In today's article, we will be talking about Kitchener-Waterloo skate contouring.

Skate contouring is all about altering the lengthwise shape of your skate blade, or how much of a flat spot it has. The experts at Sports Zone offer this important service at our location in Waterloo - visit us today to learn more!

Skate contouring is recommended in order to maximize your skating potential. Let's take a deeper look at what it means and how it can help your movement on the ice.

Kitchener-Waterloo Skate Contouring

Sports Zone is located at 92 Lodge Street in Waterloo, ON.

Hours:

• MON TO FRI 10AM TO 8PM
  
• SAT 9AM - 5PM
 
• SUN 11AM - 5PM

What Sports Zone Can Offer

We are equipped with three Blademaster skate sharpening machines:

• Two machines dedicated for hockey skate sharpening
• One machine dedicated as a figure skate detailing and sharpening center

Blademaster is the global leader in skate care equipment and supplies.

Additionally, we employ a tool and die approach to our skate sharpening. What that means is on top of our machines that run over the entire blade, our sharpeners also use a special square machinist tool to meter the blade to perfection, giving you the perfect edges.

Our prices:

Hockey Skate Sharpening - $6.00 (tax included)
Figure Skate Sharpening - $12.00 (tax included)

Sports Zone also takes care of Kitchener-Waterloo skate contouring or profiling using Blademaster contouring tools.

Take advantage of a Kitchener-Waterloo skate contouring service before you jump back out on the ice

What is Skate Contouring?

Contouring, or profiling, is the process of altering the shape of the skate blade lengthwise to maximize your skating potential. The main thing it alters is the blade's radius, meaning the flat area of the blade upon which you glide across the ice.

According to Sparx Hockey, the radius "imagines the length of the skate blade (from heel to toe) as part of a larger circle. The most common sizes are a 9 foot radius, an 11 foot radius and a 13 foot radius, although they are not limited to just these. With a smaller radius (9 ft), less of the skate blade comes in contact with the ice. With a larger radius (13 ft), more of the skate blade comes in contact with the ice."

Both approaches have their pros and cons, and that is why it is important for each individual player to test and see what works best.

Generally speaking, however, a smaller radius is better for agility and maneuverability and a larger radius is better for speed. If you're just starting to test different contouring options, keep that in mind.

As SSM Produkt notes, "When you buy a new pair of skates they have some given radius shape. Different brands [use] different shapes."

Generally speaking, here's what you're likely to find out of the box:

• Hockey skates range between 6'-13'
• Goalie skates range between 22'-30'
• Figure skates range between 7'-8', while more expensive models combine 2-3 different radiuses

Treat yourself to a new pair of skates, and make sure you get them profiled

Kitchener-Waterloo Skate Contouring: When To Get It Done

The answer to this question is similar to when to get your skates sharpened: It depends on how often you skate and what you use them for!

We recommend having your skate's profile assessed when you bring them in for sharpening.

Skate Amherstburg offers the following helpful timeline:

"When skaters start out shuffling across the ice, once or twice a season should be fine. When skaters start to use their edges more and dig into the ice, maybe 3 or 4 times a season. This is assuming skating once a week for one hour. When figure skaters reach a more advanced level, doing single and double jumps, skating 4-6 hours a week, once every month would be advisable. When Hockey players start skating one or two games a week, at a more advanced skating level, once every 4-6 games is a good bench mark."

Parents will want to keep an eye on the condition of young one's skates, while more experienced skaters will develop a feel for when they need to get their blades contoured.

We can answer all your questions on this topic - visit us today!

Trust Sports Zone For The Best in Kitchener-Waterloo Skate Sharpening!

Like the major chain sporting retailers, we carry all the major hockey skate and figure skate brands you need to skate at your best.

Sports Zone also has a trade-in program. Bring in your used equipment and get credit towards your next purchase!

The Sports Zone difference, however, is our personalized level of service. We pledge to offer the customer a personal, small-store service experience but with all the sports equipment and apparel athletes need to excel at their sport.

