Comments on: Outfitted & Equipped: Ice Skating Date Night

By: Jeff P

Jeff P — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:29:11 +0000

Another serious hockey play for ditching the vintage skates. I have a pair that actually fit, almost identical to those. Tried them once, and despite being a very good skater, damn near killed myself. There was no support, and the blades were off center, so just standing on them was difficult.

I’ll stick to my Easton SE16s, thanks. Or the old 800cs that live in the backseat of my car. I think I’ll stick with the one piece composite skates heat formed to my feet. But even if you don’t own such skates, buy a pair. Cheap ones for $50, make sure they fit. Rental skates are horrid, just stay away, and the blades are never anywhere near sharp. Take that from a guy who’s worked at an ice rink.

By: Grant M. Schooley

Grant M. Schooley — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 04:26:29 +0000

Love this series, thanks again Brett!

By: Brock

Brock — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:10:27 +0000

A flash with a pop-out telescoping shot glass? Freakin awesome. What’ll they think of next?

By: Alexander

Alexander — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:02:28 +0000

Another serious hockey player here, and I say go for the vintage skates!

If you don’t already know how to skate, you’re not going to learn in one night – so you’re going to end up looking like a tool anyway. Might as well do it in style.

Bauer Black Panthers all the way, baby!

By: Ben

Ben — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:24:04 +0000

I also want to chime in and address the skates. I have flat feet and a pair of skates that are slightly off means a continuous painful stress on my foot. Older skates may cause a lot more discomfort. Make sure you get skates that fit you nice and snug, and that your ankles are relatively well supported so that you can stand up straight on the ice at all times.

By: jeff_williams

jeff_williams — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:11:14 +0000

Let me chime in as another hockey player to ditch the old skates. Modern ones are so much more comfortable and easier to skate on. Rental skates might be alright but one should check it out ahead of time. I’m in MN and many of our rinks have good rental skates.

By: C.G

C.G — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:28:19 +0000

Wear new skates, but borrow from a friend rather than renting, if you don’t want to buy new. Rental Skates are garbage. Trust me, I’m Canadian.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 10:58:04 +0000

The list is solid up until the skates. I saw that and I cringed. As an avid hockey player and ref let me assure you that you are in for a night of pain and misery that will ruin everything else if you wear those skates! Just rent a pair at the rink and don’t worry about it.

By: craig

craig — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 04:01:52 +0000

The darn tuff socks were made right down the hill from my Alma mater. Still have several pairs.. Great boot socks, for sure!

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 02:55:48 +0000

If you’re not already a skater, I would recommend lacing up a pair of new-ish hockey skates over a pair of vintage skates. The ankle support is so much better in new skates; the last thing somebody who can barely skate needs is even wobblier ankles. Also, who knows what condition the blades are going to be in, and you want a nice sharp set of skates if you’re going to be on the relatively harder ice of an outdoor rink.