Comparison Zelart Z-2062 vs Tempish F21 Ice

The style of skating for which the skates are designed. Nowadays, the following types of skates are distinguished by style: recreational, hockey, figure and racing. Each type has its characteristics:

- Walking tours. Relatively simple models, intended mainly for recreational driving and not designed for specific applications; in other words - general purpose skates that are not hockey, figure or sprinting (see below). This option is considered optimal for beginners learning the basics of skating, for tech who are inclined to leisurely riding without “extreme”, and also as rentals at public skating rinks. Recreational skates are characterized by a soft and warm boot (for maximum comfort), as well as a medium-length blade with a long straight section, which provides a good support area. In addition, this variety has a wide variety of designs. Note that some of these models can be supplemented with teeth, as in figure ones, but tricks on them should be performed with caution - a relatively soft boot, as a rule, does not provide the required support for the leg.

- Hockey. As the name suggests, these skates are specifically designed for playing hockey. Their distinguishing features are a rigid boot and a short length of the straight section on the blade. Due to this, a high degree of lateral support, controllability and tur...ning is ensured, and the technique of moving on hockey skates involves running rather than sliding. However, skates for defenders and goalkeepers can have long straight sections to increase stability. And hard materials, in turn, are also necessary for protection against impacts (primarily puck hits).

- Figure skating. Figure skating skates have a distinctive high boot and a blade with a fairly long straight section and serrations at the front. Thanks to all this, good support for the lower leg is provided in combination with mobility, as well as the ability to easily slide, accelerate and perform various pirouettes on the ice, including with support on the toes. Note that skates for this purpose are quite suitable for recreational riding, but it hardly makes sense to purchase them specifically for this purpose, in particular, due to the high cost. It is also worth considering that some manufacturers also position recreational skates with serrations on the blade as figure skates, although in such cases there is no talk of full-fledged figure skating.

- Racing. They are designed to achieve the highest possible speed and are designed for high-quality, flat ice. Externally, racing models are distinguished primarily by their long blade, which noticeably protrudes beyond the toe and heel of the boot, as well as the low height of the boot itself. In addition, in professional models of racing skates the boot is attached to the blade only in the front part, on a rotating joint, the heel can move relative to the blade, and after each push-off the blade is pulled to the heel by a special spring. This further promotes overclocking. In any case, such skates are used on long speed skating tracks, and riding them requires special skills.

The type of boot that skates are equipped with.

— Fixed size. Fixed-size boots are more durable and secure than adjustable boots (see below), while being simpler in design and less expensive. Their main disadvantage is the actual size immutability. However, this shortcoming can be critical only if the skates are purchased for a child who is still growing; and even then, properly sized boots are usually enough to last a whole season. Therefore, almost all skates for adults, as well as most children's models, are equipped with boots with a fixed size.

— Adjustable size. Boots with the ability to adjust the size in a certain range. This feature makes it easier to choose — there is less chance that the size will be inappropriate — and also allows you to buy skates for your child for couple seasons. On the other hand, the adjustable size complicates and increases the cost of the design, while reducing its reliability. Therefore, the vast majority of skates with similar boots are designed specifically for children and teenagers who need to constantly adjust their shoes as their feet grow.

The boot sizes of the skates. One skate model can have a full fixed size grid ( 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 size) and include both kids skates and adults. And for models with adjustable sizes(see "More features"), size ranges are indicated in this paragraph, while one model can be produced in several range options. For example, the designation "35-38, 39-42" means that the skates are available in two versions: one is adjustable from size 35 to 37, the second is from 39 to 42.

— Plastic. The sole material used in most modern skates, regardless of style or price range. Such popularity is because there are many varieties of plastic on the market that differ in performance, strength and, accordingly, cost. This allows you to choose the best option for almost any type of skate. The overall quality of a plastic sole usually depends on the price category of the product. It is also worth considering that some types of this material do not tolerate temperatures below -10 °C, so when choosing, you should pay attention to the temperature limits indicated in the documentation. This is especially important when buying inexpensive skates.

— Rubber. Relatively flexible and soft material that resists low temperatures well. Nevertheless, rubber does not have fundamental advantages over the same plastic, but costs a little more, which is why it is extremely rare.

— Composite. In the case of skates, composite usually means carbon fibre — carbon fibre with a plastic filler. In terms of strength, such a material is superior to steel, it is cruel, due to which it provides a clear transfer of force from the foot to the blade of the skate while weighing very little. However, carbon fibre soles are not cheap, so they are used only in certain models of premium hockey skates (usually the entire boot is made of the same material in such models).

— Stainless steel. The material used in a rather specific type of skate: removable blades worn...over regular shoes. There is no boot in such skates as such, they consist of blades, soles and straps for attaching to shoes. Of the practical properties of steel, it is worth noting strength, durability, resistance to low temperatures and, at the same time, a rather large weight.

Skates have additional ankle support.

This feature means that each boot has special protrusions for additional support of the ankle joint. This reduces the risk of injury. Of course, a boot with such a function should be high. However, note that not every high boot provides a full-fledged support of the ankle — this detail is typical mainly for rather expensive skates.

Ways of fixing the foot provided in the design of the skates.

— Buckle. Buckle has the form of a clip, which, when fastened, fixes the strap threaded through it. The main advantage of such fasteners is ease of use, and the retention itself is quite reliable. At the same time, for several reasons, this option is considered less suitable for skates than laces. Therefore, skates that use only buckles are rare, usually such clips are auxiliary — in addition to lacing.

— Hook-and-loop. Fastener based on classic hook-and-loop: one half of the fastener "sticks" to the other through the use of small hooks that cling to thin and strong fibers. Hook-and-loop is very easy to fasten and unfasten, but not very reliable, besides, the quality of retention deteriorates noticeably as it wears out. Therefore, such clamps are used only as auxiliary ones, in combination with lacing or buckles.

— Lacing. Lacing similar to that used in regular shoes. It is the most reliable type of retainer, due to which it is used in most modern skates. It can be supplemented with buckle or hook-and-loop, while the main method of fixation is still lacing.