This question divides opinions. Both figure skating and ice hockey skates bring certain advantages and disadvantages for beginners.

If you have the opportunity, it is best to try out both variants on the ice rink and test which shoe gives you the better feeling on the ice.

Ice skating is not the right leisure activity for small children.

From the age of four, children are about ready for real blades. Which variant is more suitable is, as with adult beginners, an individual question. There is also no fundamental difference between boys and girls.

Very practical and economical are size-adjustable models. Thanks to the adjustable length of the shoe, the skates grow with your child and you do not have to buy new ones every winter.

The optimal lacing is a mixture of tight and loose. It is especially important that you have full stability in the ankle area. Lace the skates tighter here. In the forefoot and above the ankle you need some flexibility, so the lacing should be comfortable.

Most skates are delivered with unsharpened blades. You should have them sharpened by a professional immediately after you receive them.

If you feel that the blades are dull or you can no longer perform some familiar maneuvers in a controlled manner, it is time to have them sharpened again.

Suitable socks are essential. It is important that they do not wrinkle. This is usually the case with thick socks. Even if there is ice when skating, it is better to choose thin socks that go up to the calf. The insoles help to fight the cold.

Gloves not only protect you from the cold, but also from injury in case of a fall.

In addition to appropriate clothing, skate protectors are also part of the equipment. Special ice skate bags are also handy for transport.