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Are figure skates the same size as shoes?

Author

Emily Ross

Published Jan 17, 2026

Sizing & Fit

Today, many brands offer figure skates in the same sizes as typical athletic shoes. Always measure your foot width while you are in a sitting position. Consider the socks you will wear with your skates. You should only wear a thin pair of socks while skating, so size accordingly.

Should figure skates be the same size as shoes?

Generally speaking, youth and junior figure skates fit a half size down from your regular shoe size, while adult skates generally fit 1.0 size down from your regular shoe size. For example, a woman skater wearing a size 9.0 shoe would select a size 8.0 figure skate.

Should figure skates be a size bigger?

Hockey Skate Size vs.

If you've never shopped for a pair before, you might start out wondering, "What size ice skates should I buy?" As a general rule, you want to get a skate that is 1 to 1½ sizes smaller than your shoe size.

How do I know my ice skate size?

Using your shoe size (shoe size to hockey skate size guide)

The simplest way is to use your shoe size to find what size skate is likely to be the best fit. Assuming your shoe size is correct, we would recommend selecting a skate box size half to one size below your shoe size.

Are skates true to size?

Yes, hockey skates are true to size. However, the thing to keep in mind is that skates fit you differently than a usual pair of shoes. Hockey skates, in fact, will be 1 to 1.5 sizes smaller than your normal shoe size.

36 related questions found

Do figure skates stretch?

Figure skaters will need to do both dynamic and static stretching. Dynamic muscle stretches (short quick movements) form part of your pre-competition or training warm-up.

Do women's figure skates fit true to size?

Figure skates are generally sized smaller than shoes by one to one-and-a-half sizes, so choose accordingly.

Should figure skates be tight or loose?

Are figure skates supposed to be tight? Yes, your figure skates need to be tight enough that your foot is able to lay completely flat without being squished. It's important your figure skates have a snug fit, and leave zero additional space in the boot.

How do I know if my figure skates are too big?

The lining, the creases and the insoles, all can indicate if you are skating in the correct size. Sometimes you can know by simply skating. If it is too big, even the simplest elements feel difficult. There is less control, your movements are less precise.

What size skates should I get?

It means that, generally speaking, your hockey skate size will be about 1 - 1.5 sizes smaller than your shoe size (US) for men and 2.5 - 3 sizes smaller for women. This means that if you buy a pair of hockey skates that are the exact same as your shoe size, you're going to be swimming in those skates.

Are hockey skates harder than figure skates?

Hockey skates have a shorter, more curved blade which allows for more power to be generated and quicker turns but can make it harder to balance. With no toe pick, there is no risk of tripping, but also nothing to stop you from falling forward.

Why do the arches of my feet hurt after skating?

Plantar fasciitis — Plantar fasciitis occurs due to repetitive stress on the bottom of the feet, stretching from the heel towards the toes. It causes pain in the heel and arch, and is common in skateboarders due to intense gripping motion of the toes while skating and poor calf strength or flexibility.

Should toes touch end of hockey skates?

Where Should my Toes Touch on my Skates. The Toe Brush Test – Another popular way to tell if the skates are the proper size is where your toes lie in the skates. With your skates laced up, stand up straight in the skates, in this stance your toes should just brush the toe cap inside the skates.

How much room should you have in figure skates?

(disclaimer, I'm not a profession skate fitter, but can only speak from my experience)... it should be tight enough that your entire foot can lay completely flat, without being squished, but with zero addition space in the boot.

Why do my ankles bend inward when I skate?

The structure of a skate is something that is always over looked when selecting a pair, if the skates you pick are not stiff enough to support your body build, they will simply bend under the weight and cause your ankles to lean inwards.

How do you get fitted for ice skates?

Sizing & Fit

Always measure your foot width while you are in a sitting position. Consider the socks you will wear with your skates. You should only wear a thin pair of socks while skating, so size accordingly. If you buy a pair of figure skates, try them on before you get the blades sharpened.

What should I look for when buying figure skates?

7 Tips for Buying Your Own Ice Skates

  • Consider the skates' primary use (ice hockey, figure skating, speed skating, recreational, etc.). ...
  • Consider your skill and experience level. ...
  • Consider how often you'll use the skates. ...
  • Think about your foot size. ...
  • Do some research on different brands. ...
  • Go for the Goldilocks fit.

Do you need to be flexible to figure skate?

“They need to be flexible and mobile enough to have a great range of motion,” he added. “But the stiffer they are, the faster they will run.”

Are my ice skates too small?

Evaluate the Fit!

Signs your skates are not the right fit include very little space at the toe, zero space at the toe and having your toes hang over the front edge, and the third toe hanging off the side of the insole.

Can Figure Skating cause bunions?

Bunions at the base of the "baby" (outside) toe are called "bunionettes." According to research by the U.S. Figure Skating Boot and Blades Subcommittee, roughly 57% of skaters develop bunions. The bony bump can get bigger and begin to crowd the smaller toes.

Why do my feet cramp in hockey skates?

In fact foot pain of various kinds is very often reported by new skaters. Your initial self-diagnosis is absolutely correct. You are scrunching up your toes and this IS completely responsible for the cramp-like fiery pain. However, simply telling your feet to “relax” is not going to be possible.

Why do my hockey skates hurt my feet?

Players that experience foot pain, "hot spots," or other general discomfort may be suffering from lace bite, a common injury caused by hockey skates. Learn the best way to lace and tie your skates to avoid this problem.

How do you break in figure skates?

Focusing on just doing edges and doing spins really helps too. -Rub some water on the insides of your skates and wear them around the house for awhile. Wet a pair of socks before putting on your skates, and then wear them around the house. Or just have a good skate shop punch out the ankles and anywhere else it hurts.