Hockey Skate Accessories

Hockey Skate Accessories: frequently asked questions

What length of skate lace do I need?

Charts differ a little by brand. Howies' guide is typical: youth 8 to junior 3 take 72-inch laces, junior 3 to 6 take 84, senior 6 to 8 take 96, senior 8 to 10 take 108, senior 10 to 12 take 120 and senior 12 to 14 take 130. If you fall between two lengths, go longer so there is enough to tie securely, especially if you wrap laces around the ankle.

Should skates be stored in hard guards or soakers?

Hard guards like Rollergard Supergard or Skaboots are for walking between the change room and the ice. After skating, wipe the blades dry and switch to cloth soakers, which absorb leftover moisture; leaving blades sealed in plastic guards traps water and can lead to rust. Open the bag at home so boots and liners dry too. Several kits here bundle hard guards, soakers and a towel together.

What does ROH mean on a handheld skate sharpener?

ROH is radius of hollow, the depth of the groove between a blade's two edges. A smaller radius such as 3/8 inch cuts a deeper hollow with more bite for turns and stops; a larger one such as 5/8 inch is shallower, with more glide and less grip. Bauer notes most shops sharpen at 1/2 or 5/8 inch unless asked otherwise. Tools like Blade Barber are made for a single radius, so choose one that matches how your skates are normally sharpened.

Sources: howieshockeytape.com · bauer.com