The best bauer skates. How to choose skates? Pro Tips

Not so long ago, I had to help choose expert-level men's professional ice hockey skates, and I ran into such a problem that there is very little information on the network specifically for professional and semi-professional models. As for hockey skates for beginners, the material is just a dime a dozen, but things are not so rosy with professional models. Therefore, I had to get acquainted with the equipment of our national team, as well as the national hockey teams of such countries as Canada, Finland and the USA. In this article you will find a rating of professional models of ice hockey skates, the main characteristics of such skates and information on the approximate cost of professional models.

Rating of professional ice hockey skates

As for the Russian ice hockey team, our most popular brands are Bauer, CCM, Reebok, Graf, Easton and Mix. These brands are listed in order from the most popular and widespread to the least popular. In 2015, our team competed in full equipment from CCM. Of course, each brand has models of different levels for beginners, for amateurs and for professionals.

bauer. American brand, which is the most widely represented in Russia compared to other hockey brands. Adult hockey skates from this company are represented by several lines, namely Nexus, Supreme and Vapor. The Vapor line is especially popular with our team.

Top models in each line: Bauer Vapor 1X, Bauer Nexus 1N and Bauer Supreme 1S. Each of these models costs under fifty dollars. But, oddly enough, other skates from these lines proved to be the best.

1. Bauer Vapor X500. Very popular and excellent in its performance is the professional and relatively inexpensive model Bauer Vapor X500. Its cost is about ten thousand rubles. These skates are ideal for fast and fast riding. Their features are due to their characteristics. First, it's a standard fit at the toe area and a V-cut fit at the ankle and heel. This allows players to accelerate and turn very quickly in these skates. Second is the composition of the upper and lower parts of these skates. Upper: Quarter Package construction - nylon material with thermoformed X-rib design, lining - hydrophobic microfiber, ankle padding with anatomic foam ankle pads, anatomically shaped tongue (two-piece, felt, 40 oz., equipped with metatarsal protection), EVA insole molded for comfort, thermoformable skate upper, heel support - Patent-protected integrated anatomical heel/ankle support. Bottom: Sole (Transparent Integrated TPU), Blade Holder (TUUK LIGHTSPEED EDGE), Blade (TUUK Super Stainless Steel). These skates are designed for leg widths D and EE.

2. Bauer Nexus N8000. Incredibly comfortable, highly durable and ultra-light skates. They feature the following upper features: Professional grade nylon Tech Mesh material, HYDRA MAX mesh lining, lightweight, memory foam ankle pads, 3-piece tongue (48 oz, felt, equipped with metatarsal protection), FORM footbed -FIT+ with heel stabilizer, thermoformed forefoot. Bottom: sole (Pro TPU with graphic design), blade holder (TUUK LIGHTSPEED EDGE), blade (TUUK LS2 stainless steel). These skates are designed for leg widths D and EE.

3. Bauer Vapor X900. The fit of these skates is exactly the same as the Bauer Vapor X500 described above. Upper: Quarter Package construction - 3D Curv® composite upper with X-rib design, HYDRA MAX mesh lining, lightweight anatomically shaped ankle pads, FORM FIT anatomical tongue (contains 48 oz and 40 oz felt and molded polyethylene visor for metatarsal), FORM-FIT insole with fixation and moisture control, thermoformable upper part of the ridge, anatomical support for the heel and ankle. Lower: Lightweight, full composite sole, blade holder (TUUK LIGHTSPEED EDGE), blade (TUUK LS3 stainless steel blade). These skates are designed for leg width D, EE.

4. Bauer Nexus N5000. The most inexpensive skates from this rating. They are much inferior to the models listed above, as they are not equipped with a thermoformable boot. However, this is a great model for the money and it has many advantages. Upper features: Quarter Package construction - lightweight mesh material, brushed nylon lining, ankle protection provided by comfortable foam ankle pads, molded comfortable felt tongue, insole - EVA material molded for comfort. Bottom material: outsole (TPR), blade holder (TUUK LIGHTSPEED Pro), blades (TUUK Super stainless steel). These skates are designed for leg width R.

CCM. CCM is Canada's oldest brand of hockey equipment. Since 2015, he has been the official partner of the Russian national ice hockey team. For more than a hundred years, this brand has been producing the highest quality professional hockey equipment.

Ice skates from CCM are represented by three lines: Ribcore, Jetspeed and Super Tacks. The rating includes some successful models.

