Figure Skates vs Hockey Skates: Difference and Comparison

Sports is always an important part that plays in the development of the growing child. Even doctors suggest every person have a single sport as their hobby, making them remain fit.

Many games are played inside the home, called indoor games, while some of them are played outside on different grounds or fields, called outdoor games.

Ice sports are one of the common sports played worldwide but are still not much popular in India as the snowfall is limited to the mountain areas.

Figure skating, Hockey, skating, skiing, snowboarding, and many others are some of the games played on ice.   

Key Takeaways

  1. Figure skates feature a toe pick and a longer, flatter blade for jumps and spins, while hockey skates have a shorter, curved blade for quick turns and agility.
  2. Figure skates have a softer boot construction with more ankle support, while hockey skates offer a stiffer boot for better energy transfer.
  3. Figure skates prioritize aesthetics with various boot designs and colors, while hockey skates have a more functional and streamlined appearance.

Figure Skates vs Hockey Skates

The difference between Figure Skates and Hockey Skates is that the toe pick region present in figure skates persists in a serrated edge while comparatively, on the other hand, hockey skates persist in the toe pick with a narrow edge. The blades of these skates have different thicknesses. The figure skates are thicker, having a 4 mm thickness, while hockey skates have a thickness of 3 mm. 

Figure Skates vs Hockey Skates

Figure skates are meant for performing different functions, including running, sliding, jumping, gliding, dancing, and many others.

The material used in manufacturing these skates is leather. The price of the skates is quite hefty because of their material and the replaceable quality of the blades from the base.

Hockey skates are the skates that are primarily meant for the ice hockey game. They are made up of a mixture of two materials, and they are – plastic and leather.

The blades mounted at the base are very light in weight, making them more smooth and quick movements. Also, the price of these shoes is less.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonFigure SkatesHockey Skates
Toe PickSerrated edgeNarrow edge
PurposeJumping, sliding, aerobicsIn an ice hockey game
Made Up ofLeatherA mixture of plastic and leather
Weight of the bladesHeavyLight
PriceHighLow
Attachment of bladesSeparately attached to the surfaceBlades are already built on the base
ComfortLess comfortMore comfort
Blade thickness4 mm3 mm
Length of bladesLarger than the baseSimilar to the base
Toe backAbsentPresent
Shape of bladeCurved in frontCurved at the end
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What are Figure Skates?

According to its name, figure skates are the skates that are being popularly used for figure skating.

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And this figure skating includes different functions that help the individual to glide, spin, jump, dance, doing aerobatics, and do many other activities using them.

Because the skates are required for performing on the ice, this is advised that the blades should be properly maintained and sharpened for smoothness. These skates are mainly manufactured with leather.

Figure skates persist toe pick made up of a serrated edge that helps the person stop, smoothly glide, and spin while using them.

Although these blades are quite heavy and are less comfortable for the foot, even the length of the blades is longer than the size of the boot, and those blades are attached to the base separately.

The thickness of the blades that are used in the figure skates is about 4mm. The blades present at the front are in curved shape.

And they don’t have toe-back regions like Hockey Skates. Even the price of the figure skates is quite hefty.  

figure skates

What are Hockey Skates?

According to its name, the Hockey Skates are the skates that are meant for playing hockey, but the twist in the game is that hockey is not played on the field but on the ice rink; thus, they are valuable equipment for the ice hockey game.

And this is the main reason that they should be maintained properly, and the blades must be sharpened for smooth gliding.

The hockey skates have a narrow edge toe pick that helps the person in the running with speed and in making twists and turn sharply.

The blades that are present beneath the base are almost equal in size to the boot size.

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The advantage of these blades is that they are very comfortable for the foot and are light in weight allowing in making smooth movements.

But the disadvantage of these blades is that they are irreplaceable from the base.  

hockey skates

Main Differences Between Figure Skates and Hockey Skates

  1. The toe pick of the figure skates comes with a serrated edge, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, the toe pick of the hockey skates comes with a narrow edge. 
  2. The main purpose of using figure skates is – jumping, spinning, dancing, aerobatics, and many other activities, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, the primary purpose of hockey skates are used to play the famous ice hockey game.
  3. Figure skates are mainly made up of leather, whereas, comparatively, on the other hand, hockey skates are made up of two materials called plastic and leather.
  4. The figure skates are much heavier, whereas, comparatively, on the other hand, the hockey skates are much lighter.
  5. Figure skates are very costly because of the material used in their manufacturing, whereas, comparatively, on the other hand, hockey skates are less costly.
  6. The blades in the figure skates are additionally attached to the base of the boot, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, the blades in the hockey skates are built with the base of the boot.
  7. The comfort level of using figure boots is less, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, the comfort level of using hockey skates is much better.
  8. The length of the blades in the figure skates is longer than the actual size of the boot, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, the length of the blades in the hockey skates is equal to the size of the base of the boot.
  9. The thickness of the blades in the figure skates is about 4 mm, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, the thickness of the blades in the hockey skates is about 3 mm.
  10. Figure skates contain the toe back in the front region, whereas, comparatively, on the other hand, hockey skates don’t have the toe back in the front region.
  11. The shape of the blade in a figure skate is curved from the front, whereas comparatively, on the other hand, the shape of the blade in a hockey skate is curved from the ends.  
Difference Between Figure Skates and Hockey Skates
References
  1. https://escholarship.mcgill.ca/concern/theses/9k41zh74r
  2. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-52136-7_25
  3. https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/4773
  4. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12283-017-0227-0
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Emma Smith
Emma Smith

Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.

13 Comments

  1. A detailed and comprehensive comparison of figure skates and hockey skates, covering various aspects from blade thickness to materials used. Well-presented and informative content.

  2. I believe this article provides a balanced perspective on figure skates and hockey skates, presenting both the advantages and disadvantages of each type of skate.

    • Absolutely, it’s refreshing to see such a detailed analysis of the pros and cons of using figure skates and hockey skates.

  3. This article offers valuable insights into the distinct characteristics of figure skates and hockey skates, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the differences between the two types of skates.

  4. The detailed comparison between figure skates and hockey skates is very enlightening. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the features and purposes of both types of skates.

    • The article effectively highlights the distinct characteristics and functionalities of figure skates and hockey skates, making it a valuable resource for enthusiasts of ice sports.

    • I found the section on the main differences between figure skates and hockey skates to be particularly insightful and well-explained.

  5. The article provides an insightful analysis of the differences between figure skates and hockey skates, shedding light on key features such as blade thickness, materials, and comfort levels.

  6. I think the article offers an in-depth look at the key differences between figure skates and hockey skates, analyzing various elements such as blade thickness, comfort level, and price differences.

  7. This article provides a comprehensive comparison between figure skates and hockey skates, covering everything from the materials they are made of, to the thickness of the blades, and their purpose in different sports. It’s a very informative read for anyone interested in ice sports.

    • I completely agree, it’s an excellent source of information for those looking to understand the differences between the two types of skates.

    • I found the comparison table particularly helpful in understanding the distinctions between figure skates and hockey skates.

  8. Informative and well-explained content. This article definitely highlights the key differences between figure skates and hockey skates.

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