What are Recreational Skates: Meaning & Recommendations
Wondering what recreational skates are? Are they different from beginner ice skates? I will clear up the confusion for you in this post.
So what are recreational skates in simple terms?
The word recreation means ‘activity done for enjoyment when one is not working’. Recreational skates are skates created for those that want to engage in skating purely for enjoyment.
But they are not the same as the other skates available in the market. What’s different about them?
Read on to find out more about what factors make for good recreational skates, how and whether they are different from beginner skates, figure skates, and hockey skates as well as a few recommendations of the best recreational skates.
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What are recreational skates?
Recreational skates are skates used by those who engage in ice skating as a fun, enjoyable activity. Recreational skates are mostly meant to be used on outdoor rinks and frozen lakes. These skates focus more on comfort than performance and can come in both figure skating and ice hockey variants.
The key characteristics of recreational ice skates are that
- they use a thicker padding
- they come in a plastic body
- they have a flatter blade for easier balance
- they are affordably priced
Are recreational skates good for beginners?
Recreational skates are good for beginners as there is not much of a difference between the two. The primary difference between recreational ice skates and beginner skates is that
– recreational skates are designed for casual, outdoor skating while
– beginner skates designed for performance-based indoor training
If you want to practice regularly to improve
Recreational skates are more catered for outdoor skating. So if you are a beginner, trying to seriously commit to skating, it is not advisable to rely on recreational skates.
If you are an absolute beginner with no skating experience
But if you want to get a feel of ice skating to see if you could take it up seriously, you need not invest in a pair of beginner skates.
Instead, it is best to opt for the cheaper and more comfortable recreational skates available. Skate around on public rinks a few times wearing recreational skates – see you like skating. Once you reach a place where you want to commit more seriously to skating, buy beginner ice skates.
Also, if you want to save money on beginner skates, opting for adjustable ice skates is an excellent idea. You can read my full post on adjustable ice skates here.
Best Recreational Skates
So now that you have an idea about what exactly recreational ice skates are, let me make a few recommendations for the best recreational skates.
What skates are best for recreational skating?
Both figure skates and hockey skates work perfectly well for recreational skating. The differences between the two are
| Factor | Figure Skates | Hockey Skates |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
| Blade | Thicker and Longer – extends beyond the heel of the boot. | Thinner and Shorter – doesn’t extend beyond the length of the boot. Narrow |
| Body | Less padding. | More padding and stronger boot to absorb the shock of being hit by pucks and hockey sticks |
As a general rule, recreational skaters should opt for figure skates as their longer and wider blade assists in balancing. Choosing hockey skates only makes sense if you are interested in hockey like to skate at a faster speed, or already know how to balance.
Word of caution – Even though it is recommended that beginners use figure skates for recreational skating, do not use the toe pick to balance or to propel yourself forward. You run the risk of suffering an ugly fall flat on your face.
If you are going to be learning ice skating on your own, do read my post on can you learn to ice skate by yourself.
Best recreational ice skates for figure skating
Riedell’s recreational skates
Of all the brands available in the market, Riedell makes the most recreational-specific skates.
They have a wide range of recreational figure skates for both men and women, boys and girls that come in different colors and looks. You can see the full range on Amazon here.
My favorite one is:
- Excellent white look
- Accurate sizing
- Supremely comfortable – best boots for beginners who hate shoe bites and sore toes.
Best recreational ice skates for hockey
There is a wider choice of hockey recreational skates online. But the ones that are the most impressive are:
Bauer Recreational Skates (Expedition, Whistler, Colorado)
Bauer’s recreational skates come in three variants – Expedition, Whistler, Colorado. Expedition is the best one for absolute beginners. On the other hand, Whistler and Colorado with their advanced lacing system and padding improvements work well for slightly more experienced skaters.
What makes Bauer Expedition, Whistler, and Colorado suitable for recreational skaters
- comfortable feel unlike other hockey skates
- excellent ankle support and padding
- durable
You can see the three variants here. (Not an affiliate link)
How to choose recreational skates
The criteria for choosing recreational skates are slightly different than those for choosing performance skates.
Comfort and Breathability – These are the top factor when choosing recreational ice skates. The only way to test these factors is by trying out the many variants of recreational skates available in the market.
To see if the recreational skates are comfortable –
- wear them on a pair of thin socks.
- Ensure the fit is snug
and then check if they feel light on your feet and allow enough breathability. If the shoes are biting into your ankles or toes, they are not comfortable.
Blade quality – For recreational skating, you want a blade that’s slightly wider or thicker than other skates i.e. you don’t want a blade that’s advanced for your level of skating.
For youth, you can even opt for a double blade for better balance.
Plastic body – Important if you are skating outdoors as it ensures longer durability.
Frequently Asked Questions – Recreational Ice Skates
Can you figure skate in recreational skates?
You can figure skate in recreational skates. As a matter of fact, absolute beginners should opt for recreational figure skates instead of hockey skates for more control and balance. But due to the limitations of recreational skates, performing advanced turns, spins, and tricks won’t be possible.
Are recreational skates different from figure skates?
Recreational skates come in two variants – figure skates and hockey skates. Thus recreational figure skates are not different from regular figure skates in terms of their basic structure. But because of their recreational nature, they are more suited for outdoor skating and beginner-level skating performance.
Are recreational different from hockey skates?
Recreational skates come in two variants – figure skates and hockey skates. Thus recreational hockey skates are not different from regular hockey skates. But because recreational skates are intended for skating outdoors and for leisure only, their performance in terms of speed and control does not compare with more sophisticated hockey skates.