1. CCM Ribcor 48K Skate. Professional skates with a thermoformed boot and a protective coating of the blade cost about 30 thousand rubles. Thanks to the protective coating, the blades last longer than conventional stainless steel blades. Lightweight 3-layer tongue provides a comfortable fit and secure protection. These skates are designed for leg width D, EE.

2. CCM Tacks 5092.Professional hockey skates with a thermoformable synthetic blend boot with synthetic lining, stainless steel blades and additional ankle support. These skates are designed for leg width D, EE.

Easton. A rather old family brand with a rather young hockey division that has been operating since 1986. In 2016 Bauer bought Easton so it is now a subsidiary of Bauer.

1. Easton Mako M8. Very comfortable in their fit and very light professional skates. These skates are designed for leg width D, EE. The thermoformable boot is made of the combined synthetics. The skates feature the patented Extendon technology (movable achilles protection), a water-repellent liner, a lightweight tongue with protective lacing, an ORTHOLITE insole, and a CXN stainless steel blade.

When choosing professional skates, it is not enough just to look at the rating of the best skates. It is important to be able to make the right choice, taking into account your fullness of the leg, choose the right size, and also take into account the peculiarities of your playing style. You can read about this in the following article in order: "".

Hockey skates are the most important piece of equipment for playing hockey. If they are chosen incorrectly, then the athlete is unlikely to be able to demonstrate the maximum level of his game. In addition, not only the speed and accuracy of movements, but also the health of the hockey player depend on the correct selection of skates.

First of all, you need to determine the age group, since hockey skates are divided into adults, juniors and children. Then take into account the level of skating - beginner, amateur, semi-professional, professional.

And only then go shopping.

Anyone who is wondering how to choose high quality hockey skates? - the main advice should be given: contact specialized stores offering branded products! You shouldn't think that top brand skates are necessarily prohibitively expensive; along with professional models, in the assortment of any major manufacturer there are always affordable products for beginners and amateurs. But you don't have to worry about the quality of BAUER, CCM, REEBOK, GRAF, EASTON skates.

So, what should you focus on when buying hockey skates:

Model– for amateur, semi-professional, professional game. The more professional the skates, the higher their strength and level of leg protection, the greater the rigidity of the boot, the better the steel of the blade, and the less the total weight. On branded hockey boot skates, the cup and blade always fit together perfectly, but keep in mind that the blades and holders for most models are sold separately and can be replaced.

Size- for adult players, it is necessary to select skates strictly in size so that the boot tightly and confidently covers the leg. How to choose hockey skates for children and teenagers whose feet are still growing? It is permissible to purchase shoes half a size larger, at first compensating for the difference with tight socks. In no case should you buy hockey skates one or two sizes larger: a hockey player simply will not be able to move confidently, “feel” the ice, and make the necessary maneuvers. Please note that the sizes of residential shoes and hockey boots do not match, therefore, a comparative size chart is always attached to branded products. And do not forget that in addition to the length, hockey skates also have fullness: if a suitable model is just right in length, but tight on the side, just choose a different boot fullness.

Comfort- the most important indicator of the correct choice of skates. Hockey players spend many hours on the court in active motion, and an attempt to "suffer a little" inconvenience for the sake of the technical advantages of skates will inevitably result in fatigue, poor quality of play, mistakes, and in especially unpleasant cases, injuries.


Particular attention should be paid to the purchase of skates for beginners, children and adolescents; athletes who have been playing hockey for more than a year usually already know how to choose the most comfortable model of hockey skates, and focus mainly on improving performance.

Hockey skates have significant differences from other types of this sports equipment. They are more massive, outside and inside have hard protective inserts. The latter fix the foot, ankle joint, protecting the leg from damage during aggressive skating, collisions with other players or obstacles. Therefore, such boots are laced much higher than the ankle. Blades in length protrude only slightly beyond the boundaries of the boot in front and behind, they are reinforced in special sockets, which are called glasses. The blade can be removable or cast (non-removable).

Structurally, hockey skates are divided into three main parts: a boot, a plastic cup for attaching the blade, and the stainless steel blade itself.


How to choose professional ice hockey skates, taking into account the design features of the skates, your foot fullness and size? In the article "" you will find a selection of the most successful models from various manufacturers. Today's article will be devoted specifically to the competent selection of hockey skates.

Hockey skate design

Hockey skates consist of three main parts: the boot, the blade holder (hockey cup), and the blade itself. You put the boots directly on your feet, and the hockey cup is the part of the skate that allows you to attach the blade to the boot.

