The crisp smell of ice at morning practice.
The long glide with arms raised after scoring that overtime goal.
Cutting into a freshly zambonied rink.
For a hockey lover—or even just a hockey liker—few things beat the feeling of your hockey skates hitting the ice. Really, the only thing that can make that moment any better, is hitting the ice in the perfect pair of hockey skates.
And today we’re here to help you find those perfect hockey skates! Whether you’re a recreational skater, a hockey beginner, someone who plays regularly, or an elite athlete, this list of the seven best hockey skates for 2023 has the perfect hockey skates for you!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Bauer Vapor Hyperlite Hockey Skates
Best Lightweight
Bauer Supreme Mach Hockey Skates
Best for Beginners
Senior Bauer XLS Hockey Skates
Best Overall
Bauer Vapor Hyperlite Hockey Skates
Kicking off the list of the best hockey skates are the Bauer Vapor Hyperlites! Worn by the Minnesota Wild’s Matt Boldy and Oskar Sundqvist, along with countless other professional players in the National Hockey League and across the world, these are an unparalleled elite-level skate.
The Bauer Vapor Hyperlite hockey skates are top-of-the-line and designed for serious hockey players that are hitting the ice at least four or five days a week.
These hockey skates are built with a lightweight, carbon composite one-piece boot that allows maximum energy transfer for extreme speed and agility. The tongue of the boot is made from Bauer’s ultralight Aerolite foam that gives the whole boot an even lighter feel.
Inside the boot, the skate is lined with Bauer’s Aerofilm pro liner. Their Aerofilm technology wicks moisture away and provides added comfort for your feet and ankles while you skate! At the bottom of the boot is Bauer’s Lockfit pro footbed, which has been engineered to keep your feet from slipping and to truly lock them in place for better comfort and stability.
With the Bauer Vapor Hyperlite hockey skates, you’ll get to choose your preferred runners—the blades of the skates—for a completely customized experience. The Vapor Hyperlite hockey skates come with the following runner options for you to choose from:
- The Carbonlite runners: 35% lighter than traditional steel blades and are made from ultra-lightweight carbon fiber.
- The Pulse TI runners: have a titanium outer coating and are higher than other runners for added performance and edge retention.
- The Pulse runners: increased height and premium core materials for better glide and durability.
The Bauer Vapor Hyperlite hockey skates come in three different widths to best accommodate your foot. Having different width options will allow you to choose the skate that best aligns with your foot and ankle size, along with your fit preference.
The Bauer Vapor Hyperlite hockey skates are a magnificent piece of hockey technology, and have earned the top spot on this list of best hockey skates!
Distinguishing Features
- Ultralight foam tongue
- Multiple runner options
- Lockfit pro footbed
- Aerofilm pro liner
- Asymmetrical toe cap for a more anatomically accurate fit
Pros
- Multiple width and runner options for a customizable fit and skating experience
- Heat moldable to improve break-in time
- Lightweight for improved speed and agility
Cons
- High price point
- Durability on upper eyelets could be improved
Best Lightweight
Bauer Supreme Mach Hockey Skates
The Bauer Supreme Mach Hockey Skates are some of the lightest you will find! So if you’re looking for a high-performance, lightweight skate, look no further!
Agility and speed were a huge priority for Bauer’s Supreme Mach design, so the hockey skates were constructed with a stiffer boot that increases energy transfer and helps boost stride length.
Unfortunately, sometimes a stiffer boot can be less comfortable… but not with the Supreme Machs!
With similar interior boot features are the Vapor Hyperlites, Bauer’s Supreme Mach hockey skates have built-in features that focus on your comfort as you wear the skate. From the moment you pull the skate on, your feet will be held steady in Bauer’s Lockfit pro liner—which was invented to keep your feet dry, comfortable, and locked in place.
The Supreme Mach hockey skates have a Powercoil tongue that increases recoil speed to help you load the skate effectively with each stride. A flex zone between the second and third eyelets at the top of the skate allows for increased forward mobility and maneuverability which in turn elongates your stride and range of motion on the ice. Both of these features allow for flexibility and movement in the upper part of the skate, without compromising the stiffness and energy transfer of the rest of the boot.
The runners of Bauer’s Supreme Mach hockey skates are interchangeable and customizable.
All of these maneuverability and agility features, paired with the customizability of the Supreme Mach hockey skates, are what earn these lightweight skates a top spot on our list of best hockey skates!
