Recreational ice skates are great for indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks as well as outdoor ponds and lakes. Ice skating is a great winter sport for the entire family. You don’t have to skate like hockey great Bobby Hull or Olympian Dorothy Hamill to have a great time.
There are different classes and brands of skates. Which brand you buy depends on how hard and often you skate. There are four separate size categories: Men’s, women’s, boys and girls.
For more detailed info on choosing inline skates check out the below reviews:
You will want to spend a fair amount of time choosing your recreational ice skates because if you don’t choose the right size or fit, you’ll spend more time off the ice then on and no one wants that.
Here are a few of the best recreational ice skates from Amazon.com.
Best Recreational Ice Skates for the Money
| Number | Model |
|---|---|
| 1 (Best Pick) | Bauer Senior 140 |
| 2 | Bauer Women’s Flow |
| 3 | K2 Skate F.I.T. |
| 4 | Bladerunner Zephyr Women |
| 5 | Riedell SS 830 |
1. Bauer Senior/Junior/Youth Supreme 140 Skate 
Bauer has been around since 1927, and it is one of the top brands used by hockey players. It is also one of the best recreational ice skates for great fit and performance, without the expense of hockey skates. The Bauer name brings in the customers, and the quality keeps them.
First, you get the superior performance from a heat molded, anatomical fit. It has a premium nylon quarter and a Microfiber liner. It has a TPR outsole and a TUUK LIGHTSPEED Pro Holder and TUUK Super Stainless Runner. It is built for longer, more powerful strides.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Accurate fit
- Well made, high quality
- Competitively priced
- Excellent beginner skate
Cons
- A bit stiff
- Can take awhile to break in
- Not for serious hockey players
- Size can be inaccurate
2. Bauer Women’s Flow 
This is the women’s version of Bauer, which is almost identical to the men’s. One of the most important aspects, along with size and fit, is the color of the skates. Women want to be comfortable, but at the same time, color and style are very important.
This recreational skate is made with a brushed nylon liner for comfort. The outsole is constructed with TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber), and the exterior of the boot is nylon. The tongue is made from anatomical felt, and there are foam inserts that help support your ankle. All in all a decent buy especially for beginners.
Pros
- Added padding for protection
- Fit true to shoe size
- Excellent ankle support
- Great look and style
- Comfortable
- Durable
Cons
- Back can dig into calf
- Ankle support and comfort can be mutually exclusive
- Size can be inaccurate
3. K2 Skate F.I.T. Ice Skates 
K2 builds a nice skate. It has a soft boot for added comfort and performance. It also has a stability Plus cuff for extra support. They are waterproof to keep your feet warm and dry. The stainless steel blade is easy to maintain.
K2 ice skates are stylish and comfortable. You can’t go wrong with K2’s. This I know because I’ve worn Bauer’s, CCM’s and K2’s and K2’s fit me the best. They are lightweight and easily broken in. They make skating fun, safe and affordable. For the occasional skater, they have great support.
Pros
- Skate size is the same as shoe size
- No sore feet or blisters
- Well-padded
- Quick release strap and Velcro for easy access
- No laces
- Affordable
Cons
- Not meant for hard or hockey skating
4. Bladerunner Zephyr Women’s Recreational Ice Skate 
From beginner to advanced, this skate fits all the requirements for a best recreational skate. Reliable and enough technical aspects to fit all skaters. Lightweight with great ankle support and a supportive, yet comfortable boot. A padded velvet liner for warmth and comfort. A cuff buckle and lacing system for safety, comfort and easy entrance and exit.
Pros
- Fit is true to size
- Great lateral support
- Carbon steel blade
- Competitive price
- Comfortable
Cons
- Top buckle too tight
- Tight around calf
- Leg fit limited
- Too tight around ankle
5. Riedell SS 830 Hockey – Black Skate 
A great skate for the recreational skater who wants the action of a hockey skate. It has a super comfortable boot and super strong carbon steel blade. It comes with a lacing system and power strap closure. A heavy-duty mesh nylon upper stands up to demanding wear and comfort. A best recreational skate for long hours playing on the ice.