Blade holder and blade

In all top models of hockey skates, the blade holder and the blade are separate components. In the case of cheap skates, they most often form a single whole.

Why is it so important that these two parts are not one, especially in the case of professional hockey skates? The fact is that this design allows you to replace a worn-out blade separately without buying a whole new skate.

With active and frequent skating, the blades really wear out quite quickly and it is impractical to buy new skates every time because of this.

Blade replacement is not difficult. Amateurs change their blades about once a year, while professionals change them once every few weeks, since they ride daily and very actively.

boot


A boot is that component of ice hockey skates that global manufacturers regularly work on improving. Over the years, they have managed to make them lighter, more comfortable and more sensitive to the movements of hockey players. At the same time, modern skates perfectly protect the foot from side and direct impacts and are as safe as possible.

The improvement is due to the use of the latest synthetic materials in the manufacture of boots that retain heat and perfectly remove moisture. The thermoformable boot adapts perfectly to the foot of a particular person, making the fit as comfortable as possible. Linings with anti-microbial impregnation are another innovation. But what really matters when choosing ice hockey skates is their lightness, comfort, protection and durability.

Now a little about the device of the boot itself:

1. Construction Quarter Package This is the shell of the shoe. This shell must be flexible, but at the same time provide reliable support and protection. This shell contains the inner padding and all supporting elements inside the boot. The Quarter Package is available in a variety of materials including Tech Mesh Nylon, Aluminum Composite, Titanium Composite, D Curv Composite, and more. from nylon materials.

2. Ankle protection. As a rule, ankle protection is represented by lightweight anatomically shaped ankle pads.

3.Heel fixation and support system. Having this system in your boots improves safety and handling.

4. Language construction. The tongue is a very important part of a hockey boot. Professional models can be equipped with an anatomical padded tongue, metatarsal protection, metatarsal protection, etc. The tongue can consist of two or three parts. As a rule, in top models it is made of felt.

5. Insole. The insole in skates removes moisture, absorbs shock loads. Today, thermoformed insoles from a wide variety of materials are actively used.

How to choose professional ice hockey skates?

The first step in choosing professional ice hockey skates is to determine your size. It would seem that we all know our shoe size, and there is nothing complicated about it, but the mistake in choosing the size of skates is very common.

Hockey skate size

Various models of professional skates are available not only in different sizes, but also designed for different leg widths. After all, we are all different! First you need to deal with the fullness of the leg, and then proceed to the choice of size.

The leg can be long and narrow, short and wide, etc. The manufacturer has the following designations:

  • C/N = Narrow Fit (narrow foot)
  • D/ R = Regular Fit (standard leg)
  • E/W = Wide Fit (wide foot)
  • EE = Extra Wide Fit (extra wide foot)

If the manufacturer writes that these skates are designed for leg width D and EE. So you can choose skates for standard or extra wide feet. If he writes - fullness C, D, EE, then these skates are designed for a narrow, standard or very wide foot. You just have to choose your completeness.

You can understand what kind of leg fullness you have by looking at your favorite sneakers. If you are most comfortable in Nike shoes, then you most likely have a D or R foot size. If you like the way Adidas shoes sit on you, then you may have an E/W foot size.

Most ice hockey skates run about one and a half sizes too small when compared to standard sneakers. That is why in each case you should use the manufacturer's table and measure the length of the foot before buying. Above is a size chart of professional skates from Bauer.

Trying on skates

It's always best to choose your skates in a real store rather than ordering them online, because in this case you have the opportunity to try on different models and find the most comfortable fit.

You should try on skates immediately in hockey high socks, this is necessary to get the most objective picture.

Put on your boot, press your heel against the heel and lace up your skates tightly.

After you have laced up your skates, stand up. Your heel should be firmly fixed, and your toes should only lightly touch the toe.

Stand up straight, then tilt your skates inward. If you can keep your torso straight, then you have chosen the right size. Skates should not be too tight or too big. You should also never take skates one size larger.

Most likely, this is the first question that arises before a person who decides to take up hockey. Skates are the most important piece of equipment and an athlete's ability largely depends on whether they are properly fitted. Consider the main parameters of the skate, which raise questions and doubts when buying.

Finding the right size and fitting hockey skates

Perhaps this is one of the most important points. When choosing skates, you should focus more on the length of the insole than on the size, since different manufacturers have different compliance with these parameters and do not have a clear standard, like ordinary shoes. For convenience, we provide a table with the correspondence of the European shoe size, skate size and insole length. Skate sizes are for Graf, Bauer, Nike.