Distinguishing Features
- Asymmetrical toe cap for a more anatomically accurate fit
- Powerwrap technology in the lower part of the skate for increased stiffness
- Powercoil tongue for added flexibility in the upper skate
- Reflex tendon guard on the back of the skate for maximum acceleration
Pros
- Heat moldable to improve break-in time
- Flexible upper boot area to increase agility and maneuverability
- Multiple width and runner options for a customizable fit and skating experience
Cons
- High price point
- Can be difficult to find the right size for your foot
Best for Beginners
Senior Bauer XLS Hockey Skates
The Bauer Senior XLS hockey skates are affordable, reliable, and perfect for anyone on the hunt for their first recreational or beginner hockey skate!
For under $100, you can get an amazing and durable pair of hockey skates that come packed with comfort, balance, and usability features.
From the interior microfiber liner—a soft interior fabric—to the easy-to-balance stainless steel runners, the Bauer XLS hockey skates are a great piece of equipment for those embarking on learning the fundamentals of the game.
The Senior Bauer XLS Hockey Skates are loved by hockey enthusiasts for their speed on the ice at an affordable price!
So time to grab a pair, lace up their traditional hockey laces, and hit the rink.
Distinguishing Features
- Microfiber interior liner
- Interior ankle pads
- Stainless steel runners
- Lightweight felt tongue
Pros
- Affordable, beginner-friendly skate
- Loved by hockey players and skaters for their comfort
- A great recreational option for the occasional skater
Cons
- Beginner to mid-level skate
- Limited width options available
- Not heat moldable
CCM Super Tacks 9360 Senior Ice Hockey Skates
The CCM Super Tacks 9360 Senior Ice Hockey Skates are a high-level hockey skate for the serious players out there looking to rev up their game.
Built with CCM’s one-piece boot technology and lightweight composite midsole for added stiffness, the 9360 skate provides a great fit and optimal power transfer. Slip your foot into the boot and onto the soft and sturdy CCM Ortholite Ultralite footbed, with a built-in heel grip for even more stiffness, balance, and stability.
Distinguishing Features
- Back tendon guard
- CCM’s Ortholite Ultralite footbed technology and heel grip
- Lightweight composite midsole
- Replaceable tongue
Pros
- Multiple width and runner options
- A stiff boot and midsole for optimal power transfer
- Heat moldable to improve break-in time
Cons
- High price point
- Heat moldability is occasionally not completely effective for breaking in these skates
Bauer Vapor X3.7 Hockey Skates
The Bauer Vapor X3.7 hockey skates glide their way onto our list of best hockey skates as an amazing and affordable option for the consistent player looking for comfort and performance.
So if you’re on the ice once or twice a week, these hockey skates will not let you down!
Built with a soft microfiber liner and a memory foam-padded ankle, the boot of the Vapor X3.7 skates will keep you comfortable while also providing support and safety. At the bottom of the boot is a form-fitted footbed to keep your feet in place as you accelerate on the ice. And finally, at the top of the boot, the tongue is lined with padding for added comfort and flexibility.
The Bauer Vapor X3.7 hockey skates are built approximately 4% lighter than comparable models, so you’ll be light on your feet as your zip toward the opponent’s net!
Distinguishing Features
- Constructed with Bauer’s durable LS1 runners
- Memory foam-padded ankle for stability and ankle protection
- Form-fitted footbed
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Lightweight compared to similar hockey skates
- Heat moldable to improve break-in time
Cons
- Eyelet quality could be improved
- Runners are not interchangeable
CCM Jetspeed FT485 Hockey Skates
If you’re gearing up multiple times a week, the CCM Jetspeed FT485 hockey skates might just be the best hockey skates for you!
Starting with the boot, the CCM Jetspeed FT485s come in both regular and wide sizing so you can get the closest and most comfortable fit possible. The boot itself is a one-piece lightweight composite material that has been engineered for improved acceleration and provides enough support for a performance-level player.
The tongue of the Jetspeed FT485 boot is interchangeable; meaning you can swap in various CCM tongue inserts to enhance comfort and protection. Increasing or decreasing the inner boot volume with these additional tongue inserts will help you get the best fit out of your Jetspeed FT485 hockey skates!
Under the boot is CCM’s Speedblade XS stainless steel runner, which provides a long-lasting edge for high-performance or elite-level players.