Pros
- 3/8″ foam ankle padding
- Athletic styling
- Durable
- Comfortable for long hours
- Heavy duty, nylon mesh boots
Cons
- Not for hard skating
- Boot can flex uncomfortably
- Not meant for everyday skating
How to Buy the High Quality Recreational Skates
I got my first pair of ice skates at the tender age of nine. I still ice skate, but have since graduated to rollerblading (inline skating) as an adult. I have skated on indoor and outdoor ice rinks, as well as frozen ponds and lakes. Being originally from Colorado, this was easy. I also played hockey, which is a complete another story all its’ own.
My last pair of ice skates were CCM hockey skates, and I laid out over $200 for them. What I am looking at now are the less expensive, albeit still nice, best recreational ice skates. The most important thing I can tell you is that size and fit definitely matters when it comes to comfort and safety, and a snug ankle is key.
Be prepared to do your research and spend one or two hours at the store finding the right skate, meaning the perfect fit. Your legs, feet and how well you skate depend on this. Quality also matters. This is important if you want your skates to last for years. So, you will want to do it right the first time.
Where to Buy
The best of recreational ice skates will run you between $50-$70, and you can purchase them online at Amazon.com. There are quite a few to look through, but you will be ahead of the game if you know what kind of skating you want to do and where.
Do you want to figure skate, or hockey skate or even speed skate? This plays a big part in your choice of a skate. Fortunately, if it is your first time and you are not sure which category you fit into, then the recreational skate is for you.
The best recreational ice skate can go a long way in determining what skating you want to do and how often. You may even choose to stay with the all-encompassing recreational skate. That’s fine.
Types of Recreational Ice skates
Recreational skates come in all sizes, from men to woman and boys to girls. It can be a family affair. Men usually buy the pseudo-hockey skates, like the Riedell SS 830 Hockey skate Hockey skate. It is fast and fun, and you can skate relatively hard without harming yourself.
Women like skates like the Bladerunner Zephyr Women’s Recreational skate. These skates have a decent balance between hockey and freestyle. You will notice that the blade is a hockey blade, but it also has the serrated front edge for freestyle skating.
Boys and girls can go, either way, again depending on how they want to skate: Hockey of Figure. Usually, the boys go for the hockey skates, and girls go for figure skating. It all depends on, but a decent pair of recreational skates can go a long way in determining how they want to skate.
Plus, the skates for kids are adjustable. So you don’t have to go all out and get an expensive pair right away, besides, the chances are they will outgrow them in less than a year anyway.
Size and Material
Size is important for avoiding blisters and falls, and for just plain comfort. You’ll want to pay close attention to what others are saying. Do they fall in the ‘true to shoe size’ category or in the ‘half-size smaller or larger’ category?
For material, are they a ‘hard plastic’ boot or a ‘softer mesh’ boot? Will they hold up to the faster turning and solid stopping of hockey skates or are they more for gliding and doing graceful turns? All these come into play, no pun intended.
Also, how are they laced? Old school lacing or hard plastic buckles? Maybe a little of both. You need to determine which suits you better and is more comfortable. There are different types of skates for different types and styles of skating. Do your own research.
A lot of ice rinks rent out both hockey and figure skates, so that’s a great way to begin your research for the right skate.
Skate Brands
I have had different brand skates, and I have my favorites: Bauer, CCM, and K2. These are top of the line but they do have different price levels. You don’t have to buy any of these as there are other brands, like Bladerunner’s, that will do the job right out of the gate.
It all depends on how and what you use them for. As with all things, ‘you get what you pay for,’ in the end.
Top Recreational Ice Skates Reviews
The best recreational skates are out there, and you can find the best for you through research and patience. Amazon has a great selection, and you can begin and end there.
Go to the ice rink and try the rental skates to get a feel for skating. Ask the employees and other skaters what the best skates out there are. Research online and talk to friends. Your pair is out there, just be patient and do your research. Ice skating is great exercise and fun! Take skating lessons and play hockey or figure skate.
Ultimately it’s all up to you, but I do recommend ice skating and having the right skate makes all the difference in the world.
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