Ice hockey skate sizes

Shoe size40.5 41 42 42.5 43 44 44.5 45 45.5 46 47 47.5 48 49
Insole length, cm25.5 26 26.5 27 27.5 28 28.5 29 29.5 30 30.5 31 31.5 32.5
Skate size6 6.5 7.5 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 11.5 12 13

Hockey skates should fit snugly to the foot, for this you need to select the boot strictly in size, taking into account the socks in which you plan to skate.

While trying on, lace up the boot well along the entire length. Skates should sit tight, the leg is well fixed, but not overstretched, it should be comfortable and comfortable.
The foot, being on the insole, completely fills the boot, leaving no empty space in the instep and toes. But do not go to extremes, the fingers should not strongly rest against the toe, only lightly touch. The heel area is also fixed, there should be no empty space.

After lacing your shoes, stand on both feet, if possible, walk a little, feel comfortable, you can even do a few squats.

Fullness and leg elevation

These are the standard parameters of any boots, not just hockey ones. Here it is only to measure and choose at what fullness and elevation the leg feels more comfortable. It should be noted that for different lines of the same company, with the designation of the same fullness, the width of the boot is different. For example, Bauer, of the three lines - Vapor - has the narrowest last and low rise, Supreme has medium values, and Nexus has the widest fullness and high rise, and in addition, each of these lines is available in three widths ( C, D, EE,) . Lines from other manufacturers also have similar differences.

Designations for the width of hockey skates:

  • C or N - narrow boot. Approximately 0.6 cm narrower than D
  • D or R - standard width
  • E(EE) or W - wide boot. Approximately 0.6cm wider than D

Boot stiffness

This is also a very important parameter that affects the quality of riding and protection. By and large, modern skates of major hockey brands (Bauer, Graf, Easton, Reebok) are provided with the proper level of boot stiffness. Composite skates have the maximum rigidity, usually these are the top models in the lines. On the other hand, the stiffer the boot, the longer it will take to get used to it and wear it in, experiencing discomfort when riding, on average this process can take up to a month, and sometimes more. But thanks to the following parameter, some hard skates are free from this drawback.

thermoforming

This feature is mainly equipped with professional and semi-professional boots. Thermoforming allows, due to the softening thermofoam inside the boot, to shape the boot, taking into account the characteristics of your foot. But at the same time, it should be understood that the boot must be obviously suitable, since after the thermoforming procedure, the boot cannot ideally take the shape of any leg, but only a better fit and fixation of a properly selected skate.

Blades

Now the blades of almost all skates are made of stainless steel or its modifications. Apart from weight, the main parameter of the blade is its rigidity, it depends on how often it will have to be sharpened and how long it will last.

The blades of the above, the main hockey brands, even the entry-level price range, are made of high-quality steel and keep sharpening well. But when buying skates of not quite specialized brands (Nordway, Oxelo, Action, etc.), you need to be prepared for the fact that you will have to sharpen them often.
It is worth noting that some professional and semi-professional skates are equipped with removable blades, which makes it easier to transport them for sharpening or emergency replacement. But at the initial stage, this does not play a significant role.

Cup

Hockey skate glass must be strong enough to withstand pucks and stick strikes. It is also important to keep in mind where you skate, any glasses are suitable for indoor skates, but if you like to ride in -15 frost, you need to choose frost-resistant glasses, for example Bauer Tuuk, Graf Ultra Light 5000 and Cobra NT-3000.
The next difference is the lift height and the angle of inclination. It is positioned that skates with a large angle of inclination are designed for attackers, as they allow faster acceleration, braking and provide greater maneuverability.

At the moment, TUUK, from Bauer, are considered the most versatile and convenient glasses, so if you are choosing skates for the first time, it would be wise to start with them.

tongue

It is not uncommon for an opponent’s puck or stick to hit the boot tongue, so when choosing skates, you should pay attention to its thickness and security, and the presence of additional inserts.

Skate price

Now consider a completely non-technical, but important parameter. The price range of hockey skates is very wide, from 1 to 50 thousand rubles. Skates under 5,000 are currently mainly sold in small sports shops and hypermarkets such as Sportmaster and Decathlon. They are designed more for simple skating and then with a stretch than for playing hockey, as they do not have proper protection, and a more or less strong hit of the puck can be very painful and even lead to injury.

