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Skates, along with your helmet and pads are probably the most important part of your hockey gear. When choosing the best hockey skates, like choosing the best hockey pads, you should take into account all of the different brands and find a size and style that fits you best. Don't simply buy the first pair of skates you see, but rather shop around and try a few different options to find the ultimate fit.

When trying on a pair of skates you should have your heel tucked back into the heel cup, and there should be no more than about a quarter inch or so in the toe. If your ankles are weak, make sure to ask for a skate with good ankle support. When it comes to skates you will also want to ensure that you have blades with through-hardened steel with a flat rocker. A flatter rocker curve will improve your stability.

Now on to the pads' Ideally you want pants that are long enough to reach past the top of your shin pads. If your pants are too short, they'll leave a small area unprotected which is a prime target for being slashed. You pads can only do so much. Make sure the hard caps in your shoulder pads, elbow pads and shins are intact and in good condition. If you need to, replace your pads on a regular basis. Having old worn pads might be comfortable but it might not give you the protection you need.

When it comes to your mask, you should spare no expense. While the budget option might be cheap, you need to make sure that the outer part of the mask is composed of a strong space-polymer material, and the inside of the mask contains foam. This design should be able to resist impacts while absorbing the shock at the same time. Some cheaper masks cannot offer this, so you do need to be careful. If in doubt, ask your sports supplier, for brands they recommend.

The things you don't want to scrimp on are your skates, your pads and your helmet. Ensure that your helmet has been approved by a regulatory commission for your own safety. Pads are pretty much standard in most leagues now and flat lined curved skates are recommended for recreational and new players. Above all, you need to remember, to have fun!