a skate oven, which will custom fit the skate boot to your foot.) http://www.hockeyplayer.com/?q=content/how-buy-hockey-skates

Once you've chosen the store where you will go try on skates, remember that you're looking for hockey skates. Speed skating skates, goalie skates, and figure skates are very different than hockey skates. http://proicehockey.about.com/od/learnthegame/a/buy-hockeyskate.htm

So you've walked through the doors of your chosen store with skate buying tips in hand. You've found the section where the hockey skates are and you're facing what looks like a million different brands and models of hockey skates, probably ranging anywhere from $60.00 to $500.00 in price. http://www.prohockeystuff.com/hockey-skates/ What the heck do you do now? For starters, do not be overwhelmed and run screaming from the store. You've done your research, remember? Hopefully one of the tips you've discovered has taught you about the importance of comfort. Because there are so many different levels of skating abilities and physical size, manufacturer's make an amazing number of different makes and models. http://www.pro-skate.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=11&chapter=0 Let's start with the manufacturer. Bauer and CCM are probably the best known quality skate makers. http://www.prohockeystuff.com/hockey-skates/Reebok is the world's largest manufacturer of hockey equipment. CCM, Koho, and Jofa are all subsidiary companies under the Hockey Company of Montreal umbrella. Nike and Bauer have merged, as has Mission and ITech. http://www.prohockeystuff.com/hockey-skates/brands.aspx (If you're buying for a young hockey player, you'll probably find that your young one wants to have the exact same brand as his or her favorite hockey superstar. Keep in mind, though, that the skate that star players such as the Pittsburgh Penguin's Sidney Crosby or the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin wear will not be the same skate that is available for you to buy. Their skates are custom made for them.) http://www.pro-skate.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=11&chapter=0

Now that you've chosen the store and found a pair of reasonably priced skates that you'd like to try on. Here's some things to consider.

Most experts will tell you that there's nothing worse than having to break in a new pair of skates twice in the same season. This means that cheaper skates will not necessarily save you money, because if you have to go buy a second pair, there goes your savings. You don't have to go to the highest priced pair on the shelf, but keep this mind when choosing your skates.

(Of course, if you're buying for a younger person, this advice may vary, as kids will probably outgrow their skates before wearing them out.) http://www.hockeyplayer.com/?q=content/how-buy-hockey-skates So, you've found the make and model you desire and now need the correct size. Don't reach for the ones with your shoe size. A general rule of thumb has hockey skates fitting 1 1/2 to 2 sizes smaller than your shoe size. To get a more exact fit, try the skate on and lace it up. Standing straight, your big toe should lightly brush against the toe cap. Now bend your knees slightly as you have to bend your knees when you're skating, and your toes should pull back so they are not touching the toe cap. http://www.pro-skate.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=11&chapter=0 (Note- If you have a wider foot, don't go to a larger skate size. Just ask for the same size with a wider boot.) http://www.hockeyplayer.com/?q=content/how-buy-hockey-skates When you've found what feels like the correct size, don't forget to lace the skates properly. By design, skate makers build their skates to fit when they are properly laced up. It's not uncommon for a skate to feel too tight when they're not laced up, only to fit perfectly when they are. Keep this is mind. http://www.pro-skate.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=11&chapter=0 Finally, once you've tried the skates on and laced them up, don't shy away from wearing them for awhile and walking around in them. The difference in the skate from trying them on to working them in a little can be huge. </ref>http://www.pro-skate.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=11&chapter=0</ref> Once you've found the proper skate for you, you're off to the races. Well, off to the ice sheet, anyways. Good luck and have fun!

A skate size will be 1 1/2 to 2 sizes smaller than your shoe size.

Hockey skates are different than figure skates, goalie skates, and speed skating skates.

Your skates will be the MOST important part of your hockey equipment.