Whether you need a skate sharpening, hockey equipment, new skates, hockey sticks, goalie equipment, or other sports equipment, Sports Zone has what you need at the best price, guaranteed!

Visit us today to get the best sports equipment you need to compete and take advantage of our in-store services.

Or, you can order online if you're outside the Kitchener-Waterloo area.

What Sports Zone Customers Are Saying:

"Great store. Best sharpenings in town. I wouldn't take my skates anywhere else. Just recently I had some rivets fixed on them and they did a great job! Staff is very knowledgeable and is very helpful when it comes to sticks and blade curves." 

- Keelan Stephen-Masters

In this article, we will discuss new vs. used hockey equipment, and what you need to know when planning for a new season.

Sports Zone offers the very best in new and used hockey equipment, and we allow trade-ins so that you can maximize your dollar - visit us today to learn more.

Now let's dig in and take a closer look at the benefits of investing in new hockey gear and when it's appropriate to purchase used equipment.

New vs. Used Hockey Equipment: What You Need To Know

The Essentials

If you're new to playing hockey, you may not know what you need in order to gear up. It's a decent-sized list, sure to fill your hockey bag, which is a good starting point!

So, what will you need?

• Helmet
• Gloves
• Shoulder pads
• Elbow pads
• Pants
• Jock and undergarments
• Shin pads
• Socks
• Stick
• Skates

Here at Sports Zone, we offer the following used items: shoulder pads, pants, gloves, shin guards, and elbow pads. Used options are limited, and that's because there are certain pieces that warrant buying new, and others where you can confidently purchase used.

To make things even easier, we offer a trade-in program so you can bring in your old equipment and get credit towards new gear.

Spend Or Save With Used Hockey Equipment

There are some pieces of hockey equipment you should buy new, and others where you can seek out the best in used hockey equipment.

This CBC article sheds some light on when you can save and on what you should spend:

• Helmet - Spend: You want to make sure you get one that has not been dented or cracked. Buying new is the best way to ensure it's able to properly protect your head.
• Protective Gear - Save: Items like shoulder pads, pants, gloves, shin guards, and elbow pads can all be purchased used, and you can save a lot of money by settling for gently used items instead of new.
• Jock, Undergarments - Spend: For hygiene's sake, buy new! You just don't know where these items have been and it's not worth the health risk.
  
• Sticks - Spend: When taking to the ice, you want a stick that will provide maximum performance. Sticks are weakened by use over time, meaning you should invest in a high-quality stick such as the Bauer Supreme ADV.
• Skates - Spend or Save: Skates are another savings opportunity, and you can save yourself a lot of aches and pains by sliding into a used pair that have already been broken in. Buying new allows for optimization opportunities. Sports Zone, for example, has a Bauer 3D skate lab that scans and measures each foot for the best possible fit!

Common Hockey Equipment Questions

How Much?

The estimated cost depends on whether you go all out with the top brands or settled for used hockey equipment, but here's a general guideline via newtohockey.com:

• All new: $500 – $1,000 depending on what sales you find
• New and Used: $300 – $500
• Mostly all used: $200 – $300

Again, protective gear doesn't need to be bought new, and there's a great opportunity for savings there. Your skates could end up costing you the most, followed by your helmet and gloves. The stick is an x-factor because you could choose to go all out with a premium model.

Do I need to buy everything at once?

No. All you really need to start playing is a stick and skates. If you want to play pick-up hockey, you will probably need skates, gloves, a stick and a helmet. If you play in a competitive league, you'll need full equipment. All this to say, you can slowly transition into all the equipment you need over time. 

You don't have to break the bank to get the best hockey equipment. Seek out sales, buy out of season, take advantage of trade-in programs, and rely on experts to make sure it's all up to code.

"The most important thing to keep in mind when sourcing all sports equipment is the safety of the piece," according to Active For Life.

Hockey helmets must have a CSA (Canadian Standards Association) sticker and must be free from cracks. For skates, ensure there are no missing or rusted rivets, rusted or cracked blades, or cut leather. For all other pieces, look for signs of wear and tear and most importantly, make sure they fit properly.

