Hockey Skates Sizing Guide for Kids
Skate sizing is the question every new hockey parent gets wrong — and a wrong fit means a child who can't learn to skate. Here's exactly how to size hockey skates for kids, including a size conversion chart and what to look for when you can't try them on in person.
Updated for 2026 · 6 min read · Covers Bauer, CCM, and youth sizing
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The rule every hockey parent needs to know
Hockey skates fit 1 to 1.5 sizes smaller than a regular shoe. This is not a preference — it's how hockey skates are designed. The boot needs to be snug around the foot to provide ankle support. A child in a US size 4 shoe will typically wear a size 2.5 or 3 skate.
The most common mistake: buying skates with “room to grow.” Extra space in a hockey skate means the ankle can't be properly supported, which makes learning to skate significantly harder — and can cause blisters and ankle pain. A proper-fitting skate should feel snug with just enough room to wiggle the toes slightly.
Size conversion chart: shoe size to skate size
Use this as a starting point. Individual feet vary, so always measure and try on when possible.
| US Shoe Size | Suggested Skate Size | Age (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Y8 / Kids 8 | Y7 | 3–4 years |
| Y9 / Kids 9 | Y8 | 4–5 years |
| Y10 / Kids 10 | Y9 | 5–6 years |
| Y11 / Kids 11 | Y10 | 6–7 years |
| Y12 / Kids 12 | Y11 | 7–8 years |
| Y13 / Kids 13 | Y12 / 1 | 8–9 years |
| 1 / Youth 1 | Y13 / 1 | 9–10 years |
| 2 | 1 | 10–11 years |
| 3 | 2 | 11–12 years |
| 4 | 2.5–3 | 12–13 years |
| 5 | 3.5–4 | 13–14 years |
| 6 | 4.5–5 | 14+ years |
Note: Bauer and CCM sizing can vary slightly between models. When in doubt, size down rather than up.
How to measure your child's foot at home
Have your child stand on a piece of paper in socks. Trace around their foot with a pencil held straight up (not angled).
Measure from the back of the heel to the tip of the longest toe in millimeters. This is your foot length measurement.
Use the manufacturer's size chart (Bauer and CCM both publish them online) to convert the foot length to the correct skate size for their specific model.
If you're between sizes, go with the smaller size — hockey skates break in and will loosen slightly over the first few uses.
Width matters too
Most youth hockey skates come in a standard width (D for boys/men, C for girls/women). However, some kids have notably wide or narrow feet. If standard skates feel too tight across the forefoot even in the right length, look for wide-fit options:
- EE width — available from Bauer in select models, good for wide feet
- Fit 3 — CCM's designation for wide fit in their newer sizing system
CCM introduced a Fit 1 / Fit 2 / Fit 3 system. Fit 1 is narrow, Fit 2 is standard, Fit 3 is wide. When buying CCM skates, check which fit designation the model uses.
The fit test: how to tell if skates fit correctly
When the skates are laced up snugly (but not cutting off circulation), check the following:
- The heel should sit firmly in the heel pocket with minimal lift when the child stands up straight
- The toes should just barely brush the toe cap — not jammed in, but not floating
- There should be no side-to-side movement of the foot inside the boot
- When the child bends their knees slightly (skating position), the heel lift should disappear almost entirely
If the heel lifts more than a few millimeters when the knee is bent, the skate is too big.
When should you size up?
Kids' feet grow fast. A well-fitting skate typically lasts one to two seasons before they outgrow it. Signs it's time for new skates:
- Toes are curled inside the boot rather than resting flat
- Your child complains of toe pain or numbness during or after skating
- You can see the toe pushing against the front of the boot
Trying to squeeze an extra season out of too-small skates is one of the fastest ways to kill a child's enthusiasm for the sport. Foot pain = a kid who doesn't want to go to practice.
Should you heat mold the skates?
Most mid-range and higher skates can be heat molded at a pro shop — the boot is warmed in an oven and the child puts them on to let the boot conform to their foot shape. This is especially useful for kids with narrow heels or unusual foot shapes. It typically costs $10–$20 and makes a noticeable difference in fit and comfort. It's worth doing for any skate over $100.
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