ice skates

[aefibird]

I've been having skating lessons for a while now and I'm starting to get some kit together to start playing hockey. There's a local rec team in my area specifically for beginners, so once I have all the gear then I'm hoping to join and start playing.

For skating and the ice skating lessons I've been using a borrowed pair of skates. They're an old pair belonging to a friend of mine, who wears the same size shoe as I do. They fit fine and feel comfortable, however, they're ice dance/figure skating skates and therefore not suitable for playing hockey in!!

Can anyone give me a recommendation of a good-but-cheap (I'm strapped for cash after buying hockey body armour) pair of skates that will be suitable for an ice hockey beginner?

Also, is it a bad idea to buy second hand hockey skates or is the extra money for new ones better spent on other things?

Finally, when buying hockey skates, should you get the same size as your ordinary shoes or should you have a half-size/size larger or smaller?

Thanks!

[A_Train]

Maybe in Canada thigns are different becuase we seem to love hockey so much, but there are used hockey skates everywhere, with hundreds of them in every second hand sporting store. I myself have never in my life bought or used a pair of brand new hockey skates. I would never consider it, as the extra cost doesnt seem valid to me.

If you ar eonly a beginner, I would suggest you stick with the second hand skates as they will serve you just fine.

[french fri25]

ok, im a goalie so i wear goalie skates, but i'd recommend these skates for a beginner. they certainly get the job done. i use these babies when im just messin around at the local pond with my friends.

http://www.modells.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2213063&cp=711662.711693.694227&parentPage=family

[aefibird]

Thanks for the tips!

[dragonwarrior_keltyr]

Yeah A-Train said it good. I've only had second hand skates as well and they're just fine. If you already have a pair of skates you can usually do trade ins.