Sports Zone is a serious player in the sporting store market. Because we purchase our sports products in volume, we provide the same discount levels offered by national chains and big-box retailers. Our price match promise means we won’t just match another store’s advertised price - we’ll beat it by an additional 5%! 

How Do I Start Playing Hockey?

There are entry programs for kids, and here's a great guide on how to start playing hockey as an adult as well as information on how to find the best equipment.

Sports Zone can make sure you're outfitted with the best new or used hockey equipment

Visit Sports Zone For The Best in New and Used Hockey Equipment

Like the major chain sporting retailers, we carry all the major brands you need to play your best. The Sports Zone difference, however, is our personalized level of service. We pledge to offer the customer a personal, small-store service experience but with all the sports equipment and apparel athletes need to excel at their sport.

As Waterloo's largest independent sports retailer, we've provided thousands of athletes like you with the high-performance sports gear that helped them excel in their chosen sport and we can do the same for you.

Whether you need hockey equipment, skates, hockey sticks, goalie equipment, figure skates, or baseball equipment, Sports Zone has what you need at the best price, guaranteed!

Visit us today to get the best sports equipment you need to compete and take advantage of our in-store services.

Or you can order online if you're outside the Kitchener-Waterloo area.

What Sports Zone Customers Are Saying:

"My son has special needs for his skates as his feet are very wide and curved. Vince (owner) was able to look at his feet and special order skates for him and additionally heat molded them to his feet. This changed my son's skating experience which is now pain free! This is the place to go for sporting specialization and knowledgeable staff." 

-Mary S.

 

Today, we are going to take a quick look at how to find the best sports equipment.

Sports Zone Canada has been a part of the Kitchener – Waterloo community for over 16 years. We are committed to providing sporting enthusiasts with the highest quality sports equipment and apparel available, all at unbeatable prices - contact us today to learn more!

Whether you're into hockey, soccer, baseball, football, ringette, lacrosse, field hockey or figure staking, you deserve the best sports equipment. Let's dig in and explore how you can find it.

How To Find The Best Sports Equipment

Seek Out Independent Retailers

When looking for the best sports equipment, there are certain advantages that independent retailers have over big box stores. Here are a few, according to Yellow Pages:

Variety of choice

Basic sports gear and accessories can be found at a big-box store, but you won’t necessarily have a huge selection to choose from. Independent retailers offer different equipment in various models from all the top brands.

Quality

You want to make sure you're getting the highest quality sports equipment. Independent retailers will be well versed in the best brands and models, and be proud to offer them. Big box stores, on the other hand, may offer only the basics.

Pro tips

Owners and staff at independent retailers are often experts after years of purchasing and selling the best sports equipment. They can help you choose the best gear and will advise you on how to use and maintain it.

Sports Zone is the largest independent sports retailer in the area. We are a local leader in the sports gear industry and have approximately 15,000 square feet of inventory space filled with new and used sporting equipment.

Now this is a stick built for power.The CCM Super Tacks AS2 hockey stick delivers cutting-edge technology and an optimized design to make it “a modern mid-kick performance powerhouse.”

Today, we're going to discuss Kitchener-Waterloo skate sharpening.

Whether you play hockey, figure skate, or participate in recreational skating, it's important to have fresh blades when taking to the ice. Sports Zone can meter your blades to perfection and the end result is better performance on the ice - visit us today to learn more.

Kitchener-Waterloo Skate Sharpening

Sports Zone is located at 92 Lodge Street in Waterloo, ON.

Hours:

• MON TO FRI 10AM TO 8PM
  
• SAT 9AM - 5PM
 
• SUN 11AM - 5PM

What Sets Sports Zone Apart

We are equipped with three Blademaster skate sharpening machines.

• Two machines dedicated for hockey skate sharpening
• One machine dedicated as a figure skate detailing and sharpening center

Blademaster is the global leader in skate care equipment and supplies.

Additionally, we employ a tool and die approach to our skate sharpening. What that means is on top of our machines that run over the entire blade, our sharpeners also use a machinist square tool to meter the blade to perfection, giving you the perfect edges.

