Hockey Skate Sizing
Help with sizing
Find the right fit for every piece of equipment. Choose a category to jump to its sizing guide.
Skate sizing
Skate sizing
Things to consider
- Age, height and weight
- The brand, model and size you wore last
- Your measured foot length and width
Skates run smaller than shoes — most senior players drop 1 to 1.5 sizes, juniors and youth about 1. Treat that as a starting point only: CCM, Bauer and True do not share a last, so the same number fits differently across brands.
Measuring your foot
Sit down wearing the sock thickness you skate in, and measure each foot separately — most people have one foot longer than the other, and you fit the larger one. Place your heel against a wall with your foot flat on a sheet of paper, mark the end of your longest toe, and measure the distance. Repeat across the widest part of the forefoot for your width.
Checking the fit
Unlaced, with your toes touching the toe cap, you should fit about one finger behind your heel. Laced up, your toes should feather the cap without curling under. Your heel should be locked in place — if it lifts when you flex forward, the skate is too big or the lacing is wrong.
Most skates can be heat moulded to fit closer, but moulding cannot fix a skate that is the wrong length.
Skate Sizing FAQs
Q: What size hockey skates do I wear compared to my shoe size?
A: Generally, senior hockey skates fit 1.0 to 1.5 sizes smaller than your standard US men's shoe size (e.g., shoe size 10 = skate size 8.5). Junior and youth skates typically fit 1.0 size smaller.
Q: Should my toes touch the front of hockey skates?
A: Yes. Standing straight unlaced, your toes should lightly touch the toe cap. When you bend your knees into an athletic hockey stance, your heel shifts back and your toes should barely feather the front without cramping.
Hockey skates run smaller than shoes. Most senior players wear a skate 1 to 1.5 sizes below their US shoe size; junior and youth skaters typically go down about 1 size.
| US shoe size | Skate size |
|---|---|
| 6 | 5.0 – 5.5 |
| 7 | 6.0 – 6.5 |
| 8 | 6.5 – 7.0 |
| 9 | 7.5 – 8.0 |
| 10 | 8.5 – 9.0 |
| 11 | 9.5 – 10.0 |
| 12 | 10.5 – 11.0 |
| 13 | 11.5 – 12.0 |
Width
| Fit | Traditional width | Bauer fit system |
|---|---|---|
| Narrow | C / B | Fit 1 |
| Standard | D / R | Fit 2 |
| Wide | EE / E | Fit 3 |
Sizing varies meaningfully between brands — CCM, Bauer, and True do not share a last. Check the chart for the brand you are buying.
Fit test: with the skate unlaced and your toes touching the toe cap, you should fit about one finger behind the heel. Laced up, toes should feather the cap without curling.
Most skates can be heat-moulded for a closer fit, but heat moulding will not correct a skate that is the wrong length.
These charts are a starting point, not a guarantee. Sizing varies between brands and models — check the chart on the product itself before ordering, and contact our team if you are between sizes.
Back to all guidesFrequently asked questions
How do skates size compared to shoes?
Skates run smaller than shoes — most senior players drop 1 to 1.5 sizes, juniors and youth about 1. Treat that as a starting point only: CCM, Bauer and True do not share a last, so the same number fits differently across brands.
How do I measure my foot for skates?
Sit down wearing the sock thickness you skate in, and measure each foot separately — most people have one foot longer than the other, and you fit the larger one. Place your heel against a wall with your foot flat on a sheet of paper, mark the end of your longest toe, and measure the distance. Repeat across the widest part of the forefoot for your width.
How do I check the fit of hockey skates?
Unlaced, with your toes touching the toe cap, you should fit about one finger behind your heel. Laced up, your toes should feather the cap without curling under. Your heel should be locked in place — if it lifts when you flex forward, the skate is too big or the lacing is wrong.
Can heat moulding fix fit issues with skates?
Most skates can be heat moulded to fit closer, but moulding cannot fix a skate that is the wrong length.