From 5 thousand to 10 thousand, you can already buy amateur-level skates of well-known brands. They do not have a high level of protection, but at the same time they will have the correct geometry and good fixation, which will significantly affect skating. In the case of a small budget for the purchase, this option will be optimal.

10 - 25 thousand will cost semi-professional level skates, they have the advantages of skates of the previous price category and at the same time have good protection.

Professional skates will cost from 25 and up. They have, at least should have a reference level of protection, the latest latest technologies are used in their manufacture, but at the same time they often have their drawbacks, which I will try to talk about in future articles.

Outcome

With the exception of size, the choice of hockey skates depends entirely on your intentions, how and where you will play. For beginners, we recommend starting with mid-range models, a good option would be: Bauer Vapor x500, Supreme s150. These skates have the correct geometry, suitable protection for the amateur level and are quite affordable (about 9,000 rubles).

How to choose the right hockey skates

Hockey skates are the most important piece of hockey equipment. If they are chosen incorrectly, then the athlete is unlikely to be able to demonstrate the maximum level of his game. In addition, not only the speed and accuracy of movements, but also the health of the hockey player depend on the correct selection of skates.

Features of the structure and differences from other types of skates

Hockey skates have significant differences from other types of this sports equipment. They are more massive, outside and inside have hard protective inserts. The latter fix the foot, ankle joint, protecting the leg from damage during aggressive skating, collisions with other players or obstacles. Therefore, such boots are laced much higher than the ankle. Blades in length protrude only slightly beyond the boundaries of the boot in front and behind, they are reinforced in special sockets, which are called glasses. The blade can be removable or cast (non-removable).

Structurally, hockey skates are divided into three main parts: a boot, a plastic cup for attaching the blade, and the stainless steel blade itself.

Glass and blade of skates

Glasses and blades from different manufacturers have a similar design, as they are designed to solve the same task - to help the player move as quickly as possible. The differences between the blades used are mainly in the design.

BAUER uses different models of blades / tuuk cups for their skates.
EASTON completes skates with Razor cups/blades.
GRAF makes skates on Cobra cups/blades.
CCM and REEBOK - uses Pro cups and Proformance blades.

The cup/blade set can have both a collapsible and non-collapsible design. One-piece design is usually used for recreational skates, and a demountable design for semi-professional and professional skates.

skate boot

Currently, hockey skate boots are made of lightweight, but wear-resistant and durable synthetic materials that reliably protect the player's foot from puck or stick strikes. The inside of the boot is lined with different densities of foam for extra protection and a soft lining for added comfort.

Conventionally, hockey skates are divided into three main categories: “professional” (top models in which the players of professional clubs act), “semi-professional” (middle-class skates) and the so-called “amateur” category (the cost of such products is low).

Professional Models

Professional hockey skates - have a minimum weight, providing the maximum level of protection and comfort. These skates are essential for professional hockey players. They are durable, able to minimize the possibility of injury to the athlete and provide maximum comfort and energy transfer when riding.

Composite materials are used to make professional-grade skate boots. Almost all modern models have the possibility of thermoforming. After a short warm-up in a special oven, the boots become soft and deformable. Then, while still hot, they must be put on your feet and sit quietly for 10-15 minutes. Cooling down, the boot takes the individual shape of the foot. Moreover, each such “pro-horse” has pillows filled with helium, which tightly fit each bone, creating maximum comfort.

For extra comfort, these professional hockey skates are equipped with anatomical tongues with a molded liner, antimicrobial non-slip insoles, an advanced system for attaching and fitting blades to cups.

Sizes of professional ice hockey skates

Semi-professional models

Semi-professional hockey skates are great for advanced amateurs, amateur league team players, children and teenagers involved in specialized sports schools. The design of such models is distinguished by well-protected boots, which are usually equipped with professional-grade blades.

The sizes of semi-professional skates are divided into half sizes and have two boot widths.

amateur models

Amateur level skate boots are made of artificial leather and are equipped with mid-level blades. They protect the legs well from possible frontal impacts, but the side protection is not reliable enough. Otherwise, boots of this type are quite soft, comfortably wrapping around the leg when laced, and allowing athletes of all ages to ride for a long time without experiencing discomfort and mastering the game of hockey.

As a rule, the sizes of such skates do not have a division into halves and fullness.