Our prices:

Hockey Skate Sharpening - $6.00 (tax included)
Figure Skate Sharpening - $12.00 (tax included)

Get an edge on the competition with Kitchener-Waterloo skate sharpening

How To Know Your Skates Have Been Sharpened Properly

There are three factors involved in the perfect skate sharpening, according to Sparx Hockey: Even edges, sharp edges, and a smooth surface.

• Even edges: After having your skates sharpened, turn the skate upside down and look down at the skating surface - it should appear perfectly level. A quick test for even edges is to lay a loonie on top of the blade. If the coin appears level, your edges are sufficiently even.
• Sharp edges: "The key to confidently turning and stopping is knowing that your edge will be there when you need it. A quick test for a sharp edge is to hold the skate upside down, place one thumbnail on the edge of the blade and gently pull down and away from the blade. A good, sharp blade will, with very little pressure, easily scrape a layer of your thumbnail,  leaving the remnants on the blade." (Source: Sparx Hockey)
• Sharp surface: There should be no lines, bumps, or grooves on the outside of the blade. Give it a quick slide with your thumb and examine under a bright light to make sure.

You'll also want to be aware of the radius of hollow; the small groove at the bottom of the blade. 

Some skaters prefer a small RoH because it allows for:

• Harder and more aggressive turns
• Greater bite in the ice for acceleration
• Greater grip on the ice when, for example, battling for position in front of the net

Other players prefer a larger RoH because they feel that a flatter profile:

• Retains sufficient edge to still stop and turn
• Provides greater forgiveness on the ice and the ability to slide a bit laterally when making quick changes in direction or drifting moves (e.g. lining up a one-timer)
• Results in less friction and thus more speed when gliding
• Causes less fatigue because there is less friction to overcome

(Source: Sparx Hockey)

The experts at Sports Zone can help you determine what kind of blade is best for you.

Teddy Richards, head equipment manager for the Florida Panthers, gives a lesson on skate sharpening

Kitchener-Waterloo Skate Sharpening: When To Get It Done

The answer to this question depends on how often you skate and what you use them for.

Skate Amherstburg offers the following helpful timeline:

"When skaters start out shuffling across the ice, once or twice a season should be fine. When skaters start to use their edges more and dig into the ice, maybe 3 or 4 times a season. This is assuming skating once a week for one hour. When figure skaters reach a more advanced level, doing single and double jumps, skating 4-6 hours a week, once every month would be advisable. When Hockey players start skating one or two games a week, at a more advanced skating level, once every 4-6 games is a good bench mark."

Parents will want to keep an eye on the condition of young one's skates, while more experienced skaters will develop a feel for when they need to get their blades sharpened.

We can answer all your questions on skate sharpening topics - visit us today!

Trust Sports Zone For The Best in Kitchener-Waterloo Skate Sharpening!

Like the major chain sporting retailers, we carry all the major hockey skate and figure skate brands you need to play your best.

Sports Zone also has a trade-in program. Bring in your used equipment and get credit towards your next purchase!

The Sports Zone difference, however, is our personalized level of service. We pledge to offer the customer a personal, small-store service experience but with all the sports equipment and apparel athletes need to excel at their sport.

As Waterloo's largest independent sports retailer, we've provided thousands of athletes with the high-performance sports gear that helped them excel in their chosen sport - and we can do the same for you.

Whether you need a skate sharpening, hockey equipment, skates, hockey sticks, goalie equipment, figure skates, or other sports equipment, Sports Zone has what you need at the best price, guaranteed!

Visit us today to get the best sports equipment you need to compete and take advantage of our in-store services.

Or, you can order online if you're outside the Kitchener-Waterloo area.

What Sports Zone Customers Are Saying:

"I've been going to Sportszone for my figure skating needs and my brother for his hockey equipment for the longest time. Vince and Susan are amazing people to work with and treat their customers amazingly well. They have incredible knowledge about their products and only want the best for their customers."

- Kimberley Slimming