The CCM Jetspeed FT485 really is a highly customizable hockey skate with top-of-the-line performance features at a more affordable price point. These skates make their way to our list of best hockey skates for the dedicated players out there looking for both performance and affordability!
Distinguishing Features
- One-piece boot
- Interior liner and memory foam that wicks away moisture and sweat
- Interchangeable tongue inserts
- Stainless steel runners
Pros
- Heat moldable to improve break-in time
- Highly customizable boot fit
- Great balance of high-performance quality and affordability
Cons
- Can be difficult to find the right size for your foot
- Heat moldability is occasionally not completely effective for breaking in these skates
TRUE TF9 Hockey Skates
Rounding off our list of the best hockey skates for 2023 are the TRUE TF9 hockey skates!
The TRUE TF9s were designed by experts based on information from thousands of foot scans. Their goal was simple: to create the best skate fit possible!
So, how did they do it?
Well, the inside of the TRUE TF9s is coated in a HydroFoam liner. This antimicrobial, moisture-wicking liner will keep your feet dry as you sweat, and the multi-density foam interior will cushion your feet while you skate. The TF9 footbeds come with adjustable arch inserts (for low, medium, and high arches) for an enhanced fit. And, at the top of the boot, the skate’s tongue is designed to be stiff, lightweight, and well-contoured for increased protection and an anatomical fit.
On the outside, the hockey skates are built with a thermoformable carbon fiber one-piece shell. This allows them to be ultra-lightweight and provides a best-in-class fit for both the everyday and elite-level player.
And lastly, on the underside of the boot, the TF9 holders feature a new technology that allows for faster blade replacement without the need for any special tool. The runners themselves are black steel and provide a sharp edge for acceleration and durability.
Distinguishing Features
- TRUE SHIFT holders and TRUE BenchChange technology for faster runner replacement
- HydroFoam antimicrobial and moisture-wicking liner
- Adjustable arch inserts
- Thermoformable carbon fiber one-piece shell
Pros
- Heat moldable to improve break-in time
- Fast and easy runner replacement
- Amazing fit compared to competitors
Cons
- Can be difficult to find the right size for your foot
- Heat moldability is occasionally not completely effective for breaking in these skates
- Tendon guard quality could be improved
Hockey Skates Buyer’s Guide: What Makes the Best Hockey Skates?
Any of the hockey skates listed above will do wonders on the ice! But sometimes, it’s hard to pick which is the absolute best for you.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Read on for our detailed hockey skates buyer’s guide; basically everything you need to know or consider before buying a fresh pair of ice skates! Can’t wait to get started? Check out online hockey training while you wait for your new skates to arrive.
Consider What You Are Using Your Ice Hockey Skates For
Recreational use doesn’t require an elite-level skate, but if you play hockey at a high level, even if it’s relatively infrequent, you definitely may want to consider investing in a more durable and high-level skate. Take some time to figure out what you’ll be using the hockey skates for to help kick off your decision-making!
Consider How Often You Will Be Using Your Hockey Skates
How often you’ll be using your hockey skates is one of the best factors for helping you pick your perfect skate! To help you out, we’ve put together a few recommendations for which level of skate you should purchase depending on how frequently you plan on hitting the ice:
- Intermittently: if you’re not skating regularly, consider a recreational-level or beginner-level skate. Skates like the Bauer XLS are affordable, durable, and will serve you well over the years!
- One to two times per week: consider purchasing a beginner-level or mid-level skate. With today’s advanced sports technology, even beginner skates have some high-performance features while getting you the best bang for your buck! Definitely try out either the Bauer XLS or the Bauer Vapor X3.7s.
- Three or four times per week: if you’re a more frequent player, consider a mid-tier price point skate or a lower-price point elite-level skate. These hockey skates are built for increased durability and repetitive, long-term use. Skates like the Bauer Vapor X3.7s, the CCM Jetspeed FT485s, or even the high-performance TRUE TF9s may be right for you if you’re playing hockey several times a week!
- Over four or five times per week: investing in a high-performance skate will be the most economical and best option in the long run. We recommend purchasing one of the top-of-the-line models as these hockey skates will keep you comfortable, protected, and will optimize your game. Elite-level skates include the TRUE TF9s, the Bauer Vapor Hyperlites, the Bauer Supreme Machs, and the CCM Super Tacks 9360.
