The design of the blades; The two types of skates also differ sharply in the design of their blades and boots. In ice dance, a discipline of figure skating, the boots are typically lower in the back so the skater can attain greater bend and flexibility in the ankle area. Your email address will not be published. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Learn more. Many figure skaters are unqualified to be hockey skating coaches. January 17, 2020 by Bruins Blog Leave a Comment. There are a few factors relating to surface area and friction which vary from blade to blade; - The blades on figure skates are wider which would cause a larger surface to contact the ice which would create more friction. Choosing the right skates as per the sport is, therefore, very important. When it comes to winter sports, you can find two types of skates— the figure skates and ice hockey skates. Figure skaters use their respective skates to glide, spin and jump numerous times on the ice during a competition in their game. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. It is a priority for CBC to create a website that is accessible to all Canadians including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Those are the major differences between the two types of skates. Required fields are marked *. Typically, there are tapered figure skate blades, which are thicker at the front near the toe picks and thinner towards the back, or heel, of the boot. There are more differences between hockey skates and figure skates. More recently, the boots have been made from synthetic materials as well, but some have the addition of a heat-modifiable lining. The first difference is between their usage. Join the Virtual Audience for 'Battle of the Blades', Meet the Judges: Scott Moir, Natalie Spooner and Elladj Baldé. Some say Laura Stamm was the first power skating instructor. Besides having more edges than the blades of hockey skates, figure skates’ blades are also replaceable and attachable. Knowing the difference between the two types of skates will help you understand the roles of the two skates (figure skates and hockey skates) better concerning ice skating. How to Do Forward Crossovers On Figure Skates, 7 Favorite Figure Skating Boots and Blades. There’s also the addition of light plastic materials to the leathers for sufficient boots’ strength. This makes the boots of figure skates longer as well. Also, they’re more durable and are designed to handle all the challenges that you throw at them. Moreover, there are many misconceptions about the skills and drills used by power skating instructors. And for hockey players, they use hockey skates for swift movements and maneuverability. Different Skates for Different Skaters . Are Rental Ice Skates Okay For Figure Skating? And with a new season comes a new cast of pairs — each consisting of one hockey player and one figure skater— competing to win the Season 6 championship, and a … Figure skates’ boots are made of multiple layers of leather, making them cost more than hockey skates’ boots. Again both the boots and blades on the different types of ice skates are made for different purposes and mobility ranges, so expect them to be quite varied in the materials used to make the skate, design and overall form of the skate. What is The Difference Between Squash and Racquetball? Then there are parabolic figure skating blades, which have a thinner middle but the ends are even wider than regular blades to give the skater better stability. Looking at these two skates, you notice that they have differences that not only place them apart but give them different functions as well. On the other hand, the short light blade on hockey skates helps players … Hockey boots are also made of leather but not as multi-layered as the figure boots. This lining gives the skate boot added strength in a lighter-weight boot. Only a few hockey skates have it. There are a few differences, but the differences between a hockey skate and a figure skate may not be easy to recognize. The Figure Skater & The Hockey Player Humor. The toe picks on figure skate boots make it possible to jump and spin. The same goes for figure skates, as they are made to accommodate mobility -- just in a different way. Most of the time, a figure skate blade is separately mounted onto a figure skate boot, but hockey skate blades are generally riveted directly onto the hockey boot's base. If you compare these boots with those of hockey skates, you will find that they are thinner, lighter and shorter. You now understand that a figure skater cannot opt for hockey skates since these two skates are designed for different performances on the ice. Figure skates have longer blades than hockey skates. First, figure skates have toe picks on their blades while this design might lack in hockey skates. As such, they form part of the crucial equipment for the winter sports athletes wearing them. The blades of the two types of skates also differ in terms of length. On the other hand, the short light blade on hockey skates helps players with speed and quick stops. Only a few hockey skates have it. Compared to leather, they weigh less and are also easier for the skater to break in and get used to the feeling. They are narrow and deep to provide for fast speeds and quick movements. You've seen hockey players enjoying their sport, and figure skaters doing the same. Additionally, hockey skate boots are usually much more comfortable than figure skate boots. Thebruinsblog is reader-supported. What's the difference between hockey skates and figure skates? When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Some figure skating boots have a hinge at the ankle that gives the skater lateral support and allowing for more flexibility. The two types of skates also differ sharply in the design of their blades and boots. You can also mount the blades of the figure skates individually to the boots with ease. Also, figure boots are slightly heeled and are made of wooden soles on the inside for excellent support for improved precision during skating routines.