Rules for fitting hockey skates

Socks. When choosing skates, wear socks that you will use when skating. It is recommended to wear thin socks, thanks to which the boot molds faster and more accurately to the leg and takes on the unique shape of your foot.

footwear. Loosen the lacing of the boot to the third hole from the bottom. Pull out the tongue, tilt it forward and put on the boot. The foot should feel comfortable, being on the insole, and "fill" the entire boot, leaving no empty areas of instep and toes.

Heel. Before lacing up your boot, push your foot vigorously back in the boot. The tongue of a properly laced boot should hold the foot in a rearward position and prevent the foot from moving and moving in the heel area. If the foot moves freely in the heel area and is not held close to the back of the skate, this means that it is necessary to try on either a smaller skate or a skate of lesser fullness.

Front end. Stand up straight, with closed legs. In this position, the toes should only lightly touch the front of the inside of the boot and, when applied, should touch more intensively, but not press or interfere.

First steps. Walk/sit for 10-15 minutes. This will help you once again make sure that you are comfortable, that you choose the right size and model of skates. If the heel does not "slide" forward in the boot and does not move from side to side, if the boot fits snugly on the foot, but not uncomfortable, and if the toes only slightly touch the toe of the boot, this means that the size is chosen quite correctly.

Children's hockey skates are selected taking into account the growth of the foot during the season by a maximum of 1 size.

How to determine the right size hockey skates

When choosing hockey skates, remember that their size is not equal to the size of ordinary shoes. Hockey skates have their own sizing system. To help you choose your hockey skates, most manufacturers offer special tables. Using the matching table, you can choose the skates of the right size depending on the size of the shoes.

Determining the size of shoes

1. Stand with both feet (in socks) on a sheet of paper and circle them with a pencil (you can also measure your shoe insole).
2. Measure the distance between your heel and thumb.
3. If these distances are slightly different for the right and left legs, then choose a larger one.

Fullness of the leg

There are two cases: the first is D(R) - a narrow foot (it is often used by professionals), the second EE (W) - a fuller foot (used in most cases by amateurs, mainly in Russia).

Hockey Skate Size Chart

Dimensions (Russia) GRAF BAUER Nike MISSION CCM RBK EASTON
ADULTS (SENIOR)
47 13 12 12
46,5
46 12 11,5 11,5
45,5 11
45 11,5 11 10,5
44,5 11 10,5 10
44 10,5 10 9,5
43,5 10 9,5
43 9,5 9 9
42,5 9 8,5 8,5
42 8,5 8 8
41,5 7,5
41 8 7,5
40,5 7,5 7 7
40 6,5 6,5
39,5 7 6
39 6,5 6
38,5 6 5,5 5,5
Dimensions (Russia) GRAF BAUER Nike MISSION CCM RBK EASTON
JUNIOR (JUNIOR)
38,5 6 5,5 5,5
38 5,5 5
37,5 5 4,5
37 5 4,5 4
36,5 4,5 4
36 4 3,5 3,5
35,5 3,5 3 3
35 3 2,5 2,5
34,5 2,5 2
34 2 1,5 2
33,5 1,5
33 1,5 1 1
32,5 1 - -
Dimensions (Russia) GRAF BAUER Nike MISSION CCM RBK EASTON
CHILDREN (YOUTH)
32 - Y13 Y13.5
31,5 Y13 Y13
31 Y12 Y12.5
30,5 Y12
30 Y11 Y12
29,5 Y11 Y11.5
29 Y10 Y11
28,5 Y10
28 Y9 Y10
27 Y09 Y8 Y09
26 Y08

Completeness of hockey skates

Most often, manufacturers use the following system of notation for completeness:
D is the standard width.
C - narrow boot. About a quarter inch (1 inch = 2.54 cm) narrower than D
E (or EE depending on the manufacturer) - wide boot. About a quarter inch wider than D.

However, there is another notation:
R (Regular) - standard (same as D in the previous classification)
N (Narrow) - narrow boot (same as C in the previous classification)
W (Wide) - wide boot (EE or E)

WARNING: Despite the fact that all the data in the tables are taken from the official catalogs of the manufacturers, they should still be taken only as recommendations and do not guarantee the perfect fit of hockey skates. Due to design features, the sizes of both amateur and professional skates NIKE, CCM, GRAF, BAUER, EASTON and RBK may vary slightly, so always WHEN SELECTING THE SIZE, DEMAND QUALIFIED HELP AND ALSO TRY THE SKATES CAREFULLY BEFORE PURCHASING!

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