Consider Where You Will Be Using Your Ice Hockey Skates
From beautifully maintained indoor rinks to skating on frozen-over ponds, a consideration to take into account before purchasing your hockey skates is where you’ll be using them!
Indoor and outdoor rinks that are well maintained generally pose no risk to your hockey skates, but if you plan on skating on lower-quality ice (e.g. a frozen lake or a small neighborhood rink) you risk damaging your hockey skates’ blades. If this skating is what you’re looking to do, the best hockey skate for you is probably a lower-cost recreational skate.
Another innovative type of skating available is synthetic ice! Synthetic ice rinks, like PolyGlide Ice, can be installed at any size, inside or out! Hockey skates with durable metal blades can be used on synthetic ice for both recreational and training purposes. Just keep in mind that your blades may have to be sharpened a little more often if used on synthetic ice.
Interested in skating all year round? Use our discount code “lifeinminnesota” for a 15% discount on PolyGlide’s synthetic ice!
Boot Build, Stability, and Maneuverability
Ice hockey skates are designed to have stiff boots to improve power transfer, propelling you forward on the ice! Stiffness in the heel of the boot, in particular, will give you more control over your hockey skates while you’re on the ice. Some movement or flexibility at the top of the skate, like on the tongue, for example, will increase the hockey skate’s maneuverability.
While you’re looking for the best hockey skate out there, keep an eye out for hockey skates made from carbon, as they’re stiff and stable boots!
Blade Build
Checking out the blade, or runner, is imperative while choosing the best hockey skate!
The runners on the highest quality hockey skates are built for durability and longevity. They typically have longer life spans than other runners. So while you’re on the hunt for your next pair of skates, definitely ask about the skate’s runners before making your purchase!
A great indication of a high-quality skate is the ability of the runners to be swapped out. Most elite-level skates on the market have this runner interchangeability feature.
Ankle and Foot Protection
Different hockey skates offer varying degrees of foot, ankle, and tendon protection.
Hard skates made from carbon offer more overall protection against any shots or stray slashes. A thick tongue on the front of the skate will keep your foot protected from the top and a high tendon guard in the back will protect your Achilles tendon. If you’re prone to foot or ankle injuries, definitely look for these safety features when you’re weighing out which skate might be best for you!
Finding the Best Fit For Your Foot
Even if you have the best hockey skates in the game, you’ll lose speed, comfort, and balance without the right fit.
So time to get yourself a great pair of hockey skates with the perfect fit for your feet!
To get you started on finding your perfect fit, a properly fitted skate is normally about one to one and a half sizes smaller than your regular shoe size. So get started there, but don’t be surprised if the sizing differs even more!
Now that you have your starting point, consider your foot. Do you have high arches? Low arches? A more wide or narrow foot shape? Most hockey skates come in a variety of widths that can help accommodate the specificities of your feet.
If you can get into a store in person, try on a bunch of makes and models to find the skates that best suit your feet. Make sure to try them on with what you’d usually wear underneath your skates (e.g. the same socks) so you can get an accurate fit!
If you’re buying online and can’t try on the hockey skates in person, don’t worry, many hockey skate retailers offer precise sizing charts or recommendations! Always have a look at those before picking the best hockey skate for you!
It’s Time to Hit the Ice In Your New Hockey Skates!
Let’s go back to that feeling… the feeling of your hockey skates hitting the ice.
But this time, this time you’re wearing the perfect hockey skates. The best hockey skates. You’re infinitely comfortable, incredibly sturdy, and wildly fast.
Unquestionably, it’s now time for you to go and make that feeling a reality!
We hope you enjoyed this list of the best hockey skates for 2023 and can’t wait to see you on the ice!
Interested in keeping that on-ice feeling year-round at your own home? Check out our top five picks of the best synthetic ice that will keep you playing anywhere, anytime!
Still want more hockey content? Then check out our hockey page for training guides, equipment rankings, and fun facts about our favorite sport!
- About the Author
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Born in Madelia, MN, to a now 5-generation Minnesota family, Ryan’s MN roots go deep.
A painter by day, Ryan founded Life in Minnesota in 2013 with his wife Kelly to chronicle their musings on everything Minnesota. Ryan and Kelly are raising their 7 kiddos in Maple Grove, MN.
When he’s not shuttling his kids around to hockey practice, you might find him in the shop working on his leatherwork. Undoubtedly, there will be a family trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area every summer, and of course weekends at Grandpa’s cabin up north in the summer.