Hockey Skate Width & Fit Profiles
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Skate width and fit profiles
Skate fit profiles
Things to consider
- How wide your foot is at the forefoot
- How high your instep sits
- Whether your current skates pinch, or leave your heel loose
Two skaters with the same foot length can need completely different skates. Length decides your size; the fit profile decides the shape of the boot — how wide it is across the forefoot and how much room it leaves over the instep. Getting this wrong is the single most common reason a correctly sized skate is uncomfortable.
Finding your profile
Stand with your weight on the foot and measure across the widest part of the forefoot, then measure the height of your instep at its highest point. Match both against the table below, and if the two disagree, follow the width — volume can be adjusted with lacing and moulding, width cannot.
Width-only profiles
Fit D and Fit EE change the width of a standard-volume boot without changing its depth. They suit a foot that is narrow or wide but otherwise average through the instep.
Profiles are not interchangeable between brands: a Fit 2 in one line is not the same last as a medium in another. Where a skate lists a profile, it is on the product page under the size guide.
Fit Profile FAQs
Q: What is the difference between Bauer Fit 1, Fit 2, and Fit 3?
A: Fit 1 is low volume with a narrow forefoot and heel; Fit 2 is medium volume with a standard forefoot and heel; Fit 3 is high volume with a wide forefoot, deep instep, and wider heel.
Q: What is skate volume?
A: Skate volume refers to the overall interior space and depth of the boot, particularly around the instep and heel. If you have a high instep, you need a high-volume fit (Fit 3 / EE) to prevent lace bite.
Length gets you the right size; the fit profile gets you the right shape. Profiles describe how wide and how deep the boot is, and the same foot length can need a different profile from one brand or model to the next. The measurements below are of the foot, not the skate.
| Fit profile | Width / volume | Foot width | Foot height | Traditional width |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fit 1 | Narrow / low | 4" – 4.5" | 2" – 2.5" | C / B |
| Fit 2 | Medium / medium | 4.5" – 5" | 2.5" – 3" | D / R |
| Fit 3 | Wide / high | 5" – 5.5" | 3" – 3.5" | EE / E |
| Fit D | Narrow, standard volume | — | — | D |
| Fit EE | Wide, standard volume | — | — | EE |
Fit D and Fit EE are width-only lasts — they change how wide the boot is without changing its depth, so they carry no separate volume measurement.
Measure both feet. Width is the widest part of the forefoot, height is the instep, and both are taken standing with your weight on the foot. Fit the larger foot.
Between two profiles? A skate that is slightly too wide can be closed up with lacing and heat moulding; one that is too narrow cannot be opened out. Size to the wider profile if you are on the line.
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
What factors affect skate fit profiles?
How wide your foot is at the forefoot, how high your instep sits, and whether your current skates pinch or leave your heel loose.
How can I find my skate fit profile?
Stand with your weight on the foot and measure across the widest part of the forefoot, then measure the height of your instep at its highest point. Match both against the sizing table, and if the two disagree, follow the width — volume can be adjusted with lacing and moulding, width cannot.
What are width-only skate fit profiles?
Fit D and Fit EE change the width of a standard-volume boot without changing its depth. They suit a foot that is narrow or wide but otherwise average through the instep.
Are skate fit profiles interchangeable between brands?
No, profiles are not interchangeable between brands: a Fit 2 in one line is not the same last as a medium in another. Where a skate lists a profile, it is on the product page under the size guide.